Method and system for automatically locating end of train devices
AssigneeInvensys Rail Corporation
InventorsMark Edward Kane, James Francis Shockley, John D. Mix
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An end of train unit includes a positioning system such as a GPS receiver and is configured to transmit a message including the EOT unit's location when the EOT unit detects a loss of air pipe pressure and/or it is tipped over and/or a low battery condition is detected. In highly preferred embodiments, the EOT unit periodically re-transmits the message until an acknowledgment message is received. In some embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to create a signal as a substitute for a motion sensor. In other embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to determine the speed of the end of the train. End of train unit tracking is also performed.
Claims15
A method for end of train unit operation comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a first wireless message from an end of train unit-to an end of train unit-monitoring station located off of any train, the first wireless message including a location of the end of train unit and an identifier that uniquely identifies the end of train unit, the end of train unit including an end of train marker light and a pressure sensor configured to determine air pressure in an air brake pipe;
- receiving the first message including the location of the end of train unit at the end of train unit monitoring station;
- transmitting the location of the train the end of train unit from the end of train unit monitoring station to a central authority;
- transmitting the location of the end of train unit from the central authority to fourth device:
- receiving the location of the end of train unit at the fourth device and displaying a location of the end of train unit on a map image on a display connected to the fourth device;
- and
- transmitting a second wireless message to a fifth device located at the head of the train, the second wireless message including an air pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.
An end of train unit comprising:
- a processor;
- an end of train marker light;
- a pressure sensor for determining an air pressure in an air brake pipe;
- a wireless transceiver connected to the processor;
- and
- a positioning system connected to the processor;
- wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of
- generating a first wireless message including a location of the end of train unit and an identifier that uniquely identifies the end of train unit;
- transmitting via the transceiver the first wireless message to an end of train unit monitoring station located off of any train,
- generating a second wireless message, the second wireless message including an air pressure sensed by the pressure sensor;
- and
- transmitting the second wireless message to a device located at the head of the train.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.