Automatic Vehicle-carried Braking Patents (Class 246/182B)
  • Patent number: 6108596
    Abstract: A process and a device for the control and/or regulation of a wagon body tilt system (1) for a railed vehicle, e.g., a train. Limit values with respect to comfort are taken into consideration for this purpose. In an equivalent way, these limit values preset a comfort scale for a rail camber or tilt (.phi..sub.c) as desired tilt values (.phi..sub.desired, .phi..sub.des. Speed, .phi..sub.des. accel.) for the control and/or regulation of a wagon body (2) as relevant value based on the system limits and permit a subsequent regulation within the adjustment system (4) of the wagon body (2) only within these limits. If at least one limit value for comfort and/or parameters describing the system is exceeded, these desired tilt values (.phi..sub.desired, .phi..sub.des. speed, .phi..sub.des. accel.) are then adapted by taking into account this at least one exceeded limit value and are converted to adapted desired tilt values (.phi.'.sub.desired, .phi.'.sub.des. speed, .phi.'.sub.des. accel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: TZN Forschungs-und Entwicklungszentrum
    Inventor: Johannes Beike
  • Patent number: 6067485
    Abstract: An improved method is used to control the pressure in the IAR pipe of a train. The train is typically equipped with an independent brake handle, a control reservoir, an IAR control portion and a computer for controlling the IAR control portion generally according to position of the brake handle. The method involves the steps of: moving the brake handle to a point along its range of motion; and storing in the computer as a setpoint the value desired for the pressure within the IAR pipe. At whichever point the brake handle occupies along its range of motion, there is a particular pressure setpoint corresponding thereto. The method next includes the steps of: directing the computer to modify the actual pressure in the control reservoir to the setpoint thereby also causing the actual IAR pipe pressure to approach the setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Gregory S. Balukin, Paul J. Kettle, Jr., David J. Pcsolar
  • Patent number: 6035250
    Abstract: A locomotive brake control unit includes a manifold having a brake cylinder module for controlling pressure at the brake cylinder port in response to at least train braking signals and first and second ports on the control unit for receiving electropneumatic resetting and non-resetting dynamic brake interlocks respectively to control the train braking signals during dynamic braking, if an interlock module is present in one of the interlock ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. Newton, Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 6012681
    Abstract: An automatic identification system having a storage device mounted on the car, which includes the car identification data. A reading device is connected to a local communication node which communicates with the locomotive in a network. The local communication node communicates the read identification data to the controller at the locomotive. The identification data includes at least the serial number, brake ratio, light weight and gross rail weight of the car. The storage device is permanently mounted on the car, preferably at a junction box or pipe bracket. A current sensor is also connected to the local communication node. The storage device and current sensor are part of a subsidiary communication node under the control of the communication node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony W. Lumbis, Dale R. Stevens, Bryan M. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 6002978
    Abstract: The present hostler control of a computer control train brake system combines the computer control of the train and locomotive brake system with a manual control during a hostler mode to provide soft and safe operation of the vehicle. Interlocks provide efficient and safe transferring of the controls between the computer control brake system and the manual hostler control portion. The computer control train brake system includes an electropneumatic brake controller which automatically applies the independent brake once the hostler lead mode is determined. Next, the brake controller charges the brake pipe to release the train brakes. Control of the independent brake is transferred to a pneumatic independent brake control valve of the hostler stand after the brake pipe has been charged sufficiently to fully release the train brakes. The brake pipe is charged or the train brakes are released only after the independent brake application has reached a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Jon M. Marra, Roger Lewis
  • Patent number: 5995881
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Robert C. Kull
  • Patent number: 5967465
    Abstract: An automatic identification system having a storage device mounted on the car, which includes the car identification data. A reading device is connected to a local communication node which communicates with the locomotive in a network. The local communication node communicates the read identification data to the controller at the locomotive. The identification data includes at least the serial number, brake ratio, light weight and gross rail weight of the car. The storage device is permanently mounted on the car, preferably at a junction box or pipe bracket. A current sensor is also connected to the local communication node. The storage device and current sensor are part of a subsidiary communication node under the control of the communication node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony W. Lumbis, Dale R. Stevens, Bryan M. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 5950967
