Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080211434 | System, Method and Computer Readable Media for Reducing Wheel Sliding on a Locomotive - A system for reducing wheel sliding on a locomotive is provided for a locomotive including a plurality of axles. The system includes one or more speed inferring systems coupled to each axle to detect rotation of each axle and generate detection signals based upon detecting rotation of each axle. The detection signals include one of speed signals indicative of locomotive speed and non-rotating signals indicative of a non-rotating axle. More particularly, a main controller is coupled to each speed inferring system and is responsive to each detection signal. The main controller identifies non-rotating signals of the detection signals to initiate one or more alert signals of one or more respective non-rotating axles of the plurality of axles. Additionally, the main controller is coupled to an operator panel to alert a locomotive operator of an applied status of a locomotive parking brake in response to the alert signal. | 09-04-2008 |
20080252182 | System and Method for Controlling an Output of an Auxiliary Power Source of a Diesel Powered System - A system and method for controlling a power output of an auxiliary alternator of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit, the alternator powering at least one dynamoelectric device of the diesel powered system. The system includes an alternator coupled to the diesel-fueled power generating unit having a wound rotor for supplying electrical power to at least one dynamoelectric device of the diesel powered system. The system also includes a controller for determining a desired operating frequency of the dynamoelectric device and providing a control signal for producing the desired operating frequency. The system further includes a regulator for providing a rotor control output responsive to the control signal to control an electrical condition of the rotor for adjusting the electrical power supplied to the dynamoelectric device effective to produce the desired operating frequency. | 10-16-2008 |
20080309084 | Circuit and Method for Reducing a Voltage Being Developed Across a Field Winding of a Synchronous Machine - In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine including a field winding being coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, a battery for selectively providing a starting current during a starting mode of the electrical power system, and an inverter receiving the starting current for driving the synchronous machine and generating an inverter current, a circuit and method for reducing a voltage being developed across the field winding is described. The circuit includes a current conditioner for conditioning the inverter current and a parallel circuit interposed between the inverter and the current conditioner comprising a first branch including a resistance and a second branch including the field winding of the synchronous machine so that the parallel circuit is isolated from a voltage developed across the current conditioner during cranking. | 12-18-2008 |
20090031915 | Locomotive Truck and Method for Distributing Weight Asymmetrically to Axles of the Truck - A locomotive truck and method for distributing weight asymmetrically to axles of the truck includes a first axle of a locomotive truck uncoupled from a traction system of the locomotive and a first suspension assembly coupling the first axle to the truck for applying to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight. The truck also includes a second axle coupled to the traction system and a second suspension assembly coupling the second axle to the truck for applying to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight greater than the first portion so that weight is asymmetrically distributed to the first axle and the second axle so as to transmit a corresponding incremental amount of tractive effort for a given amount of a driving torque applied to the second axle via the traction system of the locomotive. | 02-05-2009 |
20090031916 | System and Method for Modification of a Baseline Ballast Arrangement of a Locomotive - A system and method for modification of a baseline ballast arrangement of a locomotive having an overall tractive effort rating based on symmetrical distribution of weight and driving torque applied by the locomotive to the respective axles of the locomotive. The system includes a locomotive truck comprising an un-powered first axle and a powered second axle. The system also includes a first suspension assembly configured to apply to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight and a second suspension assembly configured to apply to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight different from the first portion. An amount of locomotive weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle allows modification of a baseline ballast arrangement by reducing an amount of ballast in the baseline ballast arrangement corresponding to the amount of weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle. | 02-05-2009 |
20090031917 | Kit and Method for Converting a Locomotive from a First Configuration to a Second Configuration - A kit and method for converting a locomotive from a first configuration to a second configuration having a different operational capability. The kit includes a traction assembly including a mechanical subassembly configured to mechanically couple a first axle of a truck to a traction system of the locomotive; and an electromotive subassembly configured to electromotively couple the first axle to the traction system of the locomotive via the mechanical subassembly. When the kit is installed in the locomotive, the locomotive is converted from the first configuration having the first axle uncoupled from the traction system and a second axle of the truck coupled to the traction system to the second configuration having the first axle coupled to the traction system and a second axle coupled to the traction system. | 02-05-2009 |
20090095194 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY AFFECTING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically affecting a force applied through at least one axle of a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of axles and a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a device configured to selectively impart the force through the at least one axle to control a respective weight of the at least one axle on the rail track for affecting a traction performance of the rail vehicle traveling along the rail track. | 04-16-2009 |
20090095195 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY AFFECTING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically affecting a force applied through at least one axle in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels, where the wheels are received by a plurality of axles. The plurality of wheels are configured to move along a respective rail of the rail track in a travel direction. The system includes a device configured to dynamically affect the force applied through the at least one axle. As the rail vehicle travels along the rail track, at least one characteristic of the force is selected to affect the traction performance of the rail vehicle. | 04-16-2009 |
20090095196 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY COUPLING TWO OR MORE AXLES OF A RAIL VEHICLE - A system is provided for coupling two or more axles of a plurality of axles on a rail vehicle. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels and a rail track, where the plurality of wheels is received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a coupling device which is configured to couple the two or more axles to dynamically affect a force applied through the two or more axles. One or more characteristics of the force are selected to affect a traction performance of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track. | 04-16-2009 |
