| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080201027 | System and method for computer aided dispatching using a coordinating agent - A system and method for controlling the movement of plural trains over a rail network, where the rail network is divided into a plurality of planning areas with a boundary element of common track between adjacent planning areas, using a local coordinating agent for controlling the movement of the trains through the boundary elements. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080208401 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR INSURING CONTINUOUS FLOW OF INFORMATION TO AN OPERATOR OF A POWERED SYSTEM - A system for providing architecture for controlling a powered system having at least one power generating unit so that information provided to a user is not halted when a change in information to at least one of a subsystem and a system occurs, the system including a first control device configured for controlling the powered system, a second control device configured for controlling the power generating unit, and a communication system configured to provide information to the first control device independent of the second control device and the second control device independent of the first control device. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080243320 | Methods and systems for determining an integrity of a train - A method for determining an integrity of a train is provided. The method includes coupling at least one head-of-train device to the train. The head-of-train device includes at least one first radio. The method also includes coupling at least one end-of-train device to the train. The end-of-train device includes at least one second radio. The method also includes communicating between the first and second radios using radio-ranging to determine a length of the train, and determining the integrity of the train based on the length of the train. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080281477 | Distributed Train Intelligence System & Method - A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system; a transceiver for communication between the locomotives; and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command. The present system may include on each locomotive a location determining device and a storage of track topology; and the processor determines and communicates to the other locomotive as information an initial propulsion or braking value using the topology of the present and projected location of the locomotive and pre-selected criteria, determines a final propulsion or braking value or command based on the initial value and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the final propulsion or braking value. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080306640 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESSLY INTERFACING A LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST - A system is provided to wirelessly interface a locomotive consist including a plurality of locomotives. One locomotive of the plurality of locomotives includes a plurality of trainline cables to transmit a respective plurality of trainline signals during operation of the locomotive. The plurality of trainline cables extend between a trainline connector positioned adjacent to each end of the locomotive. The system includes at least one first connector device to wirelessly transmit the plurality of trainline signals of at least one first locomotive to at least one second connector device of at least one second locomotive. Each first connector device is coupled to at least one trainline connector of at least one first locomotive, and each second connector device is coupled to at least one trainline connector of at least one second locomotive. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080306641 | Human Machine Interface for Speed and Location Control with Braking Distance Display - The present disclosure is directed to a locomotive controller including an input device, a display and a processor for driving the display and receiving inputs from the input device. Software in the processor determines and drives the display to show a location of a train on a track and indicia of the location on the track of stopping distances for one of an emergency brake application, a full service brake application and at least one controlled stop brake application. Creep control is also provided. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080319593 | Methods and systems for power system management - Methods and systems for energy management system for a vehicle are provided. The system includes a first power source configured for cranking an engine wherein the first power source includes a switch configured to electrically couple the first power source to a starter for the engine and wherein the first power source is electrically isolated from auxiliary onboard loads. The system further includes a second power source configured for supplying auxiliary on board loads, a charging subsystem electrically coupled to the first and the second power sources. The charging subsystem is configured to supply charging current to the first and the second power sources. The system further includes a controller configured to maintain the first power source in a substantially fully charged condition and supply the auxiliary loads from the second power source. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090005922 | Railroad Track Model Servomotor Type Control System - A servomotor type control system for a railroad track model includes a CPU, a key unit, and multiple servos; a player of the model achieves control operating status of those servos as desired by operating the key unit in conjunction with programming pre-installed in the CPU; accordingly, multiple point rails can be easily controlled and adjusted; the servo relates to a servomotor to allow rail switching highly imitating life situation as a breakthrough of conventional restriction to significantly upgrade delicate sense and precision of a railroad track model. