Abstract: An example automated locomotive spotting system includes a locomotive having a tractive effort mechanism for moving the locomotive along a track, and a locomotive controller configured to control the tractive effort mechanism to move the locomotive along the track. The locomotive controller includes an odometer configured to monitor a distance traversed by the locomotive along the track. The locomotive controller is configured to receive a requested spotting distance value, and initiate movement of the locomotive along the track via the tractive effort mechanism. The locomotive controller is also configured to monitor, by the odometer, the distance traversed by the locomotive along the track, and inhibit movement of the locomotive in response to the monitored odometer distance indicating the locomotive has traversed the requested spotting distance.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling a rolling stock includes a user interface. The control unit is configured to receive, via the user interface, a plurality of user inputs corresponding to a plurality of users servicing the rolling stock, determine whether at least one user of the plurality of users remains servicing the rolling stock, and if at least one user of the one or more users remains servicing the rolling stock, prevent unauthorized movement of the rolling stock. Other example control units, computer systems including one or more control units, and computer-implemented methods for preventing unauthorized movement of a rolling stock are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems, methods and devices related to remote control locomotive training. In an exemplary embodiment, a remote control locomotive training system includes a locomotive control unit coupled to a locomotive and configured to control operation of the locomotive, and a trainee operator control unit in wireless communication with the locomotive control unit. The trainee operator control unit includes a first wireless interface to transmit one or more commands to the locomotive control unit. The system also includes a trainer operator control unit in wireless communication with the trainee operator control unit via a second wireless interface. The trainer operator control unit is configured to monitor the trainee operator control unit by receiving messages from the trainee operator control unit indicative of the one or more commands transmitted from the trainee operator control unit to the locomotive control unit.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reserve power supply system for providing a supplemental source of electrical power to a main power source. The system includes a backup battery and a switch that can be controlled to couple the backup battery to the main power source when reserve power is needed. The system also includes a sensor to detect when the backup battery should be engaged and a system control unit.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to tracking location of operator control units for locomotives. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling a locomotive. The operator control unit also includes receiver configured to receive location information of the operator control unit, and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is configured to transmit command data corresponding to the one or more commands and location data corresponding to the location information to a machine control unit on the locomotive.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a primary system including at least one pneumatic brake pipe control valve, and a secondary back-up system configured to facilitate vehicle braking without human intervention. The secondary back-up system includes a first air reservoir coupled to supply pressurized air to the at least one pneumatic brake pipe control valve, a second air reservoir, a choke adapted to allow airflow at a specified airflow rate, and a solenoid valve adapted to selectively couple and decouple the first air reservoir and the second air reservoir via the choke, according to an energization state of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A membrane digital analog switch includes an input button surface adapted to receive an input pressure from a user, and a digital switch positioned below the input button surface to generate a digital switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified digital pressure threshold. The membrane digital analog switch also includes an analog switch adapted to generate an analog switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified analog pressure threshold. The specified analog pressure threshold is greater than the specified digital pressure threshold, the digital switch activation signal is a binary digital signal, and the analog switch activation signal is variable and corresponds to an analog sensed value of the received pressure on the input button surface.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling distributed machines. In an exemplary embodiment, a network includes machines each having sensor(s) and/or actuator(s). Each machine has a node resident on the machine and/or in communication with the machine and that provides raw data from the sensor(s) and/or actuator(s). Each node has a network interface, and a processor and memory configured as a node agent to embed the raw data in message(s) without reformatting the raw data. An engine receives and reformats messages from the node agents without reformatting raw data embedded in the messages. The engine directs the reformatted messages including the raw data to user device(s) for use in managing machine activity and/or status. The engine also sends a message from a user device to a node of a given machine, for use in controlling activity and/or status of the given machine.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of wireless emergency stop systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device wired to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes multiple personal safety devices. Each personal safety device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The machine safety device is configured to maintain wireless connections with more than one of the multiple personal safety devices at the same time. Example methods of operating a wireless emergency stop system are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein of audible alert systems. In exemplary embodiments, an audible alert system includes a speaker, an audio amplifier, and an audio file player. The audio amplifier and audio file player may be housed within an environmentally sealed enclosure, which provides protection from the environment. The audible alert system may be located on the front or back of a locomotive. For example, the speaker may be mounted to handrailing of the locomotive.

Abstract: A system includes at least one train having one or more sensors and a device remote from the at least one train. The device is configured to communicate with the at least one train via one or more networks, collect data from the one or more sensors of the at least one train at a plurality of different locations in a defined area, and generate a map of the one or more tracks based on the data collected from the one or more sensors of the at least one train at the plurality of different locations in the defined area. Other example systems and computer-implemented methods of mapping one or more railroad tracks in a defined area are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems, methods and devices related to remote control locomotive training. In an exemplary embodiment, a remote control locomotive training system includes a locomotive control unit coupled to a locomotive and configured to control operation of the locomotive, and a trainee operator control unit in wireless communication with the locomotive control unit. The trainee operator control unit includes a first wireless interface to transmit one or more commands to the locomotive control unit. The system also includes a trainer operator control unit in wireless communication with the trainee operator control unit via a second wireless interface. The trainer operator control unit is configured to monitor the trainee operator control unit by receiving messages from the trainee operator control unit indicative of the one or more commands transmitted from the trainee operator control unit to the locomotive control unit.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to controlling machines using operator control units and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In an exemplary embodiment, a machine control system includes a machine, a programmable logic controller coupled to the machine, and an operator control unit. The operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling the machine, and a wireless interface configured to transmit a message based on the one or more commands received via the user interface. The programmable logic controller is configured to, in response to receiving the message transmitted by the operator control unit, transmit one or more control signals to the machine to control operation of the machine. The system does not include any machine control unit (MCU) separate from the operator control unit and the programmable logic controller.