Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a balance between engine fuel economy and exhaust emissions in an off-highway vehicle. One example method includes adjusting an engine injection timing based on an ambient NOx level estimated by a NOx sensor in the engine intake. Another example method includes adjusting a trip plan with a time in notch duty cycle based on a deviation from the time in notch duty cycle from a reference duty cycle.

Abstract: A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit.

Abstract: A route defect detection system for a powered system, the route defect detection system including a control system connected to the powered system for application of tractive effort, and a processor to determine an unplanned change in the application of tractive effort and/or otherwise associated with the tractive effort of the powered system. Based on the unplanned change, the processor determines a type of defect encountered along a mission route. A method and computer software code stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor are also disclosed for a powered system to detect a defect along a mission route.

Abstract: A method and system for disabling a wireless communication device, including: capturing a signal stream from the wireless communication device by satisfying a signal control protocol using a mobile broadcast antenna; and routing signals to and from the wireless communication device according to a non-standard protocol, thereby disabling normal operation of the wireless communication device. The mobile broadcast antenna includes a signal capturing module configured to receive information relevant to satisfaction of the signal control protocol and to alter a signal of the mobile broadcast antenna. The signal capturing module detects signal strengths from other broadcast antenna and alters a broadcast strength of the mobile broadcast antenna to be higher than the detected signal strengths.

Abstract: A system is presented for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system which operates based on a profile. The monitoring system includes a controller to initiate a query to the operator during an operation of the powered system. The query is used to prompt the operator for information related to the operation of the powered system along the profile. The controller compares a response to the query with a correct answer of the query to determine the alertness of the operator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving a balance between engine fuel economy and exhaust emissions in an off-highway vehicle. One example method includes adjusting an engine injection timing based on an ambient NOx level estimated by a NOx sensor in the engine intake. Another example method includes adjusting a trip plan with a time in notch duty cycle based on a deviation from the time in notch duty cycle from a reference duty cycle.

Abstract: A method and system for disabling a wireless communication device, including: capturing a signal stream from the wireless communication device by satisfying a signal control protocol using a mobile broadcast antenna; and routing signals to and from the wireless communication device according to a non-standard protocol, thereby disabling normal operation of the wireless communication device. The mobile broadcast antenna includes a signal capturing module configured to receive information relevant to satisfaction of the signal control protocol and to alter a signal of the mobile broadcast antenna. The signal capturing module detects signal strengths from other broadcast antenna and alters a broadcast strength of the mobile broadcast antenna to be higher than the detected signal strengths.

Abstract: A method and system for disabling a wireless communication device, including: capturing a signal stream from the wireless communication device by satisfying a signal control protocol using a mobile broadcast antenna; and routing signals to and from the wireless communication device according to a non-standard protocol, thereby disabling normal operation of the wireless communication device. The mobile broadcast antenna includes a signal capturing module configured to receive information relevant to satisfaction of the signal control protocol and to alter a signal of the mobile broadcast antenna. The signal capturing module detects signal strengths from other broadcast antenna and alters a broadcast strength of the mobile broadcast antenna to be higher than the detected signal strengths.

Abstract: A system is presented for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system which operates based on a profile. The monitoring system includes a controller to initiate a query to the operator during an operation of the powered system. The query is used to prompt the operator for information related to the operation of the powered system along the profile. The controller compares a response to the query with a correct answer of the query to determine the alertness of the operator.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system. The system includes a controller configured to initiate an alert countdown upon determining a lack of input received from the operator during an operation of the powered system. The controller is configured to communicate an alert to the operator during the alert countdown. Additionally, the controller is configured to measure a response time of the operator to the alert. A method is also provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system.

Abstract: A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit.

Abstract: A method and system for disabling a wireless communication device, including: capturing a signal stream from the wireless communication device by satisfying a signal control protocol using a mobile broadcast antenna; and routing signals to and from the wireless communication device according to a non-standard protocol, thereby disabling normal operation of the wireless communication device. The mobile broadcast antenna includes a signal capturing module configured to receive information relevant to satisfaction of the signal control protocol and to alter a signal of the mobile broadcast antenna. The signal capturing module detects signal strengths from other broadcast antenna and alters a broadcast strength of the mobile broadcast antenna to be higher than the detected signal strengths.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system. The system includes a controller configured to initiate an alert countdown upon determining a lack of input received from the operator during an operation of the powered system. The controller is configured to communicate an alert to the operator during the alert countdown. Additionally, the controller is configured to measure a response time of the operator to the alert. A method is also provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system.

Abstract: A route defect detection system for a powered system, the route defect detection system including a control system connected to the powered system for application of tractive effort, and a processor to determine an unplanned change in the application of tractive effort and/or otherwise associated with the tractive effort of the powered system. Based on the unplanned change, the processor determines a type of defect encountered along a mission route. A method and computer software code stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor are also disclosed for a powered system to detect a defect along a mission route.

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: Method, system, and computer program product are provided for reporting and processing information relating to railroad assets to user entities that form part of a railroad transportation network. The entities may comprise a plurality of entity groups performing distinct functions relative to the railroad assets, such as forming, operating, maintaining and/or servicing the assets of the railroad transportation network.

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 Jersey type barrier having a modified surface structure so that vertical surfaces are formed in place of, or on the normally formed sloping sides, to form suitable vertical surface for mounting material thereon to increase the overall height of the barrier.

Abstract: A primary support for a tunnel roof comprising elongated lagging members which are “extruded” from tubes forming a shield for a tunnel boring machine. The lagging is inserted into the tubes at different times so as to avoid having the ends of adjacent lagging members coincide. As the tunneling machine progresses in the direction of boring, the lagging members emerge from the shield tubes to form a primary tunnel roof lining. Ring beams or arc beams may be installed as required by rock bolts or other fastening devices.

Abstract: A primary support for a tunnel roof comprising elongated lagging members which are “extruded” from tubes forming a shield for a tunnel boring machine.