Abstract: A system for electronically controlling brakes on a train is responsive to a brake handle positionable into any one of a plurality of discrete positions. The discrete brake control system includes a cab station unit, a brake control unit, a comm channel and a direct communication device. The cab station unit generates both a base signal stream and a dedicated signal stream. The base signal stream is indicative of parameters for operating the system including the discrete brake handle positions. The dedicated signal stream is solely indicative of the discrete brake handle positions. The brake control unit controls operation of the brakes in coordinated response to both the base and the dedicated signal streams. The comm channel is the route through which the base signal stream is communicated from the cab station unit to the brake control unit.

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 apparatus for initiating and latching a bail-off request for depleting the automatic brake pressure in the brake cylinders of a locomotive consist including a cab control unit having an automatic brake handle and an independent brake handle. A central processing unit receives a first input signal from the cab control unit which is indicative of the number of locomotives in the consist and receives a second input signal from the cab control unit which signifies a bail-off request. A display screen receives input signals from the central processing unit for exhibiting either a setup screen or a normal running screen in the locomotive. An electropneumatic unit receives an input signal from the central processing unit for initiating the bail-off of the automatic brakes on the locomotive consist when the independent brake handle is placed in a bail-off position.

Abstract: A dynamic calibration arrangement comprising, a brake handle for controlling the braking of a railway vehicle, an absolute position encoder for monitoring the position of the brake handle, an electrical switch for ascertaining when the brake handle is in a release position, and a logic gate for activating an enable circuit for reading the absolute position encoder, and a storage register for storing and for employing the reading as an offset value for correcting subsequent readings of other positions of the brake handle.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading the binary value of a digital absolute position encoder for obtaining an operating position of a brake handle for a railway vehicle including a storage circuit for storing a binary value of an initial offset release position of the encoder. A memory circuit for retaining a binary value of a maximum resolution of the encoder. A first summing circuit for substracting the binary value of the initial offset release position from the binary value of the operating position for obtaining a resultant binary value which is passed to an output summing circuit by an activated enable circuit when the binary value of the operating position is greater than the binary value of the initial offset release position.