US 11,814,088 B2
Vehicle host interface module (vHIM) based braking solutions
Kurt Alan Gunther, Woodstock, IL (US); and Peter Strezev, Apollo Beach, FL (US)
Assigned to Metrom Rail, LLC, Crystal Lake, IL (US)
Filed by Metrom Rail, LLC, Crystal Lake, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 19, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/544,039.
Application 16/544,039 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/927,612, filed on Mar. 21, 2018, abandoned.
Application 15/927,612 is a continuation of application No. 14/476,338, filed on Sep. 3, 2014, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/719,518, filed on Aug. 17, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/959,729, filed on Sep. 3, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2019/0367064 A1, Dec. 5, 2019
Int. Cl. B61L 15/00 (2006.01); B61L 25/02 (2006.01); B61L 3/12 (2006.01); B60T 8/17 (2006.01); B61L 27/40 (2022.01); B61L 27/20 (2022.01); B61L 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC B61L 15/0081 (2013.01) [B60T 8/1705 (2013.01); B61L 3/125 (2013.01); B61L 25/021 (2013.01); B61L 25/025 (2013.01); B61L 27/20 (2022.01); B61L 27/40 (2022.01); B60T 2270/406 (2013.01); B61L 3/006 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A train-mounted system for controlling braking operations of a train, the system comprising:
one or more circuits configured to:
interface with a braking subsystem of the train;
interface with a propulsion subsystem of the train;
enable automated and/or remote control of the braking subsystem of the train and the propulsion subsystem of the train, wherein:
the controlling is based on at least one control input received from a central train control system;
the controlling comprises activating or deactivating the braking subsystem;
activating the braking subsystem comprises use of one or more brake activation modes; and
at least one brake activation mode comprises concurrently controlling both of the braking subsystem of the train and the propulsion subsystem of the train; and
perform a self-test of the train-mounted system, wherein:
the self-test is performed subsequent to a comprehensive test of the system,
the self-test is performed during operation of the train and in a non-intrusive manner such that the braking subsystem and the propulsion subsystem are not affected or adjusted,
the one or more circuits are configured to trigger one or more control signals that adjust one or both of the braking subsystem and the propulsion subsystem, and
the one or more circuits are configured to, when facilitating performing the self-test in non-intrusive manner:
switch status of each control signal for a first time period, set to allow reliable detection of the status of the control signal, and
switch the status of the control signal back before reaching a second time period when a change in the status of the control signal causes an adjustment to one or both of the braking subsystem and the propulsion subsystem.