Abstract: A method of servicing a mobile asset subject to utilization loss factors delaying the completion of servicing and the timely return of the asset to operation including identifying utilization loss factors that could delay the timely completion of servicing of the mobile asset. Identifying service procedures associated with each utilization loss factor and providing a database of events associated with the service procedures the events indicative of a status of completion of the procedures. A schedule may be established for at least one event for the timely completion of the respective service procedure. Monitoring the at least one event to determine when the event occurred relative to the scheduled time and if the at least one event is late, providing notice that the relevant utilization loss factor is likely to cause delay in the timely return of the asset to operation unless corrective action is taken.

Abstract: A dynamic braking system for a vehicle, the system comprising an engine, an alternator, a plurality of alternating current (AC) electric traction motors, each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels, a plurality of power inverters where each of the traction motors has excitation windings coupled in circuit with a corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, a fuel-free dynamic braking controller, a fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch located between one of the plurality of traction motors and the one of the plurality of power inverters in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, wherein the one of the plurality of traction motors in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters that is separated by the fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch does not generate and does not consume power, and wherein the fuel-free dynamic braking controller commands one of the plurality of power inverters that i

Abstract: A method for detecting electrical faulty conditions in a plurality of power devices of a propulsion system is provided. The plurality of power devices is connectable in parallel circuit through a direct current (DC) link to an external DC power source. The method provides a first sequence of actions for determining an electrical short condition in at least one of the power devices upon the power source being connected. The method further provides a second sequence of actions for determining an electrical open condition in a respective one of the plurality of power devices during the occurrence of high current events.

Abstract: A method and system for a lead mobile asset to verify that a remote mobile asset under the control of the lead mobile asset is following a set of command functions broadcast by the lead mobile asset in a command message. The lead and remote mobile assets may be part of a train consist equipped with a distributed power communication system. The method includes determining whether the lead mobile asset has received a status reply message from the remote mobile asset, the reply message transmitted in response to the remote mobile asset's receipt of the command message and including data indicative of at least one operational state of the remote mobile asset. A help command message may be broadcast from the lead mobile asset if the lead mobile asset has not received the status reply message from the remote mobile asset.

Abstract: Computerized method and system for identifying repeatedly malfunctioning equipment and root causes therefor are provided. The method allows to provide a database comprising detailed equipment data including data indicative of historical equipment malfunctions in a plurality of pieces of equipment. The equipment data includes a unique equipment identifier for uniquely relating each malfunction to respective equipment. The method further allows to analyze the data base for a selected time window to review equipment malfunctions logged in the database and resulting in servicing activities over that time window. An equipment malfunction threshold for the number of malfunctions occurring during a predetermined period of time is established.

Abstract: A method for sorting respective incident log data from a plurality of machines undergoing diagnostics is provided. The method allows for receiving incident log data comprising one or more incidents from the plurality of machines and for receiving operational parameter data from the plurality of machines. The method further allows for executing a set of incident-authentication rules indicative of whether a received incident actually corresponds to a faulty condition or not. An assigning step allows for assigning a predetermined incident severity rating to the respective incidents, and a processing step allows for processing the respective incidents based on their respective incident severity rating.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the a method for collecting railroad crossing data is disclosed. The method includes detecting a presence of at least one of pedestrians and vehicles within a boundary of the railroad crossing, storing a count of the presence of pedestrians and vehicles detected within the boundary and transmitting the count to an external device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses system and method for analyzing continuous parameter data from a malfunctioning locomotive or other large land-based, self-powered transport equipment. The method allows for receiving new continuous parameter data comprising a plurality of anomaly definitions from the malfunctioning equipment. The method further allows for selecting a plurality of distinct anomaly definitions from the new continuous parameter data. Respective generating steps allow for generating at least one distinct anomaly definition cluster from the plurality of distinct anomaly definitions and for generating a plurality of weighted repair and distinct anomaly definition cluster combinations. An identifying step allows for identifying at least one repair for the at least one distinct anomaly definition cluster using the plurality of weighted repair and distinct anomaly definition cluster combinations.

Abstract: A process for analyzing fault log data from a machine is provided. The process allows for downloading new fault log data from the machine. The process further allows for retrieving prior fault log data of the machine. The prior fault log data may be obtained during an earlier download relative to a present download of new fault log data. A comparing step allows for comparing the new fault log data against the prior fault log data, and an adjusting step allows for adjusting any repair recommendations for the earlier download of fault log data based upon the comparison of the new fault log data and the prior fault log data.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that includes a plurality of remote terminal units (RTUs) that communicate with a server via a network. The network provides communication paths to the RTUs via both a sessionless protocol and a switched connection protocol. Generally, the RTUs communicate via the network using the sessionless protocol. The network also includes a server. The RTUs share at least one account identifier that is coordinated by the server. Short messages are sent via the sessionless protocol. Longer messages are sent via the switched connection protocol using a shared account identifier. A corresponding method of operating the network is also provided. The use of a shared account identifier avoids the requirement of obtaining access accounts to the switched connection protocol for each of the RTUs, and is especially efficient and economical when the need to communicate longer messages is infrequent, but where each of a large number of RTUs require this capability.

