Abstract: A resonant sensor probe assembly includes a substrate formed from one or more dielectric materials and free-standing electrodes coupled with the substrate. The free-standing electrodes are configured to be placed into the fluid and to generate an electric field between the free-standing electrodes. A controller measures an impedance response of the sensor to the fluid between the electrodes to determine an aging effect of the sensor.

Abstract: A locomotive system is provided that includes a platform, plural wheel-axle sets operably coupled to the platform, a reservoir attached to the platform and configured to hold a fluid, and a resonant sensor probe assembly coupled to the reservoir. The sensor probe assembly includes a substrate formed from one or more dielectric materials and free-standing electrodes coupled with the substrate. The free-standing electrodes are configured to be placed into the fluid, to generate an electric field between the free-standing electrodes, and to measure an impedance response of the sensor to the fluid between the electrodes.

Abstract: A control system and method determine an energy demand associated with delivery of cargo in a trip. The energy demand represents how much electric energy is needed to move cargo vehicles that carry the cargo through the trip. Locations of energy tenders and states of charge of the energy tenders are determined. A schedule for the cargo vehicles to deliver the cargo to a delivery location within a delivery time slot is determined. This schedule is determined based on the energy demand, the locations of the energy tenders, and the states of charge of the energy tenders. The system and method direct which of the energy tenders that the cargo vehicles are to couple with, be powered by, and move with for powering the cargo along routes to the delivery location of the trip within the designated time slot.

Abstract: A control system and method determine an energy demand associated with delivery of cargo in a trip. The energy demand represents how much electric energy is needed to move cargo vehicles that carry the cargo through the trip. Locations of energy tenders and states of charge of the energy tenders are determined. A schedule for the cargo vehicles to deliver the cargo to a delivery location within a delivery time slot is determined. This schedule is determined based on the energy demand, the locations of the energy tenders, and the states of charge of the energy tenders. The system and method direct which of the energy tenders that the cargo vehicles are to couple with, be powered by, and move with for powering the cargo along routes to the delivery location of the trip within the designated time slot.

Abstract: Systems and methods (e.g., a method for controlling and/or operating a compressor) are provided that includes the steps of monitoring a crankcase pressure of a first compressor; analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure that includes calculating an average of the crankcase pressure over a time period and comparing the average of the crankcase pressure over the time period to a nominal crankcase average pressure; identifying a condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure; and adjusting operation of a second compressor to compensate for the first compressor in response to identifying the condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure. (The method may be carried out automatically or otherwise by a controller).

Abstract: A control system and method determine an energy demand associated with delivery of cargo in a trip. The energy demand represents how much electric energy is needed to move cargo vehicles that carry the cargo through the trip. Locations of energy tenders and states of charge of the energy tenders are determined. A schedule for the cargo vehicles to deliver the cargo to a delivery location within a delivery time slot is determined. This schedule is determined based on the energy demand, the locations of the energy tenders, and the states of charge of the energy tenders. The system and method direct which of the energy tenders that the cargo vehicles are to couple with, be powered by, and move with for powering the cargo along routes to the delivery location of the trip within the designated time slot.

Abstract: A control system includes one or more processors that are configured to obtain event data associated with a vehicle. The one or more processors are also configured to receive a statement including a designated chargeable usage of the vehicle, with the statement issued by an entity, and the one or more processors further configured to access one or more rules dictating rule-based chargeable usage of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to compare the event data with the one or more rules to determine the rule-based chargeable usage of the vehicle based on the event data and to compare the rule-based chargeable usage with the designated chargeable usage to identify one or more discrepancies between the rule-based chargeable usage and the designated chargeable usage.

Abstract: A control system and method determine an energy demand associated with delivery of cargo in a trip. The energy demand represents how much electric energy is needed to move cargo vehicles that carry the cargo through the trip. Locations of energy tenders and states of charge of the energy tenders are determined. A schedule for the cargo vehicles to deliver the cargo to a delivery location within a delivery time slot is determined. This schedule is determined based on the energy demand, the locations of the energy tenders, and the states of charge of the energy tenders. The system and method direct which of the energy tenders that the cargo vehicles are to couple with, be powered by, and move with for powering the cargo along routes to the delivery location of the trip within the designated time slot.

Abstract: A locomotive system is provided that includes a platform, plural wheel-axle sets operably coupled to the platform, a reservoir attached to the platform and configured to hold a fluid, and a resonant sensor probe assembly coupled to the reservoir. The sensor probe assembly includes a substrate formed from one or more dielectric materials and free-standing electrodes coupled with the substrate. The free-standing electrodes are configured to be placed into the fluid, to generate an electric field between the free-standing electrodes, and to measure an impedance response of the sensor to the fluid between the electrodes.

