Abstract: A method for verifying the operation of braking means of at least one vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, is described, comprising the steps of: a) imposing a braking force on at least one wheel of the at least one axle of the at least one vehicle; b) towing the at least one vehicle according to a non-zero and constant forward speed; c) measuring on a rail at least one friction force which is a function of a braking force; d) comparing the at least one measured friction force with a predetermined minimum force value; e) determining that the braking means associated with the at least one wheel whose friction force is lower than the predetermined minimum force value are malfunctioning. Also described are a system for measuring a friction force and a system for verifying the operation of braking means of at least one vehicle.

Abstract: A system including a supply valve disposed between a chamber and a pressure source, a discharge valve disposed between the chamber and an external atmosphere, a first control unit, and a second control unit. The first control unit coupled with the supply valve by a first switch and with the discharge valve by a second switch. The first control unit outputting signals to the first and second switches to control the supply and discharge valves. The second control unit coupled with the discharge valve by a third switch and a fourth switch, the second control unit outputting signals to the third and fourth switches to control the supply and discharge valves. The first control unit may include a first microcontroller to control the signals of the first control unit using an artificial intelligence (AI) neural network having artificial neurons arranged in layers and connected with each other by connections.

Abstract: An anti-skid system for an electromechanical braking system of at least one vehicle including at least one wheel is described, comprising an anti-skid module arranged to execute a predetermined anti-skid function and a supervisor module arranged to monitor the anti-skid module, wherein the supervisor module includes a braking force application request adjustment module, wherein the supervisor module and the anti-skid module are modules that are distinct from each other, and the braking force application request adjustment module is arranged to adjust a braking force application request signal independently of the execution of the anti-skid function by the anti-skid module.

Abstract: A control system is described for a railway convoy, particularly for the transport of goods, comprising wagons, a master locomotive and at least one slave locomotive. The railway convoy comprises a brake pipe which extends along the entire railway convoy. The master locomotive is arranged to control the pressure in the brake pipe and to send traction and/or braking commands to the slave locomotive by means of a communication channel. The at least one slave locomotive comprises a transceiver means arranged to receive the traction and/or braking commands and to re-transmit them to a traction control unit and to a brake control unit of the slave locomotive. The control system includes a safety unit arranged to prevent a relay valve from supplying the pneumatic brake pipe when at least one malfunction condition of the control system for a railway convoy occurs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the integrity of a convoy of vehicles are described. The convoy can include a first vehicle and at least one second vehicle connected to the first vehicle. In one example, the system can include a communication line and a power supply line each arranged to be installed in the first vehicle and in the at least one second vehicle. The system can further include a control circuit arranged to verify whether the communication line is interrupted and verify whether the power supply line is interrupted. From the verifications, the control circuit may determine that both the communication line and the power supply line are interrupted and further determine that the second vehicle has disconnected from the first vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the integrity of a convoy of vehicles are described. The convoy can include a first vehicle and at least one second vehicle connected to the first vehicle. In one example, the system can include a communication line and a power supply line each arranged to be installed in the first vehicle and in the at least one second vehicle. The system can further include a control circuit arranged to verify whether the communication line is interrupted and verify whether the power supply line is interrupted. From the verifications, the control circuit may determine that both the communication line and the power supply line are interrupted and further determine that the second vehicle has disconnected from the first vehicle.

Abstract: A system that includes a first control unit having one or more processors. The one or more processors may operate a first traction control unit and a first braking device of a first vehicle of a vehicle system based on an operator input command signal. The system also includes a second control unit in communication with the first control unit and having one or more processors configured to operate a second traction device and a second braking device of a second vehicle of the vehicle system based on at least one operational objective of the vehicle system.

Abstract: An anti-skid system for an electromechanical braking system of at least one vehicle including at least one wheel is described, comprising an anti-skid module arranged to execute a predetermined anti-skid function and a supervisor module arranged to monitor the anti-skid module, wherein the supervisor module includes a braking force application request adjustment module, wherein the supervisor module and the anti-skid module are modules that are distinct from each other, and the braking force application request adjustment module is arranged to adjust a braking force application request signal independently of the execution of the anti-skid function by the anti-skid module.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic service and emergency braking control system is described, comprising: a switching device arranged to allow the connection of a first group of control and feedback signals from an emergency braking control module to an electro-pneumatic emergency braking module when a monitoring device determines the correct operation of the emergency braking control module and to allow the connection of a third group of control and feedback signals from the service braking control module to the electro-pneumatic emergency braking module when the monitoring device determines the incorrect operation of the emergency braking control module.

Abstract: An anti-skid system for an electromechanical braking system of at least one vehicle including at least one wheel is described, comprising an anti-skid module arranged to execute a predetermined anti-skid function and a supervisor module arranged to monitor the anti-skid module, wherein the supervisor module includes a braking force application request adjustment module, wherein the supervisor module and the anti-skid module are modules that are distinct from each other, and the braking force application request adjustment module is arranged to adjust a braking force application request signal independently of the execution of the anti-skid function by the anti-skid module.

