Patents Assigned to Progress Rail Services Corporation
  • Patent number: 12269521
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and memory storing processor-executable instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include generating a driving strategy for a traveling route of a train based on saved data in the system, the train comprising at least one diesel-electric locomotive (DEL) and at least one battery-electric locomotive (BEL); operating the train according to the driving strategy; receiving update data; revising the driving strategy based on the saved data and the update data including: determining an amount of energy for the train to traverse a segment of the traveling route based on the driving strategy and the update data, and determining a distribution of the amount of energy between the at least one DEL and the at least one BEL based on the driving strategy and the update data; and operating the train according to the revised driving strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Sammy Akif, Sidarta Fornari Beltramin, Marcos Blanco Fernandes, Joseph M White
  • Patent number: 12208458
    Abstract: A tool head has a frame, a tool connected to the frame, an inner rotation manifold connected to the frame, a rotation motor that rotates a spindle, and an outer rotation manifold surrounding the inner rotation manifold. The outer rotation manifold is connected to the rotation motor in a fixed manner. The spindle continuously rotates the inner rotation manifold inside of the outer rotation manifold around an axis of the inner rotation manifold, and the frame and tool are rotated with inner rotation manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Connor Henderson, Robin J. Intagliata
  • Publication number: 20250019907
    Abstract: A track rail fastening system includes a direct fixation fastener assembly having a direct fixation fastener, and a laterally elongated support block. Fastener holes for receiving fastener-clamping fasteners, and fastener holes for receiving bracket-clamping fasteners, are formed in the support block. The respective sets of fastener holes are arranged in different anchor patterns. Fastener-clamping fasteners are received in one of the sets of fastener holes and claim direct fixation fastener to the support block. Bracket-clamping fasteners clamp a third-rail support bracket to the support block, and are received in one of the sets of fastener holes. The third-rail support bracket is cantilevered to the support block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Reynolds, JR., Scott Osler
  • Patent number: 12195067
    Abstract: A method of controlling one or more locomotives in a train includes using a machine learning engine and a virtual system modeling engine to model and classify sections of track along which the train is traveling according to the tractive power needs for the train traversing each section of track as a function of an effective weight profile for the train in the section and an effective friction profile for the train in the section of track. The method includes using the results of the effective weight profile, the effective friction profile, and an effective power availability profile to train the virtual system modeling engine using the machine learning engine to model designated areas of the track where the total tractive effort force or dynamic braking force applied by all of the locomotives in the train is less than a tractive effort force or dynamic braking force, respectively, that can be provided by a subset of the available locomotives in the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Wesley Wait, Marcos Blanco Fernandes
  • Patent number: 12179817
    Abstract: A train control system minimizes in-train forces in a train with a hybrid consist including a diesel-electric locomotive and a battery electric locomotive. The train control system includes a virtual in-train forces modeling engine configured to simulate in-train forces and train operational characteristics using physics-based equations, kinematic or dynamic modeling of behavior of the train or components of the train when the train is accelerating, and inputs derived from stored historical contextual data characteristic of the train, and a virtual in-train forces model database configured to store in-train forces models. Each of the in-train forces models includes a mapping between combinations of the stored historical contextual data and corresponding simulated in-train forces and train operational characteristics that occur when the consist is changing speed. An energy management system determines an easing function of tractive effort vs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Wesley Wait, Sidarta Fornari Beltramin
  • Patent number: 12172684
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and memory storing processor-executable instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include generating a driving strategy for a traveling route of a train comprising at least one battery-electric locomotive (BEL) based on saved data in the system for optimizing one or more aspects for the train over the traveling route; operating the train according to the driving strategy; receiving update data associated with a current location of the train; revising the driving strategy based on the saved data and the update data for optimizing energy consumption efficiency for a segment of the traveling route by identifying active powered components of the train that are non-essential for traversing the segment and turning off power to one or more of the identified active powered components for a duration of traversing the segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Sammy Akif, Sidarta Fornari Beltramin, Evan P Sevel, John William Brand
  • Patent number: 12165085
