Abstract: A system for determining a safe maximum speed of an vehicle has a processor and a global positioning system receiver in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to determine a grade and distance to an end of an upcoming or a current road segment the vehicle is traveling on based on the global positioning system information received from the global positioning system receiver. The processor is further configured to determine the safe maximum speed of the vehicle based on the distance to the end and pitch of the grade of the upcoming or current road segment the vehicle is traveling on and the braking efficiency of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a method of changing the trigger threshold of a brake stand-by function of a vehicle brake, the brake stand-by function generates brake pressure in wheel brakes without application of a brake pedal. The trigger threshold value for the brake stand-by function is determined by the following steps: a) determining an average return speed of an accelerator pedal; b) changing the trigger threshold value for the brake stand-by function depending on the determined average return speed of the accelerator pedal. The method allows reducing the number of spurious releases of the brake stand-by function, which a sportive driving style brings about. In another embodiment of the method, the position of the accelerator pedal is used to change the trigger threshold value for the brake stand-by function.

Abstract: A wheel slip assurance module comprises a device for disabling the wheel slip valve, a timing reservoir in communication with the disabling device, and a check valve and choke circuit providing parallel connections between the output of the wheel slip valve and the timing reservoir having a first connection path comprising a check valve and charging choke and a second connection path comprising a dissipating choke such that flow from the output of the wheel slip valve passes through the check valve and charging choke to charge the reservoir when the brake cylinders are pressurized and opposite flow passes through the dissipating choke allowing the reservoir to discharge when the brake cylinders are exhausted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for optimizing the dynamics and energy usage of long vehicles such as freight trains by determining their operating conditions and calculating an optimal sequence of power and braking control actions. The sequence calculated provides for optimal vehicle dynamic behaviour with minimum energy usage in accordance with the train type, track topography and train operation rules and policies. The method and system serves as a management tool for the driver and reference signals for a train cruise control or autopilot system.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a brake system of a motor vehicle having traction control are described. The brake system contains sensors which are assigned to the individual vehicle wheels and with which a quantity representing at least the driving and/or braking forces acting between the road surface and the vehicle wheel is detected for the respective vehicle wheel. For operation of the brake system having traction control, pressure quantities which describe the brake pressure established for the respective vehicle wheel are analyzed. The pressure quantities are determined as a function of the quantities detected by the sensors.

Abstract: The adaptive brake application and initial skid detection system allows rapid brake application and prevents deep initial skids. Brake pressure is compared with a predetermined threshold brake pressure. Wheel velocity error signals are also generated to indicate the difference between the wheel velocity and a reference velocity signal. A pressure bias modulator integrator responsive to brake pressure signals adjusts the wheel velocity error signals to provide an anti-skid control signal. The pressure bias modulator integrator can also be initialized to the value of the measured brake pressure when the wheel velocity error signals indicate the beginning of a skid. Brake pressure difference signals are generated to indicate the difference between brake pressure and a commanded brake pressure, and an adjusted brake pressure error signal is generated in response to the brake pressure difference signals.

Abstract: For externally actuating a brake system, both the surroundings of the brake pedal and, if necessary, additional parameters (d,d ,Vref) are monitored a sensor unit (6,10,11). Then the brake pressure (pnom) will be set automatically in an expedient manner in dependence of the individual parameters that were evaluated. Advantageous further embodiments include proposals for precharging the brake or braking slightly or automatically applying a higher brake pressure in dependence of the measuring results, in so far as this is reasonable with respect to road conditions and the driver's wishes as they were assumed by the system.

Abstract: In this invention there is disclosed a system and method for tuning a speed controller that is used to keep a rail-based transportation system within a prescribed speed limit while providing a smooth ride. A fuzzy logic controller is synthesized to track the performance of a train simulator to a predetermined velocity profile over a specified track profile. A genetic algorithm is used to adjust the fuzzy logic controller's performance by adjusting its parameters in a sequential order of significance.

Abstract: A brake monitoring device for railroad cars is provided with a first comparison device which compares the electrical brake power equivalent signal with a first standard value, judges whether or not electrical brake power is generated and closes the locomotive brake deficit check circuit with an interlock device when such electrical brake power equivalent signal is smaller than such first standard value and which opens the locomotive brake deficit check circuit when it is larger. Such brake monitoring device also includes a second comparison device which compares the electrical brake power equivalent signal with a second standard value which judges whether or not electrical brake power is supplied to the brake power of the trailer car. Such device closes the trailer car brake deficit check circuit with such interlock device when the electrical brake power equivalent signal is smaller than the second standard value and opens the trailer car brake deficit check circuit when it is larger.

Abstract: A process carries out an automatic braking operation in which, when the return speed of the accelerator pedal exceeds a threshold value and a transfer of the driver's foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal is determined, an automatic braking operation is triggered. During that operation, a brake pressure is generated in the wheel brakes and is terminated when either a defined time has been exceeded since the triggering of the braking operation or when an operation of the brake pedal takes place by the driver. A support of the driver is ensured when operating the brake pedal in critical driving situations and a brake pressure buildup is carried out even before the operation of the brake pedal by the driver. After the automatic braking operation has been triggered, monitoring occurs to determine whether the time derivation of a quantity representing the operation of the brake pedal exceeds a threshold rise value.

Abstract: The brake energy balancing system balances brake torque of braking wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of cars carried by trucks, for applying and controlling the brakes of each group of braking wheels of the trucks of the vehicle. Brake torque is measured, a command brake torque signal is generated that is limited by a reference torque signal, and the command brake torque signal is compared with the measured brake torque to generate brake torque difference signals. An energy balancing brake application control signal is provided to the brakes in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: The brake energy balancing system balances brake torque of braking wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of cars carried by trucks, for applying and controlling the brakes of each group of braking wheels of the trucks of the vehicle. Brake torque is measured, a command brake torque signal is generated that is limited by a reference torque signal, and the command brake torque signal is compared with the measured brake torque to generate brake torque difference signals. An energy balancing brake application control signal is provided to the brakes in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: The brake energy balancing system balances brake torque of braking wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of cars carried by trucks, for applying and controlling the brakes of each group of braking wheels of the trucks of the vehicle. Brake torque is measured, a command brake torque signal is generated that is limited by a reference torque signal, and the command brake torque signal is compared with the measured brake torque to generate brake torque difference signals. An energy balancing brake application control signal is provided to the brakes in response to the brake torque difference signals.