    Abstract: A train throttle and brake control apparatus is provided for use in a train having a master locomotive and one or more slave locomotives remotely located in the train. In a first embodiment, the apparatus includes a train force calculator which approximates train coupler forces based on computations as a function of the track topography. In a second embodiment, a coupler sensor is provided which senses the forces transmitted by the couplers on the slave locomotives. In either embodiment, a position determining device is included which provides a position signal based on the position of the train. A storage device stores a track database containing track topography information. A controller uses the coupler force computations or measurements, the position information, the track topography information, train consist information, and locomotive control settings to generate slave control signals which are provided to the slave locomotives through a communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Stephen R. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5936517
    Abstract: Each train detects its location, velocity, and the time it will spend to pass the next bifurcation, joint, and intersection, respectively, and sends the information periodically to the trains that are or will be behind the train. The controller of each bifurcation, joint, and intersection, respectively, having mechanical movement sends the connection status of the track to the trains about to pass it. Then, receiving a message, a train can determine if it may hit its front train if its front train stops abruptly and if it may pass the bifurcation, the joint, and the intersection, respectively, before the track there has been connected for it. If yes, the train decelerates to stop to avoid possible disasters. So that the distance between every two consecutive trains can be minimized and different kinds of trains may share the same railroad. Hence, some railroads may be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Show-Way Yeh
  • Patent number: 5901650
    Abstract: A method of operating an automotive production line including the steps of advancing a plurality of self-propelled carriages along a conveyor of the production line. The carriages are continuously advanced at a fixed operational speed and a fixed operational pitch to obtain a fixed processing time at a plurality of work stations along the production line. Any one of the carriages are stopped when a reduced pitch is obtained due to a stoppage of the immediately preceding carriage. The reduced pitch is less than the operational pitch and is preferably the minimum pitch available between the carriages. Stopped carriages are restarted when the reduced pitch returns to the operational pitch due to the restarting of the immediately preceding carriage. Production losses are reduced by continuing operations upstream of a stoppage to form a dynamic online buffer upstream of the stoppage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl Lane Turner, Willard Anthony Stafford, William Newton Ramsey, Kevin Ray Chapman, Mitsuhisa Sato, Hiroyuki Kachi
  • Patent number: 5803411
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation (North America) Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ackerman, Kenneth A. Karg, Angela C. Patel
  • Patent number: 5758848
    Abstract: An automatic switching system integrated into freight cars includes a microcomputer for controlling the automatic system and regulating the shunting speed, a rotary pulse generator for determining the shunting distance and freight car speed, distance sensors for detecting the distance to and difference in speed relative to cars in front, an automatic coupling, a brake system for controlling the speed of the freight cars in the shunting zone and precise target braking on the sorting tracks and a data transmission devices for information exchange with a superordinated control station. The automatic switching system integrated into the freight cars makes it possible to decouple the freight cars by remote control, to precisely control the shunting speed, to maintain a minimum distance between the sections for safe setting of the switches, to automatically reduce speed by braking and re-coupling on the sorting tracks as well as to conduct a remote-monitored freight car diagnosis and brake test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Erhard Beule
  • Patent number: 5740029
    Abstract: The invention provides a real time process control system for control of machinery. The system has a master control module and a slave control module which receives control signals from the master control module. Both control modules send control signals to a control effector and cause changes in at least one effect causing quality of the control effector. The slave control module establishes a target value for the effect causing quality of the control effector based on the signal it receives from the master microprocessor. A sensor connected to the control effector and to the slave control module provides signals in the slave control module which indicate an actual value for the effect causing quality of the control effector. A feedback loop controls the control signal from the slave microprocessor to the control effector to adjust the value of its effect causing quality in accordance with the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Ferri, Robert D. Dimsa, Joseph C. Gray, Michael E. Romansky
  • Patent number: 5681015
    Abstract: A radio-based, Electro-Pneumatic (EP) rail car braking system supports both End-of-Train (EOT) and Distributed Power Control (DPC) communication systems. The EP rail car braking system operates within existing frequency allocations and meets operational reliability needs by adopting a hybrid, two-band communications scheme. The EP rail car braking system uses a broadcast band for transmitting commands to all cars in the train. Selected cars spaced through the train are designated as repeaters, and a predetermined number of cars are assigned to each repeater for form a group of cars that act as a Local Area Network (LAN). The cars in a group communicate with each other using a low power, spread spectrum band. In response to a command broadcast by a lead locomotive, cars in a group act on the command and transmit status information to their repeater car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Robert C. Kull
