Abstract: An apparatus for testing installation of a network equipment onboard a locomotive of a consist is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing and a test network equipment is disposed within the housing. The test network equipment includes a first port to connect with an output port of the locomotive via a Multiple Unit (MU) cable. The apparatus includes a user interface to connect with a second port of the test network equipment. The test network equipment establishes a communication with the user interface based on a predefined attribute of the user interface. Upon establishing the communication between the test network equipment and the user interface, the user interface is configured to identify the network equipment, establish one or more communication routes with the network equipment, and determine a status of installation of the network equipment onboard the locomotive using the one or more communication routes.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing installation of a network equipment onboard a locomotive of a consist is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing and a test network equipment is disposed within the housing. The test network equipment includes a first port to connect with an output port of the locomotive via a Multiple Unit (MU) cable. The apparatus includes a user interface to connect with a second port of the test network equipment. The test network equipment establishes a communication with the user interface based on a predefined attribute of the user interface. Upon establishing the communication between the test network equipment and the user interface, the user interface is configured to identify the network equipment, establish one or more communication routes with the network equipment, and determine a status of installation of the network equipment onboard the locomotive using the one or more communication routes.

Abstract: A data communication system for a locomotive consist is provided. The locomotive consist includes a primary unit and one or more secondary units. The data communication system includes a fuel level sensor associated with the secondary units. The fuel level sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a fuel level in a fuel reservoir of the respective secondary unit. The data communication system also includes a data controller communicably coupled to the fuel level sensor. The data controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the fuel level in the fuel reservoir of the one or more secondary units. The data controller is also configured to compare the fuel level with a predetermined threshold. The data controller is further configured to determine if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication among two or more of access points within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include selecting, from among the two or more access points, a first access point to output a synchronization signal. The method may also include outputting the synchronization signal from the first access point to the remaining one or more access points, wherein the synchronization signal may be used to synchronize data communication among the two or more access points.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include receiving, at a first access point, a first set of data packets that represent a communication sent from a second access point via a first set of wires. The method may also include receiving, at the first access point, a second set of data packets that represent the same communication sent from the second access point via a second set of wires. Further, the method may include processing the first set of data packets and the second set of data packets to create a resultant set of data packets and generating, at the first access point, a communication related to operating the locomotive based on the resultant data packets.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data between access points in a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include determining, at a sending access point, the number of locomotives across which a communication signal will be sent. The method may also include selecting, based on the number of determined locomotives, a first transmission spectrum from among one or more transmission spectrums. The method may further include equalizing the communication signal using the selected first transmission spectrum and sending the equalized communication signal to a receiving access point.

Abstract: A method for routing data between access points in a locomotive consist including at least three locomotives is disclosed. The method may include monitoring at least one characteristic of a first data transmission between a first access point in a first locomotive and a third access point in a third locomotive. The method may also include determining, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route a second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a second access point in a second locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include monitoring an effect of a first interference generated by a first pair of wires on a second pair of wires during a communication. The method may also include monitoring an effect of a second interference generated by the second pair of wires on the first pair of wires during the communication. The method may further include dividing data packets to he sent from the first access point to the second access point such that a first subset of the data packets are designated for the first pair of wires and a second subset of the data packets are designated for the second pair of wires and modifying the first subset of the data packets to reduce the effect of the first interference.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include monitoring an effect of a first interference generated by a first pair of wires on a second pair of wires during a communication. The method may also include monitoring an effect of a second interference generated by the second pair of wires on the first pair of wires during the communication. The method may further include dividing data packets to he sent from the first access point to the second access point such that a first subset of the data packets are designated for the first pair of wires and a second subset of the data packets are designated for the second pair of wires and modifying the first subset of the data packets to reduce the effect of the first interference.

Abstract: A method for routing data between access points in a locomotive consist including at least three locomotives is disclosed. The method may include monitoring at least one characteristic of a first data transmission between a first access point in a first locomotive and a third access point in a third locomotive. The method may also include determining, based on the monitored characteristic, whether to route a second data transmission from the first access point to the third access point through a second access point in a second locomotive that is physically disposed between the first locomotive and the third locomotive.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include receiving, at a first access point, a first set of data packets that represent a communication sent from a second access point via a first set of wires. The method may also include receiving, at the first access point, a second set of data packets that represent the same communication sent from the second access point via a second set of wires. Further, the method may include processing the first set of data packets and the second set of data packets to create a resultant set of data packets and generating, at the first access point, a communication related to operating the locomotive based on the resultant data packets.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data between access points in a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include determining, at a sending access point, the number of locomotives across which a communication signal will be sent. The method may also include selecting, based on the number of determined locomotives, a first transmission spectrum from among one or more transmission spectrums. The method may further include equalizing the communication signal using the selected first transmission spectrum and sending the equalized communication signal to a receiving access point.

Abstract: A method for controlling data communication among two or more of access points within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include selecting, from among the two or more access points, a first access point to output a synchronization signal. The method may also include outputting the synchronization signal from the first access point to the remaining one or more access points, wherein the synchronization signal may be used to synchronize data communication among the two or more access points.

Abstract: A resettable torque limiter for installation between two rotary members, which can smoothly disengage upon application of predetermined torque acting between the members and smoothly reset upon decline of applied torque below the predetermined level. An undulating engagement surface formed on one member according to a function preferably an eighth power polynomial is engaged by a plurality of engagement elements on the other member which smoothly ride over lobes formed on the engagement surface when the torque limit is exceeded without causing any discontinuities in acceleration or jerk when the driving connection between the rotary members is interrupted until the applied torque declines below the preset limit.

Abstract: A resettable torque limiter for installation between two rotary members, which can smoothly disengage upon application of predetermined torque acting between the members and smoothly reset upon decline of applied torque below the predetermined level. An undulating engagement surface formed on one member according to a function preferably an eighth power polynomial is engaged by a plurality of engagement elements on the other member which smoothly ride over lobes formed on the engagement surface when the torque limit is exceeded without causing any discontinuities in acceleration or jerk when the driving connection between the rotary members is interrupted until the applied torque declines below the preset limit.

Abstract: A resettable torque limiter for installation between two rotary members, which can smoothly disengage upon application of a predetermined torque acting between the members and smoothly reset upon decline of applied torque below the predetermined level. An undulating cam surface formed on one member is engaged by one or more cam followers on the other member which smoothly ride over undulation peaks comprising cam lobes when the torque limit is exceeded and the driving connection between the rotary members is interrupted until the applied torque declines below the preset limit.

Abstract: A displaceable drive ball safety element type torque limiter is installed in a variable speed AC motor drive crusher mill drive which can include a selective operable locking brake to hold the crusher components stationary during maintenance operations.