US 5,507,457 A · Train integrity detection system

Abstract

An improvement in an End-of-Train (EOT) monitor system allows the continuity of the brake pipe of a train to be verified. Obstructions in the brake-pipe, such as, for example, closed angle cocks, kinks, blockages, or breaks, adversely affect brake safety. A pressure sensor is installed in the Locomotive Cab Unit (LCU) to sense brake application. If the brake pipe is intact, a brake application initiated from the locomotive should correspondingly result in a drop in pressure at the EOT unit. The time require for the drop to propagate through the train is a function of train length. If a pressure drop is not sensed at the EOT unit within a predetermined period of time, it is assumed to be due to either a corrupted brake pipe or a communications failure between the LCU and EOT unit. A Microprocessor in the LCU initiates a communications check by interrogating the EOT unit from the LCU. If no reply is received, an alarm sounds warning the engineer of a communications failure. If, on the other hand, the LCU receives a reply from the EOT to the interrogation, a brake pipe continuity alarm is sounded warning the engineer of a brake fault condition.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A train integrity detection system for sensing faults in a brake pipe traversing the length of a train, comprising:

a locomotive cab unit positioned at the head-end of a train, said locomotive cab unit comprising a first transceiver and a first brake pipe pressure sensor for sensing a brake application, said locomotive cab unit including a timer which is started when said first brake pipe pressure sensor senses a brake application, said timer defining a predetermined time duration;
an end-of-train unit for monitoring brake pipe pressure at a rear-end of the train, said end-of-train unit comprising a second transceiver in radio communication with said first transceiver and a second brake pipe pressure sensor for sensing a reduction in pressure due to a brake application, said end-of-train unit transmitting a radio signal to said locomotive cab unit when a reduction in brake pipe pressure is sensed by said second brake pipe pressure sensor to communicate a brake pipe pressure change;
reset means at said locomotive cab unit for resetting said timer upon receipt of said radio signal transmitted by said end-of-train unit;
and
alarm means at said locomotive cab unit for notifying an engineer that said timer has timed out without being reset during said predetermined time duration thereby indicating that a failure in the train integrity.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Train integrity detection system

Life of this patent

Train integrity detection system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6