System to provide enhanced security and control of locomotives and trains

Abstract

An approach to remotely shutting down and stopping a train consist would allow for increased safety and security of locomotives. A locomotive Security Module (LSM), a Security Control Device (SCD), a transceiver, an engine control system, and a brake control system would be mounted directly to each locomotive. Associated remotely with these devices would be a transceiver, a control computer, and a locomotive interface unit (LIU). The LSM is connected to the locomotive's engine control system, and the SCD is interconnected with the locomotive's braking system in a manner that when remotely triggered either an emergency braking application or an emergency engine shutdown will occur. Wherein enhancing the overall safety and security of a train consist is achieved.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of at least one of automatically shutting down and stopping a train consist when an emergency condition exists, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) connecting a railway telemetry means for communication with a first control computer disposed on a locomotive;    b) connecting at least one predetermined emergency sensing means for communication with said railway telemetry means;    c) determining when at least one said emergency condition exists and generating at least one of an emergency condition signal and an emergency brake signal via said at least one predetermined emergency sensing means;    d) communicating at least one of said emergency condition signal and said emergency brake signal generated in step (c) to said first control computer via said railway telemetry means;    e) utilizing said 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 said emergency condition signal and said emergency brake signal communicated in step (d);    f) communicating at least one of said engine shut down command signal and said emergency brake command signal to an engine control system and a brake control system respectively; and    g) at least one of automatically shutting down and stopping such train consist in response to at least one of said engine shut down command signal and said emergency brake command signal.    
     
     
         2 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said emergency condition signal is electronic.  
     
     
         3 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said emergency condition signal is visual.  
     
     
         4 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first control computer is at least one.  
     
     
         5 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said engine shut down command signal is communicated to said engine control system through a Locomotive Security Module (LSM).  
     
     
         6 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said emergency brake command signal is communicated to said brake control system through a Security Control Device (SCD).  
     
     
         7 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said method includes the additional step of remotely identifying an emergency condition exists and generating a remote signal representative of said emergency condition.  
     
     
         8 . A method, according to  claim 5 , wherein said LSM communicates via a radio frequency (RF) interface.  
     
     
         9 . A method, according to  claim 7 , wherein said method of remotely identifying an emergency condition exists and generating a signal representative of said emergency condition is redundant.  
     
     
         10 . A method, according to  claim 7 , wherein said method includes the additional step of generating at least one of a remote engine shut down command signal and a remote emergency brake command signal for said at least one of shutting down and stopping said train consist.  
     
     
         11 . A method, according to  claim 10 , wherein said method of generating said at least one of a remote engine shut down command signal and a remote emergency brake command signal includes the additional steps of: 
 a) establishing a communication link between a first transceiver disposed on a locomotive and a second remote transceiver;    b) connecting a locomotive interface unit (LIU) to a second remote control computer for communication with at least one of a said engine control system and said brake control system via said communication link provided in step (a);    c) connecting at least one predetermined emergency sensing means for communication with said second remote computer;    d) remotely determining when at least one said emergency condition exists in response to at least one said predetermined emergency sensing means as communicated in step (c) via said second remote control computer and generating at least one of an engine shut down command signal and an emergency brake command signal;    e) communicating said at least one of said engine shut down command signal and said emergency brake command signal generated in step (d) to said engine control system and said brake control system respectively via said LIU; and    f) at least one of shutting down and stopping said train consist in response to said at least one said engine shut down command signal and said emergency brake command signal respectively.    
     
     
         12 . A method, according to  claim 11 , wherein said method of generating at least one said remote engine shut down command signal is redundant.  
     
     
         13 . A method, according to  claim 11 , wherein said method of generating at least one said remote emergency brake command signal is redundant.  
     
     
         14 . A method, according to  claim 11 , wherein said remote transceiver is at least one.  
     
     
         15 . A method, according to  claim 11 , where in said remote control computer is at least one.  
     
     
         16 . A method, according to  claim 11 , where in said LIU communicates via an RF interface.