  • Patent number: 5673876
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony W. Lumbis, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Arnold W. Knight
  • Patent number: 5642869
    Abstract: An optical scanner transmits a light beam from the forward end of a moving track vehicle with the beam inclined toward the direction of movement toward another vehicle on the track. A highly reflective retroreflector tape is secured to the rear end of the other vehicle having an effective reflector region offset from the location of the transmission of the beam at the scanner. The angle of inclination and the amount of offset geometry are proportional to the distance between the vehicles. The scanner senses the return beam which is coaxial with the transmitted beam using a Schmitt trigger circuit to sense the threshold level of the returned beam. The resulting output signal is used to stop the moving vehicle at a predetermined spacing from the other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: TeleEngineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John Miller
  • Patent number: 5638276
    Abstract: A microprocessor based brake pipe pressure control system for one or more cars of a railroad train wherein the local exhaust of each car brake pipe pressure, under control of an electro-pneumatic valve, is individually regulated such that the gradient of the resultant train brake pipe pressure closely approximates the natural brake pipe pressure gradient for any given brake pipe pressure reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 5630565
    Abstract: An EP controller, which is located on the leading locomotive, is connected by a cable to the leading end trainline connector of the lead locomotive. This powers the EP controller and provides communication by the EP controller over the trainline. A second cable connects the EP line of the first car in the train to the trailing end trainline connector of the last locomotive for providing communication between the EP controller and the electro-pneumatic brakes on each car over the trainline and the EP line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony W. Lumbis
  • Patent number: 5622338
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Technical Services and Marketing Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Klink
  • Patent number: 5613654
    Abstract: A device for releasing the opening of the doors of rail vehicles provides that one or more transmission devices (ZUB1 to ZUB4) are arranged in succession in the approach area of a train station (Bhf) to transmit signals for synchronizing the position sensing devices that are provided in passing trains (Z1, Z2). One position sensing device (3) is influenced directly and the other position sensing device (6) is influenced through an ATP device (ATP =automatic train protection) on the vehicle. The doors can be opened when the train has come to a stop and the position sensing device (3) that is influenced directly indicates that a previously announced stopping point (P1, P2) has been reached within a narrow tolerance (T1), and the other position sensing device (6) which has a broader tolerance range (T2) confirms this position. FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Gellermann, Adolf Feuerhake, Dario Comini, Guido Martinelli
  • Patent number: 5601259
    Abstract: A two-way safety trip is placed at selected locations along a railway track to demarcate a safety zone within which the travel of a railway vehicle is stopped upon entering the zone and is permitted to continue upon leaving the zone, the safety trip including a bracket for attachment to the track and a trip member selectively mounted upon the bracket in alternate mounting orientations for serving at either boundary of the safety zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Boda Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. DiChiara
  • Patent number: 5590042
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receives as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals from controllers and pipe pressures and has a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired braking and pipe pressures. The computer in the lead locomotive uses the independent application and brake pipe pressure to control the brake cylinder pressure except where the independent application and release brake pipe has been tested as a fault or during the initial buildup of the independent application brake pipe. In this instance, independent application and release controller position is used to control the brake cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Allen, Jr., Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 5564657
    Abstract: An electrically controlled railway locomotive throttle controller including a power source connected to a central processing unit disposed on such locomotive. An encoder device is disposed on such locomotive for providing at least one electrical signal to such central processing unit. This at least one electrical signal being at least one of a signal indicative of a throttle position, a signal indicative of dynamic braking and a signal indicative of a reverser. A digital control device is disposed on such locomotive and is connected to receive a signal from such central processing unit to provide a digital control signal that controls the voltage being applied to a trainline. An analog control device is also disposed on such locomotive and is connected to receive a signal from such central processing unit to provide an analog control signal that controls a dynamic brake reference voltage being applied to such trainline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Dimsa, Gary L. Bailey, Gregory S. Balukin, Vincent Ferri, Robert J. Jenets, Paul J. Kettle, Jr., Craig A. Miller, Daniel J. Wolf
  • Patent number: 5511749
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Canac International, Inc.
