Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100039514 | System and Method for Image Projection of Operator Data From An Operator Control Unit - A system is provided for projecting images of operator data from an operator control unit. The system includes an imaging device configured to collect and transmit one or more visual images of a portion of a locomotive (or other vehicle) or an area surrounding the locomotive. In addition, the system includes an off-board operator control unit configured to receive the one or more visible images from the imaging device and comprising a projector configured to project the received one or more images onto a substrate. Additionally, a method for projecting images of operator data from an operator control unit is provided. | 02-18-2010 |
20100089056 | INTEGRATED TURBO-BOOSTING AND ELECTRIC GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An integrated turbo-boosting system for an engine system including an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber with an intake system and an exhaust system. The integrated turbo-boosting system includes a turbo-boosting device including a compressor coupled to a turbine by a rotating shaft, the turbine driven by exhaust gas, and an electric generation system integrated into a portion of the turbo-boosting device, the electric generation system configured to generate electricity for an electrical system. The electric generation system is maintained at an operation temperature through direction of an intake gas around at least a portion of the electric generation system. The integrated turbo-boosting system is operated in a first mode to compress intake gas for supply to the engine and a second mode to generate electrical power. | 04-15-2010 |
20100163687 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING REMOTE TRAIN OPERATION - A method of verifying clearance of a rail crossing includes: (a) detecting the presence of a train near the crossing, the train being equipped with a locomotive control unit; (b) in response to detection of the train near the crossing, generating a unique code; (c) capturing an image of the crossing; (d) transmitting the unique code along with the image to a remote operator control unit; (e) using the locomotive control unit, waiting for a response from the operator control unit containing the unique code; and (f) if the response containing the unique code is received by the locomotive control unit, permitting further operation of the train and, if the unique code is not received by the locomotive control unit, carrying out an automatic response which prevents movement of the train through the crossing. | 07-01-2010 |
20110060486 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY ISOLATING POWERED UNITS IN A RAIL VEHICLE SYSTEM - A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit. | 03-10-2011 |
20110270475 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OPERATIONS OF A VEHICLE CONSIST BASED ON LOCATION DATA - Systems and methods are described for monitoring different conditions that are simultaneously or concurrently experienced by different vehicles in the same consist and using the monitored conditions to locally change operations of one or more of the vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, operations data related to one or more vehicles of the consist is acquired from one or more of plural different locations in the consist. The operations data and location data related to where the operations data is acquired are communicated to a first vehicle of the consist. Command data is formed based on the operations data and the location data. The command data directs at least one of the vehicles in the consist to change one or more operations of the at least one of the vehicles. The command data is transmitted to one or more of the vehicles of the consist. | 11-03-2011 |
20110284699 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting first data at a first rail vehicle of the consist over a power supply conductor to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where at least one rail vehicle of the consist receives direct electrical power from the power supply conductor. The method also includes monitoring the power supply conductor for second data at the first rail vehicle and receiving the second data over the power supply conductor at the first rail vehicle for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle. In one aspect, the transmitting step comprises transmitting the first data over one or more of a catenary line or a third rail that supplies the electrical power. | 11-24-2011 |
20110284700 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting, at a first rail vehicle in the consist, first data over a running rail to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where the running rail guides and supports the rail vehicles of the consist as the rail vehicles travel along the running rail. The method also includes monitoring the running rail for second data and receiving the second data over the running rail for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle. | 11-24-2011 |
20120074266 | RAIL VEHICLE CONTROL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail vehicle control communication system includes a vehicle management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track and of forming an instruction to control an operation of a rail vehicle travelling along the track, the vehicle management device transmitting the instruction to the rail vehicle through the conductive pathway; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with the rail vehicle, the on-board communication device configured to receive the instruction communicated through the conductive pathway from the vehicle management device, the on-board communication device configured to change the operation of the rail vehicle based on the instruction. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078452 | RAIL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail communication system includes: a communication management device capable of being communicatively coupled with a conductive pathway that extends along a track; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with a rail vehicle that travels along the track and with the conductive pathway, the communication management device and the on-board communication device configured to communicate a data signal between each other through the conductive pathway, where the data signal includes network data. A method for communicating with rail vehicles includes: coupling a vehicle management device with a conductive pathway that extends alongside a track; and coupling an on-board communication device disposed on a rail vehicle that travels along the track with the conductive pathway; where the communication management device and the on-board communication device communicate a data signal that includes network data through the conductive pathway. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078453 | RAIL APPLIANCE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL APPLIANCE - A rail appliance communication system includes: an equipment management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and an appliance communication device capable of being coupled with a rail appliance disposed proximate to the track, the appliance communication device and the equipment management device configured to communicate a data signal with each other through the conductive pathway. A method for communicating with a rail appliance includes: coupling an equipment management device with a conductive pathway that extends along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and coupling an appliance communication device with the rail appliance disposed proximate to the track; wherein the equipment management device and the appliance communication device communicate a data signal through the conductive pathway. | 03-29-2012 |
