US5507457A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Train integrity detection system
Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
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Filing: 1995-02-13
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2015-02-13
Abstract
Abstract An improvement in an End-of-Train (EOT) monitor system allows the continuity of the brake pipe of a train to be verified. Obstructions in the brake-pipe, such as, for example, closed angle cocks, kinks, blockages, or breaks, adversely affect brake safety. A pressure sensor is installed in the Locomotive Cab Unit (LCU) to sense brake application. If the brake pipe is intact, a brake application initiated from the locomotive should correspondingly result in a drop in pressure at the EOT unit. The time require for the drop to propagate through the train is a function of train length. If a pressure drop is not sensed at the EOT unit within a predetermined period of time, it is assumed to be due to either a corrupted brake pipe or a communications failure between the LCU and EOT unit. A Microprocessor in the LCU initiates a communications check by interrogating the EOT unit from the LCU. If no reply is received, an alarm sounds warning the engineer of a communications failure. If, on the other hand, the LCU receives a reply from the EOT to the interrogation, a brake pipe continuity alarm is sounded warning the engineer of a brake fault condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Kull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:00
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L15/00; B61L15/0018; B61L15/0027; B60; B60L; B60L3/00; B61L15/0054; B61L15/009; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/10; Y02T90/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A train integrity detection system for sensing faults in a brake pipe traversing the length of a train, comprising: a locomotive cab unit positioned at the head-end of a train, said locomotive cab unit comprising a first transceiver and a first brake pipe pressure sensor for sensing a brake application, said locomotive cab unit including a timer which is started when said first brake pipe pressure sensor senses a brake application, said timer defining a predetermined time duration; an end-of-train unit for monitoring brake pipe pressure at a rear-end of the train, said end-of-train unit comprising a second transceiver in radio communication with said first transceiver and a second brake pipe pressure sensor for sensing a reduction in pressure due to a brake application, said end-of-train unit transmitting a radio signal to said locomotive cab unit when a reduction in brake pipe pressure is sensed by said second brake pipe pressure sensor to communicate a brake pipe pressure change; reset means at said locomotive cab unit for resetting said timer upon receipt of said radio signal transmitted by said end-of-train unit; and alarm means at said locomotive cab unit for notifying an engineer that said timer has timed out without being reset during said predetermined time duration thereby indicating that a failure in the train integrity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A train integrity detection system for sensing faults in a brake pipe traversing the length of a train, comprising: a locomotive cab unit positioned at the head-end of a train, said locomotive cab unit comprising a first transceiver and a first brake pipe pressure sensor for sensing a brake application, said locomotive cab unit including a timer which is started when said first brake pipe pressure sensor senses a brake application, said timer defining a predetermined time duration; an end-of-train unit for monitoring brake pipe pressure at a rear-end of the train, said end-of-train unit comprising a second transceiver in radio communication with said first transceiver and a second brake pipe pressure sensor for sensing a reduction in pressure due to a brake application, said end-of-train unit transmitting a radio signal to said locomotive cab unit when a reduction in brake pipe pressure is sensed by said second brake pipe pressure sensor to communicate a brake pipe pressure change; reset means at said locomotive cab unit for resetting said timer upon receipt of said radio signal transmitted by said end-of-train unit; and alarm means at said locomotive cab unit for notifying an engineer that said timer has timed out without being reset during said predetermined time duration thereby indicating that a failure in the train integrity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The train integrity detection system recited in claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises: means for causing said locomotive cab unit to interrogate said end-of-train unit if said end-of-train unit fails to transmit said radio signal communicating a brake pipe pressure change in response to a brake application within said predetermined time duration defined by said timer; a communications fault alarm connected to said locomotive cab unit which is activated if said end-of-train unit fails to reply when interrogated; and a brake pipe integrity alarm connected to said locomotive cab unit which is activated if said end-of-train unit replies when interrogated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The train integrity detection system recited in claim 2 further comprising: means for inputting to the locomotive cab unit a length of the train to calculate a pressure propagation time; and means for establishing the predetermined time duration defined by said timer as a function of said pressure propagation time.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
128 words
A method sensing faults in a brake pipe traversing a length of a train comprising the steps of: sensing at a head of the train an application of brakes as a reduction of pressure of the brake pipe; starting a timer upon sensing an application of brakes, said timer defining a predetermined time duration; monitoring brake pipe pressure at an end of the train; transmitting a radio signal from the end of the train to the head of the train when a change in monitored brake pipe pressure is detected; resetting said timer upon receipt of said radio signal; and actuating an alarm to notify an engineer the timer has timed out without being reset during said predetermined time duration thereby indicating a failure in the train integrity.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
128 words
A method sensing faults in a brake pipe traversing a length of a train comprising the steps of: sensing at a head of the train an application of brakes as a reduction of pressure of the brake pipe; starting a timer upon sensing an application of brakes, said timer defining a predetermined time duration; monitoring brake pipe pressure at an end of the train; transmitting a radio signal from the end of the train to the head of the train when a change in monitored brake pipe pressure is detected; resetting said timer upon receipt of said radio signal; and actuating an alarm to notify an engineer the timer has timed out without being reset during said predetermined time duration thereby indicating a failure in the train integrity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method recited in claim 4 wherein the step of actuating an alarm comprises the steps of: interrogating the end of the train if the timer is not reset within the predetermined time duration defined by said timer; activating a communications fault alarm if the end of the train fails to reply when interrogated; and activating a brake pipe integrity alarm if said end of the train replies when interrogated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method recited in claim 5 further comprising the steps of: inputting to the locomotive cab unit a length of the train to calculate a pressure propagation time; and establishing the predetermined time duration defined by said timer as a function of said pressure propagation time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |