Abstract: A system and method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails includes at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track. The at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal based on the measured current. The central control office is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track and/or a location of the broken rail on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails includes at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track. The at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal based on the measured current. The central control office is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track and/or a location of the broken rail on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails includes at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track. The at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal based on the measured current. The central control office is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track and/or a location of the broken rail on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.

Abstract: A broken rail detection system including: a power module having: a first electrical connection to the first rail to apply a direct current voltage; and a second electrical connection to the second rail to apply a direct current voltage; a diode shunt arrangement; a measurement device to sense or measure current; and a controller programmed or configured to: (i) cause at least one application of a direct current voltage of a first polarity on the railway track; (ii) determine the current resulting from the application step (i); (iii) cause at least one application of a direct current voltage of a second polarity on the railway track; (iv) determine the current resulting from the application step (iii); and (v) determine the presence or absence of a break based at least partially on the determined current.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for an air brake system of a train with an air brake system, including: (i) determining consist data associated with the train; (ii) determining track data comprising location data and grade data; (iii) determining required train holding force based at least partially on the consist data and the track data; and (iv) determining hand brake arrangement actuation data based at least partially on the required train holding force. An improved hand brake arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails includes at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track. The at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal based on the measured current. The central control office is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track and/or a location of the broken rail on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.

Abstract: A broken rail detection system including: a power module having: a first electrical connection to the first rail to apply a direct current voltage; and a second electrical connection to the second rail to apply a direct current voltage; a diode shunt arrangement; a measurement device to sense or measure current; and a controller programmed or configured to: (i) cause at least one application of a direct current voltage of a first polarity on the railway track; (ii) determine the current resulting from the application step (i); (iii) cause at least one application of a direct current voltage of a second polarity on the railway track; (iv) determine the current resulting from the application step (iii); and (v) determine the presence or absence of a break based at least partially on the determined current.

Abstract: A brake monitoring system for an air brake arrangement including: at least one sensor to measure air pressure in at least one component of an air brake arrangement; at least one local controller to determine air brake data; and at least one communication device to transmit at least a portion of the air brake. An air brake arrangement and a computer-implemented method of determining air brake data in an air brake arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A brake monitoring system for an air brake arrangement including: at least one sensor to measure air pressure in at least one component of an air brake arrangement; at least one local controller to determine air brake data; and at least one communication device to transmit at least a portion of the air brake. An air brake arrangement and a computer-implemented method of determining air brake data in an air brake arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A train control system includes a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a first train; and a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a second train. At least one of the control units of the first train and the second train is configured to receive, at the associated communication device, an authority signal including data sufficient to identify one of the first train and the second train as a lead train and the other of the first train and the second train as a follower train, establish at least one peer-to-peer communication link between the communication devices of the lead train and the follower train, and exchange train data between the lead train and the follower train via the at least one peer-to-peer communication link. An on-board control unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A train control system, including: a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a first train; and a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a second train; wherein at least one of the control units of the first train and the second train is configured to: (i) receive, at the associated communication device, an authority signal including data sufficient to identify one of the first train and the second train as a lead train and the other of the first train and the second train as a follower train; (ii) establish at least one peer-to-peer communication link between the communication devices of the lead train and the follower train; and (iii) exchange train data between the lead train and the follower train via the at least one peer-to-peer communication link. An on-board control unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing antenna diversity inherent in a locomotive consist is disclosed. This system increases the probability of message reception from an EOT unit and minimizes LCU failure limitations. The method includes the steps of (a) receiving an EOT message at a trailing locomotive; (b) passing the EOT message to a lead locomotive LCU; and (c) accepting the EOT message at the lead locomotive LCU only if the lead locomotive LCU has not already directly received the EOT message from the EOT unit.

Abstract: A China Type 120 Brake Valve ECP Manifold includes a manifold block in fluid communication with at least one source of fluid pressure for communicating fluid pressure signals. A plurality of apertures formed through such manifold block allows fluid communication therethrough. The manifold block is engageable intermediate a pipe bracket and a service portion. A first passageway in such manifold block has fluid communication with a first aperture at a first end and has a second end adjacent an upper face of the manifold block. A second passageway in such manifold block has fluid communication with such service portion at a first end and has a second end adjacent an upper face of the manifold block. A third passageway in such manifold block has fluid communication with a second aperture at a first end and has a second end adjacent an upper face of such manifold block.