    Inventors: Folkert Horst, Oleh Szklar, Kelly Doig, George R. Cass, Jean L. Bousquet
  • Patent number: 5474267
    Abstract: A method and device for effecting a fast but smooth deceleration or stopping of trains controlled under the automatic train control (ATC) system. Under ATC, a permitted maximum velocity is provided as an "ATC condition" to activate the brake system of the train if that velocity is exceeded. When it is necessary to alter the velocity of a train, a control center specifies a feeder section to have the ATC condition to be altered. Next, a substation corresponding to the specified feeder section is provided with notice about the alteration of the ATC condition. The notice includes the impending reduction of velocity. In response, the substation decelerates the train without using the ATC brake system provided on the train. When the train has been sufficiently slowed down such that the alteration of the ATC condition will not result in activation of the ATC brake system, the alteration of the ATC condition is then effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Central Japan Railway Company
    Inventors: Kiyoto Kubota, Hiroto Takeuchi, Shinichiro Kato
  • Patent number: 5429329
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle (10) is shown with conventional train flanged wheels (11) riding upon common railroad tracks (12). The body (13) of the vehicle encloses a conventional diesel electric power unit (14) with speed characteristics comparable to the train it precedes. The power unit (14) is controlled by a computer program, but has remote control override provisions in the software as directed by the engineer in the locomotive cab following the robotic vehicle (RV). The RV (10) has a television camera (15) viewing the track ahead and a transmitter (16) for sending the video signal to the locomotive cab's TV monitor (17)/video cassette recorder (18). The range and power of the electromagnetic wave exchange directly between the RV and cab will be low power broadcasts and signal frequencies as assigned by the FCC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Charles C. Wallace, Charles P. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5416707
    Abstract: In a method and a device for eliminating an inclination of a wheel-block bogie of a rail vehicle having a plurality of individual wheels, the determined wheel speeds of the wheel-block bogie may be added in a crosswise manner. Sum speeds formed in this manner are combined to form an actual sum-difference speed which represents the actual inclination of the bogie, and this actual inclination is brought to a predeterminable desired inclination. In this way, an inclination of the wheel-block bogie is recognized and corrected without additional sensors, regardless of how it has been caused. As a result, optimum travel behavior is obtained in straight ahead travel and also on curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Leonhard Reng
  • Patent number: 5412572
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5388789
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for automatically controlling the distance between vehicles following each other on the same drive track which includes in each vehicle a drive device, brake device, distance sensing device, vehicle speed measuring device, and control device. Paralleling the drive track are a neutral rail and a control rail. The drive device drives the vehicle. The brake device brakes the vehicle. The distance sensing device generates a distance variable. The vehicle speed measuring device measures a speed of the vehicle, and generates speed signals based thereon. The control device controls the drive device to drive the vehicle at a speed based on a speed control variable. The control device generates the speed control variable based on the distance variable. The speed control variable is less than the distance variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: AEG Monorail Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Reinhart Rudershausen
  • Patent number: 5369587
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5315520
    Abstract: A friction brake interface health check system for dynamically diagnosing and monitoring the operational status of a plurality of input signals by using a pattern fault recognition and an intelligent diagnostic matrix which is generated by brake level demand, power/brake trainline, electric brake feedback and electric brake rate request modules to control an interface health determination fault monitor module which determines which errors are to be reported to the event interface file, the RAM fault log and which are displayed on a seven (7) segment display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: John B. Drake, James A. Wood, Carl J. Slavick, Jr., Richard J. Mazur
  • Patent number: 5249125
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5172316
    Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. An electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: New York Air Brake
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, John J. Allen, Jr., Ronald O. Newton
  • Patent number: 5161467
    Abstract: An industrial robot system comprises a robot movable on a track formed on a floor; work stations arranged along the track, where the robot deals with workpieces in a predetermined order; reference points provided at the stations, respectively, and a detector installed on the robot for detecting the reference points so that the robot can be properly positioned with respect to each work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventor: Hisao Kato
  • Patent number: 5155681
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving from position to position along coke ovens during the production of coke which is capable of stopping at its target stop position with high accuracy and without deteriorating its operating efficiency. In the mobile apparatus, a travel pattern is stored in a computer for controlling the apparatus depending on a target stop position of the apparatus and its travel direction immediately before its stop. As a result, any stop error due to the particular conditions inherent in each target stop position can be eliminated. The computer may include a program for correcting the travel pattern depending on the stop error if any.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Aoki, Mitsunori Tsuruhara
