Abstract: A system includes a drive system having one or more traction motors coupled in driving relationship to a plurality of wheels of a vehicle system. The traction motors are configured to provide both motive power for the vehicle system in a propel mode of operation and retarding effort to brake the vehicle system in a braking mode of operation. The system further includes a parking brake for maintaining a static position of the vehicle system when in an engaged state, and a controller configured to detect when the parking brake is in the engaged state. The controller is further configured to control at least one of the one or more traction motors to provide a braking effort to resist movement of the vehicle system when the parking brake is in the engaged state.

Abstract: A system for controlling a consist of rail vehicles or other vehicles includes a control unit electrically coupled to a first rail vehicle in the consist, the control unit having a processor and being configured to receive signals representing a presence and position of one or more tractive effort systems on-board the first vehicle and other rail vehicles in the consist, and a set of instructions stored in a non-transient medium accessible by the processor, the instructions configured to control the processor to create a optimization schedule that manages the use of the one or more tractive effort systems based on the presence and position of the tractive effort systems within the consist.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a pressure of compressed air within a reservoir, actuating a piston within a cylinder of the compressor, and detecting a leak condition of an exhaust valve of the cylinder through recognition of a change in the monitored pressure of the compressed air within the reservoir during a time period in which the piston is actuated. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to determine a condition of the compressor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for detecting a change in turbocharger performance. In one example, a method comprises determining a level of turbocharger imbalance based on output from a turbine speed sensor and generating a signal related to a change in a performance level of the turbocharger if the level of turbocharger imbalance is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Examples for a traction system are provided. In one example, the traction system includes a nozzle coupled to an air source and configured to be selectively aimed toward a determined portion of a rail surface of a rail, and a conduit configured to supply pressurized air from the air source to the nozzle, the nozzle flexibly coupled thereto. The nozzle is configured for the aim of the nozzle to be controlled to change its aiming direction in response to a change in curvature of the rail, whereby a stream of air from the nozzle impacts the determined portion during movement of the vehicle through the curvature of the rail.

Abstract: Examples for a traction system are provided. In one example, the traction system includes a nozzle coupled to an air source and configured to be selectively aimed toward a determined portion of a rail surface of a rail, and a conduit configured to supply pressurized air from the air source to the nozzle, the nozzle flexibly coupled thereto. The nozzle is configured for the aim of the nozzle to be controlled to change its aiming direction in response to a change in curvature of the rail, whereby a stream of air from the nozzle impacts the determined portion during movement of the vehicle through the curvature of the rail.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include monitoring systems and methods that monitor speeds of a motor of a vehicle represented as a pulse signal indicative of a rotational position of the motor. The systems and methods include receive a pulse signal from a speed sensor coupled to a traction motor. The pulse signal is indicative of a rotational position of the traction motor. The systems and methods include analyze the pulse signal to identify per-revolution signal reoccurrences that meet designated criteria, and determine a defect based on the per-revolution signal reoccurrences that are identified. The defect is one or more of a wheel defect, a bearing defect, or a gear defect.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wheels, a braking system, and one or more sensors. The plurality of wheels includes a guardian wheel and at least one non-guardian wheel and is disposed on a wheeled vehicle. The braking system is operatively connected to the guardian and non-guardian wheels and applies a first braking force to the at least one non-guardian wheel and a second braking force to the guardian wheel. The second braking force increases a slide risk of the guardian wheel beyond a slide risk of the at least one non-guardian wheel. One or more sensors disposed within the wheeled vehicle detect sliding of the guardian wheel allowing a corrective action to be taken to prevent sliding of the at least one non-guardian wheel.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for detecting and diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine may include diagnosing a coolant leak of the engine based on a low frequency pressure response of a measured engine coolant pressure. In another aspect, an engine system (e.g., for a vehicle) includes an engine and a coolant system operatively connected to the engine. The coolant system includes a coolant reserve and a coolant pump between the engine and the coolant reserve. The engine system also includes a coolant pressure sensor to measure coolant pressure, and a controller configured to measure an engine coolant pressure and diagnose a coolant leak of the coolant system based on a low frequency pressure response of the measured engine coolant pressure.

Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a stator component, a rotor component rotating inside the stator component, a plurality of features disposed on the periphery of the stator component or the rotor component, and a processing subsystem for determining at least one of an amount of rotor imbalance and an orientation of the rotor imbalance at least based upon feature-to-feature speed variation of the plurality of features.

