Abstract: A system includes a safety mode activation device disposed onboard a vehicle system and operatively connected to a controller of the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is configured to receive a status signal indicating a presence of one or more of an operator or an active work marker in a location proximate to the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is further configured to transmit a lockout signal to the controller to prevent movement of the vehicle system along a route responsive to receiving the status signal.

Abstract: An asset identification and tracking system includes one or more monitoring units configured to monitor at least one designated area. Each of the monitoring units includes an imaging device and one or more processors. The imaging device is configured to generate image data depicting one or more mobile assets that move through the at least one designated area. The one or more processors are operably coupled to the imaging device and configured to analyze the image data to detect and decipher one or more identifiers that are displayed on a particular mobile asset of the one or more mobile assets that move through the at least one designated area. The one or more processors are further configured to generate a detection message that includes the one or more identifiers for communication to an asset control system.

Abstract: A multi-fuel injector assembly in one embodiment includes a first fuel injector assembly to deliver a first type of fuel and a second fuel delivery system to deliver a second type of fuel. The first fuel injector includes a first nozzle, at least one first needle, and at least one first actuator configured to move the at least one first needle. The at least one first actuator moves the at least one first needle to a first fuel delivery configuration that corresponds to a first fuel mixture composition, and a second fuel delivery configuration that corresponds to a second fuel mixture composition.

Abstract: A system includes a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with a target object on stationary equipment; a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object; and a task manager that can determine capability requirements to perform a task on the target object. The task has an associated series of sub-tasks. The task manager can assign a first sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the first robotic machine based on the first set of capabilities and a second sequence of sub-tasks for performance by the second robotic machine based on the second set of capabilities. The first and second robotic machines can coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine to accomplish the task.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided that includes obtaining a first secret and a first public key, and obtaining a second secret a second public key. The method may also include authenticating the first public key of the first vehicle based on a first private key associated with the first vehicle, and authenticating the second public key of the second vehicle based on a second private key associated with the second vehicle. The method may also include preventing a man-in-the-middle attack, by securing at least one of a first vehicle-to-central office communication, a central office-to-first vehicle communication, or a first vehicle-to-second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle-to-central office communication and the central office-to-first vehicle communication are authenticated based on a determined private key associated with a respective first vehicle on-board computer, and sending a message, with the central office server, to a vehicle associated with a conditional movement authority.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a controller configured to obtain image data from one or more optical sensors and to determine one or more of a location and/or pose of a vehicle component based on the image data. The controller also is configured to determine a model of an external environment of the robotic system based on the image data and to determine tasks to be performed by components of the robotic system to perform maintenance on the vehicle component. The controller also is configured to assign the tasks to the components of the robotic system and to communicate control signals to the components of the robotic system to autonomously control the robotic system to perform the maintenance on the vehicle component.

Abstract: A system and method including one or more conduits, a pump system, and a controller. The conduits are fluidly coupled with a cooling device that is operably coupled with an engine to cool at least a portion of exhaust from the engine. The pump system pumps a cleaning fluid from a cleaning fluid source through the one or more conduits and into a flow path of a portion of the exhaust from the engine while the engine continues to operate. The controller monitors operation of the engine and determines whether the engine is operating in a designated state. The controller controls the pump system to pump the cleaning fluid into the flow path of a portion the exhaust from the engine to clean the cooling device while the engine operates in the designated state and the exhaust flows from the engine and through the cooling device.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for using only hydrogen as fuel in a duel fuel engine. In one example, a method may include direct injecting only hydrogen as fuel to one or more engine cylinders and compression igniting the injected hydrogen.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an electric turbocharger. In one example, the electric turbocharger includes an electric motor circumferentially surrounding a shaft, a turbine coupled to a first end of the shaft, and a compressor coupled to a second end of the shaft, opposite of the first end. The compressor may include a volute with a curved portion protruding towards the turbine.

Abstract: A control system is provided that may include a controller for a vehicle system. The controller may include one or more processors configured to obtain at least one first operating parameter related to an operating system of the vehicle system, and determine an operating condition of the operating system based at least in part on the first operating parameter. The one or more processors may also be configured to communicate with an off-board sensor to obtain at least one auxiliary operating parameter related to the operating condition, and verify the operating condition based at least in part on the auxiliary operating parameter.

Abstract: A bus bar includes a load terminal connector comprising a conductive plate that extends from a first edge to an opposite second edge and extends from a third edge to an opposite fourth edge. The third and fourth edges extend from the first edge to the second edge. The plate includes a window opening located between the first and second edges and between the third and fourth edges. The plate also includes a slot extending into the plate from the first edge to the window opening. The plate includes first and second sets of openings configured to receive connections with first and second power terminals of switch packages. The first set of openings and the second set of openings are located on opposite sides of the slot.

Abstract: A propulsion circuit for a vehicle includes an engine, a generator, a power rectifier, a direct current (DC) bus, a propulsion battery system, and at least one converter. The generator is coupled to the engine and configured to receive an input from the engine, and to provide an alternating current (AC) output. The power rectifier is configured to receive the AC output from the generator and provide a DC output responsive to receiving the AC output. The DC bus is coupled to the rectifier. The propulsion battery system is coupled to the DC bus. The at least one converter is configured to convert a direct current to an alternating current, and is coupled to the DC bus. Further, the propulsion circuit includes at least one charging component that is configured to selectably provide a charge to the battery system via at least one of the at least one converter.

Abstract: An assembly that may include a press that may form an indentation within a tab, a roller assembly including a rolling element that may compress a first tab portion of the tab that extends from the indentation against a busbar, and a welding device that may weld the first tab portion of the tab to the busbar.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for skipping fire in one or more cylinders in a dual fuel engine. In one example, a method may include injecting a combination of two fuels to a first set of cylinders of the engine while disabling fuel injection to all remaining cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: Various systems are provided for a single turbocharger case housing each of turbine of a turbocharger and a bearing of the turbocharger. In one example, an apparatus for an engine includes an integrated, monolithic turbocharger case that houses each of a turbine and a bearing of a turbocharger and a nozzle ring integrated into the turbocharger case between the turbine and the bearing. In further examples of the system, portions of the turbocharger case are formed of a lattice structure.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and a communication device onboard a first remote vehicle of a vehicle system that includes a controlling vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to establish a communication link with the controlling vehicle, and, in a first mode of operation, to automatically control movement of the designated remote vehicle responsive to movement-control messages received from the controlling vehicle over the communication link. The one or more processors are also configured, responsive to receipt of a designated suspend message from the controlling vehicle, to switch the designated remote vehicle from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation where movement of the designated remote vehicle is controlled independently of the controlling vehicle while maintaining the communication link.