Abstract: An electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) end of train (EOT) pneumatic emulation system allows fill train operation of standalone ECP unit trains, even with non-ECP equipped locomotives. The emulation system is based on close integration with the EOT system and allows operation of unit trains equipped with “all electric” ECP without pneumatic overlay or emulation capability, using standard, non-ECP equipped locomotives.

Abstract: An integrated locomotive braking and ECP braking control on a lead locomotive for implementing braking effort on all locomotives in a manner relative to braking effort applied on ECP freight cars. On the lead locomotive, a data interface can be established between an head-end-unit and a brake controller. The head-end-unit can electrically signal each ECP freight car to carry out braking commands. The integrated brake control can include a CPU, as part of either the brake controller or the head-end-unit, which can be programmed to provide braking effort on the lead locomotive relative to the braking effort applied on the ECP freight cars. The braking on the lead locomotive is implemented by the brake controller by controlling the independent brake relative to the braking effort commanded on the ECP freight cars. The independent brake on non-ECP trailing locomotives is connected to the lead locomotive independent brake via a standard independent brake pneumatic connection.

Abstract: A low power ECP trainline communication method is provided wherein power consumption by each freight car's on-board ECP transceiver is minimized such that it can be powered indefinitely by a standard locomotive battery. The low power communication method includes normally maintaining each car's ECP transceiver in a sleep mode until signaled by the locomotive master controller to wake it up. The wake-up command for the ECP transceiver can be sensitive to the length of the message sent by the MC. Alternative, or additional methods of identifying a wake-up message from the MC can include using the signal strength of the message and making the wake-up command sensitive to the ECP trainline power status. In the latter case, detection of zero trainline power is a signals to wake-up the ECP transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for low power ECP brake emulation in a freight train having ECP equipped cars and one or more non-ECP equipped locomotives wherein power for the ECP equipment is provided by the 74 VDC locomotive battery. The apparatus includes an adapter for interfacing the locomotive MU cable and the ECP wire to supply sufficient power to operate the ECP equipment on each car indefinitely in a low power emulation mode. The method includes interfacing the locomotive MU cable to the ECP wire, implementing a low power emulation mode wherein pneumatic signals sent via the brake pipe are detected by pressure sensors and communicated to ECP control valves for changing the brake cylinder pressure accordingly. The method further includes minimizing power consumption by providing power only to the brake pipe sensors and minimal electronics to monitor pressure changes and thereafter activating other sensors and controls only as needed.

Abstract: A conversion system enables a locomotive equipped with a conventional pneumatic brake control system to control braking on a train whose railcars each have electrically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake equipment. The conversion system includes a power conversion mechanism, a signal conversion mechanism and two pressure reduction circuits. The power conversion mechanism converts battery voltage received from a power trainline of the locomotive to a predetermined nominal voltage. Made available to an ECP trainline that runs along the railcars, the predetermined nominal voltage is used to power the ECP brake equipment on each railcar in the train. The signal conversion mechanism converts the pneumatic brake commands carried in the brake pipe of the locomotive into electrical brake commands corresponding thereto. Transmitted along the ECP trainline, the electrical brake commands control the ECP brake equipment on each railcar and the braking effort deliverable thereby.

Abstract: An interface adaptor is provided between the locomotive MU cable and the ECP trainline permitting ECP data from the lead locomotive to be transmitted via the MU cable on trailing locomotives to a train of ECP cars. On the lead locomotive, the HEU Echelon interface is on a suitable line in the MU cable instead of the separate ECP trainline such the trailing locomotives do not require a separate ECP trainline. The adapter generally employs two transceivers configured as back-to-back repeaters to bridge ECP data between the locomotive MU cable and the ECP trainline. A DC--DC converter can be used to provide the ECP trainline voltage, either as 230 VDC or as a lower voltage. In lower voltage systems the converter may be replaced by a voltage regulator, or may be eliminated. In any case, an inductor is employed on the output to provide a high impedance to the overlay transceiver.

Abstract: The cab signal and rail navigation systems of a railway locomotive are combined to form a single integrated system capable of acting as an automatic train protection system. The train travels along a railway route equipped with a wayside signaling system that features a multiplicity of wayside signal devices. Each wayside signal device provides to the cab signal system a cab signal inclusive of signal aspect information as to how the train should proceed along a particular segment of the railway route. When the train is traveling on a segment of track from which the cab signal is available, the cab signal system receives the cab signal via the AC track circuit disposed on the rails as the train approaches each wayside signal device. After filtering and decoding the electrical cab signal, the cab signal system communicates the deciphered signal aspect information to the rail navigation system.