Abstract: A multi-function EOT, or universal EOT (UEOT), may function conventionally for those trains not equipped with an ECP power line transceiver but which can automatically change its mode of operation to the ECP EOT function when mounted on trains so equipped. The UEOT may be an integrated unit manufactured for the purpose or it may be implemented as an adapter that converts a conventional two-way end of train unit (EOT) to a UEOT that operates in both standard and ECP modes.

Abstract: A proximity sensor having a generator providing a signal of which a small portion is used as a reference signal and the remaining portion is radiated out towards a target. The radiation reflected from the target is equalized and/or normalized relative to the reference signal. The signals are compared in terms of relative phase relationship. This relationship implies the distance of the target from an antenna. An example target may be a rail wheel. A certain part of the wheel is measured in terms of distance from the sensor. This distance may determine wheel wear. Such wear is gauged relative to a threshold signal or reference distance. Also, speed and direction of the rail wheel can be determined from the signal reflected back to the proximity sensor.

Abstract: A railroad car sensing system for monitoring car performance by detecting vertical, transverse and/or longitudinal car truck movements, which includes one or more accelerometers mounted on a plastic brake beam guide for generating and sensing car truck movement signals to a computer for processing.

Abstract: A system located in a region to determine information about an unknown car relative to a moving train includes first and second satellite navigation receivers, first and second transceivers and first and second controllers. The moving train includes a first car, and the region includes the moving train and the unknown car. The region is defined by points at which radio communication with the first car is possible. The first satellite navigation receiver, located in the first car, provides first location data, and the second satellite navigation receiver, located in the unknown car, provides second location data. The first transceiver is located in the first car, and the second transceiver is located in the unknown car. The first controller, located in the first car, reads the first location data from the first satellite receiver at a first time and sends via the first transceiver a first request to the second transceiver at the first time.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle tracking and monitoring system for monitoring railway cars within a defined radius of a receiver for wireless communication. The system comprises a transmitter on-board each railway car, a receiver at a wayside station, and a central database at a remote location. The transmitter includes an RF circuit, an I/O circuit and a microcontroller for autonomously and spontaneously transmitting vehicle signals on a cyclic basis to the receiver. The transmitter periodically transmits railway car information and/or cargo status information to the receiver within a predetermined time interval, for example, every 15 minutes. In addition, the transmitted information is communicated from the wayside station to the central database over a longer time interval, fore example, every 24 hours. Accordingly, the central database develops a record of transit vehicle information based on the transmitted information for each transit vehicle in the defined radius of the receiver.

Abstract: An automatic, computer controlled air brake testing system having an opening and closing means for opening and closing air passages of a railroad car brake system, a pressure measuring means for determining pressure in the car brake system, a flow measuring means for measuring the air flow rate in the brake system, and controller means for controlling the flow measuring means and the opening and closing means.

Abstract: A vehicle initialization system for a control system that includes a vehicle, such as a train that is to be initialized, a vehicle track, a first reader, an onboard computer and a tachometer. The vehicle is adapted to coact with the track. At least two spaced apart position identifiers are positioned along the track. The first reader attaches to the vehicle and is adapted to read information from the position identifiers and relay the information to the onboard computer. The tachometer is also interfaced with the onboard computer, so that as the vehicle passes the position identifiers, the tachometer can be calibrated and the vehicle direction of travel and the vehicle orientation can be determined. The system also includes a vehicle identifier adapted to identify the vehicle characteristics. A second reader is positioned along the track and is adapted to read the vehicle identifier as the vehicle travels along the track. A wayside computer interfaces with the second reader.

Abstract: A redundant sensor system for predicting railway hazards including breaks in each rail, the location of the breaks, and determining when a railway vehicle has a flat wheel. Vibration sensors are distributed along both rails of a railway. Each sensor has a detection band at least within the sensing range of adjacent sensors and it is positioned such that the sensor detects vibration in both the horizontal and vertical axis of the rail. A central processor evaluates the data from these sensors and identifies the rail break, the location of the break, and the flat wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing energization or powering of an electric trainline until a test signal transmitted through the train is verified by the locomotive.