  • Patent number: 5072900
    Abstract: Each train is equipped with an on-board device for detecting the position of the train with respect to the track and with a transmitter-receive communicating with a central station. The central station has an instantaneous storage of the relative positions of all of the trains in the network, storage of the itineraries of each train, the characteristics of the network related to the speed range, and of the performance of the rolling stock in service. The central station constitutes the organizing unit of the system and comprises a transmission at regular time intervals of messages containing the identification numbers of the trains in circulation which are authorized to follow their route, taking account of position information received from these trains by the central station and of speed range parameters contained in the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Aigle Azur Concept
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Malon
  • Patent number: 5018689
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for stopping a vehicle at a predetermined position in which the distance between actual and target positions of the vehicle and the velocity and accleration of the vehicle are detected so as to perform brake control by selecting brake control notches on the basis of the detected values of the distance, the velocity and the acceleration to thereby stop the vehicle at the predetermined position, are featured in that the stop gap accuracy in the case where the notch presently on actuation is maintained as well as the stop gap accuracy are obtained as fuzzy values and compared with each other to thereby perform the notch selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Yasunobu, Shoji Miyamoto, Hirokazu Ihara
  • Patent number: 4852007
    Abstract: A method and a device for stopping a vehicle at a predetermined position in which the distance between actual and target positions of the vehicle and the velocity and acceleration of the vehicle are detected so as to perform brake control by selecting brake control notches or settings on the basis of the detected values of the distance, the velocity and the acceleration to thereby stop the vehicle at the predetermined position, wherein fuzzy values for a stop gap accuracy in the case where the present notch or brake control setting is maintained as well as a stop gap accuracy in the case when the notch or brake control setting is changed by a predetermined value are obtained and compared with each other to thereby perform the notch or brake control setting selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Yasunobu, Shoji Miyamoto, Hirokazu Ihara
  • Patent number: 4835693
    Abstract: A brake assurance monitor, for controlling the braking and propulsion systems of a vehicle, has a controller for controlling normal braking, a first level emergency braking and a second level emergency braking. The controller has inlets for connection to lines carrying vital command signals and outlets. A first switch device has inputs for connection to other lines carrying command signals. A number of alternative first inputs and first outputs, which are connectible to the normal or alternative inputs. The outputs are switched from the normal to the alternative inputs by an actuator, controlled by the controller; switching occurs when emergency braking is required. A second switch device similarly has normal, second inputs connected to outlets of the controller, and alternative, second inputs for connection to the lines carrying vital command signals. A second actuator maintains second outputs of the second switch device connected to the normal second inputs during normal braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: UTDC Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Smith, Stanley Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 4804910
    Abstract: A traction load meter system for displaying information concerning the amount of current energizing electric motors which drive a locomotive. These motors have power and braking modes and have a continuous current rating. The system includes a current-to-frequency converter for providing an output signal having a frequency corresponding to the amount of current drawn by the motors. Electronic logic circuitry is included for receiving this output signal and being responsive thereto to provide outputs indicating whether the locomotive is in the power or braking mode, the amount of current being drawn, whether this amount is above the continuous rated current for the motors, and the period of time the above-rated condition has existed. Additionally, the meter system includes a display panel connected to the logic circuitry and adapted to be mounted in a cab of the locomotive for displaying to the engineer the aforementioned outputs of the logic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Vapor Corporation
    Inventor: Jack A. Russell
  • Patent number: 4735385
    Abstract: A respective microcomputer-based dynamic braking proportioning unit is disposed on each locomotive of a group of locomotives of a train consist. Each unit is connected to the brake setup and brake control wires of a trainline communicating with all of the locomotives, and each unit is connected to the dynamic braking equipment of its respective locomotive. Each unit includes two data entry mechanisms, such as switches, by which the respective microcomputer is advised of the total number of locomotives and of a unique number identifying the respective locomotive within the group. From the two signals from the trainline and the total locomotive and unique locomotive identification data, the respective microcomputer determines and outputs appropriate dynamic brake equipment control signals for the respective locomotive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Nickles, John E. Haley, Michael J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 4617627
