Abstract: A vehicle power supply system and method may include plural vehicle contacts extending along a vehicle. At least three of the vehicle contacts may be power contacts that receive different phases of three-phase alternating current electrical power from an off-board power supply system to power the vehicle. A first power contact of the power contacts may receive a first phase of the three-phase alternating current and a second power contact of the power contacts may receive a second phase of the three-phase alternating current while the vehicle has a first orientation relative to the off-board power supply system. The first power contact may receive the second phase and the second power contact may receive the first phase while the vehicle has a second orientation relative to the off-board power supply system.

Abstract: A battery control system and method selectively connect battery strings to one or more conductive buses by plural electrically controllable switches. The switches are controlled to one or more of (a) connect the strings with one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a first sequence and/or (b) disconnect the strings from one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a second sequence. The first sequence and the second sequence are based on one or more of states of charge between the strings, different charge capacities between the strings, different electric currents conducted through the strings, different polarities of the electric currents conducted through the strings, and/or a speed of a vehicle that is powered by the one or more loads.

Abstract: A charging system and method includes a controller that may obtain vehicle system characteristics and/or charger characteristics. The charging system may control a supply of electric power from one or more charging stations to one or more energy storage devices of one or more vehicle systems based at least in part on the vehicle system characteristics and the charger characteristics.

Abstract: A control system includes an interface device having a body extending between a first end and a second end and that provides power to a vehicle system from an external power source. Sensors may be coupled with the interface device and detect sensor data associated with the coupling of the external power source with the interface device. A controller receives the sensor data from the sensors and determines a coupling location at which the external power source is coupled with the interface device. The coupling location may be at a first position between the first end and the second end of the interface device. The controller controls movement of the vehicle system to change the coupling location between the external power source and the interface device from the first position to a second position between the first and second ends of the body.

Abstract: A brake control system includes an interface controller configured to communicate with different control paths of sources for control of a brake system of a vehicle system. Each of the control paths is configured to communicate a control signal from a different source of the sources to control operation of the brake system. The interface controller is configured to arbitrate between the control signals concurrently received from the different sources via the control paths to dictate which of the different sources controls operation of the brake system at different times and prevent control by other sources of the different sources from concurrently controlling the operation of the brake system.

Abstract: A system includes an alternating current (AC) power component, a cable, a sensor transformer, and a sensor. The cable is coupled to the AC power component and is can conduct current to the AC power component. The sensor transformer includes a coil disposed proximate to the cable. The coil generates an induced voltage responsive to conduction of the current through the cable. The sensor is coupled to the sensor transformer and receives power from the sensor transformer. The sensor obtains information corresponding to operation of the AC power component.

Abstract: A vehicle power supply system includes a control contactor and at least first and second power contactors along a top side of a vehicle. The first and second power contactors receive different polarities of electrical power from an off-board power supply system to power the vehicle. The control contactor conducts a control signal indicative of whether the first and second power contactors are conductively coupled with the off-board power supply system. The first power contactor receives a positive polarity of the electrical power and the second power contactor receives a negative polarity of the electrical power while the vehicle has a first orientation relative to the off-board power supply system. The first power contactor receives the negative polarity and the second power contactor receives the positive polarity while the vehicle has an opposite, second orientation relative to the off-board power supply system.

Abstract: A battery control system and method selectively connect battery strings to one or more conductive buses by plural electrically controllable switches. The switches are controlled to one or more of (a) connect the strings with one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a first sequence and/or (b) disconnect the strings from one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a second sequence. The first sequence and the second sequence are based on one or more of states of charge between the strings, different charge capacities between the strings, different electric currents conducted through the strings, different polarities of the electric currents conducted through the strings, and/or a speed of a vehicle that is powered by the one or more loads.

Abstract: A ground impedance and fault detection system may include a controller that can identify a location of a ground fault in a circuit. The circuit also may include one or more positive contactors connected with a positive portion of the bus between battery strings and a load and a negative bus contactor coupled with a negative portion of the bus between the battery strings and the loads. The controller may identify the ground fault by opening the one or more positive contactors and closing the negative bus contactor, measuring the voltages using the impedance devices, and comparing the voltages that are measured.

