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:
Sep. 30, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 23, 2001
Paul J. Kettle, Jr., Ijamsville, MD (US);
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, Wilmerding, PA (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for controlling braking on a train having ECP railcars using a conventional automatic brake valve. The locomotive and railcars are connected to brake pipe and a wireline, or use RF communications. A brake handle or other brake control valve interface is operated to cause a pressure change in an equalizing reservoir. The relay valve is isolated from the pressure change and connected to a reference pressure whereby brake pipe pressure is maintained. The pressure change is sensed and a signal generated representative thereof which is used to determine the level of braking commanded on the railcars. The apparatus includes an interface unit interposed between pertinent ports connecting the automatic brake valve, equalizing reservoir and brake pipe, and an equalizing reservoir pressure sensor to provide an output signal to an ECP controller for controlling braking on the railcars.