20120089537 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RAIL VEHICLE RECONFIGURATION - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) owned by a first entity when borrowed and operated by a second entity. The locomotive includes an operating control system having a first mode and a second, different mode of operation, the first mode including settings configured for the first entity, the second mode including settings configured for a second, different entity. The method includes enabling the first mode and disabling the second mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the first entity, and enabling the second mode and disabling the first mode of the operating control system when the locomotive is operated by the second entity. | 04-12-2012 |
20120136514 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations along the consist and receive network data from an off-board device. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules and receive the network data from the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the network connection. The arbitration module forms a message represented by the network data. One or more of the routing modules transmits the network data received from the off-board device to the arbitration module over the network connection. The arbitration module receives the network data to form the message and transmits the message to one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist through the network connection. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136515 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations and receive a trip profile from an off-board device. The trip profile is related to tractive and/or braking effort supplied by one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist. The routing modules are disposed on the powered units and are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist between the powered units. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the routing modules by the network connection. The routing modules transmit the received trip profile to the arbitration module. The arbitration module reconstitutes the trip profile into a message that is transmitted to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the powered units. | 05-31-2012 |
20120158910 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA PROCESSING - Methods and systems are provided for processing data generated in a vehicle group. One example embodiment comprises evaluating one or more quality parameters of a first data set generated at a first vehicle in the vehicle group by a first data capture device, and based on the evaluation, off-boarding the first data set for storage purposes. Based on a link quality of a communication system of the vehicle group, the first data set may be off-boarded to a second vehicle in the vehicle group or to a remote storage device. In one example, if the quality parameter of the first data set is higher, the data may be stored on a second vehicle, while if the quality parameter of the first data set is lower, a second data set generated at the second vehicle by a second data capture device may be stored on the second vehicle. | 06-21-2012 |
20130015298 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONVEYING INFORMATION FROM A WAYSIDE DEVICEAANM COOPER; Jared K.AACI MelbourneAAST FLAACO USAAGP COOPER; Jared K. Melbourne FL USAANM Eldredge; DavidAACI MelbourneAAST FLAACO USAAGP Eldredge; David Melbourne FL USAANM Schoonmaker; WilliamAACI MelbourneAAST FLAACO USAAGP Schoonmaker; William Melbourne FL USAANM Brand; JohnAACI MelbourneAAST FLAACO USAAGP Brand; John Melbourne FL USAANM Wawrzyniak; FrankAACI MelbourneAAST FLAACO USAAGP Wawrzyniak; Frank Melbourne FL US - A system, method and device for communicating information from a wayside device to a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, the device comprises. a first light unit configured to emit a first pattern of light in a non-visible spectrum; a second light unit configured to emit a second pattern of light in the non-visible spectrum; wherein said first pattern is distinct from said second pattern; an interface in communication with the first and second light units and configured to receive information of an operational mode of the wayside device; wherein the first and second light units are responsive to one or more first control signals from said interface to operate in a first mode, corresponding to a first operational mode of the wayside device, in which said first pattern of light is on and said second pattern of light is off; and wherein the first and second light units are responsive to one or more second control signals from said interface to operate in a second mode, corresponding to a second operational mode of the wayside device, in which said first pattern of light is off and said second pattern of light is on. | 01-17-2013 |
20130173094 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAIL VEHICLE CONTROL - A system for controlling a consist of at least first and second rail vehicles, the first and second vehicles being configured for receiving control signals via a communication link. The system includes a first control unit electrically coupled to the first rail vehicle, the first control unit being configured to receive signals representing a level of a non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the first rail vehicle and a second control unit electrically coupled to the second rail vehicle, the second control unit being configured to receive signals representing a level of a non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the second rail vehicle. The level of the non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the first rail vehicle and the level of the non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the second rail vehicle are shared across the communication link. | 07-04-2013 |
20130325258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VELOCITY OF A VEHICLE - A control system includes an onboard controller, a location determination system, and a speed sensor. The controller identifies a designated area along a route that includes a downhill section, an airflow restricted area, a banked section, a section to be cleaned, an adverse environmental area, an adverse vehicular condition area, and/or a section where travel is restricted. The designated area is associated with an operating rule that requires the vehicle to travel at least as fast as a lower speed limit. The location determination system monitors actual locations of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along the route. The speed sensor obtains speed data representative of an actual velocity of the vehicle. The controller restricts control of the vehicle such that the actual velocity of the vehicle is at least as fast as the lower speed limit of the designated area when the vehicle is in the designated area. | 12-05-2013 |
