Abstract: A train control system includes a plurality of control subsystems for installation in respective locomotives. At least one of the control subsystems is configurable as a lead control subsystem, and at least one other control subsystem is configurable as a remote control subsystem. Each control subsystem preferably comprises a radio transceiver, a first processor connected to the radio transceiver for communicating with at least one other control subsystem, an electronic brake valve connected to the first processor, and an electro-pneumatic controller connected to the first processor and the electronic brake valve, for interfacing to the air brake system of the train. The first processor preferably comprises a locomotive computer interface for performing both distributed power and electronic air brake functions in cooperation with the locomotive control computer. The distributed power functions may comprise at least one of tractive effort and dynamic braking functions.

Abstract: A cable system including device connectors connected to electropneumatic valves and electrical sensors at predetermined positions along a path on a common manifold and a wiring harness having a length sufficient to transverse the path. The wiring harness includes a plurality of insulated wires in a common sheath and selectively connected to harness connectors which are mounted at predetermined positions to the harness and mate with a corresponding device connector. The path is a closed loop and the wiring harness forms a corresponding closed loop. The majority of the wires in the wiring harness form the corresponding close loop.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit having a manifold with electropneumatic modules each including electropneumatic and pneumatic elements removably mounted thereon each as a unit from the manifold. An electropneumatic equalization reservoir module controls the pressure at the equalization port. A brake pipe module controls brake pipe port pressure in response to the equalization reservoir port. An electropneumatic independent brake module controls pressure at the independent brake port as a locomotive brake signal. An electropneumatic brake signal module provides a pneumatic train brake signal. A controller controls the electropneumatic modules. Each electropneumatic unit includes an electropneumatic supply valve and an electropneumatic exhaust valve and preferably an electropneumatic valve having a first input connected to the supply and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit according to the present invention includes a manifold having mounted thereon at least two of a brake pipe module, a brake cylinder module, a brake signal module, equalization reservoir module, independent brake module, and an actuating module. Each of the modules includes a module controller in a network with a unit controller and an electric brake valve. The modules and brake valve controllers include an identification and software identification which is monitored by the unit controller. The module controllers also include an event log. The unit controller provides commands and software to an receives data from the module controllers.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit having a manifold with electropneumatic modules each including electropneumatic and pneumatic elements removably mounted thereon each as a unit from the manifold. An electropneumatic equalization reservoir module controls the pressure at the equalization port. A brake pipe module controls brake pipe port pressure in response to the equalization reservoir port. An electropneumatic independent brake module controls pressure at the independent brake port as a locomotive brake signal. An electropneumatic brake signal module provides a pneumatic train brake signal. A controller controls the electropneumatic modules. Each electropneumatic unit includes an electropneumatic supply valve and an electropneumatic exhaust valve and preferably an electropneumatic valve having a first input connected to the supply and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A method of automatically assigning device addresses to devices communicating over a common data bus. Each of the devices may, for example, control an electrically operable system such as a panel assembly that can be disposed over a window opening to control the transmission of light, heat or air through the window and/or for producing different decorative scenes within a room. The method includes sending out a first, trial device address and waiting for an acknowledgement from all of the other devices connected to the data bus to determine whether another device acknowledges that first trial device address as its own. If an acknowledgement is received from any other device, a subsequent, different, trial address is transmitted over the data bus and further waiting ensues to check whether the second trial address has been previously assigned. This process is repeated until the device finds a previously unassigned device address which it then assigns to itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a leader card from a strip of film that has been adhesively secured to the leader card by a strip of adhesive tape at one end of the leader card. The apparatus includes at least one scraper blade having a scraping edge. The blade is mounted to the apparatus so that the scraping edge of the blade is biased against the surface of the leader card such that when the leader card is moved past the scraping edge, the adhesive tape will be removed from the leader card.

Abstract: A motor-operated panel system includes a panel assembly consisting of an elongated flexible web formed of a plurality of different panels connected end-to-end for controlling the transmission of light, heat or air through a window and/or for producing different decorative scenes within a room. The panel assembly is wound on substantially identical elongated and spacedly arranged hollow rollers including an upper roller which contains a reversible motor, gear train, magnetic brake and a position sensor totally within the interior of the upper hollow roller. The position sensor serves to sense the absolute rotational position of the upper roller. The lower roller contains a torsional spring which is prewound to exert a pulling torque on the panel assembly, which torque is normally resisted by the magnetic brake in the upper roller. The panel system is controlled remotely from a panel control which may be wall mounted, communicating with the panel system via a data bus.