Abstract: A valve assembly for a thermal management system of a vehicle may include an interface component having an elongated body that can removably couple with a connector of the thermal management system. For example, the interface component may be repeatedly coupled and decoupled from the connector without destroying or damaging the interface component or the connector. The interface component has an engagement body with a temperature-sensitive body that can automatically release the elongated body from the connector responsive to a temperature to which the temperature-sensitive body is exposed decreasing below a threshold temperature. The interface component has one or more drain holes that can direct a fluid that has entered the interface component to locations outside the valve assembly to prevent the fluid from freezing and prevent the elongated body from releasing from the connector of the thermal management system.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for energy management at a consist. In one example, a method for the energy management includes coordinating a distribution of a power demand in response to a power output of each of a fuel cell system, a battery system, and an engine system. The power output of each of the fuel cell system, the battery system, and the engine system may be selected based on a respective efficiency of each system.

Abstract: A bogie assembly includes a bolster having a plate on which a rail vehicle is supported, and side frames disposed on opposite sides of the plate of the bolster. The side frames can have pedestal jaw ends that can couple with wheelsets of the rail vehicle. The side frames can have openings sized to receive the bolster and springs between spring seats of the side frames in the openings and the bolster. The side frames also can include unit guide pockets that can receive brake beams that move during engagement or release of brake shoes from wheels in the wheelsets. The unit guide pockets can be located below the spring seats in the side frames.

Abstract: An inspection system includes sensors that are selectively coupled to a vehicle during an inspection and/or maintenance event for the vehicle and a controller that is operable to cause a control system of the vehicle to initiate a first operation and a different, second operation. The controller determines whether first sensor information indicative of a state of the vehicle during the first operation exists. The controller sends a command signal to the control system to direct the control system to change vehicle operations from the first operation to the second operation responsive to determining that the first sensor information is lacking. The controller obtains second sensor information from the sensors based on the second operation and determines a condition of the vehicle based on the first and/or second sensor information.

Abstract: A system (e.g., a maintenance system) includes a maintenance task input unit and one or more processors. The maintenance task input unit is configured to generate plural input data groups corresponding to a maintenance task. Each of the input data groups is in a corresponding one of plural formats. The one or more processors are coupled to the maintenance task input unit and configured to obtain the plural input data groups from the maintenance task input unit. The one or more processors are configured to identify a particular format of the formats for each input data group, and to prepare an intermediate representation of the input representation based on the particular format that is identified. Also the one or more processors are configured to modify the intermediate representation to provide a model input having a common format.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method monitor one or more parameters of at least a first component of a compressed air system of a vehicle while a speed of a compressor motor of the compressed air system is modified over time. The one or more parameters are monitored based on signals generated by one or more sensors. The monitoring system and method determine a condition of at least the first component of the compressed air system based on an analysis of the one or more parameters that are monitored.

Abstract: A control system is provided that may include a first sensor configured to detect a vehicle system. The control system may also include one or more processors in communication with the first sensor. The one or more processors may be configured to receive communication related to entry of the vehicle system into an area, and operate the first sensor to begin monitoring the vehicle system in response to entry of vehicle system into the area. The one or more processors may also be configured to record movement data related to the vehicle system, and determine movement of the vehicle system within the area based on the movement data.

Abstract: A resistor includes an elongated cylindrical body having nodes and elongated members. The elongated members interconnect the nodes to form openings between the nodes and the elongated members for the flow therethrough of a cooling fluid. The body is configured to receive electric current from a powered system and to conduct and provide electric resistance to the electric current to dissipate at least part of the electric current as heat from the body. The body may be coupled with at least one other resistor of the powered system in one or more of a parallel or series arrangement in an electric circuit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multi-fuel engine. In one example, a method includes operating engines of rail vehicles at a desired substitution ratio to recharge an energy storage device of a rail vehicle operating in an all-electric mode to meet a requested total power.

Abstract: An anchoring system and method includes a guide rail having a rail body that includes a track that has a different width at a first end of the rail body than at a second end of the rail body. An applicator assembly includes a linkage system and an anchor system. The linkage system includes rollers that are disposed within the track of the guide rail. The applicator assembly moves in a first direction based on movement of the rollers within the track. The linkage system includes an extension component having a contoured surface that engages a first side of a rail. The anchor system moves in a first direction of rotation toward a second side of the rail and the extension component moves in a second direction of rotation toward the first side of the rail during an application operation.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method include processors that determine that an energy storage device of a vehicle will have insufficient energy to power a propulsion system of the vehicle under a first set of operational settings to move the vehicle from a first location within a powered segment to a designated second location that is outside of an unpowered segment of a route. Responsive to determining that the energy storage device will have insufficient energy, the processors change one or more settings of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under a second set of operational settings while the vehicle moves within the powered segment of the route to charge the energy storage device to a greater extent relative to operating of the vehicle according to the first set of operational settings.

