Abstract: A lock mechanism is provided for use with a door assembly. The lock mechanism includes a lock bracket configured to connect to a door or hatch; a lock pin can be selectively moved between an engaged position in which the lock pin engages the lock bracket and a disengaged position in which the lock pin does not engage the lock bracket; and a linkage assembly connected to the lock pin and configured to be actuated to reversibly move the lock pin between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and a door or hatch release device can switch the lock pin from the engaged position to the disengaged position if the door or hatch release device is actuated after the linkage assembly has moved the lock pin into the engaged position.

Abstract: A vehicle location and control system determines a signal-derived separation distance between antennas disposed onboard a vehicle based on signals received by the antennas from an off-board source. The system determines an input-derived separation distance between the antennas based on input offset distances of the antennas from a designated location on the vehicle, determines a difference between the input-derived separation distance and the signal-derived separation distance, and activates or deactivates an automated route identification system that determines which route of several different routes that the vehicle is disposed upon based on the difference that is determined.

Abstract: A system that may include a bus bar that may include a mounting bracket configured to electrically couple the bus bar to a motor. The mounting bracket may also be configured to be removably coupled to the motor with at least one fastener. A transducer may be electrically coupled to the bus bar and have transducer elements. A dielectric material may be disposed between the bus bar and the transducer to prevent debris from contacting the active transducer elements and electrical arcing from occurring.

Abstract: A pipe bracket for a brake distributor valve for a vehicle includes a pipe bracket body including a main portion mounting face to receive the main portion of the distributor valve, a main-line portion mounting face to receive the main-line portion of the distributor valve, and an attachment face configured to secure the pipe bracket to a vehicle. The main portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main portion. The main-line portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main-line portion.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method includes identifying a segment of a route where one or more first vehicle systems were operated manually instead of operated by one or more processors according to one or more trip plans during prior traversals of the segment by the one or more first vehicle systems. A segment plan is generated for traversing the segment under control of the one or more processors. The segment plan is generated based on how the one or more first vehicle systems were manually operated during the prior traversals of the segment. One or more second vehicle systems are controlled with the one or more processors to traverse the segment according to the segment plan.

Abstract: A system includes a housing operably coupled with a vehicle system, and a vehicle monitoring system disposed within the housing comprising a wireless communication device including an antenna configured to wirelessly communication data signals. One or more ground radials are electrically coupled with the wireless communication device and conduct the data signals from the wireless communication device. The one or more ground radials form a ground plane of the antenna while the vehicle system is moving and the antenna is wirelessly communicating the data signals.

Abstract: A vehicle orientation determination system includes one or more processors configured to determine a first distance between a reference device disposed on a first vehicle and a front device disposed on a second vehicle. The first and second vehicles are both disposed on a route. The one or more processors are further configured to determine a second distance between the reference device disposed on the first vehicle and a rear device disposed on the second vehicle. The front device is located more proximate to a front end of the second vehicle than a proximity of the rear device to the front end. The one or more processors are configured to determine that the second vehicle has a common orientation as the first vehicle relative to the route based on the first distance being less than the second distance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and computer readable medium including program instructions for controlling the braking of one or more vehicles in a vehicle system positioned for unloading/loading of cargo. The vehicle system includes a designated head-end and a tail-end and each of the one or more vehicles is equipped with an electronic braking system in communication with a central control via a communication network spanning across the vehicle system. A dynamic unloading/loading braking profile can be set on at least one electronic braking system on at least one vehicle. During unloading/loading of the cargo from one or more vehicles in the vehicle system, the braking on at least one of the vehicles in the vehicle system is controlled via the dynamic unloading/loading braking profile.

Abstract: A system includes a phase break input unit, one or more vehicle location detectors, and one or more processors. The phase break input unit is configured to obtain phase break location information indicating a location of a phase break along a route to be traversed by a vehicle. The one or more vehicle location detectors are configured to obtain vehicle location information indicating at least one of location of the vehicle or movement of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to determine an estimated arrival time of the vehicle at the phase break using the phase brake location information and the vehicle location information, and send a phase break control signal to a control system of the vehicle responsive to the estimated arrival time satisfying a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system is provided that includes (or is formed from) a back plate configured to support a composite pad, at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and configured to contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel, and fins coupled with the at least one conditioning insert and configured to conduct heat generated by contact of the at least one conditioning insert with the at least the portion of the surface of the wheel away from the at least one conditioning insert.

