Abstract: A system may be provided that may include a first battery, and an inverter coupled to the battery. The system may also include a first active filter including a first switch element, second switch element, third switch element, and fourth switch element. Each switch element may be coupled to the first battery or the inverter. The first, second, third, and fourth switch elements may be configured to increase or decrease an applied voltage or current of the first battery.

Abstract: A system may be provided that may include a first battery, and an inverter coupled to the battery. The system may also include a first active filter including a first switch element, second switch element, third switch element, and fourth switch element. Each switch element may be coupled to the first battery or the inverter. The first, second, third, and fourth switch elements may be configured to increase or decrease an applied voltage or current of the first battery.

Abstract: A method for operating a train having at least one locomotive vehicle, the method including controlling operation of the train via a first crew member located on-board the locomotive unit, providing information that may be required for operation of the train to a second crew member located remote from the first crew member, and using the information to enable the second crew member to assist the first crew member in the controlling of the train.

Abstract: An energy management module (EMM) configured to electrically interconnect at least one first energy storage unit, at least one second energy storage unit, and a power bus; and configured to select a mode of operation. Each first energy storage unit has a first permissible charge rate; each second energy storage unit has a second permissible charge rate less than the first permissible charge rate. Under an energy storage mode of operation, the EMM is configured to allocate electrical current from the power bus among the first and second energy storage units. Under an energy balance mode of operation, the EMM is configured to transfer electrical charge among the first energy storage unit(s) and the second energy storage unit(s). Under an energy discharge mode of operation, the EMM is configured to deliver electrical current from the first and second energy storage units to the power bus.

Abstract: A multi-level system for management of a railway system and its operational components in which the railway system has a first level configured to optimize an operation within the first level that includes first level operational parameters which define operational characteristics and data of the first level, and a second level configured to optimize an operation within the second level that includes second level operational parameters which define the operational characteristic and data of the second level. The first level provides the second level with the first level operational parameters, and the second level provides the first level with the second level operational parameters, such that optimizing the operation within the first level and optimizing the operation within the second level are each a function of optimizing a system optimization parameter. The levels can include a railroad infrastructure level, a track network level, a train level, a consist level and a locomotive level.

Abstract: A multi-mode control system for a locomotive includes a throttle control device having notch settings corresponding to, for a first, long haul mode, control signals for providing respective tractive effort or power from the locomotive, a master controller in communication with the throttle control device and adapted to receive said control signals from the throttle control device and to transmit respective command signals to power-train components of the locomotive to achieve the respective tractive effort or power, the master controller also adapted for sending alternative command signals when a user-operable mode selector is set to one of one or more alternative modes. The user-operable mode selector includes one or more user interface devices in communication with the master controller for selecting one alternative mode of the one or more alternative modes.

Abstract: In an off-road vehicle having a resistor grid network and a blower system as part of a braking system operable to determine at least one of a resistor failure and a blower failure, the system including a first series of resistors connected in series, a second series of resistors connected in series, a blower cross to at least one of the first series of resistors and the second series of resistors, a sensor proximate at least one of the first series of resistors, the second series of resistors, and the blower, wherein each individual resistor in the first series connected in parallel to an individual resistor in the second series, and wherein when at least one of a current value, blower speed, and voltage value changes, the grid network is disconnected.

Abstract: A method for autonomously identifying a type of motor based on a characteristic value of the motor, the method including measuring a characteristic value of a motor, comparing the measured characteristic value to a known characteristic value, and identifying the motor based on the measured characteristic value when compared to the known characteristic value.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a ground speed for locomotives (e.g., 12, 14) of a train (16) comprising at least two locomotives for use in controlling an operation of the train. The method includes selecting an axle of any one locomotive of the train for measuring a speed corresponding to the selected axle. The method also includes determining a ground speed for at least another locomotive of the train based on a measured speed corresponding to the selected axle of the one locomotive.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable code, and controller are provided for controlling a cycle-skipping control system having two or more cycle skippers connected to a common multi-phase AC (alternating current) power source to drive a variable frequency load. A respective firing sequence is generated to be applied to a plurality of power switches in the two or more cycle skippers for implementing a desired mode of operation. A phase angle shift is provided between each respective firing sequence to be applied to the two or more cycle skippers over a firing cycle. This enables a non-concurrent firing for each cycle skipper over the firing cycle.

