Abstract: A diesel locomotive includes a number of auxiliary subsystems operating in conjunction with the locomotive diesel engine and deriving their energy, from the diesel engine. Included among the subsystems are various cooling systems, the battery charging system, and the electrical generation system, comprising one or more alternators drivingly coupled to the engine shaft. Each of the subsystems includes a component that is activated when one or more operational conditions associated with the subsystem are met. For instance, an engine cooling system fan motor is activated when the coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined value. Similarly, a battery charger is activated when the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value, and an alternator blower is activated when the main or auxiliary alternator temperature exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for re-synchronizing a communications link between an on-board monitor located aboard a vehicle and a remote site. The occurrence of certain events may render the establishment of a communication link between the on-board monitor and the remote monitoring and diagnostics center impossible. To avoid this problem, after a successful download of information to the remote site, the on-board monitor starts a timer. When the timer expires, and if the on-board monitor has not received a call or successfully downloaded information to the remote site since the timer was started, the on-board monitor attempts to call the remote site for providing certain re-synchronization information thereto. The remote site thereafter uses this re-synchronization information to establish communications with the on-board monitor.

Abstract: A locomotive communication system for communicating between a locomotive and a fixed site. A communication system commissioning process is utilized to ensure that the locomotive phone number and locomotive road number are paired at the fixed site so that data downloaded from the locomotive, in response to a call from the fixed site using the locomotive phone number will be identified with the correct locomotive road number.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling, a response to an operator, a consist of at least first and second locomotives having discrete operating modes. The system and method comprises an operator control, a first controller, a second controller, and a communication link. Alternatively, the system and method includes control modules which may be retrofitted to an existing consist control. The power operating modes of the locomotives within a consist are selected to optimize the operation of the consist. The operation of the consist may be optimized for any number of factors including optimizing for braking capacity, as a function of the location, base on a performance parameter which is a function of a performance profile or the location of a crew member.

Abstract: A system (40) and method for remotely monitoring the operating status of railroad grade crossing warning equipment. A sensor (46) generates a signal (48) responsive to the operation of a grade crossing annunciator (42). In one embodiment, the annunciator may be a bell or speaker horn (92) and the sensor may be an accelerometer (99) mechanically coupled to the bell. A wayside controller (52) uses the signal as input for developing information (70) indicative of the operating status of the annunciator. A communications link (74) transmits the information to a location remote from the grade crossing. A system controller (78) located at the remote location may diagnose the information to direct a maintenance center (82) and/or operations center (86) in response to an indication of degraded performance of the annunciator. The communications link may include the Internet and may be used for two-way communication between the remote location and the grade crossing location (22).

Abstract: Computerized method and system for identifying repeatedly malfunctioning equipment and root causes therefor are provided. The method allows to provide a database comprising detailed equipment data including data indicative of historical equipment malfunctions in a plurality of pieces of equipment. The equipment data includes a unique equipment identifier for uniquely relating each malfunction to respective equipment. The method further allows to analyze the data base for a selected time window to review equipment malfunctions logged in the database and resulting in servicing activities over that time window. An equipment malfunction threshold for the number of malfunctions occurring during a predetermined period of time is established.

Abstract: A locomotive monitoring system defines several mutually exclusive operating states for a locomotive. The amount of time the locomotive operates in each state is preferably determined and recorded. This recorded information can then be evaluated with a view towards improving locomotive operations. For example, a plurality of mutually exclusive idle states can be defined and monitored to determine how long a locomotive idles under certain conditions instead of automatically shutting down for the purpose of conserving fuel. In this manner, the sources of lost fuel savings can be readily identified, quantified and addressed. An event log is also provided for chronicling certain operating events of interest over time, such as those relating to the starting, stopping and/or idling of the locomotive's engine.

Abstract: A method of upgrading control software on a first locomotive. The first locomotive includes a first locomotive interface. A first computer is coupled to the first locomotive interface, and a first communicator is coupled to the first computer. The first computer is programmed for operation on the first locomotive. The method includes loading a first version of control software onto the first computer, loading a second version of control software onto the first computer, and using data included in a link message to determine whether the first version or the second version of the control software is used.

Abstract: A method for sorting respective incident log data from a plurality of machines undergoing diagnostics is provided. The method allows for receiving incident log data comprising one or more incidents from the plurality of machines and for receiving operational parameter data from the plurality of machines. The method further allows for executing a set of incident-authentication rules indicative of whether a received incident actually corresponds to a faulty condition or not. An assigning step allows for assigning a predetermined incident severity rating to the respective incidents, and a processing step allows for processing the respective incidents based on their respective incident severity rating.

