Abstract: The present interface system includes a controller monitoring pressure on a locomotive brake pipe port, controlling pressure on a train brake pipe port in response to the pressure on a locomotive brake pipe port, providing ECP commands on an ECP trainline via a train electrical terminal in response to the pressure on the locomotive brake pipe port, and providing electrical power on the ECP trainline via an train electrical trainline terminal from the locomotive electrical trainline terminal. A transceiver is connected to the controller for wireless communication with the controller. A wireless display unit communicates via the transceiver with the controller and displays information from the controller to the operator remote from the interface system and provides inputs from the operator to the controller. The system also includes a three position change over valve. An event recorder and a GPS system may be connected to the controller.

Abstract: An End of Car (EOC) junction box assembly includes a housing wherein a plurality of female/female contact sockets couple with a corresponding plurality of male contact pins and are positioned by a fitting that enables the female/female contact sockets to interface with an EOC receptacle plug also included in the housing body, such that alternate positions of the fitting and EOC receptacle plug are available during assembly while the components included in the housing body are restrained from rotation following assembly.

Abstract: A train including a brake pipe (14) and an electrical train line (50) extending from at least one locomotive through at least first and second cars which are adjacent to each other, the first and second cars each include a brake cylinder, reservoir and a brake valve The first car includes an electro-pneumatic brake valve which is responsive to electric signals on the train line to produce a first car pneumatic apply brake signal from the first reservoir and release brake signal for the first brake cylinder and the brake signal pipe (33) The first car also includes a first valve (31) to transmit the first brake signals to the brake signal pipe and to isolate the connection to the brake signal pipe for a breakaway at one of the cars The second car includes a pneumatic brake control valve which is responsive to the first car pneumatic brake signals on the brake signal pipe and brake pipe pressure m the brake pipe to produce a second car pneumatic apply and release brake signals for the second brake cylinder corr

Abstract: A train including a brake pipe (14) and an electrical train line (50) extending from at least one locomotive through at least first and second cars which are adjacent to each other, the first and second cars each include a brake cylinder, reservoir and a brake valve The first car includes an electro-pneumatic brake valve which is responsive to electric signals on the train line to produce a first car pneumatic apply brake signal from the first reservoir and release brake signal for the first brake cylinder and the brake signal pipe (33) The first car also includes a first valve (31) to transmit the first brake signals to the brake signal pipe and to isolate the connection to the brake signal pipe for a breakaway at one of the cars The second car includes a pneumatic brake control valve which is responsive to the first car pneumatic brake signals on the brake signal pipe and brake pipe pressure m the brake pipe to produce a second car pneumatic apply and release brake signals for the second brake cylinder corr

Abstract: A relay valve configuration which can be used with various cars in an electropneumatic train and under the control of one of the electropneumatic brake control valves. The improved brake control valve includes a relay valve mounted at an interface of the manifold. The valve has a source inlet connected to the reservoir interface port, an inlet connected to atmosphere, an outlet connected to the brake cylinder interface port and a control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port. The valve is responsive to the control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port to selectively connect the brake cylinder interface port either to the reservoir interface port or atmosphere. The exhaust interface port in AAR is known as the retainer port. A check valve/choke is also mounted on the manifold of the interface and is in the same housing as the relay valve.

Abstract: A relay valve configuration which can be used with various cars in an electropneumatic train and under the control of one of the electropneumatic brake control valves. The improved brake control valve includes a relay valve mounted at an interface of the manifold. The valve has a source inlet connected to the reservoir interface port, an inlet connected to atmosphere, an outlet connected to the brake cylinder interface port and a control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port. The valve is responsive to the control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port to selectively connect the brake cylinder interface port either to the reservoir interface port or atmosphere. The exhaust interface port may be the retainer port. A check valve/choke is also mounted on the manifold of the interface and is in the same housing as the relay valve.

Abstract: A control system and method which includes storing the geographic location of the neutral sections along the path onboard the vehicle. A GPS system on the vehicle determines the geographic location of the vehicle. A program of the control system determines the position of the vehicle relative to the position of the neutral section from memory using the GPS to determine the location of the vehicle. Next, it provides a control for maintaining the circuit breaker of the vehicle open as the source collector passes through the neutral section.

Abstract: A relay valve configuration which can be used with various cars in an electropneumatic train and under the control of one of the electropneumatic brake control valves. The improved brake control valve includes a relay valve mounted at an interface of the manifold. The valve has a source inlet connected to the reservoir interface port, an inlet connected to atmosphere, an outlet connected to the brake cylinder interface port and a control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port. The valve is responsive to the control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port to selectively connect the brake cylinder interface port either to the reservoir interface port or atmosphere. The exhaust interface port in AAR is known as the retainer port. A check valve/choke is also mounted on the manifold of the interface and is in the same housing as the relay valve.

Abstract: A brake valve diagnostic and reporting system for a pneumatic only brake valve on a rail car which includes a brake pipe transducer for measuring brake pipe pressure; and a brake cylinder transducer for measuring brake cylinder pressure. A processor receives measurements from the transducers, compares the measurements against stored brake performance profiles, determines brake status from the comparison and prepares an event report for preselected brake statuses. A wireless transmitter connected to the processor transmits the report. An energy storage device powers the processor and transmitter.

Abstract: A relay valve configuration which can be used with various cars in an electropneumatic train and under the control of one of the electropneumatic brake control valves. The improved brake control valve includes a relay valve mounted at an interface of the manifold. The valve has a source inlet connected to the reservoir interface port, an inlet connected to atmosphere, an outlet connected to the brake cylinder interface port and a control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port. The valve is responsive to the control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port to selectively connect the brake cylinder interface port either to the reservoir interface port or atmosphere. The exhaust interface port in AAR is known as the retainer port. A check valve/choke is also mounted on the manifold of the interface and is in the same housing as the relay valve.

Abstract: A control system and method which includes storing the geographic location of the neutral sections along the path onboard the vehicle. A GPS system on the vehicle determines the geographic location of the vehicle. A program of the control system determines the position of the vehicle relative to the position of the neutral section from memory using the GPS to determine the location of the vehicle. Next, it provides a control for maintaining the circuit breaker of the vehicle open as the source collector passes through the neutral section.

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.