Abstract: A rail system is disclosed. The rail system may have a track including a wireless communication zone and a wired communication zone. The rail system may also have an electrical contact that extends along the wired communication zone. The electrical contact may be configured to transmit electrical energy and a data communication. The rail system may further have a power source electrically connected to the electrical contact. The rail system may additionally have a controller selectively electrically connectable to the electrical contact and a wireless network. The power source may be configured to transmit electrical energy through the electrical contact. The controller may be configured to switch between data communication transmission via the wireless network and via the electrical contact, based at least in part on a location of a rail vehicle within the rail system.

Abstract: A rail system is disclosed. The rail system may have a track including a wireless communication zone and a wired communication zone. The rail system may also have an electrical contact that extends along the wired communication zone. The electrical contact may be configured to transmit electrical energy and a data communication. The rail system may further have a power source electrically connected to the electrical contact. The rail system may additionally have a controller selectively electrically connectable to the electrical contact and a wireless network. The power source may be configured to transmit electrical energy through the electrical contact. The controller may be configured to switch between data communication transmission via the wireless network and via the electrical contact, based at least in part on a location of a rail vehicle within the rail system.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a consist power system for a consist having a locomotive. The consist power system may include an engine located onboard the locomotive, and a generator driven by the engine to produce a main supply of electric power. The consist power system may also include a wind turbine located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a first auxiliary supply of electric power, and a solar panel located onboard the locomotive and configured to produce a second auxiliary supply of electric power. The consist power system may also include a traction motor configured to receive the main supply of electric power and the first and second auxiliary supplies of power to propel the locomotive. The consist power system may further include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the consist, and a controller in communication with the sensor, the wind turbine, and the solar panel.

Abstract: A rail system is disclosed. The rail system may have a track including a powered section and an unpowered section. The rail system may also have an electrical contact that extends along the powered section of the track. The rail system may further have an energy exchange station electrically connected to the electrical contact. The energy exchange station may be configured to initiate power transmission between the energy exchange station and a rail vehicle, through the electrical contact, when the rail vehicle is on the powered section of the track. The energy exchange station may also be configured to discontinue power transmission between the energy exchange station and the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle leaves the powered section of the track.

Abstract: A method of storing energy produced by a mobile vehicle is disclosed. The method may include receiving information on a vehicle trip profile. An electrical mode of a traction motor configured for propelling the vehicle may be changed from a motor mode where the traction motor receives electrical power to a generator mode where the traction motor produces electrical power when the trip profile indicates a charging opportunity. The method may further include directing energy generated by the traction motor in generator mode to a first tier of one or more energy storage devices with first rate-of-energy-absorption capabilities. A second tier of one or more energy storage devices with second rate-of-energy-absorption capabilities slower than the first rate-of-energy-absorption capabilities may then be charged with energy from the first tier energy storage devices. The charging of the second tier energy storage devices may continue when the traction motor is no longer producing electrical power.

Abstract: A brake control system for a consist having multiple cars is disclosed. The brake control system may include a conduit configured to direct a compressed fluid to the multiple cars, and a plurality of brakes, including at least one brake located at each of the multiple cars. The brake control system may further include a plurality of valves, including at least one valve located at each of the multiple cars and fluidly connected between the conduit and the at least one brake, and a main controller. The main controller may be configured to transmit a signal indicative of desired braking to each of the plurality of valves, causing substantially simultaneous activation of the plurality of brakes.

Abstract: The adhesion between a locomotive drive wheel and supporting rail can be substantially increased by application of a powder mixture that contains a hard particle constituent preferably including alumina, a soft particle constituent preferably including titania, and an iron oxide constituent. The mixture may be in the form of a dry powder, a paste with water or alcohol vehicle, or a metal composite that includes the powder.

Abstract: At least one powered disc is suspended from a locomotive and applied to a rail surface for treating the rail surface ahead of driven locomotive wheels to increase adhesion between the driven wheels and the rail surface. Torque applied to the disc varies the rate of rotation of the disc away from that of a freely-rotating disc so that a significant level of creep may be maintained between the disc and the rail surface with substantially no angle of attack between the disc and the longitudinal axis of the rail. The torque may be generated through a second disc contacting the rail and coupled to the first disc with the first and second discs rotating with differing rates of rotation, or may be generated through a passive or active actuator coupled directly to the disc. The amount of creep between the disc and the rail surface and the direction of the creep may be varied in accordance with the level of contamination of the rail and the disc may be disengaged from the rail when cleaning is not required.