Abstract: A thermal management system and method includes a conduit assembly having a first conduit and a second conduit fluidly separate from the first conduit. The first conduit is fluidly coupled with and extends between a source of a first fluid and a destination for the first fluid. The second conduit directs a second fluid between an inlet and an outlet. The second fluid is configured to exchange heat with the first fluid within the conduit assembly. A control assembly includes one or more control elements that are configured to control an amount of the second fluid that is directed through the second conduit. One or more processors control operation of the control assembly based on one or more of a temperature of the first fluid or a temperature of the second fluid.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle. When in an active state of the vehicle in which the system receives instructions from an off-board system, the one or more processors receive enforcement targets from an off-board source. The enforcement targets are associated with corresponding portions of a route, and have corresponding associated enforcement activities to be performed based on location of the vehicle relative to the corresponding portions of the route. The one or more processors are also configured to store at least some of the received enforcement targets onboard the vehicle as preserved targets having corresponding preserved enforcement activities, responsive to a transition from the active state to a degraded state of the vehicle in which the enforcement targets are no longer received. Also, the one or more processors are configured to perform the preserved enforcement activities associated with the preserved targets.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a vehicle when GNSS signals are not available use triangulation between one or two radio transmitters and, respectively, two or one radio receivers mounted on the vehicle. The distance between each radio transmitter and/or each radio receiver can be determined according a phase difference between received radio signals. The radio signals can have the geographical location of the radio transmitter included therein. Utilizing the demodulated geographical location of each radio transmitter and the distance between the radio transmitter and each radio receiver, triangulation can be used to determine the geographical location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device adapted for attachment to a coupler of a trailing railcar of a train includes an enclosure defining an internal compartment, a port adapted for connection to an air brake hose receiving air from a brake pipe of the train, a handle extending from the enclosure, a communication device disposed within the internal compartment of the enclosure, and at least one antenna connected to the communication device and extending at least partially through the internal compartment of the enclosure and into an internal cavity of the handle.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for verifying electronic work zone instructions with an on-board system of a vehicle system. The method includes receiving at least one electronic work zone instruction message from an employee-in-charge device, generating at least one visual instruction diagram based at least partially on the electronic work zone instruction message, communicating the at least one visual instruction diagram from the on-board system of the vehicle system to the employee-in-charge device, receiving a verification of the at least one visual instruction diagram from the employee-in-charge device, and enforcing at least one work zone instruction parameter of the electronic work zone instruction message by the on-board system of the vehicle system in response to receiving the verification. A system and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a speed of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems obtain image data from one or more vision sensors disposed onboard a vehicle. A stopping distance of the vehicle is determined based at least in part on the image data. A moving speed of the vehicle and a speed limit of the vehicle are determined. The speed limit is determined based on the stopping distance that is determined from the image data. The methods and systems control movement of the vehicle based on a difference between the moving speed of the vehicle and the speed limit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one sensor and a power supply control system. The sensor is on board a vehicle system and configured to generate vehicle data relating to a condition or parameter associated with the vehicle system. The power supply control system is configured to control one or more power supplies on board the vehicle system and to receive the vehicle data from the at least one sensor. The power supply control system is also configured to compare the vehicle data to one or more criteria relating to vehicle movement, and, in response to a determination that the vehicle data meets the criteria and receipt of a signal indicative of the vehicle system carrying (or being configured to carry) cargo of a predetermined material, generate a control signal to deactivate at least one of the power supplies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing events in a vehicle network are provided. The method includes receiving an event signal indicative of an event from one or more first nodes operably coupled to a first onboard controller of a first vehicle. The event signal is generated in response to a user-based instruction or based on output from one or more sensors. The method determines event information associated with the event and the first vehicle. The event information includes sensed parameter data or image data. The method communicates an event alert containing the event information to one or more second vehicles operating in a designated range of the first vehicle and one or more offboard control systems that control movement of at least the first vehicle and the one or more second vehicles.