Patent · US Active

Method and system for automatically locating end of train devices

US7742850B2 · kind B2 · utility

14Cited by

78References

15Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Invensys Rail Corporation · US

Inventors

Mark Edward Kane · Orange Park, US
James Francis Shockley · Orange Park, US
John Mix · Denver, US

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 12, 2008
Grant date	Jun 22, 2010
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Dec 12, 2028

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB61L2205/04
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An end of train unit includes a positioning system such as a GPS receiver and is configured to transmit a message including the EOT unit's location when the EOT unit detects a loss of air pipe pressure and/or it is tipped over and/or a low battery condition is detected. In highly preferred embodiments, the EOT unit periodically re-transmits the message until an acknowledgment message is received. In some embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to create a signal as a substitute for a motion sensor. In other embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to determine the speed of the end of the train. End of train unit tracking is also performed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.