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090037038 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR UNIVERSAL INPUT OUTPUT FOR VEHICLE CONTROL - Methods and systems for controlling a vehicle are provided. The system includes a controller configured to generate output signals using input signals received from a plurality of different types of input devices wherein the controller is configured to operate at a predetermined logic level and a universal input module corresponding to each type of the plurality of different types of input devices. The universal input module is configured to receive an input signal from an associated input device of one of the different types, determine an operating range of the input device corresponding to one of the different types of input devices, and transmit an output to the controller at the predetermined logic level wherein the output corresponds to the received input scaled to the determined operating range. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090037039 | Method for locomotive navigation and track identification using video - A system for determining a track location operates to acquire a current video frame via at least one video camera mounted on board a locomotive, determine a track location based on information extracted from the at least one video frame, and transmit the track location information to a navigation system to determine control parameters for the locomotive. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090043435 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MAKING A GPS SIGNAL VITAL - Position reports from GPS receivers can be made vital through a variety of techniques including relative differential GPS corrections and a technique in which a train traveling on a fixed path is provided with a database that includes positions on fixed paths or data from which positions on fixed paths can be determined. Position reports from GPS receivers located on the vehicle are compared to the positions of the fixed paths in the database. If the distance from the position reported by the GPS receiver to the nearest point on the nearest fixed path is greater than the stated accuracy of the GPS receiver, the position report is discarded or other corrective action is taken. A second technique involves cross-checking position reports from two GPS receivers separated by a known distance, preferably mounted on a single vehicle. Still other techniques may be used. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090048725 | TRAIN CREW MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY SYSTEM - A locomotive security system (LSS) is provided. The locomotive security system includes a processor located on a locomotive; an I/O device connected to the processor; and a data storage medium reading device connected to the processor. In some embodiments, the I/O device can be configured to obtain personal information from an operator and communicate the personal information to the processor. Additionally, the data medium reading device can be configured to read data stored on a portable data storage medium. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090088912 | LINEAR DRIVEN X-Z ROBOT - Systems and methods of positioning a tool using a linear motor with a plurality of stages on a single path. A single rail and a plurality of trucks containing stages can comprise a linear motor. The trucks can connect to a tool through a linkage such as a four bar linkage or a scissor jack. The global position of the stages can be manipulated to effectuate motion along the path; the relative position, velocity, and acceleration of the trucks can be manipulated to effectuate motion in another direction such as a direction perpendicular to the path. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090093920 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCATING END OF TRAIN DEVICES - ABSTRACT An end of train unit includes a positioning system such as a GPS receiver and is configured to transmit a message including the EOT unit's location when the EOT unit detects a loss of air pipe pressure and/or it is tipped over and/or a low battery condition is detected. In highly preferred embodiments, the EOT unit periodically re-transmits the message until an acknowledgment message is received. In some embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to create a signal as a substitute for a motion sensor. In other embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to determine the speed of the end of the train. End of train unit tracking is also performed. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090099714 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically determining a force applied through a plurality of axles in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track in a travel direction. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a controller configured to determine a respective dynamic weight shift of the plurality of wheels on the rail track based upon a dynamic factor of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090105893 | System and Method to Determine Train Location in a Track Network - A system for determining a possible location of a train in a track network including interconnected tracks having wayside devices associated with these tracks. The system includes a positioning system for determining an estimated location area of a train and a track database having track location data. A computer: obtains the determined estimated location area of the train from the positioning system; identifies a plurality of tracks in the estimated location area of the train, based upon the track location data; obtains signal system data for at least one wayside device associated with at least one of the tracks identified within the estimated location area; and determines at least one possible train location on at least one of the identified tracks based at least in part upon the obtained signal system data. A method and apparatus for determining the possible location of a train is also provided. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090143927 | System and method for dispatching by exception - A system and method for controlling the movement of plural trains over a rail network, where the rail network is divided into at least one control area with a dispatcher assigned to manage the movement of trains in a control area by predicting the occurrence of events along the network based on the movement plan and prompting the dispatcher to provide information or take specified actions relating to the predicted events. