US 2003/0200020 A1 · METHOD OF AND AN APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING THE BRAKING EFFICIENCY OF A RAILWAY FREIGHT TRAIN CONSIST

Abstract

A method of substantially achieving a minimum stopping distance of a freight train consist without incurring any significant detrimental wheel slide comprising the steps of preprogramming preselected information into a computer disposed on a freight locomotive and determining a speed of such freight train consist. Then communicating a signal that is indicative of said speed determined to such computer disposed on such freight locomotive. Determining in such computer a pressure that can be applied to brake cylinders which will maintain substantially maximum adhesion between wheels being braked and rail surfaces in contact with such wheels and communicating a signal representative of such pressure determined to a pressure control valve in fluid communication with such brake cylinders and, thereafter, maintaining a maximum pressure on such brake cylinders that will stop such train consist in a shortest possible distance while simultaneously substantially preventing wheel slide.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of substantially achieving a minimum stopping distance of a freight train consist without incurring any significant detrimental wheel slide, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) preprogramming preselected information into a computer disposed on a freight locomotive;
(b) determining a speed of such freight train consist;
(c) communicating a signal that is indicative of said speed determined in step (b) to such computer disposed on such freight locomotive;
(d) determining in such computer a pressure that can be applied to brake cylinders which will maintain substantially maximum adhesion between wheels being braked and rail surfaces in contact with such wheels;
(e) communicating a signal representative of such pressure determined in step (d) to a pressure control valve in fluid communication with such brake cylinders;
and
(f) maintaining a maximum pressure on such brake cylinders that will stop such train consist in a shortest possible distance while simultaneously substantially preventing wheel slide.

4 more elements

An apparatus for substantially achieving a minimum stopping distance of a freight train consist without incurring any significant detrimental wheel slide, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a program having preselected information disposed in a computer disposed on a freight locomotive;
(b) a speed sensing means disposed on at least one of such locomotive and a freight car for determining a speed of such freight train consist;
(c) a means connected to said speed sensing means for communicating a signal that is indicative of said speed to such computer disposed on such freight locomotive, so that such program can determine a pressure that can be applied to brake cylinders which will maintain substantially maximum adhesion between wheels being braked and rail surfaces in contact with such wheels;
and
(d) a means connected to such computer for communicating a signal representative of such pressure determined by said program to a pressure control valve disposed in fluid communication with such brake cylinders and maintaining a maximum pressure on such brake cylinders that will stop such train consist in a shortest possible distance while simultaneously substantially preventing wheel slide.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of and an apparatus for enhancing the braking efficiency of a railway freight train consist

Life of this patent

Method of and an apparatus for enhancing the braking efficiency of a railway freight train consist

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20