DESC:DESCRIPTION
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SUSPENSION AND MANEUVERABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF BOGEY

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock.

BACKGROUND
[002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Although traditional or existing mechanical suspension systems designed for rolling stocks provide cushioning during dynamic movements and help in bearing a considerable amount of load but are not able to provide good maneuverability and riding index. Furthermore, the application of the traditional mechanical suspension systems is limited to a range of operating conditions or bogie dynamic/ movement parameters and requirements of the rolling stock as the characteristics are shown by a suspension system depend upon the mechanical properties of the component or material used for the suspension systems. For providing different range, such suspension systems either require to be modified to provide the required bogie dynamic parameters or be replaced with a suspension system fulfilling the desired requirements which in turn is not economically viable. There is also no provision of monitoring and controlling the performance of such existing mechanical suspension systems or bogey which is affected by factors like vehicle linear acceleration, braking, steering activity, vehicle speed, predicted lateral acceleration, etc.
[004] In view of the above, there is a need to provide a system that can overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the existing mechanical suspension systems.
[005] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow
[007] It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock that meets the suspension requirements of the rolling stock for any range of operating conditions and controls dynamic parameters of the bogie and other requirements.
[008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock that provides good maneuverability and ride index.
[009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics that monitors and controls the performance as well as the condition of the bogey.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0012] The present subject matter relates to a system for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogie of rolling stock. The system comprises a plurality of primary power packs and a plurality of secondary power packs which in an energized condition sense dynamic parameters of the bogie and transmit the sensed dynamic parameters via a plurality of two-way communication lines to a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive sensed dynamic parameters of the bogie via the plurality of two-way communication lines, map the received dynamic parameters of the bogie with a predefined limiting dynamic parameters and generate calibrated bogie dynamic parameters, and transmit the calibrated dynamic parameters of the bogie via the plurality of two-way communication lines back to the plurality of primary power packs and the plurality of secondary power packs.
[0013] The present subject matter also relates to a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of the bogey of the rolling stock, the method comprising sensing dynamic parameters of the bogie in an energized condition by a plurality of primary power packs and a plurality of secondary power packs, transmitting the sensed dynamic parameters of the bogie via a plurality of two-way communication lines to a control unit. The control unit is configured for receiving the sensed dynamic parameters of the bogie, mapping the received dynamic parameters of the bogie with a predefined limiting dynamic parameters and generating calibrated bogie dynamic parameters and transmitting the calibrated bogie dynamic parameters back to the plurality of the primary power packs and the plurality of secondary power packs via the plurality of two-way communication lines.
[0014] In an aspect, the plurality of primary power packs is mounted between a wheelset and a bogie frame and the plurality of secondary power packs is mounted between the bogie frame and a carbody.
[0015] In another aspect, the plurality of primary power packs and the plurality of secondary power packs includes valves or actuators. The plurality of primary power packs and the plurality of secondary power packs get energized when the rolling stock is powered or started.
[0016] In yet another aspect, the plurality of primary power packs is connected with the control unit via the plurality of first two-way communication lines and the plurality of secondary power packs is connected with the control unit via the plurality of second two-way communication lines.
[0017] In an aspect, the control unit is further configured to monitor and control the performance as well as the condition of the bogie.
[0018] The disclosed system and the method help to meet the suspension requirements of the rolling stock for any range of operating conditions and control dynamic parameters of the bogie and requirements. The system also provides good maneuverability and ride index.
[0019] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0023] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0025] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0026] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0027] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0029] As already discussed in the background, traditional mechanical suspension systems either require to be modified or be replaced with a suspension system to fulfill the required bogie dynamic parameters or operate at the desired range of conditions that are not economically viable. There is also no provision of monitoring and controlling the performance of such existing mechanical suspension systems or bogey. Further, such systems are also not able to provide good maneuverability and ride index. In order to resolve the shortcomings of the existing or traditional mechanical suspension systems, the present disclosure provides a block diagram of a system 100 for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock as shown in FIG. 1. The system 100 comprises a plurality of primary power packs 102 and a plurality of secondary power packs 104. The plurality of primary power packs 102 is mounted between a wheelset 106 and a bogie frame 108. The plurality of secondary power packs 104 is mounted between the bogie frame 108 and a carbody 110. In an aspect, the plurality of primary power packs 102 and the plurality of secondary power packs 104 includes valves or actuators. The primary power packs 102 and the secondary power packs 104 functions in high-frequency linear motions in bi-direction (to and fro) like solenoid valves. The primary power packs 102 and the secondary power packs 104 are arranged in a manner to accomplish the motion that can induce all 6 degrees of freedom into the bogie. The combination of the primary power packs 102 and secondary power packs 104 acts as a suspension system helping the bogie to maneuver the travel path in a controlled way by providing better flexibility for curve negotiation. The primary power packs 102 and secondary power packs 104 can be operated through electric/pneumatic/hydraulic impulses. In a preferred aspect, the primary power packs 102 and the secondary power packs 104 are operated through electric impulses. The plurality of primary power packs 102 is connected with a control unit 112 via a plurality of two-way communication lines 114. Similarly, the plurality of secondary power packs 104 is connected with the control unit 112 via the plurality of two-way communication lines 116. In an aspect, the control unit 112 can be mounted on the bogie frame 108 or on the carbody 110. The two-way communication lines 114 and 116 transfer signals or information regarding dynamic parameters of the bogie to and from the primary & secondary power packs 102, 104 and the control unit 112. When the rolling stock is in a non-working condition, the primary & secondary power packs 