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143928 | Method & apparatus for an interlocking control device - A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating the vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. In turn, a signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090177344 | Method for the Onboard Determination of Train Detection, Train Integrity and Positive Train Separation - A system and method for onboard train detection is disclosed. In some embodiments, the train detection function is segregated into a safety-critical head-of-train determination, a safety-critical end-of-train (or length-of-train) determination, and a safety-critical train integrity function. By supplementing the train detection and integrity functions with information on system latencies, guard zones, processing delays and a determination of safe braking distance, the method and system provides safety-critical onboard positive train separation information. This information is transmitted to a control center and used to determine safe separation distance between trains. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090187294 | System and Method for Train Awakening - A method and system for vitally determining initial vehicle location on a guideway when the vehicle is awakened is disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187295 | Message Protocol for Efficient Transmission of Vital Directives on a Guideway - A method for delivering and maintaining mandatory directives data from a central office server to an on-board system in an efficient and vital manner is disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187296 | Automatic Creation, Maintenance and Monitoring of a Guideway Database - A method and system for creating, maintain, and monitoring a guideway database is disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090198394 | Movable Body System Having Linear Motor - Primary coils of a linear motor are arranged along a travel route. A movable body has a secondary side of the linear motor. The travel route is divided into a plurality of zones, and a zone controller is provided for each zone or controlling the coils of the linear motor in the zone. A coordinate of the movable body outputted from a linear scale of the coil is converted into a coordinate based on the travel route. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090204278 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A WIRELESS-BASED COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN A PAIR OF LOCOMOTIVES - A system is provided for establishing a wireless-based communication link between a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive. A user on the lead locomotive is prompted to input a railroad and number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link command signal is transmitted from the lead locomotive, based on a predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, and the inputted railroad and number identifier. A second processor on the remote locomotive respectively compares the predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, the inputted railroad and number identifier of the lead locomotive, with an inputted number identifier of the lead locomotive, a predetermined railroad and a predetermined number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link reply signal, is transmitted from the remote locomotive, based on the comparison performed by the second processor, to establish the communication link. Additionally, a method is provided for establishing the wireless-based communication link. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090248226 | System and Method for Verifying a Distributed Power Train Setup - A communication system for a distributed power control system of a train is used to transmit signals between the lead locomotive and remote locomotive relative to the direction of movement of the lead and remote units. In addition, data relative to the direction the remote unit is facing relative to the lead locomotive is also sent via the communication system. A controller is programmed to analyze or compare the data to determine if the remote locomotive is traveling in a direction that is consistent with the setup data input by an operator. If the information is not consistent, the operator of the train is warned via an alarm or the train is stopped. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090254231 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING AND PREPARING THE SAND SUPPLY IN A SAND TANK OF SAND SCATTERING DEVICES IN VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR RAIL VEHICLES - A method, and an apparatus, for monitoring the sand supply in a sand tank ( | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090259352 | TRACK TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM - The essential feature of the present invention is the provision of a track transportation system in which a vehicle runs on a predetermined track, being automatically steered, having a simplified and lightweight structure so as to surely ensure a safety, and to be capable of carrying out efficient and high-speed operation. The track transportation system according to the present invention incorporates a steering mechanism for automatic steering by means of an M actuator, a protection guide rail laid on the track, protection guide wheels which travel together with the vehicle along the protection guide rail without making contact with the latter, and a control means for controlling automatic steering in accordance with a result of determination by a track data determining means for determining a straight portion, a curved portion, a turnout portion or the like of the track in view of vehicle position data, and steering caused by the protection wheels making contact with the protection guide rail. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259353 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAILCAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS IN A SWITCHYARD USING EMPTY CAR SUBSTITUTION LOGIC - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090271052 | AUTOMATIC ESTIMATION OF TRAIN CHARACTERISTICS - A system is provided for controlling a series of vehicles. In certain embodiments, the system includes a self-analysis/estimation system configured to control a first parameter of the series of vehicles to impart a resulting changing in a second parameter of the series of vehicles. The self-analysis/estimation system is configured to estimate a third parameter based on the first and second parameters, wherein the third parameter comprises weight, weight distribution, tractive effort, grade, or a combination thereof, associated with the series of vehicles. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090276107 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ACTIVE RUNNING GEAR OF A RAIL VEHICLE - A method for controlling an active running gear of a rail vehicle including at least one first wheel unit with two wheels, wherein by means of at least one first actuator, which acts between the first wheel unit and a vehicle structure supported thereon by means of a first primary spring mechanisms, the turning angle of the first wheel unit about a vertical running gear axis relative to the vehicle structure is adjusted, in a first frequency range, as a function of the actual curvature of the track and/or the turning angle of the first wheel unit about a vertical running gear axis relative to the vehicle structure is adjusted, in a second frequency range, such that transversal movements at least of the first wheel unit, caused by track outlay disturbances or by a sinusoidal course, are counteracted. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090292411 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR LINKING A PLURALITY OF POWERED SYSTEMS HAVING DIFFERENT LINKING PROTOCOLS TO OPERATE AS A SINGLE POWERED SYSTEM - A method for linking together three or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system, the method includes identifying a first linking protocol between at least a first powered system and a second powered system, determining whether at least a third powered system is compatible with the first linking protocol, if not compatible, switching to at least a second linking protocol to find a common linking protocol between the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third powered system, and linking the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third power system to operate in a distributed power configuration when the common linking protocol is found. A system and a computer software code linking together two or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system are also disclosed. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090299555 | System and Method for Pacing a Plurality of Powered Systems Traveling Along A Route - A system is provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along a route. The plurality of powered systems include a constraining powered system and at least one trailing powered system traveling behind the constraining powered system along the route. The system includes one or more controllers configured to control the constraining powered system to travel along the route according to respective predetermined operating parameters at respective incremental locations along the route. The system further includes one of said controllers being configured to control the trailing powered system to travel along the route according to the respective predetermined operating parameters of the constraining powered system at the respective incremental locations along the route. A method is also provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along the route. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090312894 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE STARTS - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described for a vehicle, such as a locomotive. In one example, a system comprises an automatic engine start/stop control system configured to automatically start the engine at a selected clock time. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090326746 | WIRELESS RAILROAD MONITORING - A sensor node configured to acquire sensor data on one or more properties of a railroad environment, wirelessly transmit data related to the property(ies), and generate sufficient power to operate the sensor node without access to any additional power sources is provided. The sensor node can be deployed as part of a group of sensor nodes, which provide data for use by a railroad system in monitoring and/or controlling the railroad environment. In this manner, various properties of the railroad environment can be monitored without requiring significant wiring to the various sensor nodes. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100004804 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OF INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITION - A system and method for vehicle-centric infrastructure monitoring system includes an inspection system mountable on a vehicle configured to travel over an expanse of rail track having a plurality of track blocks. The inspection system acquires track data for at least some track blocks along the expanse of rail track. The monitoring system also includes a positioning system to determine a location of the vehicle and generate location data indicative of an associated track block location, a communications device to transmit the track/location data to a remote location, and a centralized computing system positioned at the remote location to receive the transmitted track/location data. The centralized computing system is programmed to determine a current probability of a track condition for a track block and combine the current track condition probability with a previously determined cumulative track condition probability to provide an updated track condition probability for the track block. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004805 | COMPUTERIZED ON-BOARD SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A TRAIN - A computerized on-board system for controlling a train or rail vehicle is provided. The computerized on-board system includes a train control and monitoring system (TCMS) having a main processor unit (MPU) for controlling the train and electronic control, command and monitoring equipment for providing control data for the train. The computerized on-board system also includes at least one display unit for making the control data of the train provided by the main processor unit (MPU) or by the electronic equipment available and a main data transfer network. The electronic equipment includes at least one additional item of equipment, the at least one additional item of equipment being electronic equipment for automatic train control (ATC) or video surveillance equipment (CCTV). The display unit processes the data and displays data produced by one of the at least one additional items of equipment. