Abstract: A method detects the presence of a vehicle on a railway track using a sensing processor monitoring a sensing system for detecting vibration into ground installed along the railway track. The sensing system includes a detection module for detecting a vehicle on the railway track. The method includes an initialization step which includes the sub-steps of emitting a first signal to be received by the sensing processor through the sensing system, sending a first message to the sensing processor, monitoring the sensing system, and configuring the detection module in function of the received first signal and configuration data received in the first message. The configuration data can include location of the initialization device, intensity/magnitude of the first signal, emission time of the first signal, and/or type of object corresponding to the first signal.

Abstract: A vibration monitoring system includes an acoustic device that outputs an analog signal to a fiber cable for calibration and location verification. The acoustic device utilizes GPS or communication from wayside bungalow equipment to verify GPS location or real-time clock information. The wayside bungalow contains communication equipment that interfaces with the acoustic device and relays health information to a sensing processor. The sensing processor is configured to detect the acoustic signal output by the acoustic device at a known location and verifies that the cable and device have not moved location by comparing the signal level received against a threshold stored in memory. When the threshold is exceeded, the sensing processor sends an alert that the fiber optic cable or acoustic device at the location have changed.

Abstract: A bi-fold trailer system includes a trailer-chassis, at least two wheel assemblies rotatably coupled to said trailer-chassis, and a plurality of casters coupled to the trailer-chassis. The trailer-chassis includes a frame, an extension, and a yoke. The yoke is removably coupleable to the extension of the trailer-chassis. The bi-fold trailer system is removably coupleable to a vehicle. The frame of the trailer-chassis includes a left-side-frame and a right-side-frame, with the left-side-frame and the right-side-frame hingedly coupled such that the left-side-frame and the right-side-frame are rotatable outward from each other into an open position when removed from the vehicle.

Abstract: A method detects the presence of a vehicle on a railway track using a sensing processor monitoring a sensing system for detecting vibration into ground installed along the railway track. The sensing system includes a detection module for detecting a vehicle on the railway track. The method includes an initialization step which includes the sub-steps of emitting a first signal to be received by the sensing processor through the sensing system, sending a first message to the sensing processor, monitoring the sensing system, and configuring the detection module in function of the received first signal and configuration data received in the first message. The configuration data can include location of the initialization device, intensity/magnitude of the first signal, emission time of the first signal, and/or type of object corresponding to the first signal.

Abstract: A vibration monitoring system includes an acoustic device that outputs an analog signal to a fiber cable for calibration and location verification. The acoustic device utilizes GPS or communication from wayside bungalow equipment to verify GPS location or real-time clock information. The wayside bungalow contains communication equipment that interfaces with the acoustic device and relays health information to a sensing processor. The sensing processor is configured to detect the acoustic signal output by the acoustic device at a known location and verifies that the cable and device have not moved location by comparing the signal level received against a threshold stored in memory. When the threshold is exceeded, the sensing processor sends an alert that the fiber optic cable or acoustic device at the location have changed.

Abstract: A first unit configured to generate and transmit a code of positive and negative DC pulses through a first rail of a railway. A second unit spaced from the first unit and configured to sense the code, which includes a leading code word, having a positive or negative timing pulse followed after a first data interval by a positive or negative data pulse, followed by a modifying code word. The modifying code word consists of a second positive or negative timing pulse followed after a second data interval by a second positive or negative data pulse. The second timing pulse starts after one code cycle from the start of the leading code word timing pulse. The second timing pulse and the second data pulse duplicate the timing pulse and the data pulse of the same polarity, but invert the timing pulse and the data pulse of opposite polarities.

Abstract: A first unit configured to generate and transmit a code of positive and negative DC pulses through a first rail of a railway. A second unit spaced from the first unit and configured to sense the code, which includes a leading code word, having a positive or negative timing pulse followed after a first data interval by a positive or negative data pulse, followed by a modifying code word. The modifying code word consists of a second positive or negative timing pulse followed after a second data interval by a second positive or negative data pulse. The second timing pulse starts after one code cycle from the start of the leading code word timing pulse. The second timing pulse and the second data pulse duplicate the timing pulse and the data pulse of the same polarity, but invert the timing pulse and the data pulse of opposite polarities.

