US5744707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Train brake performance monitor
Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
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Filing: 1996-02-15
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Granted: 1998-04-28
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Expires: 2016-02-15
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for monitoring brake performance and updating information relating to brake performance while a train is in motion. A computer on the train is provided with inputs for grade information, axle speed, brakepipe pressure, and locomotive tractive effort. During brake applications when the train is in motion, calculations are made by the computer to update parameters which relate to braking performance, and to generate signals representing those parameters.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Kull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/28; B; B61; B61L; B61L15/00; B61L15/0062; B61L15/0072; B61L15/0081; B61L15/009; B61L25/00; B61L25/02; B61L25/021; B61L25/025; G01L5/284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for providing improved control of brakes on railway vehicles disposed in a train drawn by at least one operating locomotive, said method comprising: (a) communicating signals indicative of grade information to an onboard computer disposed on such train, said step of communicating signals indicative of grade information including the step of utilizing a track grade database and signals indicative of train position in relation to such track grade database from a rail navigation system; (b) providing said onboard computer with signals indicative of axle speed from at least one of such vehicles of such train; (c) providing said onboard computer with signals indicative of brakepipe pressure; (d) providing said onboard computer with signals indicative of tractive effort from such at least one operating locomotive; and (e) providing said onboard computer with signals defining computer programs to utilize said signals obtained in steps (a) through (d) above to generate signals indicating at least one braking efficiency parameter of such train, thereby providing said improved control of such brakes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for providing improved control of brakes on railway vehicles disposed in a train drawn by at least one operating locomotive, said method comprising: (a) communicating signals indicative of grade information to an onboard computer disposed on such train, said step of communicating signals indicative of grade information including the step of utilizing a track grade database and signals indicative of train position in relation to such track grade database from a rail navigation system; (b) providing said onboard computer with signals indicative of axle speed from at least one of such vehicles of such train; (c) providing said onboard computer with signals indicative of brakepipe pressure; (d) providing said onboard computer with signals indicative of tractive effort from such at least one operating locomotive; and (e) providing said onboard computer with signals defining computer programs to utilize said signals obtained in steps (a) through (d) above to generate signals indicating at least one braking efficiency parameter of such train, thereby providing said improved control of such brakes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of providing said onboard computer with signals indicative of dynamic braking from such at least one operating locomotive on such train; and including in step (e) the additional step of providing in said computer signals indicative of computer programs to utilize said signals indicative of dynamic braking for generating said at least one braking efficiency parameter of such train.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said signals indicative of brakepipe pressure include signals representing a first brakepipe pressure in a first one of such at least one operating locomotive having a compressor providing air to such brakepipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said signals indicative of brakepipe pressure include signals representing a second brakepipe pressure in a portion of such brakepipe in at least one of such vehicles remote from such locomotive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said second brakepipe pressure is obtained by an end of train unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of providing said onboard computer with track curvature data and the step of determining a position of such train in relation to such track curvature data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of providing said onboard computer with curve banking data and the step of determining a position of such train in relation to such curve banking data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of at least one of checking train weight, determining train weight, and providing an improved value for train weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of providing stopping distance signals to an operator of such train, such stopping distance signals corresponding to at least one of an emergency brake application, a full service brake application, and a selectable brake application smaller than a full service brake application.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for providing improved control of brakes on railway vehicles disposed in a train drawn by at least one operating locomotive, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for communicating signals indicative of grade information to an onboard computer disposed on such train, said means for communicating signals indicative of grade information including means for utilizing a track grade database and signals indicative of train position in relation to such track grade database from a rail navigation system; (b) means for providing such onboard computer with signals indicative of axle speed from at least one of such vehicles of such train; (c) means for providing such onboard computer with signals indicative of brakepipe pressure; (d) means for providing such onboard computer with signals indicative of tractive effort from such at least one operating locomotive; and (e) means for providing such onboard computer with signals defining computer programs to utilize said signals indicative of grade information, said signals indicative of axle speed, said signals indicative of brakepipe pressure, and said signals indicative of tractive effort to generate signals indicative of at least one braking efficiency parameter, thereby providing said improved control of such brakes.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
192 words
An apparatus for providing improved control of brakes on railway vehicles disposed in a train drawn by at least one operating locomotive, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for communicating signals indicative of grade information to an onboard computer disposed on such train, said means for communicating signals indicative of grade information including means for utilizing a track grade database and signals indicative of train position in relation to such track grade database from a rail navigation system; (b) means for providing such onboard computer with signals indicative of axle speed from at least one of such vehicles of such train; (c) means for providing such onboard computer with signals indicative of brakepipe pressure; (d) means for providing such onboard computer with signals indicative of tractive effort from such at least one operating locomotive; and (e) means for providing such onboard computer with signals defining computer programs to utilize said signals indicative of grade information, said signals indicative of axle speed, said signals indicative of brakepipe pressure, and said signals indicative of tractive effort to generate signals indicative of at least one braking efficiency parameter, thereby providing said improved control of such brakes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for providing such onboard computer with signals indicative of dynamic braking from such at least one operating locomotive on such train; and means for providing in such computer signals indicative of instructions to utilize said signals indicative of dynamic braking for generating said signals indicative of at least one braking efficiency parameter of such train.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said signals indicative of brakepipe pressure include signals representing a first brakepipe pressure in a first one of such at least one operating locomotive having a compressor providing air to such brakepipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said signals indicative of brakepipe pressure include signals representing a second brakepipe pressure in a portion of such brakepipe in at least one of such vehicles remote from such locomotive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said second brakepipe pressure is obtained by an end of train unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for providing said onboard computer with track curvature data and means for determining a position of such train in relation to such track curvature data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising means for providing said onboard computer with curve banking data and means for determining a position of such train in relation to such curve banking data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for at least one of checking train weight, determining train weight, and providing an improved value for train weight.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for providing stopping distance signals to an operator of such train, such stopping distance signals corresponding to at least one of an emergency brake application, a full service brake application, and a selectable brake application smaller than a full service brake application.
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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) | 2001-04-27 | 2001-10-27 | 2002-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-10-27 | 2006-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-27 | 2009-10-27 | 2010-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |