Abstract: System including a sensor configured to be disposed within a reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by a liquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain a measurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of a quantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system also includes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device body has a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor and configured to generate first data signals representative of the measurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to a remote reader.

Abstract: A system includes an engine and a controller. The engine is capable of multiple operating modes, and each mode has a relatively different fuel ratio such that as the engine is changed from a first operating mode having a first ratio of a first fuel to a second fuel to a second operating mode having a second ratio of the first fuel to the second fuel. The controller is operable to change the engine from one operating mode to another operating mode.

Abstract: A system for operating a train having one or more locomotive consists with each locomotive consist comprising one or more locomotives, the system including a locator element to determine a location of the train, a track characterization element to provide information about a track, a sensor for measuring an operating condition of the locomotive consist, a processor operable to receive information from the locator element, the track characterizing element, and the sensor, and an algorithm embodied within the processor having access to the information to create a trip plan that optimizes performance of the locomotive consist in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the train.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a vehicle determine a baseline wheel rotational speed and wheel rotational speeds of a wheel for different positions along an outer perimeter of the wheel. One or more deviations between the wheel rotational speeds and the baseline wheel rotational speed are determined, and the deviations between the wheel rotational speeds and the baseline wheel rotational speed are correlated with one or more identified positions of the positions along the outer perimeter of the wheel. One or more of damage to the wheel or damage to a drivetrain of the vehicle is identified based at least in part on the one or more deviations being correlated with the one or more identified positions.

Abstract: A system includes at least one examining module configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle system and a mitigation module. The at least one examining module is configured to identify an identified section of a route being traversed by the vehicle system, with the identified section corresponding to at least one of a potentially damaged section of the route or an actually damaged section of the route. The mitigation module is configured to, responsive to an identification by the at least one examining module of the identified section of the route, automatically perform a mitigation action corresponding to the identified section of the route.

Abstract: A route examination system and method automatically detect (with an identification unit onboard a vehicle having one or more processors) a location of a break in conductivity of a first route during movement of the vehicle along the first route. The system and method also identify (with the identification unit) one or more of a location of the vehicle on the first route or the first route from among several different routes based at least in part on the location of the break in the conductivity of the first route that is detected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling movement of a train including a plurality of locomotives along a route. In one example, the method comprises, generating a first plan profile, the first plan profile including synchronous settings for the locomotives over a route, and generating a second plan profile based on the first plan profile, the second plan profile including independent settings for the locomotives over at least one region within the route. The method may further comprise, operating the locomotives based in the first and/or second plan profiles. In another example, the method comprises, generating a plan profile with fully independent settings for the locomotives over the entire route, the fully independent settings based on cost function coefficients of each locomotive.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting movement of a vehicle and/or for changing operating modes of the vehicle switch between transitional operating mode of the vehicle at a first vehicle speed and a moving mode of the vehicle at a second vehicle speed. Movement of the vehicle is controlled to maintain a speed and/or location of the vehicle within designated limits during operation of the vehicle in the transitional operating mode. Movement of the vehicle is controlled to keep an operating parameter of the vehicle below a designated limit during operation of the vehicle in the moving mode. The vehicle switches between the transitional operating mode and the moving mode based at least in part on the vehicle speed, a distance from the target stopping location, an environmental condition, a vehicle characteristic, and/or a route occupancy condition.

Abstract: A method and system for determining rail defects. The method and system receive route performance measurements from a vehicle system traveling along a route and normalize the route performance measurements based on one or more characteristics of the vehicle system. The method and a system also determine a defect for a segment of the route based at least in part on the normalized route performance measurements with respect to a threshold bandwidth corresponding to the segment. The method and system also examine velocity differences in a vehicle speed of a vehicle and the angular speed of the axles and/or wheels of the vehicle system traveling along a route to determine if the route is damaged and/or to identify the location of the potentially damaged section of the route. The differences may represent wheel creeps of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for vehicle control comprises determining a braking capability of a braking system of a vehicle, and modifying application of at least one control parameter by a control system of the vehicle based on the determined braking capability. Braking capability may be determined by activating the braking system of the vehicle to apply a braking force on the vehicle, and concurrently, applying a level of tractive effort of the vehicle that is sufficient to overcome the braking force. The braking capability is determined based on the level of tractive effort.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining data relating to operation of a first vehicle in a vehicle consist that includes the first vehicle and a second vehicle communicatively coupled with each other by a communication channel. The first vehicle includes a first electronic component performing functions for the first vehicle using the first data. The method also includes communicating the first data over the communication channel from the first vehicle to a second electronic component disposed onboard the second vehicle responsive to the first electronic component being unable to perform the one or more functions for the first vehicle using the first data. The method further includes performing the functions of the first electronic component with the second electronic component using the first data that is received from the first vehicle.

