Patent Abstract:
A method for diagnosing a braking system using a system including a radio-based hand-held analyzer, at least one radio-based feed valve, and at least one mobile data unit. The braking system includes at least one brake pipe section, a reservoir, and at least one brake cylinder. The brake pipe section connects to the reservoir, the brake cylinder, and the radio-based feed valve. The hand-held radio-based analyzer communicates with the mobile data unit and the radio-based feed valve. The method includes retrieving brake system data and information using the hand-held analyzer, interpreting the retrieved data and information, and performing maintenance functions based on the interpretation of the data and information.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/258,664 filed Dec. 29, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to train braking systems, and more particularly to evaluating the operational status of brakes on an individual railcar.  
           [0003]    A train consist typically includes a lead locomotive and one or more remote locomotives, and railcars, comprehensively referred to as rolling stock. Each piece of rolling stock has braking equipment including, among other components, a section of brake pipe, a feed valve, and a brake cylinder. The brake pipe sections are connected forming a brake pipe that extends the length of the consist. When the feed valve of a brake pipe section is cut-in air pressure in the brake pipe is increased disengaging the brakes, and when the feed valve is cutout air is released or exhausted from the brake pipe and the brakes engage. To apply train brakes the brake pipe pressure decreases at a specified rate, which determines the percentage of brake applied.  
           [0004]    Proper functioning of the braking system for each piece of rolling stock in a train consist is important in maintaining safe and efficient operation of the consist. Improper functioning of braking equipment in a train consist may cause loss of efficiency, for example, excessive fuel consumption and increased wear on wheels and brake shoes. Additionally, improper brake functioning can create unsafe conditions, such as high in-train forces and increased risk of train separations when all braking equipment is not working simultaneously. Thus, regular brake equipment testing, diagnostics and maintenance are required.  
           [0005]    At present, to test the brake system of a piece of rolling stock, the individual piece of rolling stock is removed from the train consist and pneumatic test equipment is connected to the rolling stock. Therefore, to isolate a failed brake system component, or verify the braking system is operable, each piece of rolling stock in the train consist must be disconnected, tested, repaired if necessary, and reconnected to a train consist. Furthermore, presently there is not an efficient way to forward information reports containing information, such as consist condition and disposition, to a central location where owners of the rolling stock can obtain pertinent information.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In one aspect, a method is provided for diagnosing a braking system using a system including a radio-based hand-held analyzer, at least one radio-based feed valve, and at least one mobile data unit. The braking system includes at least one brake pipe section, a reservoir, and at least one brake cylinder. The brake pipe section connects to the reservoir, the brake cylinder, and the radio-based feed valve. The hand-held radio-based analyzer communicates with the mobile data unit and the radio-based feed valve. The method includes retrieving brake system data and information using the hand-held analyzer, interpreting the retrieved data and information, and performing maintenance functions based on the interpretation of the data and information.  
           [0007]    In another aspect, a system is provided for diagnosing a braking equipment, wherein the braking equipment includes at least one brake pipe section connected to a reservoir and at least one brake cylinder. The system includes a radio-based hand-held analyzer, at least one radio-based feed valve connected to the brake pipe section and configured to communicate with the hand-held analyzer, and at least one mobile unit configured to communicate with the hand-held analyzer.  
           [0008]    In a further aspect, a hand-held analyzer is provided for testing and diagnosing a brake system including a radio-based feed valve. The hand-held analyzer includes an antenna for communicating with the feed valve, a user interface for inputting data and commands to be communicated to the feed valve, and a display for viewing data received from the feed valve. The hand-held analyzer is configured to utilize said user interface to input a command to query the feed valve for brake system data indicative of an operational state of the brake system, transmit the query to the feed valve utilizing the antenna, receive the brake system data indicative of an operational state of the brake system utilizing the antenna, and display the brake system data on the display. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system for testing and analyzing brake equipment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a schematic of a server system for testing and analyzing brake equipment, used in conjunction with the system shown in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system  10  for testing and diagnosing braking equipment of a train consist (not shown). System  10  includes a radio-based hand-held brake analyzer  12 , at least one radio-based feed valve  14 , at least one mobile data unit  16 , and a brake pipe  18  extending along the consist. Brake pipe  18  includes a plurality of brake pipe sections  22  for supplying and venting air during operation of at least one brake cylinder  26 . Brake pipe sections  22  are connected by trainline hoses (not shown) to form brake pipe  18 . Each locomotive and railcar in the train consist includes a respective brake pipe section  22  connected to brake cylinder  26 , and a reservoir  34  for storing compressed air used during operation of brake cylinder  26 . Additionally, each brake pipe section  22  is connected to radio-based feed valve  14 , which controls the flow of air in the respective brake pipe section  22 , thereby controlling air pressure in brake cylinder  26  and a respective reservoir  34 . Furthermore, system  10  includes an exhaust  38  connected to brake pipe section  22  for exhausting air from brake pipe section  22 . Exhaust  38  includes an exhaust valve  42  for controlling the flow of air through exhaust  38 . Mobile data unit  16  includes a processor  46  for executing all functions of data unit  16  and an electronic storage device  50  for storing information, programs and data. Hand-held analyzer  12  includes a display  54  for displaying information and data, a user interface  58  for inputting data and commands, and an antenna  62   
         [0012]    In one embodiment, radio-based feed valve  14  includes a sensor  64  and a processor  68 . Sensor  64  senses and measures pressure in brake pipe  18 , pressure in brake pipe section  22 , reservoir  34 , and pressure in brake cylinder  26 . Processor  68  processes the pressure measurements, compiles brake system data, and communicates, via a radio frequency, with hand-held analyzer  12 . More specifically, in addition to controlling the air flow in brake pipe section  22 , feed valve  14  monitors pressures in the braking system of an individual piece of rolling stock indicative of the operational state of the braking system, i.e. brake pipe section  22 , brake cylinder  26  and reservoir  34 .  
