FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to security systems and, more particularly, this invention relates to security for a train consist having at least one locomotive. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a system for at least one of remotely shutting down and stopping a train consist when an emergency condition exists.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA braking system is a critical part in the security and control, of the overall operation, of a train consist. The braking system, for a train consist, includes at least one locomotive having a compressor disposed thereon, a plurality of railcars, and a pneumatic trainline known as the “brake pipe”. As taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,600, the brake pipe is the means by which brake commands are pneumatically conveyed from the lead locomotive to each of the railcars in the train. The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,600 are incorporated herein by reference thereto.[0002]
The brake pipe consists of a series of interconnected pipe lengths, with one pipe length secured to the underside of each railcar. The pipe length on each railcar is connected at each end to one end of an angle cock. Each angle cock is connected at its other end to one end of a hose, with the other end of the hose being connected to a glad hand.[0003]
A glad hand coupler is formed when the glad hands of adjacent railcars are coupled together. Coupling the glad hand of each railcar to the glad hand of the railcar or locomotive located thus forms the brake pipe of the train immediately adjacent to it. It is to the brake pipe of the train that the pneumatic brake equipment on each rail car connects via a branch pipe.[0004]
The locomotive itself has its own pneumatic trainlines including a main reservoir equalizing (MRE) pipe, an independent application and release (IAR) pipe, and an actuating pipe. Within a train consist the MRE, actuating and IAR pipes of each locomotive connect to the MRE, actuating and IAR pipes of adjacent locomotives.[0005]
As is now well known in the art, modern locomotives are equipped with electronic air brake equipment, such as the EPIC© 3102 or EPIC© II type brake control systems. These systems are produced by the Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WABTEC). Such equipment typically includes a cab control unit, a brake control computer, a pneumatic operating unit (POU), and a locomotive interface unit (LIU). Through a bank of input relays, the LIU conveys various input signals to the brake control computer. Through a bank of output relays in the LIU, the computer can provide various output signals to other equipment in the locomotive.[0006]
The cab control unit houses the automatic and independent brake handles and, generates various signals including those representing the positions of the brake handles. These signals are conveyed to the brake control computer. Based on the inputs it receives and the software that dictates its operation, the brake control computer controls the overall operation of the brakes. According to the commands it receives, including those from the brake control computer, the POU affects the pressure in the IAR and brake pipes, as well as in other pneumatic trainlines, and thereby controls the brakes of the train consist.[0007]
By moving the automatic brake handle the operator can control the pressure level in the brake pipe and thereby direct whether, and to what extent, the brakes on both the locomotives and the railcars are applied. The automatic brake handle can be moved from and in between a release position at one extreme in which brake pipe pressure is at a maximum and the brakes are completely released to an emergency position at another extreme in which brake pipe pressure is zero and the brakes are fully applied. The automatic brake handle positions include release, minimum service, full service, suppression, continuous service, and emergency. Between the minimum and full service positions lies the service zone wherein each incremental movement of the automatic brake handle toward the full service position causes the pressure within the brake pipe to reduce incrementally. More specifically, moving the automatic brake handle causes the brake control computer to affect the operation of the BP control portion, which in turn, affects the pressure within the equalization reservoir of the locomotive whose pressure the brake pipe generally mimics. The pressure in the brake pipe, in turn, affects not only the operation of the brake control valve(s) on each railcar, but also the operation of the BC control portion in the locomotive.[0008]
Dependent on the position of the automatic brake handle, the pressure level within the brake pipe determines whether the brake control valve on each railcar will charge its reservoirs or deliver pressurized air previously stored in one or both of its reservoirs to the brake cylinders. By changing its pressure level using the automatic brake handle, the brake pipe is used to convey release, service, and emergency brake commands to the pneumatic brake equipment on each railcar in the train.[0009]
When the automatic brake handle is moved into the emergency position, the brake control computer commands the BP control portion to reduce pressure in the brake pipe. In addition, the brake equipment energizes two emergency magnet valves located in the BP control portion. The brake control computer energizes one emergency magnet valve, whereas the other emergency magnet valve is energized directly by a micro-switch that closes when the automatic brake handle is moved into the emergency position. Through these two emergency magnet valves, the BP control portion vents the brake pipe to atmosphere at an emergency rate via its emergency vent valve. In response to this emergency brake command, the service and emergency portions of each brake control valve supplies air from both reservoirs to the brake cylinders so as to apply the brakes of the railcar fully.[0010]
Another way to apply the train brakes in an emergency is by use of a dual-ported valve referred to as the conductor's valve. By moving the handle of this valve to the open position, the conductor's valve not only vents the brake pipe to atmosphere at an emergency rate but also allows air from the main reservoir of the locomotive to flow to, and thus close, an emergency pressure switch (EMPS). When closed, the EMPS provide battery voltage to one of the input relays of the LIU. It is through the EMPS input relaying the LIU signals the brake control computer that the emergency was initiated by the train operator, or by another person, located in the same compartment as the operator.[0011]
As stated, there are several on-board means for initiating an emergency braking application, as well as, for shutting down a train consist during an emergency condition. However, there is no present means of initiating an emergency condition signal to indicate the need for shutting down, or an emergency brake signal to initiate an emergency braking application for a train consist from a remote location. Being able to perform such operations from a remote location will significantly enhance the overall security and control of any train consist.[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of at least one of automatically shutting down and stopping a train consist when an emergency condition exists. The method includes the steps of connecting a railway telemetry means for communication with a first control computer disposed on a locomotive. Connecting at least one predetermined emergency sensing means for communication with such railway telemetry means. Determining when at least one such emergency condition exists and generating at least one of an emergency condition signal and an emergency brake signal via the at least one predetermined emergency sensing means. Communicating at least one of such emergency condition signal and such emergency brake signal generated to the first control computer via such railway telemetry means. Utilizing the first control computer to generate at least one of an engine shut down command signal and an emergency brake command signal in response to at least one of such emergency condition signal and such emergency brake signal communicated as discussed above. Communicating at least one of such engine shut down command signal and the emergency brake command signal to an engine control system and a brake control system respectively and then at least one of automatically shutting down and stopping such train consist in response to at least one of such engine shut down command signal and such emergency brake command signal.[0013]
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONIt is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, that automatically shuts down a train consist when an emergency condition signal exists.[0014]
Another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, is the ability to remotely identify if an emergency condition exists and generate a remote signal representative of the emergency condition.[0015]
Another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, is the ability to redundantly identify if an emergency condition exists and generating a remote signal representative of the emergency condition.[0016]
Yet another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, is to generate at least one remote engine shut down command signal for shutting down a train consist.[0017]
Yet another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, is to generate at least one redundant engine shut down command signal for shutting down a train consist.[0018]
Yet another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, that automatically stops a train consist when an emergency condition exists.[0019]
Yet another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, is the ability to identify if an emergency brake signal exists.[0020]
Yet another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, is the ability to remotely identify if an emergency condition exists and generating at least one remote signal representative of the emergency condition for stopping train consist.[0021]
Still another object of this invention, to provide enhanced security and control of a train consist, is the ability to redundantly identify if an emergency condition exists and generating at least one redundant signal representative of the emergency condition for stopping a train consist.[0022]
In addition to the above-described objects and advantages of the enhanced security and control of a train consist of this invention, various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the same and related arts from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.[0023]