20140222971 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA PROCESSING - Methods and systems are provided for processing data generated in a vehicle group. One example embodiment comprises selectively off-boarding a data set generated at a first vehicle in the vehicle group for storage purposes, the first data set off-boarded to one or more of a second vehicle in the vehicle group and a remote storage device. | 08-07-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090231097 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING AN OPERATING STATE USING RFID - Systems and methods for determining a binary status of a device are provided. A method for detecting an operating status of a device using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided. The method includes coupling a first portion of the RFID tag to a first portion of the device and coupling a second portion of the RFID tag to a second portion of the device, wherein the first portion of the device is moveable with respect to the second portion of the device, changing a position of the first portion of the device with respect to a position of the second portion of the device, detecting the change in position of the first device portion based on the movement of the first RFID tag portion, wherein the movement causes a change in a status of an RFID signal emitted by the RFID tag, and determining the status of the device based on the change in the RFID signal status. | 09-17-2009 |
20090309370 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY - A method for generating electricity along a roadway is provided. The method includes actuating an energy transfer assembly coupled to the roadway, wherein the energy transfer assembly is actuated by a force acting upon the roadway. The method also includes generating electricity at a generator coupled to the energy transfer assembly, the generator being driven by actuation of the energy transfer assembly. | 12-17-2009 |
20100049384 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR OPERATING A DISTRIBUTED POWER TRAIN - An embodiment of the invention for conducting a distributed power train operation, comprises a controller at the remote unit for issuing commands to control the operation of the remote unit on a track, and responsive to a communication loss between the lead unit and the remote unit. A memory, accessible by the controller, comprises data relative to a track profile including a plurality of geographical coordinates of the track and data relative to one or more throttle positions or braking operations for the remote unit that are associated with the geographical coordinates. The controller receives data relative to geographical coordinates of the remote unit and upon a detection of the communication loss, the controller compares the geographical coordinates of the remote unit to the track profile geographical coordinates and issues one more commands associated with the operation of the remote unit. | 02-25-2010 |
20110015876 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR VERIFICATION OF VALIDITY OF A PRESSURE TRANSDUCER - A system for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system, the system including a comparator subsystem configured to evaluate a pressure reading differential taken between a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered system and a second transducer that is a part of a braking system on a remote powered system, wherein the pressure reading differential is taken when the lead powered system and the remote powered system are operating in a distributed power application. A method and computer software code, stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, are also disclosed for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system. | 01-20-2011 |
20110051663 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle. | 03-03-2011 |
20120130562 | DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING DATA WITH A RAIL VEHICLE - A data communication system for a rail vehicle includes a data reading device and a processing module. The data reading device is disposed on the rail vehicle and is configured to at least one of electromagnetically interrogate or optically read identification data that is visually presented on a first operator control unit. The first operator control unit is configured to remotely control operations of one or more powered units of a rail vehicle consist when the operator control unit is disposed outside of the one or more powered units. The processing module is disposed on the rail vehicle and is communicatively coupled with the data reading device. The processing module receives the identification data from the data reading device and uses the identification data to identify the first operator control unit and allow the first operator control unit to remotely control operations of the one or more powered units. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130568 | DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING DATA WITH A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A data communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes a data reading device and a processing module. The data reading device is disposed on the consist and is configured to interrogate and read data from a tangible and non-transitory medium that is spaced apart from the data reading device. The processing module is disposed on the rail vehicle consist and is communicatively coupled with the data reading device. The processing module receives the data from the data reading device and uses the data in connection with one or more operations of the rail vehicle consist. A method for communicating data with a rail vehicle consist includes interrogating and reading data from a tangible and non-transitory medium using an electronic reading device while the medium is spaced apart from the reading device and using the data in connection with one or more operations of the rail vehicle consist based on the data. | 05-24-2012 |
20120260716 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR VERIFICATION OF VALIDITY OF A PRESSURE TRANSDUCER - A method that includes comparing a first brake pressure measured at a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered unit of a distributed power (DP) system to a second brake pressure measured at a second transducer that is part of a braking system on a remote powered unit of the DP system. The method also includes determining whether the second transducer is functioning within designated operational parameters when the DP system is operating in a DP mode based on comparing the first brake pressure to the second brake pressure. | 10-18-2012 |
20130168503 | DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAIL VEHICLE - A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor, input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle. | 07-04-2013 |
20130299645 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle. | 11-14-2013 |
20140107876 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE SYSTEM IN RESPONSE TO A PLAN DEVIATION - A system including a vehicle control module configured to control a vehicle system according to an operating plan. The operating plan designates one or more first tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system along a trip. The system also includes a planning module for generating a transition plan in response to a deviation from the operating plan. The transition plan designates one or more second tractive operations or braking operations to be implemented by the vehicle system as the vehicle system travels toward an approaching location from a second location where the vehicle system deviates from the operating plan. The planning module is further configured to generate a prospective plan in response to the deviation. The prospective plan to be implemented by the vehicle system when the vehicle system at least one of moves past the approaching location or completes the transition plan. | 04-17-2014 |
20150076290 | DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAIL VEHICLE - A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle. | 03-19-2015 |