Abstract: A housing having a base having a cavity within which a temperature scanner module may be mounted and which is readily clamped to a rail of a railroad track so that a scanner may detect an over-heated wheel or wheel bearing. The base includes a rail clamp support portion for extending beneath the rail. A clamping assembly is positioned on the clamp support portion with resilient compressible bumpers sandwiched therebetween. The clamping assembly includes a first rail clamp and a pair of spaced apart arms between which a second rail clamp is positioned and adjustably attached to the first clamping assembly so as to secure the assembly to a rail. The arms of the clamping assembly terminate at locations above the upper surface of the clamp support portion and may be forcibly urged to apply a bending moment to the clamping assembly adjacent the cavity to pivot the clamping assembly on the bumpers relative to the base. The base may thus be angularly adjusted relative to the rail.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus (8) for a rail car including a truck (14) traveling along a rail (16, 18) includes a truck hunting detection and abatement apparatus (10) for use as part of a brake controller (12). The brake controller (12) is configured for braking the rail car. The apparatus (10) includes a sensor (26) for measuring acceleration of the rail car in a direction transverse to the rail (16, 18), and a control device (24) of the brake controller (12). The control device (24) includes a microprocessor (30) and is responsive to the sensor (26) for comparing the measured acceleration of the rail car with a predetermined acceleration limit. The control device (24) is configured to apply the brakes when the measured acceleration exceeds the predetermined acceleration limit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring circumferential characteristics of train wheels for potential indication of train wheel wear that includes at least one microwave transceiver disposed adjacent to a section of train track and oriented to transmit microwave energy toward and receive microwave energy reflected from a radially oriented surface of a train wheel that traverses the track section. Wheels are rolled along the track section in sequence while the transceiver is energized so as to transmit energy toward the wheel and develop a varying interference pattern of peaks (alternating minima and maxima) caused by reflection from the radially oriented surface of the wheel. The transceiver provides an electrical signal that varies as a function of such interference pattern, and one or more desired radial characteristics of the wheel are determined as a function of such signal.

Abstract: A status monitor and diagnostic unit (SMDU) (12) is provided in every car (14,16) of a magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) train (18) or other vehicle, and includes sensors (38,40,42,44,48,52) for monitoring the operational status or condition of the car (14,16). Network status interface units (NSIU) (22) are provided at stations (24) and at other fixed locations (26) through which the train (18) passes. The NSIUs (22) transmit polling signals which cause the SMDUs (12) to transmit data signals representing the operational status of the cars (14,16) to the NSIUs (22) via a spread-spectrum time-division-multiple-access (TDMA) network (30) when the train (18) passes proximate thereto. The NSIUs (22) relay the data signals to a maintenance control center (MCC) (28) via a wide-area-network (WAN) (32). The MCC (28) generates a prognosis of the operating conditions of the cars (14,16) in accordance with the data signals, and schedules maintenance actions based on the prognosis.

Abstract: A portable test kit for testing electrical and mechanical operation of a locomotive includes one multi-pin connector for connecting to an MU connector on a locomotive. The multi-pin connector is wired in the test kit to a plurality of indicator lights and a plurality of multi-position switches. The lights provide a visual indication of signal presence at the MU connector. The switches enable commands to be placed on the train line through the MU connector to determine if the locomotive is responsive to train line signals. A governor connector and associated indicator lights monitor signals from the locomotive governor system. A plurality of galvanometers are mounted in the kit with corresponding connection jacks for connection to selected points in the locomotive system for simultaneous monitoring of circuit performance. At least a pair of rheostats are connected to the MU connector for controlling loading on selected train line conductors.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting defective conditions associated with a set of railway vehicle wheels and with a railtrack upon which a given railway vehicle travels comprises a rotation measurement unit for generating data indicative of rotational rate of the set of wheels; a motion sensor, such as an accelerometer or vibration sensor, for generating data indicative of motion along a vertical axis relative to the railtrack; and a data processor coupled to the motion sensor and to the rotation measurement unit for receiving the rotational rate and motion data. The data processor is designed for detecting, based on the received rotational rate and motion data, a defective condition associated with the wheel set and for detecting, based on the received motion data, a defective condition associated with the railtrack. The apparatus can be operatively combined with a mobile tracking unit for a vehicle tracking system.