20090095197 | KIT FOR RECONFIGURING A RAIL VEHICLE FROM A FIRST TRACTIVE EFFORT CONFIGURATION TO A SECOND TRACTIVE EFFORT CONFIGURATION - A kit is provided for reconfiguring a rail vehicle from a first tractive effort configuration to a second tractive effort configuration. The rail vehicle travels along a rail track, and includes a plurality of axles with a plurality of wheels in contact with the rail track. The first tractive effort configuration of the rail vehicle includes a fixed respective weight of the plurality of axles on the rail track prior to the rail vehicle traveling along the rail track. The kit includes a device respectively coupled to at least one axle in the second tractive effort configuration. Upon operatively coupling the device to the respective axle, the device selectively imparts a force through the at least one axle to dynamically vary the respective weight of the at least one axle on the rail track to affect a traction performance of the rail vehicle in the second tractive effort configuration. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099714 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically determining a force applied through a plurality of axles in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track in a travel direction. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a controller configured to determine a respective dynamic weight shift of the plurality of wheels on the rail track based upon a dynamic factor of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track. | 04-16-2009 |
20090177335 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE OF A POWERED SYSTEM - A system to optimize performance of a powered system, the system including a data device configured to provide current information about current operating conditions of the powered system and/or prior information about the powered system, a controller configured to control operation of the powered system, and a processor configured to provide at least one control command to the controller for use in operating the powered system and/or user information with at least one recommended command to a user to control the powered system, wherein the at least one control command and/or user information are based at least in part on the current information and/or the prior information. A system and computer software code, stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, are also disclosed. | 07-09-2009 |
20090248226 | System and Method for Verifying a Distributed Power Train Setup - A communication system for a distributed power control system of a train is used to transmit signals between the lead locomotive and remote locomotive relative to the direction of movement of the lead and remote units. In addition, data relative to the direction the remote unit is facing relative to the lead locomotive is also sent via the communication system. A controller is programmed to analyze or compare the data to determine if the remote locomotive is traveling in a direction that is consistent with the setup data input by an operator. If the information is not consistent, the operator of the train is warned via an alarm or the train is stopped. | 10-01-2009 |
20100319567 | System and Method For Modification of a Baseline Ballast Arrangement of a Locomotive - A system and method for modification of a baseline ballast arrangement of a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) having an overall tractive effort rating based on symmetrical distribution of weight and driving torque applied by the locomotive to the respective axles of the locomotive. The system includes a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) truck comprising an un-powered first axle and a powered second axle. The system also includes a first suspension assembly configured to apply to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight and a second suspension assembly configured to apply to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight different from the first portion. An amount of locomotive weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle allows modification of a baseline ballast arrangement by reducing an amount of ballast in the baseline ballast arrangement corresponding to the amount of weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle. The axle weight distribution involves relatively slight weight distribution compared to the nominal weights normally carried by the axles. | 12-23-2010 |
20100319568 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY AFFECTING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically affecting a force applied through at least one axle of a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of axles and a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a device configured to selectively impart the force through the at least one axle to control a respective weight of the at least one axle on the rail track for affecting a traction performance of the rail vehicle traveling along the rail track. | 12-23-2010 |
20110062709 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR REDUCING A VOLTAGE BEING DEVELOPED ACROSS A FIELD WINDING OF A SYNCHRONOUS MACHINE - In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system configurable in a starting mode for cranking the diesel fueled power unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, the synchronous machine having a field winding connected in a parallel relationship with a current conditioner, a method for reconfiguring a baseline circuit topology of the electrical power system for controlling a voltage being developed across the field winding including uncoupling the field winding from the parallel relationship with the current conditioner, and coupling the field winding in a series relationship with the current conditioner. | 03-17-2011 |
20120173056 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically determining a force applied through a plurality of axles in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track in a travel direction. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a controller configured to determine a respective dynamic weight shift of the plurality of wheels on the rail track based upon a dynamic factor of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track. | 07-05-2012 |
20130253739 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically determining a force applied through a plurality of axles in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track in a travel direction. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a controller configured to determine a respective dynamic weight shift of the plurality of wheels on the rail track based upon a dynamic factor of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track. | 09-26-2013 |
20140060378 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING POWER IN A VEHICLE - Various systems and method for generating electrical power in a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a vehicle system includes an electrical power generation unit operatively coupled with a drive shaft of an engine. The electrical power generation unit includes a fraction alternator and a head-end-power (HEP) alternator. The traction alternator is excited by power electronics positioned external to the traction alternator. The HEP alternator is self-excited by an exciter winding positioned in the HEP alternator. | 03-06-2014 |
20140148973 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE OF A POWERED SYSTEM - A system to optimize performance of a powered system, the system including a data device configured to provide current information about current operating conditions of the powered system and/or prior information about the powered system, a controller configured to control operation of the powered system, and a processor configured to provide at least one control command to the controller for use in operating the powered system and/or user information with at least one recommended command to a user to control the powered system, wherein the at least one control command and/or user information are based at least in part on the current information and/or the prior information. A system and computer software code, stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, are also disclosed. | 05-29-2014 |