Abstract: A control system and method determine an energy demand associated with delivery of cargo in a trip. The energy demand represents how much electric energy is needed to move cargo vehicles that carry the cargo through the trip. Locations of energy tenders and states of charge of the energy tenders are determined. A schedule for the cargo vehicles to deliver the cargo to a delivery location within a delivery time slot is determined. This schedule is determined based on the energy demand, the locations of the energy tenders, and the states of charge of the energy tenders. The system and method direct which of the energy tenders that the cargo vehicles are to couple with, be powered by, and move with for powering the cargo along routes to the delivery location of the trip within the designated time slot.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a pressure of compressed air within a reservoir, actuating a piston within a cylinder of the compressor, and detecting a leak condition of an exhaust valve of the cylinder through recognition of a change in the monitored pressure of the compressed air within the reservoir during a time period in which the piston is actuated. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to determine a condition of the compressor.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for detecting and diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine may include diagnosing a coolant leak of the engine based on a low frequency pressure response of a measured engine coolant pressure. In another aspect, an engine system (e.g., for a vehicle) includes an engine and a coolant system operatively connected to the engine. The coolant system includes a coolant reserve and a coolant pump between the engine and the coolant reserve. The engine system also includes a coolant pressure sensor to measure coolant pressure, and a controller configured to measure an engine coolant pressure and diagnose a coolant leak of the coolant system based on a low frequency pressure response of the measured engine coolant pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to monitoring a change in a rotational speed of a crankshaft to identify a failure related to a crankcase breather valve. A reciprocating compressor can include a detection component that is configured to track a rotational speed of a crankshaft of a compressor to identify a change in rotational speed. In an embodiment, the rotational speed can be monitored while unloaded and/or below approximately 800 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). Based on a change in a rotational speed of the crankshaft, a controller can be configured to communicate an alert which corresponds to a failure related to the crankcase breather valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods (e.g., a method for controlling and/or operating a compressor) are provided that includes the steps of monitoring a crankcase pressure of a first compressor; analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure that includes calculating an average of the crankcase pressure over a time period and comparing the average of the crankcase pressure over the time period to a nominal crankcase average pressure; identifying a condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure; and adjusting operation of a second compressor to compensate for the first compressor in response to identifying the condition of the first compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure. (The method may be carried out automatically or otherwise by a controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a pressure of compressed air within a reservoir of a compressor, actuating an unloader valve of the compressor, and detecting a leak condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored pressure of the compressed air within the reservoir during a time period in which the unloader valve is actuated. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to determine a condition of the compressor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include operating a compressor to compress air from a first stage compressor into an intermediate stage reservoir, to deliver air from the intermediate stage reservoir to a second stage compressor, and to further compress the air in the second stage compressor into a primary reservoir, monitoring an intermediate stage pressure of the intermediate stage reservoir, and identifying a condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored intermediate stage pressure during a time period in which the compressor is operated. A vehicle system is also provided including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to identify a condition of the compressor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a crankcase. A condition of the engine may be diagnosed based on frequency content of crankcase pressure. Different types of degradation may be distinguished based on a frequency content of multiple frequencies of the crankcase pressure. Thus, a degraded engine component may be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for detecting and diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine may include diagnosing a coolant leak of the engine based on a low frequency pressure response of a measured engine coolant pressure. In another aspect, an engine system (e.g., for a vehicle) includes an engine and a coolant system operatively connected to the engine. The coolant system includes a coolant reserve and a coolant pump between the engine and the coolant reserve. The engine system also includes a coolant pressure sensor to measure coolant pressure, and a controller configured to measure an engine coolant pressure and diagnose a coolant leak of the coolant system based on a low frequency pressure response of the measured engine coolant pressure.

Abstract: Presently disclosed are methods and systems for detecting and diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine. A method may include diagnosing a coolant leak of the engine based on a low frequency pressure response of a measured engine coolant pressure. A vehicle system is also disclosed, including an engine, a coolant system operatively connected to the engine. The coolant system includes a coolant reserve and a coolant pump between the engine and the coolant reserve. The vehicle also includes a coolant pressure sensor to measure coolant pressure, and a controller configured to measure an engine coolant pressure and diagnose a coolant leak of the coolant system based on a low frequency pressure response of the measured engine coolant pressure.

Abstract: A shaft imbalance detector system (50) includes a speed sensor (52) that detects a speed of a wheel and generates a speed signal, and a controller (60) connected to the speed sensor (52). The controller (60) is configured to monitor the speed signal, where a variation in the speed signal indicates an imbalance in a shaft (22).