Abstract: Vehicle charge assist system and method include receiving image data generated by an optical sensor. The image data depicts at least a portion of a charging device and at least a portion of a vehicle approaching the charging device. The system and method analyze the image data that is received to detect the vehicle, and based on the image data that is analyzed, generate guidance instructions for communication to the vehicle. The guidance instructions are configured to at least one of assist with or control movement of the vehicle such that a vehicle contact interface mounted on the vehicle aligns with the charging device.

Abstract: A system is provided that may include a first storage device, a second storage device, and a controller. The first storage device may receive and store a first message including a first operational key for a first component and a second operational key for a second component. The first message may contain first metadata including at least a time stamp of the first message. The second storage device may receive and store a second message including the first and second operational keys. The second message may contain second metadata including a time stamp of the second message. The controller may compare the first and second messages to determine a most recent version of the first and second operational keys based on the time stamp of the messages. The controller may sync the most recent version of the first and second operational keys to the first and second storage devices.

Abstract: An electric supply system for a vehicle system includes two or more electric energy storage devices. Two or more buses each conductively couple an energy storage device with a corresponding load of plural loads. A controller controls conduction of current from one or more of the energy storage devices to one or more other buses to transfer energy to other energy storage devices or other loads. A method includes directing a first energy storage device of a first power supply assembly to supply electric current to a first bus conductively coupling the first energy storage device to one or more first loads onboard the vehicle system. The method further includes conducting the electric current from the first energy storage device to one or more second buses of one or more second power supply assemblies to recharge one or more second energy storage devices or power one or more second loads.

Abstract: A door hanger system includes a housing and a bearing assembly that includes a cage and plural bearings within the cage. A slider is coupled with the bearing assembly and includes a bearing interface portion disposed within the bearing assembly and a door interface portion that is coupled with a door panel. The slider and the bearing assembly move in a first direction to move the door panel toward a closed position, or in a second direction to move the door panel toward an open position. A reset device is disposed within the bearing assembly and positioned between an end of the housing and the slider. The reset device interferes with the cage to move the cage toward the first end of the housing responsive to the slider moving in the second direction interfering with the reset device.

Abstract: A system and a method for connecting a vehicle to an external source includes determining that a vehicle to be propelled by a drive system having one or more motors is to connect to an off-board power source while the one or more motors are powered by an onboard power source. The onboard power source is controlled to provide a determined amount of first electric energy to a first converter system. A second converter system is controlled to output an amount of second electric energy from the off-board power source within a designated threshold range. The second converter system is disposed between the off-board power source and the first converter system. The drive system receives power from the off-board power source responsive to the second converter system outputting the second amount of electric energy within the designated threshold range.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric turbocharger (e-turbo). In one example, a method may include monitoring an e-turbo parameter or an engine parameter, comparing the monitored e-turbo or engine parameter to a determined threshold value for the e-turbo or engine parameter, and signaling a status of the e-turbo in response to the monitored e-turbo or engine parameter differing from the determined threshold value by at least a threshold amount.

Abstract: A maintenance of way system having a vehicle is described herein. The vehicle may include an emitter adjustable to selectively focus on a targeted feature within an operating vicinity of the vehicle a control circuit communicatively coupled to the emitter. The control circuit may determine a parameter associated with the operating vicinity of the vehicle, detect the targeted feature based, at least in part, on the parameter, adjust the emitter to selectively focus the emitter with respect to the targeted feature, and cause the emitter to direct an emission toward the targeted feature while sparing non-targeted features within the operating vicinity.

Abstract: A vehicle system with spray control is disclosed. The vehicle system includes a vehicle, a self-propelled platform, a dispenser, and a controller. The vehicle includes a first rail and a second rail. The self-propelled platform includes a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly, and a coupling device. The first and second wheel assemblies are configured to engage the first and second rails, respectively, to advance the self-propelled platform relative to the vehicle. The coupling device is centrally positioned on a floor of the self-propelled platform, and the coupling device is configured to receive the dispenser. The dispenser is configured to dispense a composition onto at least a portion of an environmental feature adjacent to the vehicle. The controller is configured to operate one or more of the vehicle, the self-propelled platform, or the dispenser based at least in part on environmental information.