Abstract: Improvements relating to railroad telemetry and control system address problems in compatibility between HOT and EOT units, implement an automatic UDE location procedure, and automate calibration of EOT units. An improved two way protocol that allows EOT units having different code formats to be used with a HOT unit. A method is implemented by a HOT unit, cooperating with an EOT unit, for locating a fault which causes a UDE brake operation. An automatic calibration procedure for the EOT unit that does not require the operator to have access to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: Improvements relating to railroad telemetry and control system address problems in compatibility between HOT and EOT units, implement an automatic UDE location procedure, and automate calibration of EOT units. An improved two way protocol that allows EOT units having different code formats to be used with a HOT unit. A method is implemented by a HOT unit, cooperating with an EOT unit, for locating a fault which causes a UDE brake operation. An automatic calibration procedure for the EOT unit that does not require the operator to have access to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: System for monitoring the angle-of-attack of the wheelsets of a railway vehicle moving along a track section. The apparatus includes a rangefinder to repeatedly measure at known intervals the instanteous distance between a reference point and successive registering points on a face plate surface of a wheel of a passing wheelset. A detector generates a signal representative of the velocity of the wheel passing along the reference point. A computer receives the output signals generated by the velocity sensor and of the rangefinder to compute the angle-of-attack of each wheelset.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly for monitoring railroad car wheels includes an array of temperature detectors arranged to generate a temperature profile of the wheel. The array may be formed integrally with imaging elements and signal conditioning elements on a single IC chip. The assembly may be arranged to monitor the wheel either transversely or in parallel to the direction of wheel movement.

Abstract: A simulator is provided for verifying the proper operation of railroad rolling stock hot wheel detectors. The simulator includes heaters mounted on trucks of a railroad car, between the wheels and within the profile of the thickness of the wheels. Shock mounts, spring mounts and safety cables are used. An electromagnet is mounted on the heater to trip a sensor to activate the detector and a sensor on the car is used to determine the ambient temperature. Each heater includes a heater temperature sensor and is maintained at a constant temperature above ambient to approximate the thermal radiation of a hot wheel. Each heater is adjusted to direct heat horizontally outwardly from the truck to permit a hot wheel detector adjacent to and outside of the rail to detect a hot wheel. The car has two trucks with one heater on each side of each truck. One heater on each side simulates a temperature approximately equal to a hot wheel.

Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of subsystems in a multi-car train over a train-wide communications network includes at least one master station and a plurality of slave stations interconnected by the train-wide communications network, each station collecting status and diagnostic information from associated slave subsystems and providing the information upon request. A portable test unit is provided for testing the subsystems by requesting status and diagnostics information about at least one of the plurality of slave subsystems over the communications network. A diagnostic interface is provided in the at least one master station for interfacing the portable test unit to the master station to facilitate transmission of data between the portable test unit and the train-wide communications network.

Abstract: An improved railroad train braking system causes automatic braking of cars which have been isolated from the braking control of the engineer. A safety apparatus (18), having structure permitting discharge of pressurized air from the system at a predetermined rate, is coupled at the rearmost end of a train brake pipe (26). Pressurized air from the braking system of cars located rearwardly of a closed aircock is permitted to discharge from the system through the safety apparatus. Air distribution control valves (40) in the affected cars (14, 16) sense the reduction in pressure, and active the brakes (42).