Abstract: An approach annunciator for a railway includes at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle traveling along the railway, a control device adapted to receive a first message from the sensor and to create a second message, and a transmitting module adapted to send the second message created by the control device. The control device is adapted to operate the transmitting module in one of a plurality of modes including an energy saving mode and an operation mode.

Abstract: A process for differentiating conductive and/or ferromagnetic objects (O) in a material stream (2) comprises generating an electromagnetic alternating field by exciting a coil (S) with a sinusoidal voltage (ue(t)) of a constant frequency (fM), detecting an impedance change in the coil, which has been caused by an object (O), by determining at least one pair of values from a peak value (ÎM) and a phase shift (?m) of the coil current (iM(t)) toward the excitation potential (ue(t)) of the coil, and determining the material by comparing the peak values (ÎM) and phase shifts (?m) with reference values, wherein the peak values (ÎM) of the coil current (iM(t)) are calculated at at least one measuring phase angle (?m) with the aid of a window comparator having a constant window width (?i), wherein the time (?tM) between the window inlet point (p4) and the window outlet point (p6) of the coil current (iM(t)) is measured and the gradient of the current profile (iM(t)) is calculated from the window width (?i) and the me

Abstract: An approach annunciator for a railway includes at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle traveling along the railway, a control device adapted to receive a first message from the sensor and to create a second message, and a transmitting module adapted to send the second message created by the control device. The control device is adapted to operate the transmitting module in one of a plurality of modes including an energy saving mode and an operation mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for differentiating conductive and/or ferromagnetic objects (O) in a material stream (2), comprising the generation of an electromagnetic alternating field by means of exciting a coil (S) having a sinusoidal voltage (ue(t)) of a constant frequency (fM), the detection of an impedance change of the coil caused by an object (O) by determining at least one pair of values from a peak value (ÎM) and a phase shift (?M) of the coil current (iM(t)) for the excitation voltage (ue(t)) of the coil, and the determination of the material by comparing the peak values (ÎM) and the phase shifts (?M) to reference values, wherein the peak values (ÎM) of the coil current (iM(t)) are calculated at least one measuring phase angle (?M) by means of a limit comparator at a constant limit width (?i), wherein the time (?tM) between the limit entry point (p4) and the limit exit point (p6) of the coil current (iM(t)) is measured, and the increase of the current path (iM(t)) is calculated from the limit w

Abstract: A device for detecting parts in a material flow which influence an electromagnetic alternating field comprises an oscillator (1) and at least one transmitting coil (2) for generating an electromagnetic alternating field extending across the width of a conveying distance of the material flow. At least one detector coil (4) comprising two windings (4a, 4b) connected inversely detects the electromagnetic alternating field and generates a detection signal (DS), the phase signal portion (PS?) of which is detected by means (7), from the relative motion between the alternating field and a field-influencing part.

Abstract: A system includes a location determination unit for determining a geographic location of a mobile asset having an engine that produces one or more emissions during use; a memory for storing a plurality of predetermined characteristic profiles, the characteristic profiles including information regarding geographic location and at least one of engine emission levels, noise emission levels, fuel usage levels, power output, load manifest, or speed level; a processor in communication with the memory for accessing the characteristic profile for the determined location of the mobile asset and generating a control command responsive to a selected characteristic profile; and a control unit on board the mobile asset controlling an operation of the mobile asset responsive to the control command. Associated methods are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling movement of a piece of railroad rolling stock within a classification rail yard. The method includes determining a predicted velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock, and collecting at least one measurement to determine a measured velocity of the piece of railroad rolling stock. A comparison of the measured velocity to the previously predicted velocity is performed, and a modification to subsequent velocity control activities to minimize a variation in the predicted velocity versus the measured velocity is performed. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for controlling movement of the piece of railroad rolling stock within the classification rail yard.

Abstract: A device for detecting parts in a material flow which influence an electromagnetic alternating field comprises an oscillator (1) and at least one transmitting coil (2) for generating an electromagnetic alternating field extending across the width of a conveying distance of the material flow. At least one detector coil (4) comprising two windings (4a, 4b) connected inversely detects the electromagnetic alternating field and generates a detection signal (DS), the phase signal portion (PS?) of which is detected by means (7), from the relative motion between the alternating field and a field-influencing part.