Railway locomotive ECP train line control
US6163089A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L15/0081
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An interface adaptor is provided between the locomotive MU cable and the ECP trainline permitting ECP data from the lead locomotive to be transmitted via the MU cable on trailing locomotives to a train of ECP cars. On the lead locomotive, the HEU Echelon interface is on a suitable line in the MU cable instead of the separate ECP trainline such the trailing locomotives do not require a separate ECP trainline. The adapter generally employs two transceivers configured as back-to-back repeaters to bridge ECP data between the locomotive MU cable and the ECP trainline. A DC--DC converter can be used to provide the ECP trainline voltage, either as 230 VDC or as a lower voltage. In lower voltage systems the converter may be replaced by a voltage regulator, or may be eliminated. In any case, an inductor is employed on the output to provide a high impedance to the overlay transceiver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.