Abstract: Systems and methods for risk/reward scoring in transactional relationships are disclosed and generally comprise entrant traits, entrant factors, entrant outcomes, predictive modeling, and subscriber and application-specific modeling and scoring with enforced anonymity and data privacy rules. A risk/reward scoring system may comprise a two-tier modeling and scoring architecture wherein a first tier comprises a platform predictive intelligence model and a second tier comprises an application models tier. The first tier can output a platform predictive intelligence entrant vector based on a statistical, probabilistic and predictive intelligence comprised in a majority or all of the entrant traits, entrant factors and entrant outcomes encompassing a plurality of risk/reward scoring applications.

Abstract: A control system includes a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to monitor a measured current conducted into a resistor leg of the vehicle. The resistor leg has a braking chopper and one or more resistive elements, and is connected with a traction bus of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to receive the measured current from the current sensor and, in response to the measured current differing from an expected current through the resistor leg, the one or more processors are configured to generate a control signal configured to one or more of increase an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle, increase cooling to the one or more resistive elements of the resistor leg, restrict movement of the vehicle, or schedule maintenance for the resistor leg.

Abstract: A control system includes a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to monitor a measured current conducted into a resistor leg of the vehicle. The resistor leg has a braking chopper and one or more resistive elements, and is connected with a traction bus of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to receive the measured current from the current sensor and, in response to the measured current differing from an expected current through the resistor leg, the one or more processors are configured to generate a control signal configured to one or more of increase an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle, increase cooling to the one or more resistive elements of the resistor leg, restrict movement of the vehicle, or schedule maintenance for the resistor leg.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system associated with a first set of wheels. The electric drive system is configured to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels of the vehicle to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The system further includes a friction brake system associated with a second set of wheels of the vehicle, and a controller for selectively actuating the electric drive system to operate in an electric retarding mode and for selectively actuating the friction brake system. The controller is configured to transfer retarding force from the first set of wheels to the second set of wheels, and/or to determine wheel speed signal accuracies, in either case to mitigate vehicle/wheel sliding or slipping.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system associated with a first set of wheels (e.g., rear wheels) of a vehicle and a drive system control unit configured to control the electric drive system to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The system further includes a friction brake system having a first friction brake unit associated with the first set of wheels and a second friction brake unit associated with a second set of wheels (e.g., front wheels) of the vehicle. The drive system control unit is further configured, in at least one mode of operation, to independently control the first and second friction brake units to concurrently apply different levels of friction braking to the first and second sets of wheels, to reduce wear unevenness.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system associated with a first set of wheels (e.g., rear wheels) of a vehicle and a drive system control unit configured to control the electric drive system to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The system further includes a friction brake system having a first friction brake unit associated with the first set of wheels and a second friction brake unit associated with a second set of wheels (e.g., front wheels) of the vehicle. The drive system control unit is further configured, in at least one mode of operation, to independently control the first and second friction brake units to concurrently apply different levels of friction braking to the first and second sets of wheels, to reduce wear unevenness.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system associated with a first set of wheels. The electric drive system is configured to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels of the vehicle to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The system further includes a friction brake system associated with a second set of wheels of the vehicle, and a controller for selectively actuating the electric drive system to operate in an electric retarding mode and for selectively actuating the friction brake system. The controller is configured to transfer retarding force from the first set of wheels to the second set of wheels, and/or to determine wheel speed signal accuracies, in either case to mitigate vehicle/wheel sliding or slipping.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system associated with a first set of wheels. The electric drive system is configured to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The system further includes a friction brake system associated with one of the first set of wheels or a second set of wheels, a drive system control unit, and a friction brake control unit in electrical communication with the drive system control unit. The drive system control unit is configured to communicate with the friction brake control unit to control an amount of friction brake application during vehicle stops and starts on grade.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle comprises a control unit configured to be electrically coupled to a drive system of the vehicle. The drive system includes at least one traction motor for providing motive power to the vehicle. The control unit is configured to control a torque output of the traction motor to hold zero speed or near zero speed of the vehicle on a grade without knowing information, in at least one mode of operation, about the grade and/or a load of the vehicle, and without a service brake of the vehicle being activated.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle comprises a control unit configured to be electrically coupled to a drive system of the vehicle. The drive system includes at least one traction motor for providing motive power to the vehicle. The control unit is configured to control a torque output of the traction motor to hold zero speed or near zero speed of the vehicle on a grade without knowing information, in at least one mode of operation, about the grade and/or a load of the vehicle, and without a service brake of the vehicle being activated.

Abstract: A power unit (e.g., inverter module) includes a housing and a switch attached to the housing. The switch may be configured to be electrically coupled to a remotely-mounted drive circuit through two or more wire leads. The power unit also includes a clamping circuit electrically coupled to terminals of the switch and in parallel with the switch. The clamping circuit may be disposed inside the housing or on an outer surface of the housing, and is configured to limit a voltage across the switch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine, the engine coupled to a traction alternator for vehicle travelling. In one example, the method includes, in an off-highway vehicle running mode of operation, supplying current from the traction alternator to a traction motor via a traction inverter to propel the vehicle, and, in a starting mode of operation, supplying stored energy from a first energy source and a secondary energy source to the traction alternator to start the engine.

Abstract: A power unit (e.g., inverter module) includes a housing and a switch attached to the housing. The switch may be configured to be electrically coupled to a remotely-mounted drive circuit through two or more wire leads. The power unit also includes a clamping circuit electrically coupled to terminals of the switch and in parallel with the switch. The clamping circuit may be disposed inside the housing or on an outer surface of the housing, and is configured to limit a voltage across the switch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine, the engine coupled to a traction alternator for vehicle travelling. In one example, the method includes, in an off-highway vehicle running mode of operation, supplying current from the traction alternator to a traction motor via a traction inverter to propel the vehicle, and, in a starting mode of operation, supplying stored energy from a first energy source and a secondary energy source to the traction alternator to start the engine.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with a rail vehicle having a wheel that travels on a rail. The system includes an air source for supplying compressed air and a heating unit fluidly coupled to the air source and configured to produce heated compressed air by heating the compressed air or heating air prior to the air being compressed by the air source, and to direct the heated compressed air onto a contact surface of the rail.