The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 01, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 19, 1999
Steven P Heneka, Palm Bay, FL (US);
Andrew T Powshok, Indian Harbor Beach, FL (US);
Eugene A Smith, Jr, Palm Bay, FL (US);
Abstract
A train control system is for a train comprising at least first and second train segments including a brake pipe being separated between adjacent train segments. The train control system preferably comprises a first control subsystem for installation in a locomotive of the first train segment and a second control subsystem for installation in a locomotive of the second train segment. The first and second control subsystems communicate with one another for controlling train braking. The system also preferably includes a third control subsystem for installation in a railcar adjacent an end of the first train segment. This third control subsystem preferably includes at least one pressure transducer for sensing brake pipe pressure adjacent the end of the first train segment, and at least one control valve for controlling brake pipe pressure adjacent the end of the first train segment. The third control subsystem also preferably includes a processor for communicating a signal related to brake pipe pressure adjacent the end of the first train segment to the second control subsystem, and for controlling brake pipe pressure adjacent the end of the first train segment responsive to a command from the second control subsystem. The second control subsystem and the third control subsystem preferably cooperate so that the brake pipe pressure adjacent the end of the first train segment and a brake pipe pressure adjacent a front of the second train segment are substantially matching thereby emulating operation with a continuous brake pipe.