Abstract:
A method (e.g., for monitoring a braking system of a vehicle system) includes monitoring fluid pressures of a braking system and modeled braking efforts of the braking system in a vehicle system traveling along a route, identifying one or more time periods at least one of before a brake event of the braking system or after the brake event, calculating residual forces exerted on the vehicle system during the one or more time periods, and determining at least one of an estimated braking effort of the braking system or an estimated propagation rate at which the estimated braking effort is applied by the braking system using the residual forces that are calculated.
Abstract:
An apparatus including an alternator that is drivable by an engine for producing a first AC electric current, a rectifier in electrical communication with the alternator for producing a DC electric current, an inverter in electrical communication with the rectifier for producing a second AC electric current where the second AC electric current having an acceptable frequency and/or voltage, and the inverter in electrical communication with one or more electric loads responsive to the second AC electric current, and an energy storage device that is able to electrically couple to the alternator, rectifier, and/or inverter.
Abstract:
System including a switch control module that is configured to control operation of a first contactor and a second contactor in a vehicle system. The first and second contactors are configured to selectively connect front-end and direct-current (DC) buses, respectively, to an energy storage system of the vehicle system. The front-end bus is configured to receive electrical power from an external power source and provide the electrical power to a converter device. The converter device is configured to supply DC power to the DC bus. The switch control module is configured to close the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably coupled to the external power source so that the energy storage system is charged by the DC power. The switch control module is configured to close one of the first contactor or the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably decoupled to the external power source.
Abstract:
A method and system for examining velocity differences in a vehicle speed of a vehicle and the angular speed of the axles and/or wheels of the vehicle system traveling along a route to determine if the route is damaged and/or to identify the location of the potentially damaged section of the route. The differences may represent wheel creeps of the vehicle system.
Abstract:
A method for controlling a vehicle system includes obtaining an off-board-based input speed of a vehicle system traveling along a curved segment of a first route. The off-board-based input speed is obtained from data provided by an off-board device disposed off the vehicle system. The method also includes determining a heading of the vehicle system from the data provided by the off-board device and calculating a curvature of the curved segment of the first route using the off-board-based input speed and the heading of the vehicle system while the vehicle system travels along the curved segment of the first route.
Abstract:
A method includes identifying power outputs to be provided by propulsion-generating vehicles of a vehicle system for different locations along a route and calculating handling parameters of the vehicle system at the locations along the route. The handling parameters are representative of at least one of coupler forces, coupler energies, relative vehicle velocities, or natural forces exerted on the vehicle system. The method also includes determining asynchronous operational settings for the propulsion-generating vehicles at the locations. The asynchronous operational settings represent different operational settings that cause the propulsion-generating vehicles to provide at least the power outputs at the locations while changing the handling parameters of the vehicle system to designated values at the locations. The method further includes communicating the asynchronous operational settings to the propulsion-generating vehicles in order to cause the propulsion-generating vehicles to implement the asynchronous operational settings at the different locations.
Abstract:
A method of operating a vehicle having an electric drive is provided. The method includes defining a first zone and a second zone. The first zone has an associated first characteristic and the second zone has an associated second characteristic that differs from the first characteristic. The method further includes switching an operating mode of a vehicle from a first operating mode in the first zone to a second operating mode in the second zone in response to the vehicle translating from the first zone to the second zone. Associated vehicles and systems are provided also.
Abstract:
A system includes an application device, a control unit, a detection unit, an identification unit, and a secondary analysis module. The application device is configured to be at least one of conductively or inductively coupled with a route. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current to inject an examination signal into the route via the application device. The detection unit is configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the route. The identification unit is configured to examine the one or more electrical characteristics of the route to determine whether a section of the route is potentially damaged. The secondary analysis module is configured to perform a secondary analysis of the potentially damaged section of the route to at least one of confirm that damage has occurred, identify a type of damage, or assess a level of damage.
Abstract:
A method of testing a braking device in a drivetrain of a vehicle which includes at least one tractive element coupled to a traction motor. The method includes: (a) applying the braking device to a tractive element of the vehicle; (b) using an electronic controller, causing the traction motor to apply a predetermined force to the tractive element; and (c) using the controller, monitoring the tractive element for movement while the force is being applied. A dynamic braking or “retarder” function may also be tested. A system for carrying out the method is provided.
Abstract:
A system and method for examining a route and/or vehicle system obtain a route parameter and/or a vehicle parameter from discrete examinations of the route and/or the vehicle system. The route parameter is indicative of a health of the route over which the vehicle system travels. The vehicle parameter is indicative of a health of the vehicle system. The discrete examinations of the route and/or the vehicle system are separated from each other by location and/or time. The route parameter and/or the vehicle parameter are examined to determine whether the route and/or the vehicle system is damaged and, responsive to determining that the route and/or the vehicle is damaged, the route and/or the vehicle system are continually monitored, such as by examination equipment onboard the vehicle system.