System and method for a vehicle brake controller
AssigneeTransportation IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsK Kalaimohana Selvan, Krishnakumar Sornamani
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for a brake controller configured to initiate a first emergency brake mode based on a manual input and a second emergency brake mode based on an automatic input. The brake controller comprises a plurality of electro-pneumatic brake valves coupled to pneumatic brake valves. The brake controller may be communicably coupled to a control circuit and/or an external brake system that communicate brake signals to control the plurality of electro-pneumatic brake valves and initiate the first and second emergency brake modes.
Claims20
A brake controller comprising:
- a control circuit;
- a first electronic valve configured to be coupled to a first set of conduits;
- and
- a second electronic valve configured to be coupled to a second set of conduits;
- wherein the control circuit is configured to operate the first electronic valve and the second electronic valve in a plurality of modes, wherein the plurality of modes comprise:
- a default mode wherein the first electronic valve is in an energized state and the second electronic valve is in a de-energized state;
- a first emergency brake mode associated with a manual brake input, wherein the first electronic valve and the second electronic valve are in the de-energized state;
- and
- a second emergency brake mode associated with an automated brake input, wherein the first electronic valve and the second electronic valve are in the energized state.
A brake system comprising:
- a control circuit;
- a brake cylinder coupled to a brake device for wheels of a vehicle system;
- and
- a brake controller in communication with the control circuit and coupled to the brake cylinder through a brake pipe pneumatic system, wherein the brake controller comprises a first electronic valve and a second electronic valve, configured to operate in a plurality of modes responsive to control signals received from the control circuit, and wherein the plurality of modes comprise:
- a default mode wherein the first electronic valve is in an energized state and the second electronic valve is in a de-energized state, for not engaging a brake mechanism;
- a first emergency brake mode wherein the first electronic valve and the second electronic valve are in the de-energized state, for emergency braking responsive to a manual brake input;
- and
- a second emergency brake mode wherein the first electronic valve and the second electronic valve are in the energized state, for emergency braking responsive to an automated brake input.
A method for applying an emergency brake in a brake system, the method comprising:
- entering a default mode wherein a first electronic valve is in an energized state and a second electronic valve is in a de-energized state, and wherein a bush valve maintains a seal between a first chamber and an exhaust port;
- transitioning from the default mode to one of a plurality of emergency brake modes, wherein a first emergency brake mode of the plurality of emergency brake modes transitions the first electronic valve to the de-energized state and the second electronic valve remains in the de-energized state, and a second emergency brake mode of the plurality of emergency brake modes transitions the second electronic valve to the energized state and the first electronic valve remains in the energized state;
- venting a first BP pressure in the first chamber to the atmosphere through the exhaust port, wherein the first BP pressure in the first chamber overcomes a sealing force by the bush valve in the plurality of emergency brake modes, and wherein a brake port results in a loss of BP pressure based on the venting of the first BP pressure in the first chamber to the atmosphere;
- and
- applying, by a brake cylinder, a brake device based on the loss of the BP pressure at the brake port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.