Abstract: An enhanced split cooling system and method for a turbocharged internal combustion engine including a liquid cooled turbocharger 19 and an engine liquid coolant jacket 18, the system comprising a coolant pump 12 for pumping coolant from a coolant storage tank 16 in heat exchange relationship with the engine jacket 18 and turbocharger 19; an oil cooler 32 having coolant input and output lines; a valve assembly 74, 83 including a multi-port rotary valve actuated by a single actuator; a first coolant output line connected for conveying coolant from the engine to the valve assembly 74, 83; a radiator 22 connected via a second coolant line for receiving coolant from the valve assembly 74, 83 and having a coolant outflow line to return coolant to the coolant tank 16; an intercooler 28 operatively associated with the turbocharger 19 for passing the coolant in hear exchange relationship with compressed air in the turbocharger 19; a lube oil subcooler 46 coupled by a third coolant flow line to receive coolant from the

Abstract: An automatic start/stop system for locomotive engines which takes into account operator needs and concerns by enabling operators to locally prevent automatic shutdowns of their locomotives without disabling their AESS systems. Thus, operators can maintain their lead (and/or other) units running (i.e., for peace of mind, climate control, etc.) without prohibiting other locomotives in consist from automatically shutting down. The system preferably includes an inhibit switch located in each locomotive control cabin which, when actuated by an operator, prevents that locomotive (and only that locomotive) from automatically shutting down within a predefined duration of time. Techniques for reminding and prompting an operator to enable an AESS system include sounding an alarm, displaying and recording fault data, and inhibiting motoring of the locomotive when the AESS system is disabled and the operator calls for braking or motoring capability.

Abstract: An analysis scheduler for scheduling the automatic processing of performance data through a plurality of analysis tools is disclosed. Performance data provided to some of the tools by the analysis scheduler may be specified to be within a predetermined (but variable) look-back period. The analysis tools identify faults and anomalous conditions and also create repair recommendations, and automatically create problem cases when conditions warrant, or update existing problem cases with additional data, all under control of the analysis scheduler. The problem cases are reviewed by a human user and then forwarded to the railroad for implementation.

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 method for identifying and determining the position of rolling stock within a railyard using a system that includes an AEI reader, a plurality of elevated electronic imaging devices and a tracking computer. The rolling stock includes a plurality of railcars and a plurality of locomotives. The method includes recording an identification pattern for each piece of rolling stock as each piece enters the railyard, compiling tracking data of the rolling stock as the rolling stock moves within the railyard using the respective identification patterns, and mapping the position of each piece of rolling stock as the rolling stock moves within the railyard.

Abstract: The present invention discloses system and method for analyzing continuous parameter data from a malfunctioning locomotive or other large land-based, self-powered transport equipment. The method allows for receiving new continuous parameter data comprising a plurality of anomaly definitions from the malfunctioning equipment. The method further allows for selecting a plurality of distinct anomaly definitions from the new continuous parameter data. Respective generating steps allow for generating at least one distinct anomaly definition cluster from the plurality of distinct anomaly definitions and for generating a plurality of weighted repair and distinct anomaly definition cluster combinations. An identifying step allows for identifying at least one repair for the at least one distinct anomaly definition cluster using the plurality of weighted repair and distinct anomaly definition cluster combinations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying configuration information used to control an on-board monitor located aboard a locomotive. Under the control of a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, the on-board monitor periodically collects information from the locomotive and transmits it to the remote monitoring and diagnostic center. When it is desired to change some aspect associated with the data collection process (including the period during which the data is collected, the types of data collected, etc.), it is necessary to change the configuration file that controls the on-board monitor. The configuration file is changed at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center and then transmitted to the on-board monitor.

Abstract: A credit card system and method for configuring a vehicle specific to a user and for transacting financial transactions, the system comprising a User Preference and Information Database containing information specific to said user for configuring a specific vehicle, a credit card capable of storing financial transaction information and information to access said User Preference Database, a credit card data receptacle located in said vehicle, a global communication network, a User Transaction History Database containing information about said user's prior transactions, a display monitor located in said vehicle, and a point of sale where said credit card is used for a financial transaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying configuration information used to control an on-board monitor located aboard a locomotive. Under the control of a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, the on-board monitor periodically collects information from the locomotive and transmits it to the remote monitoring and diagnostic center. When it is desired to change some aspect associated with the data collection process (including the period during which the data is collected, the types of data collected, etc.), it is necessary to change the configuration file that controls the on-board monitor. The configuration file is changed at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center and then transmitted to the on-board monitor.

Abstract: A process for analyzing fault log data from a machine is provided. The process allows for downloading new fault log data from the machine. The process further allows for retrieving prior fault log data of the machine. The prior fault log data may be obtained during an earlier download relative to a present download of new fault log data. A comparing step allows for comparing the new fault log data against the prior fault log data, and an adjusting step allows for adjusting any repair recommendations for the earlier download of fault log data based upon the comparison of the new fault log data and the prior fault log data.

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.