102, 104 are inactive and when the rolling stock is powered or started, the primary & secondary power packs 102, 104 get energized. The plurality of primary power packs 102 and the plurality of secondary power packs 104 in an energized condition sense dynamic parameters of the bogie and transmit the sensed dynamic parameters of the bogie via the plurality of two-way communication lines 114, 116 respectively to the control unit 112. The control unit 112 then maps the received dynamic parameters of the bogie with a predefined limiting dynamic parameters and generate calibrated bogie dynamic parameters based on the difference between received dynamic parameters of the bogie and predefined bogie dynamic parameters. The control unit 112 then transmits the calibrated bogie dynamic parameters via the plurality of two-way communication lines 114, 116 back to the plurality of primary power packs 102 and the plurality of secondary power packs 104, respectively for execution or implementation. The control unit 112 is further configured to monitor and control the performance as well as the condition of the bogie. In an aspect, the control unit 112 constitutes a digital electronic control unit to provide inputs to the plurality of primary and secondary power packs 102, 104 for maintaining required suspension and maneuverability characteristics. The control unit 112 also comprises a feedback monitor or control system that monitors and controls the performance as well as the condition of the bogie. It is desirable that the control unit 112 comprises the digital electronic control unit and the feedback monitor or control system together. While the feedback monitor or control system imparts the performance enhancement of the bogie, the digital electronic control unit is intended to enhance the precision with which reliable & repeatable bogie performance can be obtained. The feedback monitor or control system can be separate components as well while complimenting each other functionally. The system 100 can be installed in any type of other vehicles without any major modification or alterations. As the system 100 is electronically controlled, the active state of the system can be fed back to the control system that can monitor the performance and provide corrective action back to the power pack to change the course of action whereas in the existing mechanical suspension systems since the design is frozen, the performance band of the system is also fixed. Therefore, the system becomes a passive system and performs only within the fixed performance band. Also, there is no corrective action taken by the system if the vehicle is going off course.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a method 200 for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of the bogey of the rolling stock. The method 200 comprises sensing dynamic parameters of the bogie in an energized condition by a plurality of primary power packs 102 and a plurality of secondary power packs 104 represented by block 202.
[0031] At block 204, the sensed dynamic parameters of the bogie are transmitted via a plurality of two-way communication lines 114, 116 to the control unit 112.
[0032] The control unit 112 then maps the received dynamic parameters of the bogie with a predefined limiting dynamic parameters and generate calibrated bogie dynamic parameters based on the difference between received dynamic parameters of the bogie and predefined bogie dynamic parameters, represented by block 206.
[0033] At the end as represented by block 208, the calibrated bogie dynamic parameters are transmitted back to the plurality of the primary power packs 102 and the plurality of secondary power packs 104 for execution or implementation via the plurality of two-way communication lines 114, 116 respectively. The disclosed system 100 and the method 200 help to meet the suspension requirements of the rolling stock for any range of operating conditions and control dynamic parameters of the bogie and requirements. The system 100 and method 200 also provides good maneuverability and ride index.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0034] The present disclosure provides a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock that meets the suspension requirements of the rolling stock for any range of operating conditions and controls dynamic parameters of the bogie and other requirements.
[0035] The present disclosure provides a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock that monitors and controls the performance as well as the condition of the bogey.
[0036] The present disclosure provides a system and a method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock that provides good maneuverability and ride index.
[0037] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A system (100) for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogie of rolling stock, the system (100) comprising:
a plurality of primary power packs (102) and a plurality of secondary power packs (104) which in an energized condition sense dynamic parameters of the bogie and transmit the sensed dynamic parameters via a plurality of two-way communication lines (114, 116);
a control unit (112) configured to:
receive sensed dynamic parameters of the bogie via the plurality of two-way communication lines (114, 116),
map the received dynamic parameters of the bogie with a predefined limiting dynamic parameters and generate calibrated bogie dynamic parameters, and
transmit the calibrated bogie dynamic parameters via the plurality of two-way communication lines (114, 116) to the plurality of primary power packs (102) and the plurality of secondary power packs (104).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of primary power packs (102) is mounted between a wheelset (106) and a bogie frame (108).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of secondary power packs (104) is mounted between the bogie frame (108) and a carbody (110).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of primary power packs (102) and the plurality of secondary power packs (104) includes valves or actuators.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of primary power packs (102) and the plurality of secondary power packs (104) get energized when the rolling stock is powered.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of primary power packs (102) is connected with the control unit (112) via the plurality of two-way communication lines (114).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of secondary power packs (104) is connected with the control unit (112) via the plurality of two-way communication lines (116).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (112) is further configured to monitor and control the performance as well as the condition of the bogie.
9. A method for controlling suspension and maneuverability characteristics of a bogey of rolling stock, the method comprising:
sensing dynamic parameters of the bogie in an energized condition by a plurality of primary power packs (102) and a plurality of secondary power packs (104);
transmitting the sensed dynamic parameters of the bogie via a plurality of two-way communication lines (114, 116) to a control unit (112), the control unit (112) configured for:
mapping the received dynamic parameters of the bogie with a predefined limiting dynamic parameters and generating calibrated bogie dynamic parameters, and
transmitting the calibrated bogie dynamic parameters to the plurality of the primary power packs (102) and the plurality of secondary power packs (104) via the plurality of two-way communication lines (114, 116).
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, comprising energizing the plurality of primary power packs (102) and the plurality of secondary power packs (104) when the rolling stock is powered.
11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit (112) is further configured for monitoring and controlling the performance as well as the condition of the bogie