Abstract: A cooling system includes a coolant tank, a coolant sensor assembly, and a controller. The coolant sensor assembly includes a sensor package having a first end and a second end, the sensor package including a partially transparent or semi-transparent sight glass housing a coolant level sensor and configured to receive a flow of coolant therethrough. The coolant sensor assembly also includes a first valve coupled between the first end of the sensor package and a coolant tank, a second valve coupled between the second end of the sensor package and the coolant tank, and a third valve coupled in flow communication with the second end of the sensor package. The controller is configured to execute one more diagnostic self-tests for the coolant sensor assembly and the cooling system.

Abstract: A locomotive control system includes a locomotive having a traction motor and sensors. The traction motor provides tractive effort for propelling the locomotive and the sensors measure performance conditions of the locomotive. The system also includes a controller having one or more processors communicatively coupled with the traction motor. The controller selects one or more baseline conditions that designate operational conditions under which the locomotive is to operate, and monitors the performance conditions that are generated by the locomotive during operation of the locomotive according to the operational conditions designated by the one or more baseline conditions. The controller identifies a flashover condition or a plugging condition of the locomotive by comparing the performance conditions that are generated by the locomotive during operation of the locomotive with the one or more baseline conditions.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for braking a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a brake assembly is provided that includes a lever attachment interface pivotally coupled with two degrees of freedom to a joint between a first lever and a second lever and a brake cylinder coupled to the first lever and designed to engage and disengage a brake lining in a brake component. The brake cylinder includes a slack adjuster configured to adjust a throw of the second lever.

Abstract: A system determines a wheel contact force in a vehicle that includes a support system including a wheel and a force transmission member configured to transfer a load and/or power to, and from, the wheel to the support system. The includes a sensor connected to the force transmission member that is configured to detect strain in the force transmission member and generate signals representative of the strain and a processor configured to derive a lateral force on the wheel from the signals. A method of calibrating a wheel force measurement system for a vehicle includes measuring a lateral force on a flange of a wheel in contact with a rail or road surface, generating data with a sensor on the force transmission member, and calibrating the data based at least in part on the measured lateral force.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the subject matter described herein a system is provided. The system includes a location determining circuit configured to acquire position information of a vehicle system moving along a route. The system includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to calculate curvatures of the route, based at least in part on the position information, to form a curvature waveform. The controller circuit is further configured to generate a route map based on the curvature waveform.

Abstract: A system includes a location determining circuit configured to acquire position information of a vehicle system moving along a route. The system also includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to calculate curvatures of the route, based at least in part on the position information, to form a curvature waveform. The controller circuit is further configured to generate a route map based on the curvature waveform.

Abstract: Systems and a method are provided for determining a change in performance of a radiator fan. In one example, a system includes a controller configured to receive a signal output from an accelerometer positioned proximately to and/or operatively coupled with a bearing of a radiator fan, process the signal to determine a peak to peak acceleration value, and indicate a change in performance of the radiator fan when the peak to peak acceleration value is greater than a designated threshold value.

Abstract: A locomotive control system measures actuating parameters of a locomotive propulsion system and monitors the actuating parameters according to a forcing function of operation of the propulsion system. A degraded component of the locomotive is identified by comparing actuating parameters generated according to the forcing function with actuating parameters expressed as a function of speed of another locomotive propulsion system, examining changes in the generated actuating parameters over time, examining oscillations in movement of the locomotive during gear shifting, comparing wheel speed decreases during another forcing function, and/or comparing a magnitude of a spectrum of the actuating parameters of with one or more designated magnitudes.

Abstract: A locomotive control system includes a locomotive having a traction motor and sensors. The traction motor provides tractive effort for propelling the locomotive and the sensors measure performance conditions of the locomotive. The system also includes a controller having one or more processors communicatively coupled with the traction motor. The controller selects one or more baseline conditions that designate operational conditions under which the locomotive is to operate, and monitors the performance conditions that are generated by the locomotive during operation of the locomotive according to the operational conditions designated by the one or more baseline conditions. The controller identifies a flashover condition or a plugging condition of the locomotive by comparing the performance conditions that are generated by the locomotive during operation of the locomotive with the one or more baseline conditions.

Abstract: A system includes a location determining circuit configured to acquire position information of a vehicle system moving along a route. The system also includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to calculate curvatures of the route, based at least in part on the position information, to form a curvature waveform. The controller circuit is further configured to generate a route map based on the curvature waveform.

Abstract: Systems and a method are provided for determining a change in performance of a radiator fan. In one example, a system includes a controller configured to receive a signal output from an accelerometer positioned proximately to and/or operatively coupled with a bearing of a radiator fan, process the signal to determine a peak to peak acceleration value, and indicate a change in performance of the radiator fan when the peak to peak acceleration value is greater than a designated threshold value.

Abstract: A system for reducing vibration in a wind turbine includes a mass structure having at least one hole extending therethrough; a rod having a top threaded portion, an upper level stop disposed on or below the threaded portion, and a fixed lower level stop disposed below the upper level stop. The mass structure has a designed weight and shape that, in combination with the adjustable axial distance between the upper level stop and the lower level stop, is designed to provide a properly tuned system for a particular frequency. A base having an aperture designed for receipt of the lower level stop therein is configured for attachment to a component of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A system for reducing vibration in a wind turbine includes a mass structure having at least one hole extending therethrough; a rod having a top threaded portion, an upper level stop disposed on or below the threaded portion, and a fixed lower level stop disposed below the upper level stop. The mass structure has a designed weight and shape that, in combination with the adjustable axial distance between the upper level stop and the lower level stop, is designed to provide a properly tuned system for a particular frequency. A base having an aperture designed for receipt of the lower level stop therein is configured for attachment to a component of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus that includes a suspension linkage connected between a traction motor and a rail vehicle truck frame at least at first and second locations. The suspension linkage including at the first location a first pin pivotally connecting the traction motor with a cross member of the truck frame, and, at the second location, at least one elastomeric element deformable to fully suspend the traction motor from the truck frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide variable spring stiffness for weight management in a vehicle. One system includes a plurality of springs and a plurality of spring retainers configured to adjust a number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Additionally, a motor is provided that is connected to the plurality of spring retainers and configured to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Further, a controller is provided that is coupled to motor to control the motor to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for weight transfer in a vehicle are provided. One system includes a plurality of springs and a plurality of movable spring seats configured to adjust a length of the plurality of springs. Additionally, an electromechanical actuator is provide that is connected to the plurality of movable springs and configured to move the movable spring seats to adjust the length of the plurality of springs. Further, a controller is provided that is coupled to the electromechanical actuator to control the electromechanical actuator to adjust the length of the plurality of springs.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus that includes a suspension linkage connected between a traction motor and a rail vehicle truck frame at least at first and second locations. The suspension linkage including at the first location a first pin pivotally connecting the traction motor with a cross member of the truck frame, and, at the second location, at least one elastomeric element deformable to fully suspend the traction motor from the truck frame.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.

Abstract: Systems and methods for weight transfer in a vehicle are provided. One system includes a plurality of springs and a plurality of movable spring seats configured to adjust a length of the plurality of springs. Additionally, a pneumatic actuator is provided that is connected to the plurality of movable springs and configured to move the movable spring seats to adjust the length of the plurality of springs. Further, a controller is provided that is coupled to the pneumatic actuator to control the pneumatic actuator to adjust the length of the plurality of springs.