Brake Control System Having Independent Power Supply

Abstract

A brake control system for a consist having multiple cars is disclosed. The brake control system may include a conduit configured to direct a compressed fluid to the multiple cars, and a plurality of brakes, including at least one brake located at each of the multiple cars. The brake control system may further include a plurality of valves, including at least one valve located at each of the multiple cars and fluidly connected between the conduit and the at least one brake, and a main controller. The main controller may be configured to transmit a signal indicative of desired braking to each of the plurality of valves, causing substantially simultaneous activation of the plurality of brakes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brake control system for a consist having multiple cars, the brake control system comprising:
 a conduit configured to direct a compressed fluid to the multiple cars;   a plurality of brakes, including at least one brake located at each of the multiple cars;   a plurality of valves, including at least one valve located at each of the multiple cars and fluidly connected between the conduit and the at least one brake; and   a main controller configured to transmit a signal indicative of desired braking to each of the plurality of valves, causing substantially simultaneous activation of the plurality of brakes.   
     
     
         2 . The brake control system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the main controller is located at a locomotive of the consist;   the brake control system further includes a plurality of car controllers, including one controller located at each of the multiple cars; and   the main controller is in communication with the plurality of valves via the plurality of car controllers.   
     
     
         3 . The brake control system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one brake includes one brake associated with each wheel of a corresponding car of the multiple cars; and   the at least one valve includes a single valve associated with all brakes of the corresponding car.   
     
     
         4 . The brake control system of  claim 3 , further including a plurality of fluid reservoirs in fluid communication with the conduit, including at least one fluid reservoir located at each of the multiple cars,
 wherein:
 each of the plurality of brakes includes a piston driven by compressed fluid in a corresponding reservoir of the plurality of fluid reservoirs; and 
   the at least one valve is configured to selectively vent the fluid from the corresponding reservoir in response to the signal.   
     
     
         5 . The brake control system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of valves are electrically actuated. 
     
     
         6 . The brake control system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of brakes further includes a spring configured to bias a wheel brake against a corresponding wheel when the corresponding reservoir is vented. 
     
     
         7 . The brake control system of  claim 2 , wherein the main controller is in communication with the plurality of car controllers wirelessly. 
     
     
         8 . The brake control system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressed fluid is air pressurized at a locomotive of the consist. 
     
     
         9 . The brake control system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the consist includes a locomotive and a plurality of cars towed by the locomotive; and   at least one of the plurality of cars is self-powered.   
     
     
         10 . The brake control system of  claim 9 , further including a power generator located at the at least one of the plurality of cars, the power generator configured to generate power directed to the at least one valve associated with the at least one of the plurality of cars. 
     
     
         11 . The brake control system of  claim 10 , wherein the power generator is driven by compressed fluid from the conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The brake control system of  claim 10 , wherein the power generator includes a solar panel mounted to an exterior of the at least one of the plurality of cars. 
     
     
         13 . The brake control system of  claim 10 , wherein the power generator is further configured to power at least one sensor associated with the at least one of the plurality of cars, the at least one sensor being in communication with the main controller. 
     
     
         14 . The brake control system of  claim 1 , further including an operator interface located within an operator station of a locomotive of the consist, the operator interface configured to generate the signal indicative of desired braking. 
     
     
         15 . A method of braking a consist, comprising:
 compressing a fluid at a first car of the consist;   conducting the compressed fluid to a first brake at the first car and to a second brake at a second car of the consist;   wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of desired braking to a first valve associated with the first brake and to a second valve associated with the second brake; and   responsively using the compressed fluid to substantially simultaneously activate the first and second brakes.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first valve is associated with multiple brakes at the first car;   the second valve is associated with multiple brakes at the second car; and   responsively using the compressed fluid includes moving the first and second valves in response to the signal to substantially simultaneously activate all of the brakes at the first car and all of the brakes at the second car.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein moving the first and second valves relieves a pressure of the compressed fluid at all of the brakes of the first and second cars. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second valves are electrically actuated. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including using the compressed fluid to generate electricity at each of the first and second cars to self-power each of the first and second valves. 
     
     
         20 . A consist, comprising:
 a locomotive;   an operator interface located within the locomotive and configured to receive input indicative of desired braking of the consist;   a source of pressurized air located at the locomotive;   a first plurality of brakes associated with wheels of the locomotive;   at least one car towed by the locomotive;   a second plurality of brakes associated with wheels of the at least one car;   a conduit fluidly communicating the source of pressurized air with the first and second pluralities of brakes;   at least a first electrically actuated valve moveable to regulate air pressure at the first plurality of brakes;   at least a second electrically actuated valve movable to regulate air pressure at the second plurality of brakes;   a car controller in communication with the at least a second electrically actuated valve and configured to cause movement of the at least a second electrically actuated valve; and   a main controller in communication with the operator interface, the at least a first electrically actuated valve, and the car controller, the main controller being configured to:   generate a signal based on the input indicative of desired braking; and   transmit the signal to the at least the first electrically actuated valve and to the car controller, causing substantially simultaneous activation of the first and second pluralities of brakes.