METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR END OF TRAIN FORCE REPORTING
First Claim
1. An end of train unit suitable for use on a train, the end of train unit comprising:
- a processor connected to a housing;
a first coupling connected to the housing, the first coupling being configured to engage a train coupling;
an end of train marker light connected to the housing and configured to be controlled by the processor;
a pressure transducer connected to the processor and in fluid communication with a second coupling connectable to an air brake pipe of a train;
an accelerometer connected to the processor; and
a first transmitter connected to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps ofreceiving an acceleration from the accelerometer;
performing a comparison of the acceleration to a threshold;
determining that the acceleration exceeds the threshold; and
transmitting a message via the first transmitter in response to the acceleration exceeding the threshold.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An EOT unit detects an excessive end of train force using an accelerometer and reports the excessive force. The report may be made to a device located off the train, to an event recorder in the EOT unit, and/or to another device located on the train such as a head of train unit and/or an event recorder located outside the EOT unit. The accelerometer may be a singe, dual, or tri-axial accelerometer. The message may be sent in response to the detection of the excessive acceleration or may be part of a periodically transmitted message from the EOT unit to a HOT unit. A HOT unit is configured to receive a message indicating an excessive EOT acceleration and display an indication of the excessive acceleration to the operator and/or record the message in an event recorder and/or report the excessive acceleration to a device located off the train.
110 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An end of train unit suitable for use on a train, the end of train unit comprising:
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a processor connected to a housing; a first coupling connected to the housing, the first coupling being configured to engage a train coupling; an end of train marker light connected to the housing and configured to be controlled by the processor; a pressure transducer connected to the processor and in fluid communication with a second coupling connectable to an air brake pipe of a train; an accelerometer connected to the processor; and a first transmitter connected to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of receiving an acceleration from the accelerometer; performing a comparison of the acceleration to a threshold; determining that the acceleration exceeds the threshold; and transmitting a message via the first transmitter in response to the acceleration exceeding the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An end of train unit comprising:
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a processor connected to a housing; a first coupling connected to the housing, the first coupling being configured to engage a train coupling; an end of train marker light connected to the housing and configured to be controlled by the processor; a pressure transducer connected to the processor and in fluid communication with a second coupling connectable to an air brake pipe of a train; an accelerometer connected to the processor; and a first transmitter connected to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of receiving an acceleration from the accelerometer; performing a comparison of the acceleration to a threshold; determining that the acceleration exceeds the threshold; and transmitting a message including a magnitude of the acceleration via the first transmitter.
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17. A head of train device comprising:
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a processor; a wireless receiver connected to the processor; and a display connected to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of receiving a message from an end of train unit, the message indicating that an excessive end of train acceleration has been detected; and reporting the excessive end of train force. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification