Emergency Action System for Use with a Railcar or Locomotive

Abstract

An emergency action system for use with a railcar or locomotive is described herein. The emergency action system may include a transmitter and a locomotive transceiver located within a cabin of the locomotive. The locomotive transceiver may receive a signal sent from the transmitter and may further send an emergency stop signal to a set of brakes on the locomotive to stop. The emergency stop signal may cause air to be released from the brake pipe, thereby applying the brakes and bringing the train to an immediate stop. The emergency action system enables crew members to stop a train or railcar without communication to the locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An emergency action system for use with a railcar or a locomotive, the system comprising:
 a transmitter that is remote from a locomotive and configured to send a first signal to stop the locomotive; and   a locomotive transceiver in communication with the transmitter and located on the locomotive, the locomotive transceiver configured to automatically stop the locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when the first signal is received,   wherein responsive to receiving the first signal, the locomotive transceiver is configured to send a second signal to a relay valve for a set of brakes on the locomotive, wherein the relay valve causes air to be released from a brake pipe, thereby applying the set of brakes.   
     
     
         26 . The emergency action system of  claim 25 , wherein responsive to input received from the locomotive operator, the locomotive transceiver is configured to send a third signal closing the relay valve and releasing the set of brakes. 
     
     
         27 . The emergency action system of  claim 25 , further comprising a user-based emergency action device that includes the transmitter. 
     
     
         28 . The emergency action system of  claim 27 , wherein the emergency action device includes an emergency stop button, and wherein the transmitter of the emergency action device is configured to send the first signal responsive to a user pressing the emergency stop button. 
     
     
         29 . The emergency action system of  claim 28 , wherein responsive to the user pushing the emergency stop button a second time, the transmitter is configured to send a third signal closing the relay valve and releasing the set of brakes. 
     
     
         30 . The emergency action system of  claim 27 , wherein the emergency action device is attached to a reflective safety vest. 
     
     
         31 . The emergency action system of  claim 27 , wherein the emergency action device further includes a low-battery level indicator light that lights up when a battery level on the emergency action device is low. 
     
     
         32 . The emergency action system of  claim 25 , wherein the locomotive transceiver is located within a cabin of the locomotive. 
     
     
         33 . The emergency action system of  claim 25 , wherein the transmitter is configured to send the first signal in response to input received from an object detector device attached to the locomotive or a railcar. 
     
     
         34 . The emergency action system of  claim 33 , wherein the object detector device includes a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging. 
     
     
         35 . The emergency action system of  claim 34 , wherein the remote sensor of the object detector device detects movements of the locomotive through a rail yard to include a speed of the locomotive and objects in a path of the locomotive to ensure there is safe movement of the locomotive. 
     
     
         36 . The emergency action system of  claim 27 , wherein the locomotive transceiver and the relay valve are configured to be responsive to and in communication with the emergency action device, wherein the emergency action device and the locomotive transceiver enable a crew member to stop the locomotive without communication to the locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. 
     
     
         37 . A method of stopping a railcar or a locomotive without requiring communication with a locomotive operator, the method comprising:
 sending a first signal to stop a locomotive via a transmitter responsive to input by a user;   receiving the first signal from the transmitter by a locomotive transceiver;   sending a second signal to a relay valve for a set of brakes on the locomotive responsive to receipt of the first signal by the locomotive transceiver; and   causing air to be released from a brake pipe responsive to receipt of the second signal by the relay valve, thereby applying the set of brakes.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising sending a third signal responsive to input received by a locomotive operator, wherein the third signal causes the relay valve to be closed and the set of brakes to be released. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the transmitter is a component of an emergency action device, wherein the emergency action device includes an emergency stop button, and wherein the first signal is sent responsive to a user pressing the emergency stop button. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising sending a third signal to close the relay valve and release the set of brakes responsive to the user pushing the emergency stop button a second time.