Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130168503 | DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAIL VEHICLE - A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor, input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle. | 07-04-2013 |
20150076290 | DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAIL VEHICLE - A detection system for a rail vehicle includes a control module, which has a sensor input for receiving a signal from a sensor. The control module is configured to receive the signal and to output information responsive to the signal. In operation, the control module and a sensor are deployed on board the rail vehicle. The sensor is configured to generate the signal responsive to detecting a designated condition on board the rail vehicle. When the condition occurs, the sensor outputs the signal, which is received by the control module. Responsive to the signal, the control module outputs the information, such as communicating information of the signal content to another rail vehicle, or to an off board location. The designated condition may be unauthorized use of a handheld wireless device in a rail vehicle, or intruder entry into an unmanned rail vehicle. | 03-19-2015 |
20150177012 | DISTRIBUTED ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE SYSTEM - A system and method for generating a trip plan for a vehicle system determine a first trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system from a first location to a second location over a first route that includes a first intersection with a second route. The first trip plan designates operational settings of the vehicle system. An alternate trip plan that extends along the second route from the first intersection to the second location of the trip of the vehicle system also is determined. The first and alternate trip plans are determined prior to the vehicle system reaching the first intersection. Movement of the vehicle system is controlled according to the first trip plan prior to the vehicle system reaching the first intersection and then controlled according to the alternate trip plan responsive to the vehicle system deviating from the first trip plan. | 06-25-2015 |
20150183448 | ROUTE EXAMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A route examination system and method automatically detect (with an identification unit onboard a vehicle having one or more processors) a location of a break in conductivity of a first route during movement of the vehicle along the first route. The system and method also identify (with the identification unit) one or more of a location of the vehicle on the first route or the first route from among several different routes based at least in part on the location of the break in the conductivity of the first route that is detected. | 07-02-2015 |
20150217790 | DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for communicating data obtain operational data associated with a control system of a vehicle consist. The operational data is obtained at a first vehicle of the consist. The operational data is communicated from the first vehicle to one or more second vehicles in the consist. Responsive to a loss of the operational data at the first vehicle, at least the operational data that was lost at the first vehicle can be communicated from one or more of the second vehicles to the first vehicle. Onboard the first vehicle, an operational capability of the consist to perform a movement event can be determined using the operational data that was lost at the first vehicle and that was communicated from the at least one of the one or more second vehicles to the first vehicle. | 08-06-2015 |
20150251676 | Systems and Methods for Vehicle Control - A system configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is configured to obtain first trip information including first location-based operational information. The first trip information includes commands for a positive train control (PTC) system. The communication unit is also configured to obtain second trip information including second location-based operational information. The second trip information includes trip profile information for performing a mission by the vehicle. The processing unit is configured to obtain the first trip information and the second trip information from the communication unit, and to determine combined trip information using the first trip information and the second trip information. The processing unit is also configured to develop control information using the combined trip information. | 09-10-2015 |
20160031459 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING DATA WITH VEHICLES - A method includes defining a pre-load zone that has reliable communication along a route. The pre-load zone is associated with a trip of a vehicle traveling along the route. A starting location of the trip is located outside of the pre-load zone. The vehicle is configured to enter the pre-load zone and exit the pre-load zone prior to reaching the starting location of the trip. The method includes receiving a trip request message that identifies the pre-load zone from the vehicle after the vehicle enters the pre-load zone and prior to the vehicle exiting the pre-load zone. The method also includes sending a trip response message to the vehicle that the vehicle receives prior to exiting the pre-load zone. The trip response message includes trip data specific to the trip that is selected based on the association between the pre-load zone and the trip. | 02-04-2016 |
20160091320 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PLANNED SPEED VALUES - A method and system are provided to obtain, with one or more processors, a speed profile of a vehicle system for a designated route traveled by the vehicle system. The designated route includes a plurality of segments, and the speed profile includes a planned segment speed for each segment. One or more planned segment speeds are identified that correspond to a point of interest, and respective priorities are assigned to the identified segment speeds based on the point of interest forming prioritized segment speeds. First discrete numeral values are displayed on a display, representing the planned segment speeds of the prioritized segments that are within a predetermined distance forward of a motion of the vehicle system. Second discrete numeral values are displayed on the display, corresponding to remaining segment speeds that are within the predetermined distance, until a predetermined threshold of discrete numeral values is reached. | 03-31-2016 |