METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCATING END OF TRAIN DEVICES

• US 20090093920A1
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Quantum Engineering, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Shockley, James Francis, Kane, Mark Edward, Mix, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,742,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0027 Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0054 Train integrity supervision, e.g. end-of-train [EOT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0081 On-board diagnosis or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/021 Measuring and recording of train speed
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/026 Relative localisation, e.g. using odometer
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/40 Handling position reports or trackside vehicle data

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method for end of train unit operation comprising the steps of:

receiving a first wireless message, originating from an end of train unit monitoring station located off the train, at 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;

transmitting a second wireless message including a location of the end of train unit from the end of train unit to the end of train unit monitoring station in response to the first wireless message; and

transmitting a third wireless message to a device located at the head of the train, the third wireless message including an air pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of train unit comprises a global positioning system receiver and the location is based on information from the global positioning system receiver.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless message is received via a long range communication system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of train unit is disconnected from a train when the second wireless message is transmitted.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of train unit includes a battery and an air powered generator, and wherein the end of train unit is not being powered by the air powered generator when the second wireless message is transmitted.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wireless message includes an identifier that uniquely identifies the end of train unit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first wireless message includes the identifier.

8. 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

receiving a first wireless message originating from a source located off the train with the transceiver;

transmitting a second wireless message including a location of the end of train unit in response to the first wireless message; and

transmitting a third wireless message to a device located at the head of the train, the third wireless message including an air pressure in the brake pipe sensed by the pressure sensor.

9. The end of train unit of claim 8, wherein the positioning system is a global positioning system receiver and the location is based on information from the global positioning system receiver.

10. The end of train unit of claim 8, wherein the second wireless message includes an identifier that uniquely identifies the end of train unit.

11. The end of train unit of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to determine if an end of train unit identifier is present in the first wireless message and, if so, to respond to the first wireless message if the identifier in the first wireless message corresponds to the end of train unit.

12. The end of train until of claim 8, wherein the wireless transceiver is a long range communication system transceiver.

13. The end of train unit of claim 8, wherein the end of train unit includes a battery and an air powered generator, and wherein the end of train unit is not being powered by the air powered generator when the second wireless message is transmitted.