Abstract: A method for performing operationally prescribed brake trials before the departure of a railway train, utilizes an indicating and diagnostic system disposed on board the train and operated by the train driver. Sensors in the braking system of each car bogie supply information signals representing pressures, travels and forces to a bogie processor which is connected with a car processor. The car processors are connected by a continuous data bus line with a central processor. The central processor processes the operational information from the brake system according to a processing program into status reports such as general status indications, fault diagnoses and maintenance instructions. The indications and instructions are visually displayed on a monitor and a printer, and acoustically reproduced by a speech synthesizer through a loudspeaker. The car processors are programmable by means of mobile computers and interrogatable by means of pocket terminals.

Abstract: A train communication and control system is described having the cars of the train connected by a two-wire train line running continuously from car to car. Any car may be selected to be a master unit. The selection of one car as a master unit disconnects the power sources of all other cars from the train line, leaving the master unit power source as the sole power source for the line. The master unit communicates with each other car by causing a high voltage ("mark" state or logic one) or a low voltage ("space" state or logic zero) to be on the train line. Each non-master car can receive a communication from the master unit, or can transmit to another car by applying a low impendance across the train line to change from a "mark" state to a "space" state. The power source consists of a voltage regulator with precision constant current limit.

Abstract: A railroad flat wheel detector having a housing anchored to one side of a railroad rail enclosing an arrayed plurality of light source-photodetector pairs whose respective optic axes are tangent to the locus of the lower rim edge of passing wheels rolling along the track. The photodetector outputs are operatively connected to trigger a flat wheel alarm when the increased wheel flange rim overlap with the supporting rail, caused by a flat sector of a passing wheel, obscures a portion of the light and thereby briefly reduces the light intensity sensed by one or more of the plurality of photodetectors.

Abstract: A sequence connector used during the testing of a control package attached to a transit car. The connector includes a display which indicates power modes in the control package which are requested by a master controller in the cab of the transit car. By comparing the power mode indicated by the connector with the functioning of the control package, the operation of the control package may be tested. The connector includes a lock-out device which prevents the transit car from being powered if the connector is inadvertantly left attached to the control package.

Abstract: Flanged steel wheels remain in service on rail cars, locomotives, and other heavy rail guided machinery unitl they no longer maintain minimum specified rim or flange profile dimensions. If the rim or flange profile of the wheel cannot be returned to minimum specifications by surface machining operations, the wheel is condemned as being defective and is removed from service and scrapped. It is desirable to use an automated inspection device to determine if a wheel is approaching this condemning limit of profile wear. The invention automatically detects profile defects upon passing the wheel between rail mounted antennae which form a resonator cavity and transmit microwave radiation. When influenced by a wheel possessing condemnable rim thickness, flange thickness, or flange height profiles, the antennae cause a D.C. voltage to propagate at a microwave detector inserted into an interconnected comparison bridge network.

Abstract: A portable, battery powered, electronic wheel wear gauge is described for use in train wheel wear measurements. The gauge consists of a portable computer controller electrically connected to a portable gauge head. The gauge automatically determines proper positioning of the gauge head with respect to a wheel and then automatically measures rim thickness, flange thickness, flange height and, optionally, rim diameter of a train wheel using suitable contact and non-contact sensors. The measurement readings are displayed and can be stored in a non-volative memory of the controller for subsequent transfer to another computer or a printer.

Abstract: A brake and/or propulsion command arrangement for railway vehicles, especially for abnormality detection of a dual brake system having a cam controller for producing ON-OFF control signals.The abnormal detection system employs a comparing circuit for comparing the control signals, an interlocking circuit for producing a verification signal of the position of the cam controlling, and evaluating circuit for producing a trouble detection signal when the control signals are unmatched and during the presence of the verification signal.

