Abstract: A method of controlling an amount of fuel to an engine is disclosed. The method includes determining first and second fuel limits. The first fuel limit is indicative of a higher value than the second fuel limit. The method also includes determining an amount of fuel to be delivered to an engine as a function of at least one engine parameter. The method further includes controlling the amount of fuel to be less than or equal to the first fuel limit in a first set of operating conditions and controlling the amount of fuel to be less than or equal to the second fuel limit in a second set of operating conditions.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for controlling one or more engines by synchronizing the functions of two or more electronic control modules includes a master electronic control module, one or more slave electronic control modules, and one or more data links for transferring data between the electronic control modules. Engine control and monitoring functions are divided between the master electronic control module and the slave electronic control modules. The present invention may be used to control and monitor dual fuel engines and engines that operate on one type of fuel. The master electronic control module may transition operation of the engine to the diesel fuel only mode in the event of a failure of any dual fuel mode specific components. The master ECM coordinates timing and speed of fuel injection to engine cylinders using input from an adjustable engine speed command device and a speed sensor connected to each engine.

Abstract: An emergency locking passenger seat belt retractor is fitted with a pyrotechnic pretensioner actuator (221) which acts via a cable wound on a drum (213), the drum being located on frangible supports in a clutch housing and having internally formed cam surfaces which can act upon frangibly supported intermediate rollers (215) to displace them generally radially inwards to drivingly engage a part of the webbing reel to tighten the belt. Advantageously the drum and the locking rollers are supported on frangible pegs moulded with shim or plate members (222a, 222b), disposed on each side of the drum (213).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling dynamic braking in a vehicle having at least one drive motor of the type having an armature and a field. The motor is adapted to function as an alternator during dynamic braking for dissipating power through a resistor grid. The vehicle includes a field current controller for regulating the level of dynamic braking by controlling the current level through the motor field. A brake level selector is provided for producing a desired braking level signal. A field current sensor senses the current level in the motor field and produces an actual field current signal. A grid current sensor senses the level of current flowing through the resistor grid and produces an actual grid current signal. A controller receives the desired brake level signal, the actual field current signal, and the actual grid current signal. The controller produces a first desired field current signal and a desired grid current signal in response to the desired brake level signal.

Abstract: Differential wheel slip control is desirable in a locomotive having wheels driven by a plurality traction motors which receive power from an engine driven generator. Wheel slip control in known systems involves increased cost and complexity resulting from sensors required to determine an actual locomotive or individual traction motor speeds. In the subject invention a microprocessor under software control is used to detect and control differential wheel slip. A difference signal is generated in response to a difference between the highest and lowest individual traction motor currents. A first-order-lag of the actual locomotive speed is calculated and compared to the difference signal. If the compared signals differ by more than a preselected reference, a differential slip condition exists and the generator power is reduced by a preselected magnitude. Generator power is continually reduced until the slip condition no longer detected.

Abstract: Synchronous wheel slip control is desirable in a locomotive having wheels driven by at least one traction motor which receives power from an engine driven generator. Wheel slip control in known systems involves increased cost and complexity resulting from sensors required to determine an actual locomotive speed. In the subject invention a microprocessor under software control is used to detect and control synchronous wheel slip. Generator current and voltage are measured and used in an empirical relationship to calculate an actual locomotive speed. A first-order-lag of the actual locomotive speed is calculated and compared to the calculated locomotive speed. If the compared values differ by more than a preselected reference a synchronous slip condition exists and the generator power is reduced by a preselected magnitude. The generator power is incrementally reduced until the synchronous slip condition is no longer detected.