Abstract: A dynamic braking system for a vehicle, the system comprising an engine, an alternator, a plurality of alternating current (AC) electric traction motors, each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels, a plurality of power inverters where each of the traction motors has excitation windings coupled in circuit with a corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, a fuel-free dynamic braking controller, a fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch located between one of the plurality of traction motors and the one of the plurality of power inverters in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, wherein the one of the plurality of traction motors in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters that is separated by the fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch does not generate and does not consume power, and wherein the fuel-free dynamic braking controller commands one of the plurality of power inverters that i

Abstract: In one embodiment, the a method for collecting railroad crossing data is disclosed. The method includes detecting a presence of at least one of pedestrians and vehicles within a boundary of the railroad crossing, storing a count of the presence of pedestrians and vehicles detected within the boundary and transmitting the count to an external device.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that includes a plurality of remote terminal units (RTUs) that communicate with a server via a network. The network provides communication paths to the RTUs via both a sessionless protocol and a switched connection protocol. Generally, the RTUs communicate via the network using the sessionless protocol. The network also includes a server. The RTUs share at least one account identifier that is coordinated by the server. Short messages are sent via the sessionless protocol. Longer messages are sent via the switched connection protocol using a shared account identifier. A corresponding method of operating the network is also provided. The use of a shared account identifier avoids the requirement of obtaining access accounts to the switched connection protocol for each of the RTUs, and is especially efficient and economical when the need to communicate longer messages is infrequent, but where each of a large number of RTUs require this capability.

Abstract: A process and system for populating a database of repair codes used by respective diagnostic tools to identify repairs of respective machines is provided. The process allows for collecting a list of available repair codes. The process further allows for executing expert analysis upon the collected list so as to determine compatibility of the respective repair codes with the diagnostic tools. A customizing step allows for customizing the list of repair codes based upon the executed expert analysis, and a storing step allows for storing the customized list of repair codes in the database of repair codes.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying or determining degradation in performance of an engine cooling subsystem having an electric motor for powering a fan in a locomotive is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of an electrical imbalance in one or more phases in the fan motor of the cooling subsystem, and for adjusting the value of the monitored signal for deviations from an estimated nominal phase signal value due to predetermined external variables so as to generate an adjusted phase signal value. The method further allows for comparing the value of the adjusted phase signal value against the nominal phase signal value to determine the performance of the cooling subsystem.

Abstract: A distributed power system for remotely controlling a locomotive, the system comprising a position-determining device for determining a position of the locomotive, a pre-stored track database comprising terrain and contour data about a railroad track, a track database integrity monitor for detecting errors with the pre-stored track database, a processor comprising an algorithm to determine a distributed power for the locomotive and to use the track database integrity monitor to determine if errors exist in the pre-stored track database, and a memory device connected to the processor.

Abstract: A method of cooling a locomotive engine wherein the temperature of the coolant flowing into the engine is controlled in response to the temperature of the lube oil flowing out of the engine so that the difference between these two temperatures is limited to a predetermined value in order to limit the differential expansion between parts within the engine. The predetermined value may be a function of the lube oil temperature, and it may have an absolute maximum value. In the event that the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined value, the power output of the engine may be reduced as a function of the length of time that the temperature difference limit has been exceeded. The rate of change in coolant temperature may be limited during periods of decreasing lube oil temperature in order to limit the duty cycle demand on coolant system components.

Abstract: A connection of a tube to a machine includes a plurality of rolled grooves in a region of contact between the collet of a compression fitting and the tube. The grooves reduce the occurrence of fretting of the tube surface while a region of residual compressive stress formed in the tube proximate the bottom of each groove by the rolling process serves to counteract the stress concentration created by the grooves. In one embodiment a single groove formed in a thread pattern extends from above collet to within the area of contact.

Abstract: A protective member positioned at the rear of the operator cab of a locomotive. The protective member provides impact protection for a passenger in the locomotive in the event of an impact between the rear panel of the locomotive and a foreign object during long hood lead (reverse) operation. The protective member may include a vertical member disposed under the outer sheet material at a rear corner of the operator cab as well as members surrounding the rear window opening. The protective member may be formed of rectangular steel tubing and is anchored directly or indirectly to the platform of the locomotive.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting failures in a power resistive grid in a vehicle, e.g., a locomotive, are provided. The method allows for monitoring one or more signals indicative of an estimated grid resistance value. The method farther allows for adjusting the value of the estimated grid resistance relative to a nominal grid resistance value. A comparing step allows for comparing the adjusted value of the grid resistance against the nominal grid resistance value to determine the performance of the respective resistive grid.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing visible smoke in a railroad locomotive during throttle position changes. For key throttle position changes, the present invention introduces a temporary advance in injection timing and a delay in the application of additional current to the traction motors, thereby delaying the generation of additional horsepower requested by the new throttle position. These strategies of timing advance and load application delay are used together or separately to minimize transient visible smoke.