Abstract: A system and method includes commencing movement of a vehicle system including a plurality of vehicles from a stationary state. Operation of the vehicle system is controlled to control spacing between the vehicles of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A system and method that identify a location and/or magnitude of a ground fault in a circuit having a bus that connects battery strings with loads and a ground reference between the loads are provided. Potential of the bus is shifted relative to a ground reference in a first direction. A first impedance in the bus between the battery strings and the ground reference is determined, and the bus is shifted relative to the ground reference in a second direction. A second impedance in the bus between the battery strings and the ground reference is determined. A location and/or severity of a ground fault is determined based on a relationship between the first impedance and the second impedance.

Abstract: An assembly is provided that may include a battery, and an end cap mechanically and electrically coupled to the battery. The end cap may contain an electrical connector with at least one electric cable configured to supply current to at least one operating system electrically coupled to the battery. The end cap may also contain at least one electronic board coupled to the battery, and may be configured to detach from the battery to provide access to the electrical connector and the electronic board.

Abstract: A controller may control a transfer of electric energy between two or more energy storage devices of a plurality of energy storage devices, at least one energy storage device being disposed onboard a vehicle system, and identify a transfer restriction on the transfer. The controller may change a transfer characteristic based at least in part on the transfer restriction. A system may include a controller to monitor transfer of electric energy between one or more energy storage devices disposed onboard one or more vehicle systems and energy transfer substations that are offboard the one or more vehicle systems. A method may include controlling a transfer of electric energy between two or more energy storage devices, at least one energy storage device being disposed onboard a vehicle system, identifying a transfer restriction on the transfer, and changing a transfer characteristic based at least in part on the transfer restriction.

Abstract: A system may be provided that includes an energy storage device, and an inverter electrically coupled to the energy storage device. The system also includes a passive filter electrically coupled between the energy storage device and the inverter. The passive filter includes a first coupled-inductor and at least one first bypass capacitor. The first coupled-inductor includes at least two magnetically coupled windings. The passive filter is configured to reduce or eliminate alternating current at the energy storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle system may determine one or more of a route parameter of a route on which the vehicle system is moving or a vehicle parameter of the vehicle system. The system and method may also determine whether a ratio of a lateral force exerted by one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route to a vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route increases to a value exceeding a designated threshold as a result of the one or more route parameter of vehicle parameter that is determined. The ratio of the lateral force to the vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route may be reduced to a value less than the designated threshold by changing an operation of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A system and method monitor operation of a compressor, determine whether the operation of the compressor is outside of a designated range of values, and, responsive to determining that the operation of the compressor is outside of the designated range of values, one or more of (a) prevent communication of a signal to a system controller that controls operation of the compressor, (b) direct a gas from a reservoir to a pressure sensor used by the system controller to determine a gas pressure generated by the compressor, and/or (c) communicate the signal to the system controller that controls operation of the compressor.

Abstract: A power delivery system includes a turbocharger assist device and an inverter. The turbocharger assist device is mechanically connected to a turbocharger that is operably coupled to an engine, and is configured to generate electric current based on rotation of a rotor of the turbocharger. The inverter is electrically connected to the turbocharger assist device via a bus, and is configured to receive the electric current generated by the turbocharger assist device via the bus and supply the electric current to power a load.

Abstract: A battery control system and method selectively connect battery strings to one or more conductive buses by plural electrically controllable switches. The switches are controlled to one or more of (a) connect the strings with one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a first sequence and/or (b) disconnect the strings from one or more of the load or the power source via the one or more conductive buses in a second sequence. The first sequence and the second sequence are based on one or more of states of charge between the strings, different charge capacities between the strings, different electric currents conducted through the strings, different polarities of the electric currents conducted through the strings, and/or a speed of a vehicle that is powered by the one or more loads.

Abstract: A system and method that identify a location and/or magnitude of a ground fault in a circuit having a bus that connects battery strings with loads and a ground reference between the loads are provided. Potential of the bus is shifted relative to a ground reference in a first direction. A first impedance in the bus between the battery strings and the ground reference is determined, and the bus is shifted relative to the ground reference in a second direction. A second impedance in the bus between the battery strings and the ground reference is determined. A location and/or severity of a ground fault is determined based on a relationship between the first impedance and the second impedance.

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.