Abstract: A method for verifying the operation of braking means of at least one vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, is described, comprising the steps of: a) imposing a braking force on at least one wheel of the at least one axle of the at least one vehicle; b) towing the at least one vehicle according to a non-zero and constant forward speed; c) measuring on a rail at least one friction force which is a function of a braking force; d) comparing the at least one measured friction force with a predetermined minimum force value; e) determining that the braking means associated with the at least one wheel whose friction force is lower than the predetermined minimum force value are malfunctioning. Also described are a system for measuring a friction force and a system for verifying the operation of braking means of at least one vehicle.

Abstract: A system for verifying the integrity of a convoy, particularly a railway convoy, comprising at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle, is described, in which the system for verifying the integrity of a convoy includes a first controller arranged to be coupled to the first vehicle, a second controller arranged to be coupled to the second vehicle, and at least one communication means arranged to allow communication between the first controller and the second controller. The first controller and/or the second controller is/are arranged to determine that the integrity of the convoy is compromised, when the first controller and the second controller are no longer able to communicate with each other via the at least one communication means.

Abstract: A control system is described for a railway convoy, particularly for the transport of goods, comprising wagons, a master locomotive and at least one slave locomotive. The railway convoy comprises a brake pipe which extends along the entire railway convoy. The master locomotive is arranged to control the pressure in the brake pipe and to send traction and/or braking commands to the slave locomotive by means of a communication channel. The at least one slave locomotive comprises a transceiver means arranged to receive the traction and/or braking commands and to re-transmit them to a traction control unit and to a brake control unit of the slave locomotive. The control system includes a safety unit arranged to prevent a relay valve from supplying the pneumatic brake pipe when at least one malfunction condition of the control system for a railway convoy occurs.

Abstract: A system including a supply valve disposed between a chamber and a pressure source, a discharge valve disposed between the chamber and an external atmosphere, a first control unit, and a second control unit. The first control unit coupled with the supply valve by a first switch and with the discharge valve by a second switch. The first control unit outputting signals to the first and second switches to control the supply and discharge valves. The second control unit coupled with the discharge valve by a third switch and a fourth switch, the second control unit outputting signals to the third and fourth switches to control the supply and discharge valves. The first control unit may include a first microcontroller to control the signals of the first control unit using an artificial intelligence (AI) neural network having artificial neurons arranged in layers and connected with each other by connections.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a body wherein there are defined a chamber, a supply valve adapted to connect the chamber to a pressure source or to the atmosphere, and a vent valve adapted to allow or prevent the connection of the chamber to the atmosphere. The valves are provided with control solenoids to which respective electronic switches are coupled. The assembly also comprises electronic control devices adapted to provide, as a function of the values of at least one input signal, logic control signals to the electronic switches so as to control, through the valves, the value of the pressure in the chamber. The control means comprise two processing and control devices independent of one another, both receiving the input signal and designed to execute strategies for controlling the pressure in the chamber, equivalent to one another.

Abstract: The system provides for the control of a railway train for the transport of goods, comprising a plurality of wagons a master locomotive at the head of the train and one or more slave locomotives distributed along the train. The train is equipped with a pneumatic brake pipe which extends along the whole train. The master locomotive is equipped with a master control system for controlling the train, and the at least one slave locomotive is equipped with a slave control system subordinated to the master control system. The master and slave systems can communicate with each other via a radio channel. Each slave system is designed to control traction apparatuses, apparatuses for controlling the pressure in the brake pipe and apparatuses for applying the emergency brake of the corresponding slave locomotive, and for retransmitting signals indicating the status of these apparatuses of the slave locomotive to the master system.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic service and emergency braking control system is described, comprising: a switching device arranged to allow the connection of a first group of control and feedback signals from an emergency braking control module to an electro-pneumatic emergency braking module when a monitoring device determines the correct operation of the emergency braking control module and to allow the connection of a third group of control and feedback signals from the service braking control module to the electro-pneumatic emergency braking module when the monitoring device determines the incorrect operation of the emergency braking control module.

Abstract: A system that includes a first control unit having one or more processors. The one or more processors may operate a first traction control unit and a first braking device of a first vehicle of a vehicle system based on an operator input command signal. The system also includes a second control unit in communication with the first control unit and having one or more processors configured to operate a second traction device and a second braking device of a second vehicle of the vehicle system based on at least one operational objective of the vehicle system.

Abstract: The system provides for the control of a railway train for the transport of goods, comprising a plurality of wagons a master locomotive at the head of the train and one or more slave locomotives distributed along the train. The train is equipped with a pneumatic brake pipe which extends along the whole train. The master locomotive is equipped with a master control system for controlling the train, and the at least one slave locomotive is equipped with a slave control system subordinated to the master control system. The master and slave systems can communicate with each other via a radio channel. The or each slave system is designed to control traction apparatuses, apparatuses for controlling the pressure in the brake pipe and apparatuses for applying the emergency brake of the corresponding slave locomotive, and for retransmitting signals indicating the status of these apparatuses of the slave locomotive to the master system.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a body wherein there are defined a chamber, a supply valve adapted to connect the chamber to a pressure source or to the atmosphere, and a vent valve adapted to allow or prevent the connection of the chamber to the atmosphere. The valves are provided with control solenoids to which respective electronic switches are coupled. The assembly also comprises electronic control devices adapted to provide, as a function of the values of at least one input signal, logic control signals to the electronic switches so as to control, through the valves, the value of the pressure in the chamber. The control means comprise two processing and control devices independent of one another, both receiving the input signal and designed to execute strategies for controlling the pressure in the chamber, equivalent to one another.