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: Method and processor for accommodating speed sensor faults in a locomotive are provided. The method allows for providing predefined operational functions in the locomotive. The functions may be based on one or more speed sensor signals from a plurality of speed sensors in the locomotive. The method further allows for continuing to provide the operational functions even in the presence of faults in some of the speed sensors.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a diesel engine operating at retarded fuel injection timing includes a fuel cam configured to increase a fuel injection pressure and decrease a fuel injection duration, thereby improving fuel atomization and combustion in a plurality of engine cylinders and improving an indicated efficiency of the engine and reducing exhaust emissions. The fuel cam is oriented in a phase relationship with a compression stroke top-dead-center position to accommodate the retarded fuel injection timing and to optimize an engine brake efficiency and performance.

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: The present invention discloses a system and method for analyzing fault log data from a malfunctioning machine. The system comprises a processor for receiving new fault log data comprising a plurality of faults from the malfunctioning machine and selecting a plurality of distinct faults from the new fault log data. The processor generates at least one distinct fault cluster from the selected plurality of distinct faults. Thereafter, the processor predicts at least one repair for at least one distinct fault cluster using a plurality of predetermined weighted repair and distinct fault cluster combinations.

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: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method of controlling fuel injection timing in a compression ignition engine including at least one cylinder. The method includes monitoring engine throttle position and change. One of an acceleration and a load ascending transient operating mode is detected in response to the monitoring of throttle position and change. Fuel injection timing for the at least one cylinder is controlled in accordance with a predetermined timing schedule in response to the detection of one of an acceleration and a load ascending transient operating mode. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

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 engine adapted for operation under retarded fuel ignition timing relative to conventional fuel injection timing includes a piston shaped to increase the compression ratio of an engine cylinder, and specially designed combustion air intake and exhaust gas ports that increase scavenging flow of exhaust gases and allow for manipulation of air intake and exhaust gas valves with a cam shaft. Thus, an engine may be operated under retarded fuel injection timing to decrease emissions of nitrogen oxides without sacrificing engine performance and efficiency.

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: A railway car brake system includes a pneumatic brake cylinder and a relay valve for controlling pressure in the brake cylinder. The relay valve is responsive to a pilot pressure which is generated by a pilot valve connected to the relay valve, the pilot valve including at least one piezoelectric element. The system also includes a controller connected to the piezoelectric element to control the pilot pressure and thereby control braking. The pilot valve releases braking upon loss of power to the at least one piezoelectric element to thereby provide a failsafe release of braking. The pilot valve may also include a first piezoelectric element for controlling fluid flow from a pressure source to the relay valve, and a second piezoelectric element for controlling fluid flow from the relay valve to atmosphere.