Abstract: A process and system for developing an algorithm for predicting failures in a system, such as a locomotive, having a plurality of subsystems is provided. The process allows for conducting a failure mode analysis for a respective subsystem so as to identify target failure modes of the subsystem and/or collecting expert data relative to the respective subsystem. The process includes a step for identifying, based on the identified failure modes and/or the collected expert data, one or more signals to be monitored for measuring performance of the respective subsystem. A generating step allows for generating, based on the monitored signals, a predicting signal indicative of the presence of the identified target failure modes in the respective subsystem.

Abstract: A method and system for determining degradation of fuel pump performance in a locomotive having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of a fuel value delivered by the fuel pump and for adjusting the value of the monitored signal for deviations from an estimated nominal fuel value due to external variables to generate an adjusted fuel value. The method further allows for comparing the value of the adjusted fuel value against the nominal fuel value to determine the performance of the pump.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for limiting visible exhaust emissions from a diesel-electric traction vehicle system including a multi-cylinder diesel engine connected for driving a synchronous generator to produce AC electric power, a rectifier connected for converting the AC electric power to DC electric power on a DC link, at least one inverter coupled to the DC link for providing controlled frequency AC power to at least one electric traction motor coupled in driving relationship to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The air-fuel ratio at the engine is regulated to minimize any difference between actual air-fuel ratio and a predetermined preferential air-fuel ratio as a function of engine speed. The air-fuel ratio of an operating engine is measured while monitoring actual visible exhaust emissions in order to create a table of preferential air-fuel ratios as a function of engine speed so that the table values can be used to control visible exhaust without direct monitoring.

Abstract: A high horsepower diesel engine is operated in a skip firing mode in which the engine includes a plurality of individually controllable, fuel injected cylinders. The system senses that the engine is operating in a low horsepower mode and has a low fuel demand and thereafter selects a firing pattern of cylinders to be fired during each revolution of the engine crankshaft based upon the values of the sensed fuel demand and engine horsepower. The pattern selected for firing the cylinders is arranged such that all cylinders of the engine are fired within a preselected number of crankshaft rotations. The system also senses the engine air-fuel ratio and adjusts the pattern of cylinders being fired so as to maintain exhaust emissions below a preselected level. Additionally, the pattern of fired cylinders may be adjusted to maintain engine operating temperature and as a function of engine speed.