Abstract: A method and system for managing communication of electronic data between a diagnostic service center and a plurality of machines generally remote relative to each other is provided. The electronic data is made up of respective machine data from selected machines. The machine data is used for detecting the presence of respective malfunctions which, if left uncorrected, would likely result in respective mission failures of the selected machines. The method allows for storing in a database a list of respective cases to be processed. The method further allows for assigning to each case a respective download priority. A determining step allows for determining each case to be populated next with new machine data based at least upon the assigned download priority. Respective executing steps allow for executing a download of the new machine data, and for executing predetermined analysis on the downloaded data for detecting the presence of respective malfunctions in the selected machines.

Abstract: A method for analyzing fault log data and snapshot operational parameter data from a machine undergoing diagnostics is provided. A receiving step allows for receiving fault log data comprising a plurality of faults from the machine. Respective executing steps allow for executing a set of noise-reduction filters upon the received fault log data to generate noise-reduced fault log data, and for executing a set of candidate snapshot anomalies upon the noise-reduced data to generate data predictive of malfunctions of the machine.

Abstract: Automatic control of the temperature of the inlet air being supplied to the engine (12) of a locomotive (10) in order to optimize the performance of the engine (12) under a variety of ambient air temperatures and pressures. One or more valves (38) is utilized to control the flow of warm air from the engine compartment (14) into the air inlet path (20). The position of valve (38) is controlled by controller (42) in response to at least one of an ambient air temperature signal TA, an ambient atmospheric pressure signal PA, and an inlet air temperature signal TI. The temperature of the air flowing through the warm air flow path 28 may be controlled by selecting from among a plurality of possible inlets (30, 32, 50). By varying the volume and temperature of the air flowing through the warm air flow path (28), the temperature and density of the air supplied at the engine inlet (18) may be moderated across a broad range of ambient air temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fuel injection timing in an engine operable in a selected one of a plurality of engine notch positions are provided. The system includes a module for determining whether a fuel value indicative of a fuel quantity to be delivered to the engine is within a predetermined fuel value range for the selected one of the plurality of notches. The system further includes a module for setting a predetermined fuel injection timing value that uniquely corresponds to the selected one of the plurality of notches upon verification that the fuel value is within the predetermined fuel value range.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a plurality of critical faults in machines is provided. The method allows for collecting from a predetermined plurality of the machines respective machine data indicative of each fault logged over a predetermined period of time. Respective identifying steps allow for identifying in the collected machine data respective faults most frequently occurring relative to one another and for identifying in the most frequently occurring faults, respective faults that, relative to one another, affect a higher number of machines. A classifying step allows for classifying the faults identified in the last-recited identifying step based on an expected level of machine degradation associated with the identified faults, and a storing step allows for storing any faults classified as likely to result in an imminent machine mission failure in a predetermined database of critical faults.

Abstract: A diesel locomotive engine (10) having a combustion chamber (30) formed into the cylinder head (16) to have a diameter (D2) greater than the diameter (D1) of the cylinder liner (14). A piston (20) is disposed for reciprocating motion in the cylinder. The piston has a top wall (36) with a convex surface to form a generally ring-shaped combustion volume. A fuel injection nozzle (28) directs a flow of fuel into the combustion chamber in a direction generally along a radius of the generally ring-shaped combustion volume at a pressure of more than 1800 bar in one embodiment. A cooling passage (42) is formed in the cylinder head to remove heat energy, thereby reducing the production of the oxides of nitrogen during engine operation.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve having a cam disposed near an opening of a fuel passage. The cam is operable to be rotated about a shaft by the action of a float. As a fluid level in a tank changes, the cam rotates from an open position remote from the opening to a closed position (as illustrated) proximate the opening. A gap remains between the cam and the opening, thereby allowing the fluid level to be drawn down to the bottom of opening. Float has a generally wedge shaped cross-section to minimize the effect of wave action in the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus (11) for controlling the peak pressure in the combustion chamber (46) of a turbo-charged diesel locomotive engine (12). A pressure relief valve (56) is disposed in the compressor discharge downstream of the turbo-charger (18). The relief valve (56) is operable to release a selected amount (58) of the compressed air (24) produced by the compressor section (20) of turbo-charger (18). The actuation of valve (56) may be a function of the pressure of the compressed air (24), and/or a manifold air temperature signal (52) and a fuel injection timing signal (40). An actuator (60) attached to valve (56) is responsive to a valve position signal (62) generated by a controller (38) having the appropriate inputs and programmed logic capability.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an engine during a bog condition is provided. The method allows for monitoring values of a commanded engine RPM signal and of an actual engine RPM signal. The method further allows for determining whether the difference between respective values of the commanded engine RPM signal and the actual engine RPM signal exceeds a predetermined threshold RPM value. An inflection determining step allows for continuing to monitor values of the actual engine RPM signal to determine an inflection RPM point. A varying step allows for controllably varying the commanded engine RPM signal from a predetermined point about the inflection RPM point towards a desired commanded speed value.