Abstract: A locomotive consist includes a lead locomotive, one or more trail locomotives, and a multiple unit (MU) cable bus interconnecting the first locomotive and the trail locomotives, which is used in the locomotive consist for transferring non-network control information between the lead vehicle and the trail locomotives. In a system and method for communicating data in the locomotive consist, network data is transmitted from the lead locomotive in the locomotive consist to one or more of the trail locomotives in the locomotive consist. The network data is transmitted over the MU cable bus. Each locomotive may include a computer unit or other electronic component, which along with the MU cable bus form a network in the train, e.g., an Ethernet network.

Abstract: A method of identifying an anomalous orientation definition condition of a remote locomotive (12) of a train includes monitoring an operating condition of the remote locomotive of the train, the remote locomotive configured to operate according to a defined orientation with respect to a lead locomotive of the train. The method also includes identifying an operating condition of the remote locomotive indicative of the remote locomotive operating contrary to an operating condition of the lead locomotive.

Abstract: A method that includes comparing a first brake pressure measured at a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered unit of a distributed power (DP) system to a second brake pressure measured at a second transducer that is part of a braking system on a remote powered unit of the DP system. The method also includes determining whether the second transducer is functioning within designated operational parameters when the DP system is operating in a DP mode based on comparing the first brake pressure to the second brake pressure.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling a distributed power rail vehicle consist, each of at least one powered rail vehicle in the rail vehicle consist is designated for operation as a remote trail. Based on the designation, a respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-out mode. Upon initiation of a service, an emergency, and/or a penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one the powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-in mode. Upon completion of the service, emergency, and/or penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated back to the cut-out mode.

Abstract: An adaptive brake system for a distributed power train responsive to an interruption in a communication system for the train and a brake application initiated at the lead locomotive, reduces the brake pipe fluid pressure at a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive to a predetermined pressure level to reduce in-train forces that may occur as a result of the pressure differentials in the brake pipe line of the lead and remote locomotives.

Abstract: A system comprises a control module that is configured for operable coupling with at least one of a brake system and/or a penalty detection system of a first vehicle. The control module is further configured to operate in a first mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the control module activates the brake system, responsive to receiving a first control signal from a second vehicle; the first and second vehicles are coupled in a consist. Alternatively or additionally, the control module is configured to operate in a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation, the control module is configured to generate the first control signal for transmission to the second vehicle and activation of a brake system of the second vehicle, responsive to receiving a second control signal from the penalty detection system.

Abstract: A system comprises a control module that is configured for operable coupling with at least one of a brake system and/or a penalty detection system of a first vehicle. The control module is further configured to operate in a first mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the control module activates the brake system, responsive to receiving a first control signal from a second vehicle; the first and second vehicles are coupled in a consist. Alternatively or additionally, the control module is configured to operate in a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation, the control module is configured to generate the first control signal for transmission to the second vehicle and activation of a brake system of the second vehicle, responsive to receiving a second control signal from the penalty detection system.

Abstract: A method that includes comparing a first brake pressure measured at a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered unit of a distributed power (DP) system to a second brake pressure measured at a second transducer that is part of a braking system on a remote powered unit of the DP system. The method also includes determining whether the second transducer is functioning within designated operational parameters when the DP system is operating in a DP mode based on comparing the first brake pressure to the second brake pressure.

Abstract: A communications method for a vehicle consist comprising a lead vehicle having a first and second antenna associated with a respective first and second transceiver and a remote vehicle having a third and fourth antenna associated with a respective third and fourth transceiver. The method further comprises transmitting an outbound message from the first transceiver via the first antenna or from the second transceiver via the second antenna, the outbound message comprising a plurality of message bytes, receiving the outbound message at the third and fourth antennas and associated third and fourth transceivers, determining correct bytes and error bytes in the outbound message as received at the third transceiver, determining correct bytes and error bytes in the outbound message as received at the fourth transceiver, and assembling a reconstructed message using correct bytes from the message received at the third transceiver and the fourth transceiver.

Abstract: An adaptive brake system for a distributed power train responsive to an interruption in a communication system for the train and a brake application initiated at the lead locomotive, reduces the brake pipe fluid pressure at a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive to a predetermined pressure level to reduce in-train forces that may occur as a result of the pressure differentials in the brake pipe line of the lead and remote locomotives.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling braking of a powered system or consist includes automatically applying a first degree of braking to a consist during a first time period when a powered unit of the consist is being locally or remotely controlled via an onboard control system in an absence of control inputs from an onboard operator. The first degree of braking is based on a first deceleration force selected so that the consist is slowed in a manner effective to limit a peak deceleration rate experienced by the consist sufficient for reducing unintended movement of at least one of one or more riders or cargo onboard the consist. The method also includes automatically applying a second degree of braking to the consist during a second time period following the first time period.