Abstract: An automated initial terminal testing system tests the air pressure and leakage of the brake pipes and the operation of brakes of railroad trains (10) in a terminal yard before trains are allowed to go on a railroad. The system includes end of train devices (16) attached to the trailing coupler of the last car of each train, head of train devices (14) connected to a source of yard air (26) and the air hose connection to the brake pipe of the first car of each train, and a central control console (18). The end of train devices, normally used to transit brake pipe pressure data to the engineer in locomotive when a train is on a railroad, monitors the air pressure in the brake pipe during the charging operation and transmits this data to the central control console. The head of train devices control the charging and venting of air pressure at the front of the train. These devices monitor air pressure and transmits this data to the central control console.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system on track guidance lines for optionally track-guidable or road-going vehicles with pivotable feeler rollers. To avoid accidents which may be caused by travelling on track guidance lines with feeler rollers not extended or only incompletely extended, the invention provides for there to be a switch, which can be operated by the feeler rollers, to be arranged on each of the two transverse guide barriers, approximately opposite each other on the same level as the feeler rollers of the vehicle, at the beginning of the track guidance line. These switches, if operated together, switch via a control unit an optical display device, located downstream of the switches in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and normally indicating a block signal, to "clear line".

Abstract: The invention concerns a system to detect irregularities in the geometry of railway wheels. The system is characterized in that a linearly expanding accelerometer is solidly joined to the rail underneath its head. The accelerometer sensitivity is constant over its entire length and generates a voltage proportional to the acceleration of the rail. For different damages, the rail acceleration takes place in different directions, whereby the voltage amplitude, depending on the type of damage, evinces opposite polarities. Frequency filtering or frequency analysis permit the determination of further criteria which, together with other weighted criteria, are used to characterize wheel damage.

Abstract: A brake hose coupling having a locking mechanism and a pressure relief valve for connecting a telemetry unit to the air brake pipe line of a railway train. The locking mechanism positively latches the brake hose coupling to the "glad hand" brake pipe hose coupling and causes the venting of the entrapped pneumatic pressure by the relief valve when the locking mechanism is unlatched.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for monitoring faults in various functions of rail road cars from the lead car or from the locomotive of a train. This system scans the train once for one identical function of every car, and the scanning is repeated for subsequent identical functions. During scanning if this system detects fault in any car or cars, it illuminates corresponding lights on the display panel in the cab, indicating the types of faults and the car numbers. This system is capable of scanning a maximum of fifteen cars for nine different functions of each car.

Abstract: A device for detecting deformed wheels in a railroad vehicle moving along a track. At least two wave motion sensors are positioned along said track. The wave motions in the rails created by the axial pressure of the vehicle are filtered out from two wave motion sensors spaced apart at a distance along the rails, and the vehicle speed is determined as well as the timing for each vehicle axle passage over at least one of the sensors. The frequency fractions of the vibration signal resulting from possible wheel deformations are filtered out from one or two of the sensors. An analyzer unit analyzes the type of wheel deformation while determining which one of the vehicle wheels is defective. A signal is fed to an alarm circuit upon indication from the analyzer unit that the signal or signals from the high frequency filtering deviate(s) from predetermined, acceptable formations.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring loads transmitted via wheels to a track from vehicles travelling thereon, comprises means responsive to load at a plurality of approximately equally spaced locations on a selected portion of the track at least about equal in length to the circumference of a typical wheel passing thereover, for providing a signal that is a function of the largest load on the track from each wheel, means responsive to the signal for comparing each largest load with at least one selected load level, and means responsive to the load comparing means for identifying each wheel from which any load greater than a selected level was transmitted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for detecting a flat portion of a peripheral surface of a vehicle wheel disposed in rolling engagement with a track rail. A detecting device is provided for detecting one of acceleration representative of vibration of the wheel, stress developing in a support member connected to the wheel, and a noise produced by the rolling of the wheel on the rail to produce a first detection signal in response to a predetermined angular movement of the wheel. A device is provided for determining whether the first detection signal is above a predetermined reference level to produce a second detection signal in synchronism with the rotation of the wheel and indicative of a wheel flat portion of above a predetermined length.

