A COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR LONG TRAINS

Transmission lines have not been used as communications links on long freight trains for lack of a suitable inter-car connector. Metal-to-metal contacts have not been dependable in the harsh railway environment. In this project radiative, inductive and capacitive connectors were studied. Only the inductive coupler appeared to offer a practical solution to the problem. A tuned inductive coupler was developed with the following specifications: transmission coefficient 0.7, bandwidth 20 kHz, centre frequency 100 kHz, power dissipation 3 watts. The mechanical arrangement for holding the two windings of the coupler in contact employs the same principle as the "clad-hand" coupler used in the airpressure system. Thus, the electrical contact is made through magnetic fields and the mechanical aspects employ proven railway practice. It is recommended that a set of prototype couplers be field tested.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/7
• Corporate Authors:

  Canadian Institute of Guided Ground Transport

  Queen's University
  Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • AITKEN, GJM
• Publication Date: 1975-2-3

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 75 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Communication systems; Communications; Control devices; Couplers; Electric circuits; Positive train control; Railroads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Inductive coupling
• Old TRIS Terms: Trainlines
• Subject Areas: Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00141127
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Canadian Institute of Guided Ground Transport
• ISBN: 7
• Report/Paper Numbers: CIGGT Rept. N.75-4 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 26 1976 12:00AM