VictorSpear
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| 07 Dec 2012 05:00 PM |
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Experimenting with different torque values and mount positions - the Kadee's need very little to pry the coupler jaw open. The micro-steppers arrived without any documentation (torque-speed curves) as usual. Makes the experiment an intriguing guessopoly as to final outcomes. The 10 mm dia. one on the right has a small plastic 'slip-clutch' to allow over-torque conditions. Need to verify if it works as claimed. Cheers, Victor |
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VictorSpear
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| 02 Jan 2013 09:49 AM |
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Finished up the board design for the wireless coupler/lighting control module of the WTAN. Boards should be here in 2.5 weeks. Will test the ipod/ipad interface with small 2.5 g servos in different cars in the interim. The objective is to do a little more than visual coupling/decoupling by instructing the loco to perform an automated operation on a specific car by moving it to a precise location # on the layout and then signaling back when done. The interface simply selects ( loco_id, car_id, location_id) and transmits request into the network. Started work on meshed wireless signaling and found some prototype color-light signals to fabricate. I'm puzzled why something with 3 LEDs and a pole would cost $30 on average in today's market. Wondering aloud if there is anything out there that is low-cost digital printed or laser cut for final assembly ? Cheers, Victor |
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VictorSpear
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| 06 Jan 2013 04:11 PM |
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While waiting for supplies/boards to surface, began testing some coupler operations in manual/auto modes using some micro-servos instead. Still looking for decent coupling/decoupling sound bites. |
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VictorSpear
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| 08 Jan 2013 09:12 AM |
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Ok, found the general scale market offerings ridiculously overpriced, so decided to get several 3-D printed versions of this Shapeways design in 1:29 scale ... working with the author to use some old diagrams for the Chesapeake & Ohio signals to make a simple modular 'hybrid' that will allow the multi-aspect wireless signaling. The 'model' as usual, precedes the Alstom 'prototype' in this regard  I'd like to get the BOM down to between $7 to $8 per mast, LEDs included thru bulk pricing. The Alstoms: |
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VictorSpear
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| 08 Feb 2013 05:44 AM |
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The rolling stock control boards (Agent Module of WTAN) finally arrived. Scheduled for testing is wireless range and control of couplers, lights and digital signboards for individual passenger cars. For wireless lighting control in passenger cars, I took it a few steps further in the Use Case and elevated the design to control each of the six overhead lights in any car in terms of a. Color b. Intensity c. Individual control of each light and digital sign board remotely from the smartphone. Item b gives me a way to keep the rear restroom lights a different color from the car's main cabin lights (and dim them for privacy when needed or turn them off to satisfy the green-energy purists). Purely an idiosyncratic feature - but fun to be able to control the intensity of lights at a siding differently from the mainline. |
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VictorSpear
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| 08 Feb 2013 07:34 AM |
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Using a 'cartridge' type of housing to protect and mount the module and servos inside the cars with a guidance sleeve for the control cable between the servo (or stepper) and couplers. . |
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Michael W
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| 19 Feb 2013 01:13 AM |
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You are making great progress there victor, when can i expect to see your system on the shelf?
:o)
But on a bit more serious note this looks really promising, I was thinking to look into Arduino boards using wireless usb and track power... However you are lightyears ahead with your project...
Keep up the good work this is really inspirational
Kind regards michael |
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VictorSpear
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| 19 Feb 2013 07:36 PM |
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Yes the boards are performing well and the fine-grained lighting control inside the passenger cars is done. I'm able to turn off the bathroom lights from remote, trim the first class lights dim-blue and leave the coach class lights in yellow. In terms of coupler control the Aristo couplers are a challenge - they have a higher spring force than needed (hooke's constant). But I think I've found a way to avoid that ungainly banging of cars to enforce Aristo style coupling with a weaker spring replacement (still testing those coarse action couplers). Never a problem with the Kadees of course. The shelf railway is always on :-) but I hope to send the stuff down to my colleague who can test it outdoors and get some video at night. Cheers, Victor |
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Michael W
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| 19 Feb 2013 11:59 PM |
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I am happy to test it for you...... |
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VictorSpear
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| 25 Feb 2013 10:31 AM |
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Updated the Lighting+Aux control UI to handle the wireless control of lights/couplers/other assets ID/LOC is used to select specific nodes (e.g. The Asset selector/Device selector has chosen Car #006 with lamp #002 to be set to a particular RGB number). |
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VictorSpear
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| 10 Mar 2013 06:56 AM |
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Now that Warren's railway (BNSF) will start (resume) aggressive testing of gas powered locos with towed LNG tank cars like the CN experiments below, the prototype will be towing fuel instead of carrying fuel. Ok then. So batteries can be towed in our model tank cars along with all the other electronics and never too far ahead of the prototype  . Article: http://thekneeslider.com/locomotives-may-shake-up-the-transportation-fuels-market/ Now all we need is a 'rechargeable' tank car with the sides that can be screwed open/close to house the solid fuel we use (batteries). It shouldn't be too long before the tank car is made an integral part of the loco itself eh EMD ? Meanwhile I just spent all winter miniaturizing everything to fit inside the locos and testing relatively 'safer' LifePO4s with the safety circuitry for running in hybrid mode (dynamic track/battery power).
