Abstract: This invention discloses a method and device for reducing fuel consumption by a locomotive system comprised of a plurality of tandem diesel locomotives electrically interconnected so that one of the units is a lead unit and the remaining units are trailing units. In particular, the fuel saver arrangement of the present invention is capable of selectively placing one or more of the locomotives in the system in a "throttle one" power position without causing any significant reduction in the operating efficiency of the system's safety equipment. The locomotive is placed in the throttle one power position by means of switching relays that are operable to override the normal throttle control circuit of the locomotive. These relays respond to a fuel save signal that is generated in the control box located on the lead unit. The control box includes a fuel save switch operable to initiate and terminate the fuel save operation and a unit selector switch operable to select the locomotive to be reduced in power.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system for a consist of diesel locomotives conserves fuel by throttling back trailing engines and operating remaining engines at the most efficient throttle position. A control unit in the lead locomotive is operated by the engineer to command control units in equipped trailing locomotives of the consist. In the lead locomotive, depressing a "set speed" push button causes a speed memory to store the existing speed of the consist, and a cutout control signal is generated which is transmitted to trailing units in serial order, i.e., front to rear, by a single spare trainline wire. The control signal has two control voltage levels that increase or decrease with deviations of the speed of the consist from the desired speed in memory. These voltage levels are decoded by each trailing unit and, if power is needed, the engine throttle is set at the most efficient position or, if the locomotive is to be cut out, the throttle is set at a desired minimum position.

Abstract: A device for protecting a self-propelled rail vehicle against swaying, which device includes a measuring member for ascertaining the torsional vibrations of the wheels of a driving wheel set with regard to each other. This measuring member is arranged between the respective wheel set bearing and the carriage frame, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The measuring member is operable to ascertain the torsional vibration reactions between the respective wheel set bearing and the carriage frame and to bring about a corresponding control of the vehicle drive motor for a corresponding change in the pulling force of the wheel set.

Abstract: An analog signal representation of the ground speed of a prime mover driven vehicle is modified by the vehicle drive train ratio factor to produce an analog signal representation of the theoretical speed of rotation of the prime mover rotating element based upon vehicle ground speed and another analog signal representation of the actual speed of rotation of the prime mover rotating element based upon selected prime mover operating parameters is produced. A variable gain amplifier circuit converts the theoretical speed of rotation analog signal representation into a system output calibrated analog signal representation of the actual speed of rotation of the prime mover rotating element based upon vehicle ground speed by incrementally adjusting the potential level of the theoretical speed of rotation analog signal representation in a direction toward that of the prime mover operating parameter based actual speed of rotation signal representation.

Abstract: A locomotive is provided with an enlarged cab having "split level" sections for accommodating the engineer and other members of the train crew. A first upper section includes seating space for the engineer adjacent to the console with good visibility to the front and back, the engineer's line of sight being above the crew members in a lower section of the cab, and on the opposite side of the cab there is an additional upper section that provides an operating station for the engineer's assistant. In the lower section of the cab seating space is provided for at least one crew member. A writing surface (for performing clerical work) adjacent to seating space for the train conductor, with external visibility along a line of sight parallel to the sides of the railroad cars being propelled by the locomotive, is provided either in the lower section or in the additional upper section of the cab.

Abstract: A drive for high-speed locomotives has a variable-speed electric motor which transmits torque to the input shaft of a hydrodynamic power transmission having a hydrodynamic torque converter and a hydrodynamic coupling for transmission of torque to the output shaft which drives the wheels through the medium of a mechanical transmission and cardan shafts. The control unit of the drive engages the converter in the lowest speed range, the coupling in the highest speed range, and the coupling or the converter in the intermediate speed range. In the intermediate speed range, the coupling is engaged when the control unit ascertains that the ratio of maximum traction effort of the drive in engaged condition of the coupling at the momentary intermediate speed to the resistance which the locomotive encounters exceeds one.

Abstract: A vehicle includes drive wheels and a motor connected thereto with torque controlling apparatus and a slip indicating device. Excessive slip indications per unit time are monitored and cause reduction in the torque applied by the motor until the slipping is overcome at which time torque is gradually increased.

Abstract: An analog speed error signal, developed by comparing actual and desired speeds, is processed into a control voltage through a two condition circuit network. When the error signal is more than a predetermined percentage of the desired speed, the network has a unity gain and the control voltage equals the error signal. When the error signal becomes less than the predetermined percentage, the network is shifted into a hybrid form by inserting an integrator loop into the gain circuit so that the control voltage and error signal are not directly proportional. The control voltage is converted into a series of proportional width pulses which are applied to vary the generator output to control locomotive speed. The pulse width varies in part from the error signal variation but also in part from an acceleration signal to anticipate the achievement of desired speed. When the hybrid network is in use, the pulse width speed control feeds back to drive the error signal to zero.