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of automatic vehicle operation which fulfills multi-dimensional performance indices by presetting the weight for power consumption, the weight for the riding comfort, and the like. The modification of running time relative to the standard running time to be spent between two stations, the allowable power consumption relative to the standard power consumption to be spent for the standard running between two stations, and the degree of improvement of riding comfort for the standard running between two stations are set prior to the departure from a station so as to determine control parameters to be used for divided regions of distance between two stations, and the speed of the vehicle between two stations is controlled using the selected control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Yasunobu, Shoji Miyamoto, Hirokazu Ihara
  • Patent number: 4578754
    Abstract: The speed of a vehicle is controlled in response to a new speed command lower than a previous speed command such that a safe brake speed profile reference is provided for increasing the average speed of the train in relation to the new speed command and before the new speed command controls the vehicle speed. A sensed vehicle acceleration is compared with a known safe acceleration to determine a speed error and a distance error to establish a critical velocity for the vehicle, which is used to provide an open loop brake control to merge the train speed in relation to a provided safe brake profile before the vehicle speed can again be controlled in relation to the new speed command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Arum P. Sahasrabudhe, Habib Dadpey, Fernando A. Cirillo, Antonia C. Merlo, Pierre A. M. Zuber
  • Patent number: 4562543
    Abstract: A speed control system for a passenger vehicle provides a predetermined brake mode operation to control the vehicle speed when the vehicle speed plus a determined speed offset responsive to a calculated effort request signal is equal to or greater than a desired program stop speed, and then compares the calculated effort request signal with a predetermined value of the effort request signal to control the vehicle speed in response to the calculated effort request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Pierre A. Zuber, Mario Rogers
  • Patent number: 4558415
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle speed control apparatus operative with a track providing an input speed command having ONE and ZERO information components. Two programmed microprocessors operate through dynamic serial link apparatus for comparing a speed command signal from each information component and for comparing a speed error signal from each information component to provide a vital enablement of the vehicle propulsion motor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Pierre A. Zuber, Habib Dadpey
  • Patent number: 4556941
    Abstract: There is disclosed a speed control apparatus and method for a passenger vehicle moving along a track in response to an input command speed, which produces fewer operative changes between the brake mode and the power mode for an improved speed maintaining control of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Pierre A. M. Zuber
  • Patent number: 4486839
    Abstract: A synchronous wheel-slip control system for a multi-axle vehicle having a speed sensor for producing signals representative of the velocity of each of the wheel axle units. A differentiator connected to each of the speed sensors for differentiating the velocity signals to obtain rate signals. A plurality of truck and car rate comparators for determining when all the wheel axle units are in synchronism. A plurality of truck and car highest velocity circuits for determining the actual highest velocity signal of the wheel axle units and a car differentiator for differentiating the actual highest velocity signal to obtain the actual highest rate signal. A synchronous slip logic network for causing a data processing circuit to initiate a brake force reduction action of one of the trucks when all the wheel axle units are in synchronism and when the actual highest rate signal exceeds a requested rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mazur, James A. Wood
  • Patent number: 4475159
    Abstract: An anti-skid brake system for vehicles is proposed in which various transducers for detecting operating condition parameters of the vehicle are provided, which cooperate with an evaluation circuit in such a manner that control signals are formed on the basis of the transducer signals for influencing the brake pressure at predetermined operating conditions. Circuitry are additionally provided which store the operating condition parameters, such as vehicle speed and deceleration, braking path and the like, during the braking event under the predetermined operating conditions; and to control marking of the road surface during these braking events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Gerstenmaier, Heinz Leiber, Werner Stumpe
  • Patent number: 4459668
    Abstract: An automatic train control device which has a detector for detecting whether a newly received train speed signal instruction is for instructing the train to run at a lower speed than that according to an earlier signal while the train is running at a speed within the range according to the instruction received by an earlier signal, and thus finds itself running at a speed exceeding the speed according to the newly received instruction. A differential speed detector, which is connected to the signal detector, detects the excess of the train speed over the speed according to the newly received instruction. A memory outputs one braking instruction from among a plurality of stored optimum braking patterns to a device which controls the application of the brake according to the output from the memory, the memory output being in response to an excess train speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Japanese National Railways
    Inventors: Hitoshi Inoue, Kazuhiko Nagase, Yoshihiko Sato
  • Patent number: 4410947
    Abstract: In the control of adhesion between a vehicle and a track, an adaptive control is provided for reapplying the tractive effort between the vehicle and the track in accordance with the known tractive effort level at which a loss of adhesion was sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: John D. Strong, Thomas C. Matty