Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110099413 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCOMOTIVE INTER-CONSIST EQUIPMENT SPARING AND REDUNDANCY - In a system and method for communicating data in a locomotive consist or other vehicle consist (comprising at least first and second linked vehicles), a first electronic component in the first vehicle of the vehicle consist is monitored to determine if the component is in (or enters) a failure state. In the failure state, the first electronic component is unable to perform a designated function. Upon determining the failure state, data is transmitted from the first vehicle to a second electronic component on the second vehicle, over a communication channel linking the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The second electronic component is operated based on the transmitted data, with the second electronic component performing the designated function that the first electronic component is unable to perform. | 04-28-2011 |
20130261842 | VEHICLE CONSIST CONFIGURATION CONTROL - A method includes obtaining data relating to operation of a first vehicle in a vehicle consist that includes the first vehicle and a second vehicle communicatively coupled with each other by a communication channel. The first vehicle includes a first electronic component performing functions for the first vehicle using the first data. The method also includes communicating the first data over the communication channel from the first vehicle to a second electronic component disposed onboard the second vehicle responsive to the first electronic component being unable to perform the one or more functions for the first vehicle using the first data. The method further includes performing the functions of the first electronic component with the second electronic component using the first data that is received from the first vehicle. | 10-03-2013 |
20140129060 | System And Method For Vehicle Communication, Vehicle Control, And/Or Route Inspection - In a system and method for communicating data in a locomotive consist or other vehicle consist (comprising at least first and second linked vehicles), a first electronic component in the first vehicle of the vehicle consist is monitored to determine if the component is in (or enters) a failure state. In the failure state, the first electronic component is unable to perform a designated function. Upon determining the failure state, data is transmitted from the first vehicle to a second electronic component on the second vehicle, over a communication channel linking the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The second electronic component is operated based on the transmitted data, with the second electronic component performing the designated function that the first electronic component is unable to perform. | 05-08-2014 |
20140330460 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ENERGY DEMAND OF VEHICLES ON A NETWORK - A method includes monitoring an available amount of electrical energy on an electrical power grid for powering one or more loads at one time. The available amount of electrical energy represents an amount of electrical energy that may be consumed at one time without exceeding a grid capacity. The method also includes monitoring an electrical energy demand of plural electric vehicles traveling on a network of routes that includes one or more conductive pathways extending along the routes for delivering the electrical energy from the electrical power grid to the electric vehicles. The method further includes controlling movements of the electric vehicles such that the electrical energy demand of the electric vehicles does not exceed the available amount of electrical energy on the electrical power grid. | 11-06-2014 |
20140350756 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE SYSTEM FACTORING MASS ATTRIBUTABLE TO WEATHER - A method includes receiving weather data of weather at least one of encountered or to be encountered by one or more vehicles in a vehicle system traveling on a trip along a route. The method also includes, based at least in part on the weather data, determining a first estimated weight of the vehicle system. The first estimated weight accounts for mass attributable to the weather. The method further includes controlling movements of the vehicle system during the trip based at least in part on the first estimated weight of the vehicle system. | 11-27-2014 |
20140358339 | System And Method For Controlling De-Rating Of Propulsion-Generating Vehicles In A Vehicle System - A method for de-rating propulsion-generating vehicles in a vehicle system includes identifying a feature of interest in a route and identifying one or more propulsion-generating vehicles as de-rating vehicles that are subject to a handling rule associated with the feature of interest. The handling rule dictates that throttle settings be limited to a reduced range when traveling over the feature of interest. The method further includes, when the de-rating vehicles are traveling along the route and outside of the feature of interest, operating the de-rating vehicles using a larger range of throttle settings and, responsive to approaching and/or traveling over the feature of interest, automatically de-rating at least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system by operating the at least a subset of the propulsion-generating vehicles using the smaller range of throttle settings during travel over the feature of interest. | 12-04-2014 |
20150045993 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE COMMUNICATION, VEHICLE CONTROL, AND/OR ROUTE INSPECTION - In a system and method for communicating data in a locomotive consist or other vehicle consist (comprising at least first and second linked vehicles), a first electronic component in the first vehicle of the vehicle consist is monitored to determine if the component is in (or enters) a failure state. In the failure state, the first electronic component is unable to perform a designated function. Upon determining the failure state, data is transmitted from the first vehicle to a second electronic component on the second vehicle, over a communication channel linking the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The second electronic component is operated based on the transmitted data, with the second electronic component performing the designated function that the first electronic component is unable to perform. | 02-12-2015 |
20150074013 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ROUTE EFFICIENCY MAPPING - A system includes a simulation module and a mapping module. The simulation module is configured to simulate performance of a first mission over at least one route by a first vehicle, and to simulate the performance of the first mission using route information corresponding to one or more characteristics of the at least one route and vehicle information corresponding to one or more characteristics of the first vehicle. The simulation module is configured to determine performance characteristics for the first mission, with the performance characteristics including at least one fuel usage characteristic evaluated for plural sections of the at least one route. The mapping module is configured to provide a fuel efficiency map describing fuel usage along at least a portion of the at least one route using the performance characteristics determined by the simulation module. | 03-12-2015 |