System and Method for Addressing a Pneumatic Emergency in a Helper Locomotive

• US 20140081487A1
• Filed: 09/20/2012
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wabtec Corporation (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Wabtec Corporation (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Wolf, Charles L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,481,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/665 the systems being specially adapted for transferring two or more command signals, e.g. railway systems B60T13/662 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/228 for railway vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/402 Back-up
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry

Abstract

Methods and systems for control and use in connection with an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP)-equipped train after transmission of a brake pipe emergency dump command message by a helper locomotive associated with the train. These methods and systems are implemented in an effort to improve braking safety and reduce brake system recovery time of a train.

Claims

1. A method for control in an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP)-equipped train after transmission of a brake pipe emergency dump command message by a helper locomotive associated with the train comprising a plurality of cars, the method comprising:

receiving the brake pipe emergency dump command message at an end-of-train (EOT) unit associated with the train;

transmitting an ECP emergency brake request message from the EOT unit to at least one car and a head-end-unit (HEU) of the train;

waiting a predetermined period of time after transmitting the ECP emergency brake request message, for receipt of an ECP head-of-train (HOT) brake command message transmitted by the HEU; and

opening a brake pipe dump valve if the ECP HOT brake command message has not been issued to the at least one car in the train within the predetermined period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the brake pipe dump valve is in fluid communication with a brake pipe of the train.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the helper locomotive is a pusher locomotive coupled to an end of the train without a physical connection to the brake pipe of the train.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of from about 1 second to about 10 seconds.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of from about 3 seconds to about 5 seconds.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the ECP HOT brake command message is at least one of the following:

a TBC=120% command, a lesser or reduced brake command, or any combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following occur on an ECP messaging network:

receipt of the brake pipe emergency dump command message, transmission of the ECP emergency brake request, receipt of the ECP HOT brake command message, or any combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ECP HOT brake command message indicates that the ECP emergency brake request has been received from the HEU.

9. An end-of-train (EOT) unit for use in an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP)-equipped train after transmission of a brake pipe emergency dump command message by a helper locomotive associated with the train, the EOT unit comprising:

a brake pipe dump valve;

an EOT radio receiver for receiving the brake pipe emergency dump command message;

an ECP transmitter for transmitting an ECP emergency brake request message;

an ECP trainline receiver for receiving an ECP head-of-train (HOT) brake command message; and

a processor for determining if the ECP HOT brake command message has been received within a predetermined period of time after transmitting the ECP emergency brake request message, and if a determination is made that the ECP HOT brake command message has not been received within the predetermined period of time, causing the brake pipe dump valve to be opened.

10. The EOT unit of claim 9, wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of from about 1 second to about 10 seconds.

11. The EOT unit of claim 9, wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of from about 3 seconds to about 5 seconds.

12. The EOT unit of claim 9, wherein the ECP HOT brake command message is at least one of the following:

a TBC=120% command, a lesser or reduced brake command, or any combination thereof.

13. The EOT unit of claim 9, wherein the EOT unit is situated on the train, and wherein the brake pipe dump valve is in fluid communication with a brake pipe of the train.

14. A system for use in connection with an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP)-equipped train after transmission of a brake pipe emergency dump command message by a helper locomotive associated with the train, the system comprising:

an end-of-train (EOT) radio network;

a helper locomotive equipped with a virtual brake pipe connection, wherein the helper locomotive is configured to transmit the brake pipe emergency dump command message on the EOT radio network;

an end-of-train unit situated on the train, wherein the EOT unit is configured to receive the brake pipe emergency dump command message from the EOT radio network, and in response thereto, transmit an ECP emergency braking request message on an ECP messaging network, wherein the EOT unit includes a brake pipe dump valve, and wherein at least one car in the train is configured to respond to an ECP emergency braking request message from the ECP messaging network from the EOT; and

a head-end-unit (HEU) situated on the train, wherein the HEU of the train is configured to transmit an ECP HOT brake command message on the ECP messaging network, and wherein the EOT unit is further configured to open the brake pipe dump valve if the ECP HOT brake command message has not been received within a predetermined period of time after transmitting the ECP emergency brake request message.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the brake pipe dump valve is in fluid communication with a brake pipe of the train.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the helper locomotive is a pusher locomotive coupled to an end of the train without a physical connection to the brake pipe of the train.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of from about 1 second to about 10 seconds.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the predetermined period of time is in the range of from about 3 seconds to about 5 seconds.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the ECP HOT brake command message is at least one of the following:

a TBC=120% command, a lesser or reduced brake command, or any combination thereof.