Abstract: A communications method for a vehicle consist (10) comprising a lead vehicle (14) having a first (29A) and second (29B) antenna associated with a respective first (28A) and second (28B) transceiver and a remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) having a third (29A) and fourth (29B) antenna associated with a respective third (28A) and fourth (28B) transceiver.

Abstract: A system for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system, the system including a comparator subsystem configured to evaluate a pressure reading differential taken between a first transducer that is part of a braking system on a lead powered system and a second transducer that is a part of a braking system on a remote powered system, wherein the pressure reading differential is taken when the lead powered system and the remote powered system are operating in a distributed power application. A method and computer software code, stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor, are also disclosed for verifying validity of a pressure reading from a transducer on a remote powered system.

Abstract: A communications method for a vehicle consist (10) comprising a lead (14) and a remote (12A/12B/12C) powered vehicle, the lead (14) vehicle comprising first (29A) and second (29B) antennas each associated with a radio, and the remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) comprising third (29A) and fourth (29B) antennas each associated with a radio. The method comprises transmitting an outbound message from the lead (14) vehicle, receiving the outbound message at the third antenna (29A) and supplying a signal to the associated radio for producing a first received signal, and receiving the outbound message at the fourth antenna (29B) and supplying a signal to the associated radio for producing a second received signal, determining a first and second signal quality metric for the respective first and second received signals, selecting the first or second received signal for processing by the remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) in response to the first and second signal quality metrics.

Abstract: A method for linking together three or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system, the method includes identifying a first linking protocol between at least a first powered system and a second powered system, determining whether at least a third powered system is compatible with the first linking protocol, if not compatible, switching to at least a second linking protocol to find a common linking protocol between the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third powered system, and linking the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third power system to operate in a distributed power configuration when the common linking protocol is found. A system and a computer software code linking together two or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptive brake system for a distributed power train responsive to an interruption in a communication system for the train and a brake application initiated at the lead locomotive, reduces the brake pipe fluid pressure at a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive to a predetermined pressure level to reduce in-train forces that may occur as a result of the pressure differentials in the brake pipe line of the lead and remote locomotives.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for automatically controlling braking of a train (38). The method includes applying a first degree of braking to the train during a first period of time, and then applying a second degree of braking to the train during a second time period following the first time period so that the train is slowed in a manner effective to limit a peak deceleration rate experienced by the train. The system includes a sensor (36) providing a signal indicative of an operating condition of a locomotive of the train requiring braking of the train, a memory (22) storing a braking schedule, and a processor (18) comprising logic executable for accessing the braking schedule stored in the memory responsive to the signal to automatically control braking of the locomotive according to the schedule.

Abstract: A communication system for a rail vehicle includes a transceiver assembly, a selection module, and a monitoring module. The transceiver assembly selectively communicates a data signal over a plurality of communication channels. The data signal is related to distributed power operations of the rail vehicle. The selection module is communicatively coupled with the transceiver assembly and switches the transceiver assembly to any of the communication channels. The monitoring module is communicatively coupled with the selection module and determines a load parameter of one or more of the communication channels. The load parameter is based on a population value of the one or more communication channels. The selection module switches the transceiver assembly to a selected channel of the communication channels based on the load parameter for communicating the data signal over the selected channel.

Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a wireless-based communication link between a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive. A user on the lead locomotive is prompted to input a railroad and number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link command signal is transmitted from the lead locomotive, based on a predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, and the inputted railroad and number identifier. A second processor on the remote locomotive respectively compares the predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, the inputted railroad and number identifier of the lead locomotive, with an inputted number identifier of the lead locomotive, a predetermined railroad and a predetermined number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link reply signal, is transmitted from the remote locomotive, based on the comparison performed by the second processor, to establish the communication link. Additionally, a method is provided for establishing the wireless-based communication link.

Abstract: A communications method for a vehicle consist (10) comprising a lead vehicle (14) having a first (29A) and second (29B) antenna associated with a respective first (28A) and second (28B) transceiver and a remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) having a third (29A) and fourth (29B) antenna associated with a respective third (28A) and fourth (28B) transceiver.