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the one or more processors, storing processor-executable instructions that cause the one or processors to perform operations. The operations include, prior to a train departing from a departure location: generating, one or more train departure strategies for a segment of a trip for the train traveling on a track from the departure location where the train is stationary, displaying information associated with the segment of the track, playing a simulation of the train traveling on the track over the segment based on the one or more train departure strategies, the simulation beginning from when the train is stationary at the departure location; receiving a selection of a train departure strategy, and engaging the selected train departure strategy for operating the train from the departure location where the train is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventor: Keith Wesley Wait
  • Patent number: 12152351
    Abstract: A track rail fastening system includes a direct fixation fastener assembly having a direct fixation fastener, and a laterally elongated support block. Fastener holes for receiving fastener-clamping fasteners, and fastener holes for receiving bracket-clamping fasteners, are formed in the support block. The respective sets of fastener holes are arranged in different anchor patterns. Fastener-clamping fasteners are received in one of the sets of fastener holes and claim direct fixation fastener to the support block. Bracket-clamping fasteners clamp a third-rail support bracket to the support block, and are received in one of the sets of fastener holes. The third-rail support bracket is cantilevered to the support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Louis Reynolds, Jr., Scott Osler
  • Publication number: 20240227884
    Abstract: Methods and systems implement an output interface of a display computing system to display a visualization of predictive output of an onboard computing system of a train. A display computing system obtains, from an onboard predictive control system of a train traveling along a rail from a departure to a destination, predicted speeds which the predictive control system uses to preemptively adjust control signals sent by an onboard train control system of the train. The display computing system provides a visualization of the predicted speeds obtained by the predictive control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Colby Smith Bradley, Sammy Akif, Konan Thomason, Marcos Blanco Fernandes
  • Publication number: 20240199101
    Abstract: A method of controlling one or more locomotives in a train includes using a machine learning engine and a virtual system modeling engine to model and classify sections of track along which the train is traveling according to the tractive power needs for the train traversing each section of track as a function of an effective weight profile for the train in the section and an effective friction profile for the train in the section of track. The method includes using the results of the effective weight profile, the effective friction profile, and an effective power availability profile to train the virtual system modeling engine using the machine learning engine to model designated areas of the track where the total tractive effort force or dynamic braking force applied by all of the locomotives in the train is less than a tractive effort force or dynamic braking force, respectively, that can be provided by a subset of the available locomotives in the train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Wesley Wait, Marcos Blanco Fernandes
  • Publication number: 20240199099
    Abstract: A train control system minimizes in-train forces in a train with a hybrid consist including a diesel-electric locomotive and a battery electric locomotive. The train control system includes a virtual in-train forces modeling engine configured to simulate in-train forces and train operational characteristics using physics-based equations, kinematic or dynamic modeling of behavior of the train or components of the train when the train is accelerating, and inputs derived from stored historical contextual data characteristic of the train, and a virtual in-train forces model database configured to store in-train forces models. Each of the in-train forces models includes a mapping between combinations of the stored historical contextual data and corresponding simulated in-train forces and train operational characteristics that occur when the consist is changing speed. An energy management system determines an easing function of tractive effort vs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Wesley Wait, Sidarta Fornari Beltramin
  • Patent number: 11999241
    Abstract: A locomotive, a first chopper circuit, and a second chopper circuit integrating a traction motor with an energy storage device are disclosed. The locomotive includes a prime mover, an energy management device, a DC power bus, a traction motor, an energy storage device, a resistor grid, and a chopper circuit. Each chopper circuit is controlled by the energy management device and includes a plurality of power semiconductors with variable switching frequency. The traction motor may be capable of operating in a motoring mode, where power is controllably supplied by either the prime mover and/or the energy storage device; and a dynamic braking mode, where generated power is controllably allocated to the energy storage device and/or the resistor grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Sidarta Beltramin, Guilherme Martini
  • Publication number: 20240174276
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and memory storing processor-executable instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include generating a driving strategy for a traveling route of a train based on saved data in the system, the train comprising at least one diesel-electric locomotive (DEL) and at least one battery-electric locomotive (BEL); operating the train according to the driving strategy; receiving update data; revising the driving strategy based on the saved data and the update data including: determining an amount of energy for the train to traverse a segment of the traveling route based on the driving strategy and the update data, and determining a distribution of the amount of energy between the at least one DEL and the at least one BEL based on the driving strategy and the update data; and operating the train according to the revised driving strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Sammy Akif, Sidarta Fornari Beltramin, Marcos Blanco Fernandes, Joseph M White
