Auxilliary smart power system for ecp equipped train

Abstract

A controlled power system is in a train having electric controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on cars of the train connected to a trainline which carries electric power and control signals and having at lease one auxiliary device on some of the cars. The power system on a car having the auxiliary device includes a power module connecting the auxiliary device to a source of power when activated; and a first controller, including a transceiver, for activating the power module to the connect the source of power to the auxiliary device in response to a power up signal on the trainline.

1 . In a train having electric controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on cars of the train connected to a trainline which carries electric power and control signals and having at lease one auxiliary device on some of the cars, a controlled power system on a car having the auxiliary device, the power system comprising:
 a power module connecting the auxiliary device to a source of power when activated; and   a first controller, including a transceiver, for activating the power module to the connect the source of power to the auxiliary device in response to a power up signal on the trainline.   
     
     
         2 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of power is a converter connected to the trainline and converting the power on the trainline to a power level for the auxiliary device. 
     
     
         3 . The power system of  claim 2 , wherein the ECP brake on the car includes a power line junction box with a second controller which communicates on the trainline and includes a car control device with a third controller, for the car brake, connected to the junction box, and the first controller is one of second controller and the third controller. 
     
     
         4 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the ECP brake on the car includes a battery and a controller, the power source is the battery and the first controller is the controller of the ECP brake. 
     
     
         5 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the ECP brake on the car includes a controller and the first controller is the controller of the ECP brake. 
     
     
         6 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the first controller activates the power module only when the power level on the trainline is within a predetermined range and in response to the power up signal. 
     
     
         7 . The power system of  claim 6 , wherein the first controller determines the trainline power level at the car. 
     
     
         8 . The power system of  claim 6 , wherein a locomotive controller determines the trainline power and transmits the power up signal when the trainline power level is within the predetermined range. 
     
     
         9 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the first control activates the power module only when the speed of the train is below predetermined speed. 
     
     
         10 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the first controller is optical coupled to the power module. 
     
     
         11 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the train includes a processor on the locomotive which transmits on the trainline the power up signal to the car having the auxiliary device. 
     
     
         12 . The power system of  claim 1 , including a wayside station which includes a processor which transmits on the trainline the power up signal to the car having the auxiliary device. 
     
     
         13 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the car is a dump car and the auxiliary device is actuator of a gate of the dump car. 
     
     
         14 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the car includes a hand brake and the auxiliary device is release actuator of the hand brake.