Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a locomotive. The control system may have a component located onboard the locomotive, the component having a first state and a second state. The control system may also have an operator input device located onboard the locomotive and used to manually toggle operation of the component between the first and second states, and at least one sensor located onboard the locomotive and configured to generate a signal associated with a condition of the locomotive. The control system may also have an offboard controller located remotely from the locomotive and being configured to selectively override the operator input device and toggle operation of the component between the first and second states based on the signal.

Abstract: A rail vehicle consist may include a master unit and at least one trailing unit coupled to the master unit. The master unit may include a first processor in communication with a second processor of the at least one trailing unit. A power source may be disposed on the at least one trailing unit and may include a sensor associated with the second processor. A display may be disposed on the master unit and may be associated with the first processor to display characteristics monitored by the sensor wherein the display presents a message image, a warning image, and an isolate image.

Abstract: A vision control system for controlling a vision of a glass surface of a locomotive. The vision control system includes a sensing module for detecting at least one parameter related to the glass surface. The sensing module includes a moisture sensing device configured to detect a presence of moisture on the glass surface and a photo sensor configured to detect an opacity of the glass surface. The vision control system also includes a cleaning system configured to perform a cleaning operation on the glass surface. The vision control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensing module and the cleaning system. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of the at least one parameter related to the glass surface from the sensing module and communicate with the cleaning system to control the cleaning operation based on the received signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting a slipped traction motor pinion in a locomotive is disclosed. The locomotive may have a traction system and a controller in communication with the traction system. The traction system may have a wheel axle, a traction motor operatively connected to the wheel axle, a speed sensor associated with the traction motor, an inverter coupled to the traction motor, and a current sensor associated with the inverter. The method may include monitoring signals indicative of a speed of the traction motor received from the speed sensor, receiving current feedback associated with the inverter received from the current sensor, comparing the signals from the speed sensor to the current feedback, and determining that the traction motor is decoupled from the wheel axle based on the comparison of the signals from the speed sensor to the current feedback.

Abstract: A vision control system for controlling a vision of a glass surface of a locomotive. The vision control system includes a sensing module for detecting at least one parameter related to the glass surface. The sensing module includes a moisture sensing device configured to detect a presence of moisture on the glass surface and a photo sensor configured to detect an opacity of the glass surface. The vision control system also includes a cleaning system configured to perform a cleaning operation on the glass surface. The vision control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensing module and the cleaning system. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of the at least one parameter related to the glass surface from the sensing module and communicate with the cleaning system to control the cleaning operation based on the received signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting a slipped traction motor pinion in a locomotive is disclosed. The locomotive may have a traction system and a controller in communication with the traction system. The traction system may have a wheel axle, a traction motor operatively connected to the wheel axle, a speed sensor associated with the traction motor, an inverter coupled to the traction motor, and a current sensor associated with the inverter. The method may include monitoring signals indicative of a speed of the traction motor received from the speed sensor, receiving current feedback associated with the inverter received from the current sensor, comparing the signals from the speed sensor to the current feedback, and determining that the traction motor is decoupled from the wheel axle based on the comparison of the signals from the speed sensor to the current feedback.

Abstract: A method for detecting a locked wheel on a locomotive is disclosed. The locomotive may have a plurality of wheels, a traction system configured to drive the plurality of wheels, and a controller in communication with the traction system. The fraction system may have a fraction motor coupled to each of the plurality of wheels, a speed sensor associated with each traction motor, an inverter connected to each traction motor, and at least one current sensor associated with each inverter. The method may include the controller detecting an initial locked wheel condition based on signals received from the speed sensors, and the controller determining if the initial locked wheel condition is true based on signals received from the current sensors.

Abstract: A rail vehicle consist may include a master unit and at least one trailing unit coupled to the master unit. The master unit may include a first processor in communication with a second processor of the at least one trailing unit. A power source may be disposed on the at least one trailing unit and may include a sensor associated with the second processor. A display may be disposed on the master unit and may be associated with the first processor to display characteristics monitored by the sensor wherein the display presents a message image, a warning image, and an isolate image.

Abstract: A method for controlling communication between an off-board system and a railway wagon is provided. The method includes detecting a failure in communication between a first modem and the off-board system by, a first control unit. The method also includes determining a working mode of a second modem via a second control unit, by the first control unit. The working mode includes at least one of operational and non-operational. The method further includes receiving an identification number of the second modem from the second control unit when the working mode of the second modem is operational. The method includes establishing a communication between the first control unit and the second modem for transmitting the data associated with the first control unit to the off-board system based on the identification number of the second modem.

Abstract: A method of resetting a control system of a machine is disclosed. The method may include observing a condition of the machine from off-board the machine and determining a fault associated with the control system based on the condition. The control system may include a controller onboard the machine and at least one breaker in communication with the controller. The method may further include generating a command from off-board the machine directing the controller to attempt to automatically reset the control system. Automatically resetting the control system may include cycling the at least one breaker or rebooting the controller.

Abstract: A locomotive system includes a first locomotive having a first locomotive controller configured to control the operation of the first locomotive and a first transceiver and a second locomotive having a second locomotive controller configured to control the operation of the second locomotive and a second transceiver configured to communicate second locomotive operation data to the first transceiver. The system includes a remote control system including a remote transceiver communicatively connected to the first transceiver and a remote controller configured to receive an operation data signal indicative of an operation condition of the second locomotive from the first transceiver. The remote controller is configured to determine an adjustment to a control setting of at least one of the first locomotive controller and the second locomotive controller based on the operation data signal and to send a control signal indicative of the adjustment to the control setting to the first transceiver.

Abstract: A data communication system for a locomotive consist is provided. The locomotive consist includes a primary unit and one or more secondary units. The data communication system includes a fuel level sensor associated with the secondary units. The fuel level sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a fuel level in a fuel reservoir of the respective secondary unit. The data communication system also includes a data controller communicably coupled to the fuel level sensor. The data controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the fuel level in the fuel reservoir of the one or more secondary units. The data controller is also configured to compare the fuel level with a predetermined threshold. The data controller is further configured to determine if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a locomotive. The control system may have a component located onboard the locomotive, the component having a first state and a second state. The control system may also have an operator input device located onboard the locomotive and used to manually toggle operation of the component between the first and second states, and at least one sensor located onboard the locomotive and configured to generate a signal associated with a condition of the locomotive. The control system may also have an offboard controller located remotely from the locomotive and being configured to selectively override the operator input device and toggle operation of the component between the first and second states based on the signal.

Abstract: A control system for a fuel tender of a locomotive includes an input module, a sensor module, a processor unit, and at least one actuator. The input module is configured to generate a first signal based on one or more inputs received from an operator of the locomotive. The sensor module is configured to generate a second signal based on one or more operating parameters of at least one of the locomotive and the fuel tender. The processor unit is configured to generate a first actuation signal based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal. The actuator is disposed in electrical communication with the processor unit and the fuel tender. The actuator is configured to selectively perform at least one of enabling or disabling fuel flow from the fuel tender to the locomotive based on the first actuation signal.