TRACTION OPTIMIZING PLUG-IN SYSTEM (TOPS)
The Motivation
Older locomotives' analog wheel-slip controller, e.g.
the SD40-2 locomotive's WS-10 wheel-slip control
module, provide adhesion levels which are
significantly lower than those provided by
contemporary microprocessor controlled
locomotives. Even when operating with good track
conditions, available tractive effort from older
locomotives is low. The situation with poor track
conditions is even worse.
Additional locomotive power is required to sustain a
given load when compared to newer high adhesion
locomotives. In addition, fleet management with
older low adhesion locomotives is more
complicated. The results of mixing low adhesion
and high adhesion power must be managed
effectively.
The Solution
TOPS focuses directly on main generator current
maximization. It uses existing locomotive wheel-slip
signals (WST and WSR) and monitors main
generator voltage and main generator current to
drive a fuzzy logic current maximizing controller.
Advanced signal processing routines tune the
locomotive signals for input to the fuzzy logic
controller.
The system ensures that the locomotiveto-locomotive parameter variations do not adversely
affect operation (e.g. locomotive weight, traction
motor type, wheel size differences, as well as,
wheel-to-wheel mismatch).
In head-to-head performance testing against the
WS-10 system (with tests designed and executed by
an independent railroad), TOPS dramatically out
performed WS-10. On dry track, TOPS achieves 27%
adhesion to the WS-10's 19%. On wet track, TOPS
achieves 25% adhesion to the WS-10's 16%.