Abstract: A method for operating a train having at least one locomotive vehicle, the method including controlling operation of the train via a first crew member located on-board the locomotive unit, providing information that may be required for operation of the train to a second crew member located remote from the first crew member, and using the information to enable the second crew member to assist the first crew member in the controlling of the train.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of generating a virtual crankshaft positioning stream of signal pulses that is derived from one or more series of actual crank signals. The virtual stream is useful for monitoring crankshaft positioning and is able to persist despite electromagnetic disturbances in the series of actual crank signals.

Abstract: A method for autonomously identifying a type of motor based on a characteristic value of the motor, the method including measuring a characteristic value of a motor, comparing the measured characteristic value to a known characteristic value, and identifying the motor based on the measured characteristic value when compared to the known characteristic value.

Abstract: A multi-mode control system for a locomotive includes a throttle control device having notch settings corresponding to, for a first, long haul mode, control signals for providing respective tractive effort or power from the locomotive, a master controller in communication with the throttle control device and adapted to receive said control signals from the throttle control device and to transmit respective command signals to power-train components of the locomotive to achieve the respective tractive effort or power, the master controller also adapted for sending alternative command signals when a user-operable mode selector is set to one of one or more alternative modes. The user-operable mode selector includes one or more user interface devices in communication with the master controller for selecting one alternative mode of the one or more alternative modes.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a relatively large land-based vehicle, such as a locomotive or off-highway vehicle, is provided. The system may include a brushless dynamoelectric machine made up of a main alternator having a main rotor and a main stator, and an auxiliary alternator having an auxiliary rotor and an auxiliary stator, wherein the main rotor and the auxiliary rotor are disposed on a shaft for joint rotation with the shaft. The dynamoelectric machine is operable in a power generating mode, and in an engine cranking mode. A power source may be connected to pass current to one or more windings in the auxiliary stator to induce an alternating current flow in one or more windings in the auxiliary rotor. A rectifier may be connected to receive the alternating current flow from the one or more windings in the auxiliary rotor.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a relatively large land-based vehicle, such as a locomotive or off-highway vehicle, is provided. The system may include a brushless dynamoelectric machine made up of a main alternator having a main rotor and a main stator, and an auxiliary alternator having an auxiliary rotor and an auxiliary stator, wherein the main rotor and the auxiliary rotor are disposed on a shaft for joint rotation with the shaft. The dynamoelectric machine is operable in a power generating mode, and in an engine cranking mode. A power source may be connected to pass current to one or more windings in the auxiliary stator to induce an alternating current flow in one or more windings in the auxiliary rotor. A rectifier may be connected to receive the alternating current flow from the one or more windings in the auxiliary rotor.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable code, and controller are provided for controlling a cycle-skipping control system having two or more cycle skippers connected to a common multi-phase AC (alternating current) power source to drive a variable frequency load. A respective firing sequence is generated to be applied to a plurality of power switches in the two or more cycle skippers for implementing a desired mode of operation. A phase angle shift is provided between each respective firing sequence to be applied to the two or more cycle skippers over a firing cycle. This enables a non-concurrent firing for each cycle skipper over the firing cycle.

Abstract: A system for isolating electrical ground faults and secondary failures in an electrical system, the system comprising an AC ground isolation state machine for detecting and isolating an AC ground, a DC ground isolation state machine for detecting and isolating a DC ground, a component failure isolation state machine for detecting and isolating a change in a resistance, and a component failure early detection algorithm for determining a failure before using the state machines.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable code, and controller are provided for configuring a cycle-skipping control system having two or more cycle skippers connected to a common multi-phase AC (alternating current) power source to drive a variable frequency load. One or more circuit architectures (modified relative to a baseline circuit architecture) are provided. The modified circuit architectures enable at least some interconnections not enabled by the baseline circuit architecture when connected between the phases of the power source and the load phases. A respective firing sequence is generated to be applied to a plurality of power switches to the two or more cycle skippers with a modified circuit architecture for implementing a desired mode of operation.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable code, and controller are provided for controlling a cycle-skipping control system having at least one cycle skipper connected to a multi-phase AC (alternating current) power source to drive a variable frequency load. A respective firing sequence is generated to be applied to a plurality of power switches in the cycle skipper for implementing a desired mode of operation. The stream of pulses may be arranged to form a grouping of two or more closely adjacent pulses over a time interval, wherein each pulse grouping contributes a desired spectral power over the time interval, and further wherein each pulse grouping enables to spread the power over the time interval as compared to a single pulse having the desired spectral power, thereby reducing harmonic components in currents supplied by the power source.