ECP train line communications for railway freight car brakes
US6229452A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T17/228
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A low power ECP trainline communication method is provided wherein power consumption by each freight car's on-board ECP transceiver is minimized such that it can be powered indefinitely by a standard locomotive battery. The low power communication method includes normally maintaining each car's ECP transceiver in a sleep mode until signaled by the locomotive master controller to wake it up. The wake-up command for the ECP transceiver can be sensitive to the length of the message sent by the MC. Alternative, or additional methods of identifying a wake-up message from the MC can include using the signal strength of the message and making the wake-up command sensitive to the ECP trainline power status. In the latter case, detection of zero trainline power is a signals to wake-up the ECP transceiver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.