         [0013]    A user, such as a brakeman, utilizes hand-held analyzer  12  to test and diagnose the functional state of the braking system without disconnecting the piece of rolling stock from the train consist. Hand-held analyzer  12  communicates with valve  14  via radio communications. Using interface  58 , a user enters an identification number specific to the piece of rolling stock braking system to be tested, then enters commands, and data to query valve  14  for brake system data, such various component pressures, and to test the brake system. In response to the query, valve  14  communicates pressure measurements of brake system components, such as brake pipe section  22 , brake cylinder  26  and reservoir  34 , to hand-held analyzer  12 . The information and data received from valve  14  is displayed on display  54  for viewing by the user, and used to diagnosis the operational state of the braking system of the piece of rolling stock. Based on the diagnosis, the user determines whether or not repairs are needed and the appropriate maintenance procedures necessary to implement any needed repairs. For example, nearby pieces of rolling stock should have similar pressure readings, therefore if pressure readings from a piece of rolling stock vary from the pressure reading of nearby pieces of rolling stock, the user can quickly isolate a leaky brake system component such as cylinder  26 , reservoir  34 , and brake cylinder  26 . Once a leaky component is isolated, the user can implement maintenance procedures to correct the faulty component, such as removing the piece of rolling stock from the consist to a side track for repair and reconnecting the rolling stock once repairs are completed.  
         [0014]    In another embodiment, feed valve  14  monitors pressure changes in brake system components, such as brake pipe section  22 , brake cylinder  26 , and reservoir  34 . A user then utilizes held analyzer  12  to query valve  14  for information pertaining to changes in pressure that exceed a specified range. If pressure fluctuations in the brake system exceed the specified range, the user analyzes the information and initiates proper adjustments or repairs.  
         [0015]    In yet another embodiment hand-held analyzer  12  includes a processor  72  and an electronic memory module  76 . Via radio communications with feed valve  14  and operation of user interface  58 , hand-held analyzer  12  receives and stores brake system data inputs and other general information inputs, such as an employee identification, an identification number for a specific piece of rolling stock, and the related failure conditions, tests performed on the braking system, type of repairs needed, type of repairs performed in the past, a billing code, sided location. Processor  72  processes and compiles this data and information, which is then stored in memory module  76 . At a later time the information and data stored in memory module  76  is downloaded to mobile data unit  16  using a communications link, such as the Internet, radio frequency, direct wire communications, and direct optical communications. In an alternate embodiment, mobile data unit  16  broadcasts the information and data over a local communications backbone, such as a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN), which is then posted to a password protected web page.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a schematic of a server system  100  for testing and diagnosing the operational state of braking equipment, used in conjunction with system  10  (shown in FIG. 1). In an alternate embodiment, mobile data unit  16  (shown in FIG. 1) is part of a computer network accessible using the Internet. Server system  100  is an automated system that includes a server  114  and a plurality of client systems  118  connected to server  114 . In one embodiment, client systems  118  includes a computer (not shown), such as mobile data unit  16  (shown in FIG. 1), including a web server, a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), an output device, for example a monitor, a mass storage device, and an input device, for example a keyboard or a mouse. In an alternative embodiment, client systems  118  are servers for a network of customer devices.  
         [0017]    Server  114  is accessible to client systems  118  via the Internet. Client systems  118  are interconnected to server  114  through many interfaces including dial-in-connections, cable modems, special high-speed ISDN lines, and networks, such as local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs). In one embodiment, client systems  118  includes any client system capable of interconnecting to the Internet including a web-based phone or other web-based movable equipment. Server  114  is also connected to mass storage device  122 . Mass storage device  122  is accessible by potential users through client systems  118 .  
         [0018]    The braking system of a specific piece of rolling stock is tested and diagnosed while it remains connected to the train consist using the hand-held analyzer. The hand-held analyzer communicates with the radio-based feed valve, transmitting queries pertaining to the functional status of the braking system of the piece of rolling stock. The radio-based feed valve monitors air pressure in brake system components of the piece of rolling stock, such as the brake pipe sections, the brake cylinder, and the reservoir, communicates the information to the radio-based hand-held analyzer. Therefore, the functional state of the braking system of an individual piece of rolling stock can be tested and diagnosed without the added time and expense of disconnecting the rolling stock from the train consist.  
         [0019]    While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1