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:
Apr. 17, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 31, 1998
Robert C. Kull, Olney, MD (US);
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, Wilmerding, PA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for low power ECP brake emulation in a freight train having ECP equipped cars and one or more non-ECP equipped locomotives wherein power for the ECP equipment is provided by the 74 VDC locomotive battery. The apparatus includes an adapter for interfacing the locomotive MU cable and the ECP wire to supply sufficient power to operate the ECP equipment on each car indefinitely in a low power emulation mode. The method includes interfacing the locomotive MU cable to the ECP wire, implementing a low power emulation mode wherein pneumatic signals sent via the brake pipe are detected by pressure sensors and communicated to ECP control valves for changing the brake cylinder pressure accordingly. The method further includes minimizing power consumption by providing power only to the brake pipe sensors and minimal electronics to monitor pressure changes and thereafter activating other sensors and controls only as needed.