Abstract: The railway brake pressure monitor includes a sensor/transmitter unit (STU) and a remote display unit (RDU). The sensor/transmitter unit is mounted on the last vehicle of a railway train and coupled with the brake pipe thereof and includes a pressure transducer (80), an electronic circuit board module (82), a radio transmitter (84) and a battery pack (86). The pressure transducer, the electronic circuit board module, and the radio transmitter are powered by the battery pack, and the electronic circuit board module (which includes a programmed microcomputer (96)) functions to repetitively monitor the pressure transducer to measure the brake pipe air pressure, and to cause the radio transmitter to transmit reports including the brake pipe air pressure, the states of a plurality of external status inputs, and a battery status indication. Report transmission is triggered by various events.

Abstract: A system for detecting a thin wheel flange and condition and a loose wheel condition of railroad wheels includes relatively movable contacts actuated by the passing wheels and triggering switches when the contacts move together into a spacing less than a predetermined flange thickness. Opposing contact arms bearing against back faces of the rims of the opposing wheels are interconnected for detecting a loose wheel condition upon the closing of an electrical circuit including microswitches and electrical contacts which close when the opposing wheels are spaced less than a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: A vehicle signal shunt detection apparatus responds to a first signal to establish the presence of a vehicle including a shunt circuit and then responds to a second signal to establish that the shunt circuit is operating to provide a desired predetermined vehicle signal.

Abstract: An air flow sensor is disposed in the main supply line of a train air brake system. Circuitry is connected to the sensor and initiates the incrementing of a counter upon the sensing of an air flow rate above a predetermined level for greater than a predetermined length of time. The counting is terminated upon application of the locomotive brakes. The counter thereby produces an indication of elapsed time between the time of an air brake leak occurrence and the time the decrease in pressure is sensed by the locomotive. This indication can be converted to feet based upon speed of travel of the pressure head and divided by the average length of cars in the train to provide an accurate estimate of the location of the leak.

Abstract: An electronic cab signal test set employing an integrated circuit code oscillator for producing a code signal and an integrated circuit carrier oscillator for producing a carrier signal which is modulated by the code signal to produce a code carrier signal. The coded carrier signal drives a current source which injects current signals directly into a pair of series aiding pickup coils for testing the integrity of the pickup coils and for checking the sensitivity of the amplifier. An indicating circuit including a voltage sensing device, a switching circuit, and an illuminating device connected to the code carrier for evaluating the condition of the d.c. supply source and for indicating that the test set is properly functioning.

Abstract: Each car on a freight train is equipped with what is called a brake control valve. This valve is in the automatic air brake system and causes the air brake on the individual car to be applied when the pressure in the main brake pipe which runs throughout the train is reduced by the engineer or by any other cause. Sometimes, the brake control valve will malfunction, thereby causing it to go into the emergency brake position, either during normal service braking or at other times. When it goes into the emergency position, the brake pipe opens to the atmosphere and the resulting sudden reduction in pressure at that point causes all of the brake control valves on the train to go into emergency position causing a full emergency brake application throughout the train. With long trains, quickly finding the malfunctioning brake control valve is quite a chore.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of flat wheels on railroad cars, comprising a high frequency transmitter or source connected so that the rail feed points are staggered or offset with respect to the detector apparatus. As a result, the transmitter cannot be completely shorted by a wheel axle; also, the stagger arrangement permits the overlap of two test sections so that no part of the wheel circumference is missed by the detector. Also the use of current detection of the transmitted signal minimizes loading effects on the received signal by adjacent wheel axle sets.

Abstract: In a power and free conveyor system that includes a trolley frame having spaced pairs of load wheels supporting the trolley frame for movement in a longitudinal direction along a track and a spaced pair of guide wheels for maintaining orientation of the frame with respect to the center of the track, a system for monitoring operative condition of the trolley load and guide wheels. A pair of first sensors are respectively disposed on opposed sides of the track and responsive to sequential passage of a corresponding pair of load wheels for generating first electrical signal patterns as a function thereof. A plurality of second sensors are mounted adjacent to the track and responsive to passage of the pair of guide wheels for generating second electrical signal patterns as a function thereof. A fundamental mode asynchronous machine performs pattern recognition analysis on the first and second signal patterns to determine operative condition of the load and guide wheels in real time.