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Abstract

Coupler control system for railway vehicles that provides isolation of the electric and pneumatic lines of a rail vehicle from its corresponding electric and/or pneumatic intervehicle interface when that end of the vehicle is in an uncoupled condition. A combination proximity sensor and switch is positioned within the mechanical hook coupling housing so as to sense the actual engagement of the mechanical hooks of a pair of vehicles. The switch then closes and becomes operative to initiate a coupling cycle during which the onboard electric and pneumatic lines are coupled to the associated electric and pneumatic interfaces to provide continuity with the vehicle to which it is coupled. Included in the circuitry for the sensor switch is a diode circuit arranged to permit looping of the sensor switch output across the electric interface onto the adjacent car and back through the interface through the use of only two interface connector pins per interface.

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First Claim