Abstract: Method and system for determining a reference speed indicative of true ground speed of a vehicle having a plurality of axles are provided. The reference speed for a designated one of the axles is dynamically adjusted to account for changes in vehicular acceleration that may occur while determination of the reference speed is being performed. The method allows collecting a stream of samples over respective sampling intervals of at least one motion-indication parameter corresponding to a respective axle of the vehicle. In one aspect thereof, one may use a torque reduction rulebase configured to avoid high torque reduction, and inaccuracies in the motion-indication parameter due to high levels of creep, if any, in a wheel of the respective axle. The method further allows estimating an inertia value for the vehicle based on respective changes in tractive effort and acceleration over each sampling interval.

Abstract: A method for controlling start of a compression ignition engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided without a cam sensor is provided. Each cylinder includes a respective piston reciprocally movable between respective top and bottom positions along a cylinder longitudinal axis. The method comprises proving a respective fuel delivery assembly for each cylinder. In one embodiment the method further comprises retrieving from memory a set of fuel delivery assembly firing rules and then processing the firing rules so that a firing signal is delivered to each fuel delivery assembly on every crank revolution during a cranking mode of operation. The fuel delivery assembly is arranged to be responsive to any firing signal received during an injection window leading to the top position along the longitudinal axis so as to supply fuel to each cylinder during the injection window.

Abstract: An elastomeric joint (100) that comprises a wing plate (102) including a base plate (104) generally extending along a first axis and generally perpendicular to a second axis is provided. The wing plate further includes a mutually opposite first and second bushing-receiving bores (120) co-axially aligned relative to a third axis perpendicular to said first and second axes. A plurality of elastomeric shear pads (106) is affixed on mutually opposite sides of the base plate. The plurality of shear pads is stacked generally perpendicular to the second axis. Top and bottom elastomeric bushings (122) are received by said respective bushing-receiving bores. Each elastomeric bushing comprises a plurality of torsion pads (124) and includes a respective pin-receiving bore(128).

Abstract: A process and system for populating a database of repair codes used by respective diagnostic tools to identify repairs of respective machines is provided. The process allows for collecting a list of available repair codes. The process further allows for executing expert analysis upon the collected list so as to determine compatibility of the respective repair codes with the diagnostic tools. A customizing step allows for customizing the list of repair codes based upon the executed expert analysis, and a storing step allows for storing the customized list of repair codes in the database of repair codes.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying or determining degradation in performance of an engine cooling subsystem having an electric motor for powering a fan in a locomotive is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of an electrical imbalance in one or more phases in the fan motor of the cooling subsystem, and for adjusting the value of the monitored signal for deviations from an estimated nominal phase signal value due to predetermined external variables so as to generate an adjusted phase signal value. The method further allows for comparing the value of the adjusted phase signal value against the nominal phase signal value to determine the performance of the cooling subsystem.

Abstract: A distributed power system for remotely controlling a locomotive, the system comprising a position-determining device for determining a position of the locomotive, a pre-stored track database comprising terrain and contour data about a railroad track, a track database integrity monitor for detecting errors with the pre-stored track database, a processor comprising an algorithm to determine a distributed power for the locomotive and to use the track database integrity monitor to determine if errors exist in the pre-stored track database, and a memory device connected to the processor.

Abstract: A method of cooling a locomotive engine wherein the temperature of the coolant flowing into the engine is controlled in response to the temperature of the lube oil flowing out of the engine so that the difference between these two temperatures is limited to a predetermined value in order to limit the differential expansion between parts within the engine. The predetermined value may be a function of the lube oil temperature, and it may have an absolute maximum value. In the event that the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value, the power output of the engine may be reduced as a function of the length of time that the temperature difference limit has been exceeded. The rate of change in coolant temperature may be limited during periods of decreasing lube oil temperature in order to limit the duty cycle demand on coolant system components.

Abstract: A connection of a tube to a machine includes a plurality of rolled grooves in a region of contact between the collet of a compression fitting and the tube. The grooves reduce the occurrence of fretting of the tube surface while a region of residual compressive stress formed in the tube proximate the bottom of each groove by the rolling process serves to counteract the stress concentration created by the grooves. In one embodiment a single groove formed in a thread pattern extends from above collet to within the area of contact.

Abstract: A protective member positioned at the rear of the operator cab of a locomotive. The protective member provides impact protection for a passenger in the locomotive in the event of an impact between the rear panel of the locomotive and a foreign object during long hood lead (reverse) operation. The protective member may include a vertical member disposed under the outer sheet material at a rear corner of the operator cab as well as members surrounding the rear window opening. The protective member may be formed of rectangular steel tubing and is anchored directly or indirectly to the platform of the locomotive.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting failures in a power resistive grid in a vehicle, e.g., a locomotive, are provided. The method allows for monitoring one or more signals indicative of an estimated grid resistance value. The method farther allows for adjusting the value of the estimated grid resistance relative to a nominal grid resistance value. A comparing step allows for comparing the adjusted value of the grid resistance against the nominal grid resistance value to determine the performance of the respective resistive grid.