Abstract: A radio controlled remote brake system for a railway train having a caboose equipped with a motor driven pressure regulating valve device and an equalizing reservoir that is charged from the train brake pipe pressure via the regulating valve device. When a brake application is made at the locomotive by operating the conventional engineer's brake valve device, a radio signal corresponding to the brake valve position is transmitted to the caboose where it is compared with a feedback signal corresponding to the instantaneous position in which the caboose regulating valve is set by its drive motor. When the brake control and feedback signals match, the caboose regulating valve is set to effect a reduction of the caboose equalizing reservoir pressure in accordance with the locomotive equalizing reservoir pressure reduction resulting from operation of the engineer's brake valve device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating control of a railway train, comprising at least one locomotive set and a plurality of articulated cars.The method includes the steps of determining car consist and track profile information, dynamically determining velocity of the locomotive set and thus the entire train, dynamically monitoring train presence upon an underlying track, dynamically calculating coupling forces between each car throughout the extent of the train and displaying the thus determined train presence and car coupling forces within the cab of the locomotive to enable a locomotive engineman to more efficiently and reliably operate the train.The apparatus includes track profile and car consist storing units and a means for determining velocity of the locomotive set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating operation and control of a railway train having at least one locomotive in a locomotive set and a plurality of articulated cars. A simulator control station including a train speed control throttle and a train braking controller provides signals related to the degree of operation of the throttle and braking controller.Information relating to car consist, track profile and simulated train location for a predetermined section of track are provided together with data related to the simulated locomotive tractive effort and train braking. Coupling forces between each car throughout the extent of the train are calculated from the data and displayed at the simulator control station to enable a simulator control station operator to control the throttle and braking controller in response to the displayed coupling forces and thereby simulate operation and control of the train. Brake pressure distribution along the length of the train is also displayed.

Abstract: For counteracting slipping and skidding in a motor-driven rail vehicle, the acceleration of the driving wheel is sensed and is used to control the torque of the driving motor. The arrangement includes a device which is responsive to an absolute value of the acceleration which exceeds a predetermined first value to reduce the torque, and to a decrease in the absolute value of the acceleration to a second value to increase the torque. The torque reducing arrangement reduces the torque at a predetermined rate until a low first torque value has been reached, then reduces the torque at a lower rate until the predetermined second low acceleration value is reached, and thereafter increases the torque, the reverse of this procedure is followed when increasing the torque.

Abstract: A vital type of transformer circuit including a saturable core transducer having an input and an output winding. A source of d.c control voltage is coupled to the input winding via a four-terminal capacitor to control the impedance of the secondary winding. The output winding is coupled to a transformer having a primary, a secondary and at least one closed tertiary winding. A source of a.c. voltage is coupled through the output winding to the primary winding for inducing a.c. voltage signals in the secondary winding when d.c. control voltage is applied to the input winding and for causing the closed tertiary winding to load the transformer so that little, if any, a.c voltage is induced into the secondary winding in the absence of d.c. control voltage on the input winding.

Abstract: A drafting stool having electric motors both for moving it along the floor parallel to the forward edge of a drafting table, and for changing the elevation of the seat. Provision is made for guiding its travel along the floor, for preventing overturning thereof, for initiating any desired adjusting movement by the occupant's lurching of his weight in various directions, and for bringing the stool to a halt at any desired position of adjustment either manually, or by means of preset limit control devices.

Abstract: An installation for giving driving instructions, comprising a passenger vehicle equipped with a gear shift, an electric motor and a mechanism for supplying electrical energy. Between the gear shift and the electric motor there is provided a releasable clutch, and there is further provided an electronic control mechanism for the electric motor and which control mechanism is responsive to the position of a foot pedal.

Abstract: A reversible binary counter unit receives periodic clock pulses from associated advance train line apparatus, one pulse at the end of each cycle of operation of the ATL apparatus to vary train propulsion level in car by car steps. The counter adds or subtracts each pulse in accord with the condition of an up/down direction signal representing the sign of the train speed error. The BCD output of the counter is converted into decimal form and applied to a "select and/or" logic network which energizes the train line relay corresponding to the base propulsion level designated by the decimal count and all lower level train line relays. When the counter reaches either count limit, under a corresponding direction signal, further counting operation is inhibited through a logic network.

Abstract: In a motor-driven rail vehicle, an arrangement is provided for sensing oscillations in the drive system occurring in a predetermined frequency range, and to reduce the torque of the motor if the oscillation amplitude sensed thereby exceeds a predetermined threshold value.