Abstract: A control system is provided for improving the handling of a powered system traveling along a route. The powered system includes a first and second powered vehicle respectively positioned in two consists, which are separated by at least one non-powered vehicle. The control system includes a controller configured to determine at least one slack location along the powered system. The slack location represents a force separation in the powered system between two respective regions, which include a compression region subject to a compression force and a tension region subject to a tension force. The controller is coupled to a respective engine of a powered vehicle, and the controller adjusts an output of the engine to control a rate of change of the at least one slack location along the powered system. Additionally, a method is provided for improving the handling of a powered system traveling along a route.

Abstract: An electromagnetic apparatus including a static electromagnetic device is provided. The static electromagnetic device includes a yoke and at least three limbs comprising windings for forming a magnetic core of the static electromagnetic device wherein an angle between the at least three limbs is equal and at least one of the at least three limbs or the yoke comprises a duct.

Abstract: A system includes a cooling system having a cooling fluid for cooling an engine and a radiator fan motor; a dynamic braking system configured to supply electrical energy to the fan motor during a braking event; and a controller that is operable to direct the electrical energy from the dynamic braking system to the fan motor to cool the coolant to a predetermined minimum threshold temperature. A method includes switching a vehicle thermal management system from a first mode of operation in which the coolant is maintained at a steady operating temperature to a second mode of operation in which the coolant is cooled to a minimum threshold temperature.

Abstract: A control system includes a controller and an energy management system. The controller is onboard a vehicle that includes motors and an onboard energy storage device that powers the motors. The energy management system calculates estimated electric loads of powering the motors over one or more segments of a trip according to designated operational settings of a trip plan. The energy management system also determines a demanded amount of electric energy for powering the vehicle based on the estimated electric loads. The demanded amount of electric energy is based on a stored amount of electric energy in the onboard storage device. The energy management system communicates the demanded amount of electric energy to one or more of plural wayside stations disposed along the route so that the wayside stations have sufficient electric energy to charge the onboard energy storage device with the electric energy to meet the estimated electric loads.

Abstract: A method for communicating operational information for a mission plan to an operator of a powered system, the method including collecting information specific to a mission plan, verifying information specific to the mission, and/or accepting information specific to the mission. The powered system is allowed to be autonomously controlled. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for communicating operational information for a mission plan to an operator of a powered system.

Abstract: An energy management system and method for a vehicle system operate the vehicle system according to a current trip plan as the vehicle system travels along a route during a trip. The current trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. The system and method also revise the current trip plan into a revised trip plan responsive to current, actual operation of the vehicle system differing from the current trip plan by at least a designated threshold amount. The revised trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system and includes an initial designated operational setting that matches the current, actual operation of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A power converter control system includes a first power converter, at least one additional power converter, a first control module, and an additional control module. The first power converter receives direct current and outputs alternating current as a first power output. The additional power converter receives direct current and outputs alternating current as an additional power output. The first control module controls timing of events of the first power converter. The additional control module is associated with the additional power converter and controls timing of events of the additional power converter. The first control module communicates first information regarding the timing of the first power converter to the additional control module. The additional control module is configured to adjust the timing of the additional power converter to correspond with the timing of the first power converter.

Abstract: A control system including a measurement module configured to receive motor measurements that represent operating parameters of plural traction motors of a common vehicle system as the vehicle system propels along a route. The control system also includes an analysis module configured to compare the motor measurements to an expected measurement. The expected measurement corresponds to a designated motor type. The analysis module is configured to determine that at least one of the traction motors is different from the designated motor type based on comparing the motor measurements to the expected measurement.

Abstract: A route examining system includes first and second application devices, a control unit, first and second detection units, and an identification unit. The first and second application devices are disposed onboard a vehicle traveling along a route having conductive tracks. The control unit controls injection of a first examination signal into the conductive tracks via the first application device and injection of a second examination signal into the conductive tracks via the second application device. The first and second detection units monitor electrical characteristics of the route in response to the first and second examination signals being injected into the conductive tracks. The identification unit examines the electrical characteristics of the conductive tracks in order to determine whether a section of the route is potentially damaged based on the electrical characteristics.