SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A LOCOMOTIVE IN A CONSIST IS IN LEADING MODE OR TRAILING MODE
First Claim
1. A system for determining whether a locomotive in a consist is in a leading mode or a trailing mode, the system comprising:
- a first fluidly communicative connection to port 63 of an MU-2-A valve on the locomotive;
a pressure measurement device in communication with the first fluidly communicative connection for obtaining a pressure measurement at the port 63, wherein a comparison of the pressure measurement at the port 63 to a value associated with a main reservoir pressure is indicative of whether the locomotive is in the leading mode or the trailing mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
By taking a pressure reading at a particular port on a multiple-unit braking valve, e.g. the MU-2-A valve, and comparing such a reading to a main reservoir pressure, one can identify whether the locomotive in which the valve is situated is in trailing mode or leading mode. In particular, it was found that the pressure on port 63 of the MU-2-A valve is indicative of which mode the locomotive is in since port 63 is exhausted to atmosphere in lead mode whereas it is at or near the pressure in the main reservoir which is readily distinguishable from atmosphere.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for determining whether a locomotive in a consist is in a leading mode or a trailing mode, the system comprising:
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a first fluidly communicative connection to port 63 of an MU-2-A valve on the locomotive; a pressure measurement device in communication with the first fluidly communicative connection for obtaining a pressure measurement at the port 63, wherein a comparison of the pressure measurement at the port 63 to a value associated with a main reservoir pressure is indicative of whether the locomotive is in the leading mode or the trailing mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining whether a locomotive in a consist is in a leading mode or a trailing mode, the method comprising:
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obtaining a first pressure measurement indicative of pressure at port 63 on an MU-2-A valve of the locomotive; comparing the first pressure measurement to a value associated with the main reservoir pressure; and using the comparison to provide an output indicative of whether the locomotive is in the leading mode or the trailing mode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for retrofitting an existing locomotive configured to be used in a consist for determining whether the locomotive is in a leading mode or a trailing mode, the method comprising:
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providing a first fluidly communicative connection to port 63 of an MU-2-A valve on the locomotive; providing a pressure measurement device in communication with the first fluidly communicative connection for obtaining a pressure measurement at the port 63; and obtaining an output provided by the pressure measurement device indicative of the pressure measurement at the port 63 to enable comparison of the pressure measurement to a value associated with a main reservoir pressure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification