Abstract: A triggering system for a train having a spotter control system is provided. The triggering system includes a position detection system configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of a rail shop relative to the train. The system also includes a controller coupled to the position detection system, the spotter control system, and an engine of the train. The controller is configured to receive the position signal from the position detection system. The controller is configured to detect if the train is approaching the rail shop based on the position signal. The controller is configured to trigger a shutdown of the engine based on the detection. The controller is configured to trigger an activation of the spotter control system based on the detection.

Abstract: A triggering system for a train having a spotter control system is provided. The triggering system includes a position detection system configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of a rail shop relative to the train. The system also includes a controller coupled to the position detection system, the spotter control system, and an engine of the train. The controller is configured to receive the position signal from the position detection system. The controller is configured to detect if the train is approaching the rail shop based on the position signal. The controller is configured to trigger a shutdown of the engine based on the detection. The controller is configured to trigger an activation of the spotter control system based on the detection.

Abstract: A system for mapping terrain using at least a first machine and a second machine traveling along the terrain includes a controller for each of the respective first and second machines. Each respective machine includes a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the controller of each respective machine. The controller is configured to receive, from the plurality of sensors located on each respective machine a plurality of machine parameters indicative of sensed operations of the respective machine as the respective machine travels along the terrain. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the received machine parameters for the respective machine, a geometry and a grade of a plurality of paths on the terrain along which the respective machine travels.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes a gear member, a cover member, a plurality of differential gears, a plurality of bolts, and a pair of side gears. The gear member is configured to rotate about an axis. The cover member is coupled to the gear member and is configured to rotate together with the gear member. The differential gears are positioned within the cover member. The bolts are threadingly coupled to one of the cover member and the gear member. Each of the bolts is configured to rotatably support a corresponding differential gear thereon. The pair of side gears are meshed with the differential gears.

Abstract: A system for increasing stiffness and/or strength of a light-duty machine component having propensity for flexing along an elongated axis is provided. The system includes a pair of receptacles disposed on the machine component, wherein each of the receptacles is located in a spaced apart relation to one another and disposed parallel to the elongated axis. The system further includes at least one backing member corresponding to a distance between the pair of receptacles. The backing member is configured to define at least a pair of openings therethrough. The pair of openings is configured to axially align with the pair of receptacles defined on the machine component. The system further includes a plurality of fasteners such that at least one fastener is received in each pair of axially aligned receptacles and openings for releasably securing the backing member to the machine component.

Abstract: A final drive system for a machine includes a stationary side housing in which a planetary gear assembly and an elongated brake hub member are disposed. The planetary gear assembly includes a ring gear disposed within the stationary side housing; a planetary gear carrier rotatably supported by the stationary side housing; and multiple planet gears that are disposed in mesh with the ring gear. The planetary gear assembly further includes a sun gear disposed in mesh with the planet gears to rotatably drive the planet gears. The elongated brake hub member axially extends from the sun gear and defines a set of internal and external splines that are located distally away from the integrally formed sun gear. The set of internal splines and the set of external splines are configured to mesh with a set of external splines from an axle shaft and a brake pack of the machine respectively.

Abstract: A final drive system for a machine includes a stationary side housing in which a planetary gear assembly and an elongated brake hub member are disposed. The planetary gear assembly includes a ring gear disposed within the stationary side housing; a planetary gear carrier rotatably supported by the stationary side housing; and multiple planet gears that are disposed in mesh with the ring gear. The planetary gear assembly further includes a sun gear disposed in mesh with the planet gears to rotatably drive the planet gears. The elongated brake hub member axially extends from the sun gear and defines a set of internal and external splines that are located distally away from the integrally formed sun gear. The set of internal splines and the set of external splines are configured to mesh with a set of external splines from an axle shaft and a brake pack of the machine respectively.

Abstract: A system for increasing stiffness and/or strength of a light-duty machine component having propensity for flexing along an elongated axis is provided. The system includes a pair of receptacles disposed on the machine component, wherein each of the receptacles is located in a spaced apart relation to one another and disposed parallel to the elongated axis. The system further includes at least one backing member corresponding to a distance between the pair of receptacles. The backing member is configured to define at least a pair of openings therethrough. The pair of openings is configured to axially align with the pair of receptacles defined on the machine component. The system further includes a plurality of fasteners such that at least one fastener is received in each pair of axially aligned receptacles and openings for releasably securing the backing member to the machine component.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes a gear member, a cover member, a plurality of differential gears, a plurality of bolts, and a pair of side gears. The gear member is configured to rotate about an axis. The cover member is coupled to the gear member and is configured to rotate together with the gear member. The differential gears are positioned within the cover member. The bolts are threadingly coupled to one of the cover member and the gear member. Each of the bolts is configured to rotatably support a corresponding differential gear thereon. The pair of side gears are meshed with the differential gears.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a machine is disclosed. The wheel assembly may include a hub coupled to an axle housing, and a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set may include a single-piece integrated wheel and planet carrier. The single-piece integrated wheel and planet carrier may serve a wheel of the machine, and may be rotatably mounted within the hub by a first bearing set and a second bearing set axially spaced apart from the first bearing set.

