Abstract: System and method configured to determine a direction of movement of a vehicle in response to a brake being released or in response to initiating movement of the vehicle from a stopped position along a route. The direction of movement is determined based on a selected travel direction of the vehicle, a grade of the route, and at least one of applied tractive efforts or applied braking efforts.

Abstract: A system includes a blower, a blower sensor, and at least one processor. The blower sensor is operably coupled to the blower and configured to obtain blower operational information. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the blower and the blower sensor, and is configured to determine an operational-based power using the blower operational information; determine an operational-based density using the operational-based power; and control the blower using the operational-based density.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

Abstract: A method and system include determining a resonant frequency of a vehicle system operably coupled with an external power source that provides voltage and current to the vehicle system. A first filter extracts a phase or a frequency component from the voltage provided by the external power source to generate a stabilizing voltage component. A second filter extracts a phase or a frequency component from the current provided by the external power source to generate a stabilizing current component. The stabilizing voltage component is out of phase with the stabilizing current component. A control input of a converter device of the vehicle system is determined based on the stabilizing voltage component, the stabilizing current component, and the resonant frequency. The stabilizing voltage component, the stabilizing current component, and the control input are communicated with the converter device to change the resonant frequency of the vehicle system.

Abstract: Cooling control systems described herein detect decreased operation of a cooling system of a vehicle, restrict movement of the vehicle without stopping movement responsive to decreased operation of the cooling system, and restrict movement of the vehicle by preventing the vehicle from traveling at a speed and/or power output for a non-zero designated period of time. This can allow for the vehicle to continue moving for a temporary period of time to avoid blocking traffic. Other control systems determine predicted distances and/or times that the vehicle can continue moving before coolant in the cooling system decreases below a designated threshold. Movement of the vehicle can be changed responsive to an upcoming distance and/or time that the vehicle is to travel exceeding the predicted distance and/or time. Other control systems modify a coolant flow rate based on differences between designated and ambient conditions.

Abstract: A control system includes a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to monitor a measured current conducted into a resistor leg of the vehicle. The resistor leg has a braking chopper and one or more resistive elements, and is connected with a traction bus of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to receive the measured current from the current sensor and, in response to the measured current differing from an expected current through the resistor leg, the one or more processors are configured to generate a control signal configured to one or more of increase an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle, increase cooling to the one or more resistive elements of the resistor leg, restrict movement of the vehicle, or schedule maintenance for the resistor leg.

Abstract: System and method configured to determine a direction of movement of a vehicle in response to a brake being released or in response to initiating movement of the vehicle from a stopped position along a route. The direction of movement is determined based on a selected travel direction of the vehicle, a grade of the route, and at least one of applied tractive efforts or applied braking efforts.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for monitoring component wear to prevent premature component failure. A control system for a system having one or more mechanical or electronic components may include a life manager that monitors accumulated wear of the one or more components. The life manager may provide an alert and/or limit system operations when the accumulated wear exceeds a limit. The limit may be dynamically determined based on an operating age of the component. The limit may also be defined as a matrix of limits, each defined for a range of a particular operating condition of the component. Operating conditions may include an applied torque range for a vehicle wheel or a thermal cycle temperature range for an electronic switching component.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

Abstract: A system includes a blower, a blower sensor, and at least one processor. The blower sensor is operably coupled to the blower and configured to obtain blower operational information. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the blower and the blower sensor, and is configured to determine an operational-based power using the blower operational information; determine an operational-based density using the operational-based power; and control the blower using the operational-based density.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for monitoring component wear to prevent premature component failure. A control system for a system having one or more mechanical or electronic components may include a life manager that monitors accumulated wear of the one or more components. The life manager may provide an alert and/or limit system operations when the accumulated wear exceeds a limit. The limit may be dynamically determined based on an operating age of the component. The limit may also be defined as a matrix of limits, each defined for a range of a particular operating condition of the component. Operating conditions may include an applied torque range for a vehicle wheel or a thermal cycle temperature range for an electronic switching component.

Abstract: A system includes a blower, a blower sensor, and at least one processor. The blower sensor is operably coupled to the blower and configured to obtain blower operational information. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the blower and the blower sensor, and is configured to determine an operational-based power using the blower operational information; determine an operational-based density using the operational-based power; and control the blower using the operational-based density.

Abstract: A control system includes a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to monitor a measured current conducted into a resistor leg of the vehicle. The resistor leg has a braking chopper and one or more resistive elements, and is connected with a traction bus of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to receive the measured current from the current sensor and, in response to the measured current differing from an expected current through the resistor leg, the one or more processors are configured to generate a control signal configured to one or more of increase an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle, increase cooling to the one or more resistive elements of the resistor leg, restrict movement of the vehicle, or schedule maintenance for the resistor leg.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for monitoring component wear to prevent premature component failure. A control system for a system having one or more mechanical or electronic components may include a life manager that monitors accumulated wear of the one or more components. The life manager may provide an alert and/or limit system operations when the accumulated wear exceeds a limit. The limit may be dynamically determined based on an operating age of the component. The limit may also be defined as a matrix of limits, each defined for a range of a particular operating condition of the component. Operating conditions may include an applied torque range for a vehicle wheel or a thermal cycle temperature range for an electronic switching component.

Abstract: Cooling control systems described herein detect decreased operation of a cooling system of a vehicle, restrict movement of the vehicle without stopping movement responsive to decreased operation of the cooling system, and restrict movement of the vehicle by preventing the vehicle from traveling at a speed and/or power output for a non-zero designated period of time. This can allow for the vehicle to continue moving for a temporary period of time to avoid blocking traffic. Other control systems determine predicted distances and/or times that the vehicle can continue moving before coolant in the cooling system decreases below a designated threshold. Movement of the vehicle can be changed responsive to an upcoming distance and/or time that the vehicle is to travel exceeding the predicted distance and/or time. Other control systems modify a coolant flow rate based on differences between designated and ambient conditions.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine includes a radiator in fluid communication with the engine, a fan operable to provide air flow through the radiator, and a shutter assembly positioned on an opposite side of the radiator from the fan and being adjustable to control the air flow through the radiator. The radiator includes a first radiator section and a second radiator section, the first and second radiator sections each having a fore end and an aft end, respectively, wherein the first radiator section and the second radiator section converge at the respective fore ends and define an angle therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

Abstract: A system includes a blower, a blower sensor, and at least one processor. The blower sensor is operably coupled to the blower and configured to obtain blower operational information. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the blower and the blower sensor, and is configured to determine an operational-based power using the blower operational information; determine an operational-based density using the operational-based power; and control the blower using the operational-based density.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine includes a radiator in fluid communication with the engine, a fan operable to provide air flow through the radiator, and a shutter assembly positioned on an opposite side of the radiator from the fan and being adjustable to control the air flow through the radiator. The radiator includes a first radiator section and a second radiator section, the first and second radiator sections each having a fore end and an aft end, respectively, wherein the first radiator section and the second radiator section converge at the respective fore ends and define an angle therebetween.