Abstract: Computerized method and system for assisting a consumer reach a decision regarding repair or replacement of a product usable by the consumer is provided. The method allows for providing to the consumer a Web page including a plurality of data fields to be filled with data selectable by the consumer from a corresponding plurality of menus including respective product attributes. The method further allows for processing the product attributes selected by the consumer relative to stored economic value data of products with generally similar attributes to those of the product usable by the consumer. The processing is configured to provide options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product usable by the consumer. The consumer is provided with a Web page hierarchically displaying the options and wherein each of the options includes a respective hyperlink for enabling the consumer to select one of the options.

Abstract: A method for detecting electrical faulty conditions in a plurality of power devices of a propulsion system is provided. The plurality of power devices is connectable in parallel circuit through a direct current (DC) link to an external DC power source. The method provides a first sequence of actions for determining an electrical short condition in at least one of the power devices upon the power source being connected. The method further provides a second sequence of actions for determining an electrical open condition in a respective one of the plurality of power devices during the occurrence of high current events.

Abstract: Method processor and processor-readable medium for reducing the level of feedback-induced noise in the output signal from an audio automatic gain control circuit are provided. The method allows for receiving a stream of pulses comprising an input signal to the automatic gain control circuit. The method further allows for receiving estimates of respective high and low frequency energy components of the input signal. The respective high and low frequency components are averaged, e.g., over a respective sliding window. An energy scalar is calculated based on the ratio of a predefined target energy level over a combined value of the high and low frequency components. A relating action allows to compare the target energy level to the combined value of the high and low frequency components. Based on the comparison results, the calculated energy scalar is limited to within the two limit values.

Abstract: Method and processor for determining loading of a communications system shared by a plurality of user-terminals are provided. The method allows a respective terminal for monitoring a control channel including logical messages therein. The monitoring of the messages in the control channel is performed regardless of whether or not the logical messages therein are specifically addressed to that terminal. The method further allows for estimating a parameter indicative of system loading based on information in the monitored logical messages.

Abstract: A method and system for a lead mobile asset to verify that a remote mobile asset under the control of the lead mobile asset is following a set of command functions broadcast by the lead mobile asset in a command message. The lead and remote mobile assets may be part of a train consist equipped with a distributed power communication system. The method includes determining whether the lead mobile asset has received a status reply message from the remote mobile asset, the reply message transmitted in response to the remote mobile asset's receipt of the command message and including data indicative of at least one operational state of the remote mobile asset. A help command message may be broadcast from the lead mobile asset if the lead mobile asset has not received the status reply message from the remote mobile asset.

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 power converter device using synchronous rectifiers and method for controlling operation thereof are provided. A first synchronous rectifier is coupled to the secondary transformer winding to pass a voltage induced at the secondary winding in response to an input voltage supplied to the primary transformer winding during an on-state of a main power switch. A first drive circuit is coupled to the gate terminal of the first synchronous rectifier to selectively activate and deactivate the first rectifier in correspondence with the respective on and off states of the main power switch based on a gate voltage supplied by the first drive circuit, with at least one circuit parameter being selected in the first drive circuit for maintaining the gate voltage within a predefined range regardless of variation in the level of the input voltage.

Abstract: A method of nesting a computer model of a part (100) into a computer model of a fixture (104) useful for situations where the original positions of the part and fixture are completely separate and for situations where the respective part and fixture surfaces overlap. The model of the fixture is first inset by a distance D sufficient to eliminate any overlap between the modeled surfaces. The minimum normal distance segment (105) between the inset fixture surface and the part surface may then be determined using standard CAD system capabilities. A vector is then constructed having a length D beginning at the minimum distance point 111 on the inset fixture surface (107) and extending in the direction of the minimum normal distance segment (105) to a point (112) on the original fixture model surface (106). The minimum distance segment between point (112) and the surface of the part (102) is then determined to identify a point (114). The respective point pair (112,114) is recorded.

Abstract: A method (28) for manufacturing a precision part (18) utilizing a non-precision fixture (10). The non-precision fixture is precisely measured (40) and modeled in a CAD program (42) together with a model of the part (30). The part model is nested (48) into the fixture model, and a transformation matrix describing the movement of a coordinate system of the part during the step of nesting is recorded (50). The transformation matrix may then be used to transform (52) a tool path that had been developed for the originally designed shape of the fixture. Accordingly, imprecision in the location of a part within an imprecisely measured fixture may be accounted for during subsequent manufacturing operations.

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: 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 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: Method and system for determining a reference speed indicative of true ground speed of a vehicle having a plurality of axles are provided. The reference speed for a designated one of the axles is dynamically adjusted to account for changes in vehicular acceleration that may occur while determination of the reference speed is being performed. The method allows collecting a stream of samples over respective sampling intervals of at least one motion-indication parameter corresponding to a respective axle of the vehicle. In one aspect thereof, one may use a torque reduction rulebase configured to avoid high torque reduction, and inaccuracies in the motion-indication parameter due to high levels of creep, if any, in a wheel of the respective axle. The method further allows estimating an inertia value for the vehicle based on respective changes in tractive effort and acceleration over each sampling interval.

Abstract: A method for controlling start of a compression ignition engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided without a cam sensor is provided. Each cylinder includes a respective piston reciprocally movable between respective top and bottom positions along a cylinder longitudinal axis. The method comprises proving a respective fuel delivery assembly for each cylinder. In one embodiment the method further comprises retrieving from memory a set of fuel delivery assembly firing rules and then processing the firing rules so that a firing signal is delivered to each fuel delivery assembly on every crank revolution during a cranking mode of operation. The fuel delivery assembly is arranged to be responsive to any firing signal received during an injection window leading to the top position along the longitudinal axis so as to supply fuel to each cylinder during the injection window.

Abstract: An elastomeric joint (100) that comprises a wing plate (102) including a base plate (104) generally extending along a first axis and generally perpendicular to a second axis is provided. The wing plate further includes a mutually opposite first and second bushing-receiving bores (120) co-axially aligned relative to a third axis perpendicular to said first and second axes. A plurality of elastomeric shear pads (106) is affixed on mutually opposite sides of the base plate. The plurality of shear pads is stacked generally perpendicular to the second axis. Top and bottom elastomeric bushings (122) are received by said respective bushing-receiving bores. Each elastomeric bushing comprises a plurality of torsion pads (124) and includes a respective pin-receiving bore(128).

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 process and system for controlling respective agitator motion patterns in a washing machine having a motor drive coupled to energize a motor that drives the agitator is provided. The process allows for selecting a desired agitator motion pattern based on one or more pattern selection signals. The process further allows measuring one or more parameters indicative of the actual agitator motion pattern. A comparing step allows for comparing the actual agitator motion pattern against the desired agitator motion pattern, and an adjusting step allows for adjusting one or more control signals supplied to the motor drive for correcting deviations between the actual agitator motion pattern and the desired motion pattern.

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: 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.