Unattended Railcar Motion Control System

Abstract

A method and mechanism for initiating an emergency stop for an unattended railcar is disclosed. The method may include using a trip arm placed alongside the railway tracks at a designated stop point that may contact a portable trip-cock lever arm that extends out beyond the perimeter of the railcar if the railcar reaches the stop point as it moves along the track. The trip-cock lever arm may be attached to a valve that is connected to the pneumatic brake system of the unattended railcar. As the trip-cock lever arm rotates, the valve may open to release the air pressure in the pneumatic brake system causing the brakes to engage the wheels causing the railcar to stop.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A braking system for a railcar comprising:
 an air compressor configured to supply compressed air to the braking system;   a main reservoir connected to the air compressor;   a regulating valve connected to the main reservoir;   a source brake pipe connected to the regulating valve, wherein the source brake pipe is connected to a brake pipe of a railcar; and   a fluid injector arranged between the regulating valve and the source brake pipe, wherein the fluid injector injects a fluid into the braking system, wherein the fluid has a freezing point below −40° C.   
     
     
         18 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid is injected at a pressure within a range of 90 psi and 200 psi. 
     
     
         19 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid includes a leak detection component. 
     
     
         20 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid is injected intermittently. 
     
     
         21 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the regulating valve is positioned downstream the main reservoir to provide a predetermined pressure to the braking system. 
     
     
         22 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid injector injects the fluid into the braking system to counteract moisture buildup in the braking system. 
     
     
         23 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid is chemically compatible with elastomeric materials present in the braking system and includes liquid droplets that expand as the liquid transitions to a gas to help fill gaps around seals within the braking system. 
     
     
         24 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid is injected as a mist. 
     
     
         25 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the braking system further comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure brake pipe pressure within the braking system and a control system configured to adjust a fluid injection flow rate. 
     
     
         26 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 25 , wherein the control system is configured to increase fluid injection flow rate to help reduce air leakage if the pressure sensor senses a drop in brake pipe pressure. 
     
     
         27 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 19 , wherein the leak detection component comprises a fluorescent leak detection dye. 
     
     
         28 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 17 , wherein the braking system is connected to a trip-cock assembly comprising a trip-cock lever configured to extend beyond an exterior perimeter of a railcar and contact a trip arm located adjacent a railway track at a predetermined stop point within a rail yard, wherein the trip-cock lever is configured to activate brakes of the railcar. 
     
     
         29 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 28 , wherein the trip-cock lever is connected to a trip-cock valve assembly, wherein when the trip-cock lever contacts the trip arm, the trip-cock lever rotates and opens a valve of the trip-cock valve assembly causing air in the braking system to be released. 
     
     
         30 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 29 , wherein the brake pipe of the railcar comprises a receiving brake pipe, wherein the receiving brake pipe is connected to a branch pipe configured to provide air to an auxiliary reservoir that enables braking components to engage wheels of the railcar. 
     
     
         31 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 30 , wherein the receiving brake pipe is connected to an exit brake pipe located on an opposite end of the railcar from the receiving brake pipe, wherein the exit brake pipe is connected to the trip-cock assembly. 
     
     
         32 . The braking system for a railcar of  claim 28 , wherein the air compressor is configured to maintain sufficient air pressure in the braking system to enable the trip-cock assembly to initiate an emergency stop.