Abstract: An improved method is used to control the pressure in the brake pipe of a train. The train is equipped with an automatic brake handle, an equalizing reservoir, a brake pipe control device and a computer for controlling the control device according to position of the handle. The method involves the steps of: moving the handle to a point along its range of motion; and storing in the computer as a setpoint the value desired for the pressure in the brake pipe. At whichever point the handle occupies along its range of motion, there is a particular pressure setpoint corresponding thereto. The method next includes the steps of: directing the computer to command the control device to modify the actual pressure in the equalizing reservoir to the setpoint thereby also causing the actual brake pipe pressure to approach the setpoint.

Abstract: An improved method is used to control the pressure in the IAR pipe of a train. The train is typically equipped with an independent brake handle, a control reservoir, an IAR control portion and a computer for controlling the IAR control portion generally according to position of the brake handle. The method involves the steps of: moving the brake handle to a point along its range of motion; and storing in the computer as a setpoint the value desired for the pressure within the IAR pipe. At whichever point the brake handle occupies along its range of motion, there is a particular pressure setpoint corresponding thereto. The method next includes the steps of: directing the computer to modify the actual pressure in the control reservoir to the setpoint thereby also causing the actual IAR pipe pressure to approach the setpoint.

Abstract: A method of preventing movement of a locomotive while personnel are working on the locomotive. The method includes placing the brakes of the locomotive under the control of a card reading control box, and providing personnel employed to work on the locomotive with identification cards readable by the box. Each worker inserts his or her card in the box before working on the locomotive, and the control box reads the cards and in response thereto maintains the brakes of the locomotive at full service until personnel have left the locomotive and the control box is cleared by workers again inserting their cards in the box or by a master key in the position of an engineer/operator of a locomotive.

Abstract: In a locomotive throttle controller having a digital central processor unit and an output driver mechanism for supplying signals to trainlines which control the locomotive engine throttle setting, reverser, and dynamic braking and for sending feedback signals indicative of actual voltages applied to said trainlines back to said central processor unit, of at least one locomotive, an improvement comprises a digital interface through which external digital equipment can communicate with the central processor unit and devices for communicating via the digital interface between the external digital equipment and the central processor unit such that the external digital equipment may be used to control the at least one locomotive.

Abstract: A system for electronically controlling brakes on a train through a double ended locomotive is disclosed. The electronic brake control system comprises a first cab station, a second cab station and a brake control device which communicates with each of the cab stations. The cab stations are interchangeable and operate in part according to algorithms set forth in software written for the instant cab stations. The brake control device likewise operates in part according to algorithms set forth in software written for the brake control device. The first cab station generates a first stream of signal packets indicative of parameters for operating the system and transmits same to the brake control device. The second cab station likewise generates a second stream of signal packets indicative of parameters for operating the system and transmits same to the brake control device. Each cab station generates and transmits its respective stream of signal packets one signal packet at a time.

Abstract: A protocol is provided for bi-directional communication of control signals between a host unit and a slave unit. The protocol is particularly adapted to the control of a locomotive from a remote host computer.The protocol provides for transmission of digital signals indicative of control commands from the host computer to the slave computer, and simultaneous transmission of digital signals indicative of diagnostic information from the slave computer to the host computer.Information is transmitted in the form of data packets, and means are provided, in the receiving computer, for detecting corruption of transmission, or loss of transmission, and for providing a safe response to either of such conditions.

Abstract: An electrically controlled railway locomotive throttle controller including a power source connected to a central processing unit disposed on such locomotive. An encoder device is disposed on such locomotive for providing at least one electrical signal to such central processing unit. This at least one electrical signal being at least one of a signal indicative of a throttle position, a signal indicative of dynamic braking and a signal indicative of a reverser. A digital control device is disposed on such locomotive and is connected to receive a signal from such central processing unit to provide a digital control signal that controls the voltage being applied to a trainline. An analog control device is also disposed on such locomotive and is connected to receive a signal from such central processing unit to provide an analog control signal that controls a dynamic brake reference voltage being applied to such trainline.

Abstract: A method of diagnostic testing and taking appropriate corrective action on an electronically controlled throttle controller which includes scanning inputs from at least one of the throttle handles and a remote host. Communicating information from such throttle handles and/or remote host to a diagnostic testing device. Performing a check of such information fed to such diagnostic testing device to determine if the system is functioning properly and/or if corrective action is required. Taking appropriate corrective action if such corrective action is indicated. Calculating trainline outputs to be used when at least one of such appropriate corrective action is completed and/or it has been determined that such system is functioning properly. Communicating such trainline outputs calculated to such trainline. Communicating a feedback of such trainline outputs being communicated to a diagnostic testing device and reading such feedback of such trainline outputs.

Abstract: Method of operating an electronically controlled throttle controller between two modes of operation, including a transition between modes, includes powering up an electronics package and determining if a short term power out, a long term power out or a loss of CPU control in either short term or long term has occurred. The position of throttle, dynamic brake and reverser handles is compared with a previous mode of operation to determine current mode of operation. If it is determined that the throttle controller is in handle mode, the output signal to the trainlines is adjusted according to handle positions. Outputs of throttle, dynamic brake and reverser handles are set in the home position if an RMU command is received. A predetermined delay is imposed when outputs of the throttle, dynamic brake and reverser handles are in home position after positioning by an operator of the locomotive and before exiting a handle mode and entering an RMU mode of operation.