Abstract: A system includes a drive system having one or more traction motors coupled in driving relationship to a plurality of wheels of a vehicle system. The traction motors are configured to provide both motive power for the vehicle system in a propel mode of operation and retarding effort to brake the vehicle system in a braking mode of operation. The system further includes a parking brake for maintaining a static position of the vehicle system when in an engaged state, and a controller configured to detect when the parking brake is in the engaged state. The controller is further configured to control at least one of the one or more traction motors to provide a braking effort to resist movement of the vehicle system when the parking brake is in the engaged state.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and moving an axle of a rail vehicle includes a frame, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame to movably support the frame on a railroad track rail, and a pair of wedges mounted to the frame having mutually opposed ramped faces. The pair of wedges adjustable along the frame between a first position in which the ramped faces bracket, but do not contact, a rail vehicle wheel that rests on the track rail, and a second position in which the ramped faces engage the circumference of the wheel to support the wheel at a height above the railroad track rail. The apparatus further includes at least one jacking device for urging the wedges toward one another from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a rotating device. In one example, a system includes a rotating device and a RFID circuit coupled to the rotating device. The RFID circuit includes a RFID chip, an antenna, and a mechanical link designed to change impedance with a changing input from the rotating device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to monitoring a change in a rotational speed of a crankshaft to identify a failure related to a crankcase breather valve. A reciprocating compressor can include a detection component that is configured to track a rotational speed of a crankshaft of a compressor to identify a change in rotational speed. In an embodiment, the rotational speed can be monitored while unloaded and/or below approximately 800 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). Based on a change in a rotational speed of the crankshaft, a controller can be configured to communicate an alert which corresponds to a failure related to the crankcase breather valve.

Abstract: A system includes a location determining circuit configured to acquire position information of a vehicle system moving along a route. The system also includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to calculate curvatures of the route, based at least in part on the position information, to form a curvature waveform. The controller circuit is further configured to generate a route map based on the curvature waveform.

Abstract: Systems and methods (e.g., a method for controlling and/or operating a compressor) are provided that includes the steps of monitoring a crankcase pressure of a first compressor; analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure that includes calculating an average of the crankcase pressure over a time period and comparing the average of the crankcase pressure over the time period to a nominal crankcase average pressure; identifying a condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure; and adjusting operation of a second compressor to compensate for the first compressor in response to identifying the condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure. (The method may be carried out automatically or otherwise by a controller.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system includes determining a vehicle reference speed using an off-board-based input speed and an onboard-based input speed. The off-board-based input speed is representative of a moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data received from an off-board device. The onboard-based input speed is representative of the moving speed of the vehicle system and is determined from data obtained from an onboard device. The method includes using the vehicle reference speed to at least one of measure wheel creep for one or more wheels of the vehicle system or control at least one of torques applied by or rotational speeds of one or more motors of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor configured to be disposed within a reservoir of a machine having moving parts that are lubricated by a liquid in the reservoir. The sensor is configured to obtain a measurement of the liquid that is representative of at least one of a quantity or quality of the liquid in the reservoir. The system also includes a device body operably coupled to the sensor. The device body has a processing unit that is operably coupled to the sensor and configured to generate first data signals representative of the measurement of the liquid. The device body also includes a transmitter that is configured to wirelessly communicate the first data signals to a remote reader.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect sliding of a wheel of a vehicle. The controller is configured to communicate with the sensor and a traction motor operatively connected to the wheel such that the traction motor selectively applies forces in at least one direction to the wheel during operation. The controller is further configured to direct the traction motor to apply a motoring slide reducing force to the wheel when the sensor detects sliding of the wheel resulting from a frictional braking force.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wheels, a braking system, and one or more sensors. The plurality of wheels includes a guardian wheel and at least one non-guardian wheel and is disposed on a wheeled vehicle. The braking system is operatively connected to the guardian and non-guardian wheels and applies a first braking force to the at least one non-guardian wheel and a second braking force to the guardian wheel. The second braking force increases a slide risk of the guardian wheel beyond a slide risk of the at least one non-guardian wheel. One or more sensors disposed within the wheeled vehicle detect sliding of the guardian wheel allowing a corrective action to be taken to prevent sliding of the at least one non-guardian wheel.