Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a primary system including at least one pneumatic brake pipe control valve, and a secondary back-up system configured to facilitate vehicle braking without human intervention. The secondary back-up system includes a first air reservoir coupled to supply pressurized air to the at least one pneumatic brake pipe control valve, a second air reservoir, a choke adapted to allow airflow at a specified airflow rate, and a solenoid valve adapted to selectively couple and decouple the first air reservoir and the second air reservoir via the choke, according to an energization state of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a primary system including at least one pneumatic brake pipe control valve, and a secondary back-up system configured to facilitate vehicle braking without human intervention. The secondary back-up system includes a first air reservoir coupled to supply pressurized air to the at least one pneumatic brake pipe control valve, a second air reservoir, a choke adapted to allow airflow at a specified airflow rate, and a solenoid valve adapted to selectively couple and decouple the first air reservoir and the second air reservoir via the choke, according to an energization state of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related relaying voice messages to operator control units of a locomotive. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator control unit generally includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling a locomotive, a wireless communication interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from a locomotive control unit of the locomotive, and memory configured to store multiple voice messages corresponding to the locomotive. The operator control unit also includes a processor configured to receive a voice message number from the locomotive control unit of the locomotive via the wireless communication interface, retrieve one of the multiple stored voice messages from memory corresponding to the received voice message number, and transmit the retrieved voice message to an earpiece of the operator via a wired transmission and/or near-field wireless transmission.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related relaying voice messages to operator control units of a locomotive. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator control unit generally includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling a locomotive, a wireless communication interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from a locomotive control unit of the locomotive, and memory configured to store multiple voice messages corresponding to the locomotive. The operator control unit also includes a processor configured to receive a voice message number from the locomotive control unit of the locomotive via the wireless communication interface, retrieve one of the multiple stored voice messages from memory corresponding to the received voice message number, and transmit the retrieved voice message to an earpiece of the operator via a wired transmission and/or near-field wireless transmission.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for remotely controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals are provided. A remote operator programming unit (OPP) is used to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: A transmitter for remotely controlling a locomotive entity. The transmitter has a control entity capable of acquiring a plurality of states, including a linked state. The transmitter also has an interface in communication with the control entity for receiving an identifier of the locomotive entity via a communication link. The transmitter also has a proximity detector having a detection field, the proximity detector being in communication with the control entity to enable the control entity to switch to the linked state at least when the locomotive entity is in the detection field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control system for a locomotive. The remote control system comprises a remote control device, an identification interface and a locomotive controller module. The remote control device is operative for receiving a command signal indicative of an action to be executed by the locomotive. The identification interface is adapted for receiving user identification data from a user of the remote control device. The locomotive controller module is suitable for mounting at the locomotive and is adapted for generating local control signals. When the user identification data belongs to an authorized user, the locomotive controller module is operative to issue a local control signal for causing the locomotive to execute the action conveyed by the command signal received at the remote control device.

Abstract: The invention provides a remote control device for use in a locomotive remote control system that has a locomotive control device mounted on a locomotive. The remote control device comprises a first input, a second input, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The first input receives a signal conveying a command. The second input receives configuration information. The processing unit is in communication with the first input and the second input for acquiring a certain set of operational settings on the basis of the configuration information. The processing unit further generates digital command signals conveying command data to the locomotive control device on the basis of the signal received at the first input and the certain set of operational settings. The transmission unit is operative for generating an RF transmission for conveying the digital command signals to the locomotive control device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote control system for a locomotive having a control interface. The remote control system comprises a portable remote control device and a locomotive control device. The portable remote control device receives command data indicative of speed information, and generates digital command signals for transmission to the locomotive control device for conveying the command data. The locomotive control device is adapted to be mounted on board a locomotive, and is operative for receiving the command signals conveyed by the portable remote control device. The locomotive control device includes a control entity that is responsive to the signal conveyed by the remote control device for deriving a specific speed associated to the command data, wherein the specific speed is a configurable parameter. Finally the control entity is operative for issuing local control signals to the locomotive control interface for causing the locomotive to implement the specific speed.

Abstract: A system of controller modules allowing to remotely control a train having a first locomotive and a second locomotive separated from one another by at least one car is provided. The system of controller modules comprises a first controller module associated to the first locomotive and a second controller module associated to the second locomotive. One of said controller modules has a lead operational status and the other has a trail operational status. The controller module having the lead operational status receives a master control signal for signaling the train to move in a desired direction and releases in response to the master control signal a first local command signal. The first local command signal is operative to cause displacement of the locomotive associated with the controller module having the lead operational status.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for remotely controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals are provided. A remote operator programming unit (OPP) is used to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmitter for remotely controlling and testing a train. The train has a slave controller mounted in the locomotive that is in communication with the transmitter. The transmitter comprises a control entity for issuing a plurality of commands to the slave controller and for causing corresponding actions to be performed at the train. The plurality of commands includes a brake testing command for causing a brake pipe test to be initiated at the train. In addition, the transmitter includes a communication entity that is in communication with the control entity for receiving commands issued by the control entity and for transmitting a signal over a communication link to the slave controller for conveying the commands issued by the control entity.

Abstract: A network entity for remotely controlling a plurality of locomotive entities. The network entity has two main components, namely a communications layer for communicating simultaneously via a set of radio frequency (RF) communication links with respective remote transmitters and respective locomotive entities, and an intelligence layer for processing data derived from signals received by the communications layer from the RF communication links.

Abstract: A locomotive control system comprising a remote transmitter issuing RF binary-coded commands and a slave controller mounted on the locomotive that decodes the transmission and operates in dependence thereof various actuators to carry into effect the commands of the ground based operator.

Abstract: A locomotive control system comprising a remote transmitter issuing RF binary coded commands and a slave controller mounted on the locomotive that decodes the transmission and operates is dependence thereof various actuators to carry into effect the commands of the ground based operator.

Abstract: A locomotive control system comprising a remote transmitter issuing RF binary coded commands and a slave controller mounted on the locomotive that decodes the transmission and operates in dependence thereof various actuators to carry into effect the commands of the ground based operator.