Abstract: An end of train device for an electrically controlled pneumatic brake system includes a radio transceiver, a brake pipe sensor, a brake pipe valve, a manual switch and a first controller controlling the radio transceiver and the valve. It also includes a wire transceiver for wire communication over a train line and a second controller connected to and controlling the wire transceiver. The first and second controllers are connected to each other and control the radio transceiver to be active when the wire transceiver is active. Two batteries are provided with an improved power management circuit to individually charge the batteries.

Abstract: A controlled power system is in a train having electric controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on cars of the train connected to a trainline which carries electric power and control signals and having at lease one auxiliary device on some of the cars. The power system on a car having the auxiliary device includes a power module connecting the auxiliary device to a source of power when activated; and a first controller, including a transceiver, for activating the power module to the connect the source of power to the auxiliary device in response to a power up signal on the trainline.

Abstract: An end of train device for an electrically controlled pneumatic brake system includes a radio transceiver, a brake pipe sensor, a brake pipe valve, a manual switch and a first controller controlling the radio transceiver and the valve. It also includes a wire transceiver for wire communication over a train line and a second controller connected to and controlling the wire transceiver. The first and second controllers are connected to each other and control the radio transceiver to be active when the wire transceiver is active. Two batteries are provided with an improved power management circuit to individually charge the batteries.

Abstract: Trainline controller including testing of signal quality on a trainline network by commanding each node to transmitter calibration signal. A signal detector is connected to the trainline at a common junction with a head end termination circuit. A stuck-on transmitter is determined by a transmission current drawn by the transceiver is on for a present amount of time.

Abstract: A method of setting an electropneumatic brake device on a rail car to a mode of operation includes applying a wake-up voltage on a trainline to each brake device connected to the trainline. A command signal is sent to each brake device to enter a requested mode of operation. An acknowledgement signal is received from each of the brake devices on the trainline, and a command signal is sent to each brake device to stop broadcasting.

Abstract: An electronic control system (20) for an electropneumatic brake for a rail vehicle having a power trainline (18), comprising a battery (34); a functional control module (30) and a power management module; wherein the functional control module (30) includes a brake controller for the electropneumatic brake, an interface to the power trainline, a transceiver for receiving brake signals, a power supply circuit deriving a power supply from the power trainline (18), and a control management controller for the transceiver and the power supply circuit; and wherein the power management module includes a battery charging circuit connected to the power supply and a power controller for the battery charging circuit and the power supply circuit.

Abstract: Trainline controller including testing of signal quality on a trainline network by commanding each node to transmitter calibration signal. A signal detector is connected to the trainline at a common junction with a head end termination circuit. A stuck-on transmitter is determined by a transmission current drawn by the transceiver is on for a present amount of time.

Abstract: Trainline controller including testing of signal quality on a trainline network by commanding each node to transmitter calibration signal. A signal detector is connected to the trainline at a common junction with a head end termination circuit. A stuck-on transmitter is determined by a transmission current drawn by the transceiver is on for a present amount of time.

Abstract: A trainline communication controller for placement on a rail car or locomotive of a train in order form a network having a housing with a front plate assembly which includes a plurality of external electrical receptacles. A plurality of circuits, including surface connectors, are positioned in the housing. A printed circuit board including connector smating directly with the surface connectors of the circuits and where in the receptacles are mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Trainline controller including testing of signal quality on a trainline network by commanding each node to transmitter calibration signal. A signal detector is connected to the trainline at a common junction with a head end termination circuit. A stuck-on transmitter is determined by a transmission current drawn by the transceiver is on for a present amount of time.

Abstract: A trainline communication controller for placement on a rail car or locomotive of a train in order form a network having a housing with a front plate assembly which includes a plurality of external electrical receptacles. A plurality of circuits, including surface connectors, are positioned in the housing. A printed circuit board including connectors mating directly with the surface connectors of the circuits and wherein the receptacles are mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An ID module and terminal block for use in a train that includes at least one locomotive and a plurality of cars, each car being serially connected into a network by a power and communication trainline to an adjacent car. Each car is equipped with a local communication node connected to a car control device and to the network. A common housing, preferably made of a non-conductive material, encloses a circuit module and includes a second communication node and a current sensor. A terminal block is formed on the housing, and a plurality of stud terminals extend through apertures in the terminal block to electrically contact a circuit board, which is part of the circuit module.

