New York Air Brake Corporation

Marshall G Beck

Michael J Hawthorne

Bryan M McLaughlin

Stephen K Nickles

John E Haley

Bryan M Mclaughlin

A brake valve diagnostic and reporting system for a pneumatic only brake valve on a rail car which includes a brake pipe transducer for measuring brake pipe pressure; and a brake cylinder transducer for measuring brake cylinder pressure. A processor receives measurements from the transducers, compares the measurements against stored brake performance profiles, determines brake status from the comparison and prepares an event report for preselected brake statuses. A wireless transmitter connected to the processor transmits the report. An energy storage device powers the processor and transmitter.

On-board brake system diagnostic and reporting system

A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system, a transceiver for communication between the locomotives, and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command.

Distributed train intelligence system

Distributed train intelligence system and method

A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system; a transceiver for communication between the locomotives; and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command. The present system may include on each locomotive a location determining device and a storage of track topology; and the processor determines and communicates to the other locomotive as information an initial propulsion or braking value using the topology of the present and projected location of the locomotive and pre-selected criteria, determines a final propulsion or braking value or command based on the initial value and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the final propulsion or braking value.

A method of optimizing train operation includes determining conditions of location, track profile and train forces of the train. Next, a set of preliminary train restraint operating parameters are determined from the determined conditions. Also, at least one of a set of preliminary train optimizable operating parameters to minimize train forces, to maximize fuel efficiency and to minimize time to destination is determined. The determined set of preliminary train operating parameters are weighted and combined. Optimized train operating parameters are determined from the weighted and combined preliminary train operating parameters. Engineering train and access is also performed.

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Fineview, NY, United States of America

Marshall G Beck