  • Publication number: 20240166249
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and memory storing processor-executable instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include generating a driving strategy for a traveling route of a train comprising at least one battery-electric locomotive (BEL) based on saved data in the system for optimizing one or more aspects for the train over the traveling route; operating the train according to the driving strategy; receiving update data associated with a current location of the train; revising the driving strategy based on the saved data and the update data for optimizing energy consumption efficiency for a segment of the traveling route by identifying active powered components of the train that are non-essential for traversing the segment and turning off power to one or more of the identified active powered components for a duration of traversing the segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Sammy Akif, Sidarta Fornari Beltramin, Evan P Sevel, John William Brand
  • Publication number: 20240150983
    Abstract: A mechanical sand remover removes sand from a railroad rail and includes an actuator and a pair of web wiper pads having a lateral dimension that corresponds to a lateral dimension of a rail web of the railroad rail. A caliper mechanism is mechanically coupled to the actuator and is operable thereby into a retraction state and an engagement state. The caliper mechanism includes a pair of caliper arms respectively coupled to the web wiper pads at an angle relative thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventor: William S. KIRKSEY
  • Publication number: 20240093434
    Abstract: A track rail fastening system includes a rail cushion positionable laterally between a first fastener assembly and a second fastener assembly. The rail cushion includes a first full-length pad and a second full-length pad, and a pin field formed by a plurality of deformable pins. The first full-length pad and the second full-length pad define a first rail cushioning plane. The deformable pins in the pin field define a second rail cushioning plane. The cushion is deformable between a rest configuration where the cushioning planes are spaced, and a loaded configuration where the cushioning planes are co-planar. Primary, lower load deformable pins are configured to deflect such that under sufficient load both the primary, lower load deformable pins, and secondary, higher load pins engage an underlying substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Gunning, Michael B. Steidl, Jose Ricardo Mediavilla Prado, Edward Constantine
  • Patent number: 11919552
    Abstract: A train control system uses sensory inputs related to operational parameters of a train for automatically scoring or classifying particular train driving strategies implemented by a machine learning model for a particular train operating on a predefined route or route segment. The train control system includes one or more predefined rules related to one or more of a first set of the operational parameters, wherein each of the rules defines a Boolean, true or false classification based on whether a particular train driving strategy results in one or more of the first set of operational parameters complying with the rule. One or more comparative key performance indicators are related to one or more of a second set of operational parameters, and are used to rank the particular train driving strategy for the predefined route or route segment relative to a different train driving strategy for the same or comparable route or route segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Sammy Akif, Marcos Blanco Fernandes, Joseph Maverick White, John William Brand
  • Publication number: 20240068173
    Abstract: A direct fixation track rail fastener includes a first clip shoulder and a second clip shoulder each having a clip tunnel formed therein. Each clip tunnel is formed in part by a plurality of clip contact faces defining a first prong contact line and a second prong contact line for a prong of a rail clip. The configuration of multiple line contacts prevents undesired displacement of a rail clip during service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Constantine
  • Publication number: 20240068172
    Abstract: A direct fixation track rail fastener includes a rail plate having a first restraint hole and a second restraint hole upon opposite lateral sides of a rail support surface. The fastener also includes a frame including a first vertical protrusion and a second vertical protrusion received through the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole. A non-metallic cushion extends between the rail plate and the frame and vertically upward to surround the first vertical protrusion and the second vertical protrusion within the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole, respectively. The configuration assists in limiting displacement of the rail plate and frame relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Constantine
  • Publication number: 20240062123
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the one or more processors, storing processor-executable instructions that cause the one or processors to perform operations. The operations include, prior to a train departing from a departure location: generating, one or more train departure strategies for a segment of a trip for the train traveling on a track from the departure location where the train is stationary, displaying information associated with the segment of the track, playing a simulation of the train traveling on the track over the segment based on the one or more train departure strategies, the simulation beginning from when the train is stationary at the departure location; receiving a selection of a train departure strategy, and engaging the selected train departure strategy for operating the train from the departure location where the train is stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventor: Keith Wesley Wait