Abstract: A method of identifying and locating the trainline power supplies wherein the power supplies each are a node on a network. The locations of the power supply is determined by causing the power supply node to transmit its identity on the network. The power supply node includes a service pin and a signal is supplied to the service pin to cause the power supply node to transmit its identity on the network. A second node is provided at an identifiable location with each power supply and is commanded to cause the power supply at its location to transmit its identity on the network.

Abstract: A leading end termination connector on each locomotive and an EP line termination circuit in the leading end termination connector. The leading end connector of a locomotive not connected to an adjacent locomotive is connected to the leading end termination connector. This provides protection for the non-connected leading end connector as well as providing appropriate electrical termination on the EP line.

Abstract: A method of serialization including establishing a parameter along a length of the train between a node on one of the cars and one end of the train. The presence or absence of the parameter at each node is determined and the parameter is removed. The sequence is repeated for each node on the train. Finally, serialization of the cars is determined as a function of the number of either determined presences or absences of the parameter for each node. The parameter can be established by providing at the individual node, one at a time, an electric load across an electric line running through the length of the train and measuring an electrical property, either current or voltage, at each node. The same process is used to determine the orientation of a car. The operability of each node is determined by counting the presence and then the absence of a parameter along the whole train.

Abstract: A method of serialization including establishing a parameter along a length of the train between a node on one of the cars and one end of the train. The presence of the parameter at each node is determined and the parameter is removed. The sequence is repeated for each node on the train. Finally, serialization of the cars is determined as a function of the number of determined presences of the parameter for each node. The parameter can be established by providing at the individual node, one at a time, an electric load across an electric line running through the length of the train and measuring an electrical property, either current or voltage, at each node. To determine the orientation of a car, each node include two subnodes. The operability of each node is determined by counting the presence and then the absence of a parameter along the whole train.

Abstract: An automatic identification system having a storage device mounted on the car, which includes the car identification data. A reading device is connected to a local communication node which communicates with the locomotive in a network. The local communication node communicates the read identification data to the controller at the locomotive. The identification data includes at least the serial number, brake ratio, light weight and gross rail weight of the car. The storage device is permanently mounted on the car, preferably at a junction box or pipe bracket. A current sensor is also connected to the local communication node. The storage device and current sensor are part of a subsidiary communication node under the control of the communication node.

Abstract: An automatic identification system having a storage device mounted on the car, which includes the car identification data. A reading device is connected to a local communication node which communicates with the locomotive in a network. The local communication node communicates the read identification data to the controller at the locomotive. The identification data includes at least the serial number, brake ratio, light weight and gross rail weight of the car. The storage device is permanently mounted on the car, preferably at a junction box or pipe bracket. A current sensor is also connected to the local communication node. The storage device and current sensor are part of a subsidiary communication node under the control of the communication node.

Abstract: A method of serialization including establishing a parameter along a length of the train between a node on one of the cars and one end of the train. The presence of the parameter at each node is determined and the parameter is removed. The sequence is repeated for each node on the train. Finally, serialization of the cars is determined as a function of the number of determined presences of the parameter for each node. The parameter can be established by providing at the individual node, one at a time, an electric load across an electric line running through the length of the train and measuring an electrical property, either current or voltage, at each node. To determine the orientation of a car, each node include two subnodes. The operability of each node is determined by counting the presence and then the absence of a parameter along the whole train.

Abstract: A method of powering a train powerline with a second source including using a local power controller in the trainline to determine the polarity of the power lines which run through the trainline. The local power controller then connects the second power source to the power lines with the determined polarity. Finally, the local power controller powers the power lines with a second power source once the connection of the appropriate polarity has been made.