Abstract: A system for mapping terrain using at least a first machine and a second machine traveling along the terrain includes a controller for each of the respective first and second machines. Each respective machine includes a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the controller of each respective machine. The controller is configured to receive, from the plurality of sensors located on each respective machine a plurality of machine parameters indicative of sensed operations of the respective machine as the respective machine travels along the terrain. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the received machine parameters for the respective machine, a geometry and a grade of a plurality of paths on the terrain along which the respective machine travels.

Abstract: An engine control system is provided. The engine control system includes a moisture content sensor associated with an implement of a machine. The moisture content sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a moisture content of soil. The engine control system also includes a control module coupled to the moisture content sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal indicative of the moisture content of the soil. The control module is configured to receive a signal indicative of mass readings associated with the soil. The control module is configured to correlate the moisture content and the mass readings associated with soil based on a type of the soil. The control module is configured to control at least one of a power and a speed setting associated with an engine of the machine based, at least in part, on the correlation.

Abstract: A system for mapping terrain using at least one machine traveling along the terrain includes at least one controller. The at least one controller is configured to determine a plurality of machine parameters of the at least one machine as the at least one machine travels along the terrain. The plurality of machine parameters include a steering parameter and a speed of a component of the at least one machine. The at least one controller is also configured to determine, based on the determined machine parameters, a geometry and a grade of at least one path on the terrain along which the at least one machine travels. The at least one controller is further configured to create, based on the determined geometry and grade, a map indicating the at least one path.

Abstract: A method of controlling the relative amounts of two or more types of fuel provided to an engine on a locomotive in a train consist includes receiving a signal at a controller on the locomotive, with the signal indicative of a current load imposed on the train consist by a rail car attached to the train consist, and a current location of the load. The relative amounts of the two or more types of fuel to be provided to the engine may be determined based upon the type of engine, the energy density of each type of fuel, the cost of each type of fuel, the availability of each type of fuel, the emissions produced by each type of fuel, the location of the engine in the train consist, and the future predicted loads imposed at different locations in the train consist as a result of a rail car attached to the consist and the terrain along the rail line. The method may also include adjusting the relative amounts of the two or more types of fuel provided to the engine based upon the determination.

Abstract: A method for mobile three-dimensional (3-D) printing of a component of a machine is disclosed. The method includes determining a distance between a transport and a customer based on, at least, positioning information provided by a positioning system. The method further includes determining a route for the transport to travel to the customer based on, at least, the distance between the transport and the customer. The method further includes printing, at least in part, the component of the machine using a 3-D printer while the transport travels along the route, the 3-D printer being associated with the transport and travelling with the transport along the route.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a worksite. The control system may have a sensor located onboard a haul machine to generate a first signal indicative of a load of material lost, and a locating device to generate a second signal indicative of a location of the haul machine. The control system may also have a controller configured to determine a location at which the load of material was lost based on the first and second signals, and to determine a quantity of the load of material. The controller may also be configured to determine a repair needed at the worksite, to calculate a value of performing the repair, and to selectively dispatch a cleanup machine to perform the repair or to move the load of material to a stockpile location based on the value.

Abstract: An engine exhaust heat recovery system includes an engine exhaust heat conduit that interacts with a two-phase fluid that exists in liquid and gaseous states within a single closed loop. A first heat exchanger, which may be a boiler, interfaces with and receives heat from the engine exhaust conduit. Exhaust heat energy converts the fluid from the liquid state into the gaseous state for transfer into a heat expander situated downstream of the first heat exchanger. The heat expander utilizes the gaseous heat energy to rotate a flywheel, and a system of clutches is situated and adapted to permit the flywheel to transfer mechanical energy for subsequent, selective production of work upon demand. In one disclosed embodiment, the heat expander may be a high-speed turbine with a rotary power shaft coupled to a transmission and a plurality of clutches adapted to engage and actuate the flywheel.

Abstract: A retarding control system for a machine is disclosed. The retarding control system may include a locator, configured to sense a location of the machine. Additionally, the retarding control system may include a sensing system configured to sense at least one a parameter indicative of a retarding of the machine. The retarding control system may also include a retarding system configured to retard the machine and a braking system configured for braking the machine. The retarding control system may also have a map configured to store at least one known retarding condition and at least one known retarding location. Further, the retarding control system may include a controller. The controller can be in communication with the locator, the sensing system, the retarding system, the braking system and the map. The controller may be configured to update the map based on the location, and the retarding condition.

Abstract: A retarding control system for a machine is disclosed. The retarding control system may include a locator, configured to sense a location of the machine. Additionally, the retarding control system may include a sensing system configured to sense at least one a parameter indicative of a retarding of the machine. The retarding control system may also include a retarding system configured to retard the machine and a braking system configured for braking the machine. The retarding control system may also have a map configured to store at least one known retarding condition and at least one known retarding location. Further, the retarding control system may include a controller. The controller can be in communication with the locator, the sensing system, the retarding system, the braking system and the map. The controller may be configured to update the map based on the location, and the retarding condition.

Abstract: An energy management system using renewable energy resources to power an electric railcar along a rail and to distribute and store energy along a rail system is disclosed. The energy management system includes a power supply structured to generate electricity from renewable energy resources. A rail tie assembly, with a rail tie member, is positioned to support the rail and encloses a battery therein. The battery is electrically connected to the power supply. The rail tie assembly also includes at least one electricity transmission line, which is electrically connected to the battery and a railcar power transmission assembly. More specifically, the energy management system is structured to conduct electricity between the power supply and the battery, and to distribute power to a battery of an adjoining rail tie assembly.