Cheers, Victor |
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Brandon
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| 11 Mar 2013 06:43 PM |
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Nice... Specs? |
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VictorSpear
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| 11 Mar 2013 09:01 PM |
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Just the LiFePO4 battery pack itself - Available as a custom order from Batteryspace.com
| Voltage | Voltage: 19.2 V (working) 21.9 V (peak) 15.0V ( cut-off) | | Capacity | 3.3 Ah (63.4Wh) | | Cycle life | >1000 cycles (80% of initial capacity @ 0.2C rate, IEC Standard) | | Protection |
- Included PCB-LFP19V7A for protection
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Must use a 19.2V (6 Cells) LFP charger to recharge this pack
| | Prewired | - Charge / Discharge terminal: 6.0" long 24 AWG open end wire
| | Charging rate | 1.0 A up to 2A Max (limited by battery) | | Max. Discharge Rate | | | Dimensions (LxWxH) | 106mm(4.2") x 75mm(2.9") x 84mm(3.3")
| | Weight | 640 grams (1.0lbs 6.6Oz) | |
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VictorSpear
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| 11 Mar 2013 09:10 PM |
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For some reason the picture of the LNG tankered prototype disappeared, then re-appeared. Re-posting with link to article.
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VictorSpear
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| 16 Mar 2013 10:31 AM |
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My colleague who wants to introduce a custom line and is testing some of the concepts here asked for an upgrade to the touch interface so that trains could be run in the lobby of one of the building facilities he manages. @MichaelW : I'm working on FCC compliance (Part 15) tests for the Mobile Command & Control Modules and the modules are being tested by a few colleagues in the US, Germany and Japan. May take some time here but we have the Command Module done. The Control and Agent Modules are next. |
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Michael W
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| 16 Mar 2013 05:22 PM |
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Great article about the gas powered diesel, over here a lot of buses got converted quite successfully to gas....
Anyhow keep up the good work!
Kind regards michael |
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VictorSpear
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| 31 Mar 2013 09:35 AM |
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Added real-time guages for RPM and SMPH feedback based on user-settable driver wheel diameter in the Rail-ML database. While a single handheld controller can control any number of locos, switches, lights or other assets (no channel limit restrictions) we have introduced the ability to have simultaneous Command and Control for a single loco from multiple handhelds while broadcasting real-time feedback simultaneously to all authenticated handhelds. (Unlimited handhelds and roles, unlimited locos). Anyone with a smartphone (controller) can log into the network and control assets based on pre-defined roles (Chief Engineer, Maintenance Crew, Inspector, Guest, ......Wife, Daughter, Pesky Neighbor's son...)
Upgraded the 'Quick' interface to have both color (indoor) or B&W options (outdoor) to take advantage of new retina displays and e-Ink (KindleFire). Cheers, Victor |
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VictorSpear
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| 05 May 2013 08:15 AM |
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All components of the Mobile Command & Control Digital Railway System being configured for a robotics supplier for FCC testing in their lab for building automation products. Command Station, Agent Module, Wifi n/g Router, Ipod Controller Cheers, Victor |
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VictorSpear
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| 11 May 2013 07:55 AM |
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Started work on some intriguing Use Cases from a University colleague for LPVS (non-GPS) for Automated Train Control Operations in large layouts using 'Dynamic Virtual Blocks' (no wiring). Handheld: a. Establish Origin, Destination, Intermediate Stops and Wait Times (beyond simple back-forth-stop trolleying)
Locomotive On-Board Inference: b. Broadcast Intent, Check Constraints, Turnouts, Signals, Impediments and Occupancy, Right-of-Way c. Optimize Route, Speed, Pathways - within Constraints
d. Broadcast Location, Route Intention and request point-to-point Right-of-Way Command Station: a. Allow/Reject Traversal b. Lock/Release Right-of-Way Cheers, Victor |
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VictorSpear
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| 11 May 2013 08:35 AM |
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The basis for the Use Case drivers for our LPVS modeling stems from the Congressional Research Report by John Fritelli and Jeffrey Peters and summarized below: Positive Train Control (PTC): Overview and Policy Issues Congressional Research Service Summary The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA 08) requires implementation of positive train control (PTC) on railroads which carry passengers or have high-volume freight traffic with toxic- or poisonous-by-inhalation hazardous materials. PTC is a communications and signaling systemthat has been identified by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as a technology capable of preventing accidents caused by train operator or dispatcher error. PTC is expected to reduce the number of accidents due to excessive speed, conflicting train movements, and engineer failure to obey wayside signals. It would not prevent incidents due to trespassing on railroads’ right-of-way or at highway-rail grade crossings,where the vast majority of rail-related fatalities occur. Under RSIA08, PTC is required on about 60,000 miles of railroad track by December 31, 2015. Many railroad companies are uncertain of their ability to fully implement PTC by this deadline. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) estimates full PTC implementation will cost approximately $14 billion. Although the larger freight railroads are well along in planning for PTC, some smaller railroads and commuter lines have not yet identified sources of funding for implementation. PTC uses signals and sensors along the track to communicate train location, speed restrictions, and moving authority. If the locomotive is violating a speed restriction or moving authority, on- board equipment will automatically slow or stop the train. A more expansive version of PTC, called communications-based train control (CBTC), would bring additional safety benefits plus business benefits for railroad operators, such as increased capacity and reduced fuel consumption. However, CBTC is not currently being installed by any U.S. railroad, due to the additional cost and to uncertainty about implementation of PTC before the 2015 deadline |
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