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100030409 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROL IN DISTRIBUTED POWER VEHICLES - A brake control system for a distributed power vehicle system includes a brake system and a distributed power control system in a first vehicle, and first and second separate communication links between the brake system and the distributed power control system. In operation, upon the initiation of a penalty brake application, the brake system transmits information about the brake level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system, over at least the first communication link. However, if the first communication link fails, the brake system redundantly transmits the information about the level of the penalty brake application to the distributed power control system over the second communication link. The information is transmitted from the distributed power control system in the first vehicle to remote vehicles for carrying out the penalty brake application. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100036553 | TRACK TYPE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM - In a track type protection system comprising an automatic steering mechanism and a fail-safe mechanism, provided is a detection mechanism which can detect a deviated value of a vehicle, widthwise of a track, and which is highly reliable. The track type transportation system in which the vehicle runs on the road surface of the track, comprising the steering mechanism for automatically steering the front and rear wheels of the vehicle by means of actuators, and the fail-safe mechanism composed of a protection track defined on the road surface of the track, and protection wheels provided in the lower part of the vehicle and adapted to run in the protection track without making contact with the protection track, wherein there are provided a pair of noncontact type displacement meters | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100049383 | AUTONOMOUS ASSET TRANSPORTATION METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A method, computer apparatus and computer program product are provided for autonomously transporting an asset along a track to a destination in a manner that is safe, reliable and quick. In regards to the method, instructions are received relating to the shipment of the asset to the destination. Based upon the instructions, a track-based route along which the asset is to be transported to the destination is then automatically determined. In order to automatically determine the track-based route, the integrity of the track and/or the track bed may be determined. When determined necessary in order to transport the asset to the destination, the track may be automatically reconfigured, such as by closing or opening appropriate switches. Further, the movement of the asset may be controlled in an autonomous manner along the track while continuing to monitor at least that portion of the track between the asset and the destination. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100063656 | Train Control Method and System - A train control system for controlling trains traveling in a track network including tracks with signals associated therewith. The system includes an on-board track database, a positioning system and an on-board control system. The on-board control system receives position data and automatically brakes the train prior to encountering an upcoming signal based upon specified data points. The train is not automatically braked if certain conditions are met. A method for controlling a train traveling in a track network is also disclosed. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100063657 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEMORY MEDIUM FOR VERIFYING TRACK DATABASE INFORMATION - A system for verifying data in a track database comprises a track profile database stored in a memory having data relative to one or more track grades and geographic coordinates or range of coordinates associated with each of the one or more track grades. A vehicle trip plan is developed according to the track profile data that comprises a designated path of travel of the vehicle over the track system and a planned vehicle operating condition associated with each of the one or more track grades and the associated coordinates or range of coordinates of the track grades. A controller is configured to compare a stored current vehicle operating condition of the vehicle and associated geographic coordinates to the planned vehicle operating condition to verify the accuracy of the track grade data at the associated geographic coordinates. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100070116 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A BRAKING EFFORT OF A BRAKING SYSTEM IN A POWERED SYSTEM - A control system is provided for controlling a braking effort of a braking system in a powered system. The powered system travels along a route. The control system includes a controller coupled to the braking system, where the controller is configured to monitor the braking effort of the braking system at a braking region along the route. The controller is further configured to control the braking effort at the braking region, such that the braking effort approaches within a predetermined range of a braking effort threshold, but does not exceed the braking effort threshold. A method is also provided for controlling a braking effort of a braking system in a powered system. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100070117 | Method and Apparatus for Locomotive Apparatus - A locomotive engine comprising an increased efficiency relative to conventional locomotive engines is disclosed. The locomotive engine may comprise components having an increased efficiency relative to conventional components and/or may comprise a system for operating the engine components more efficiently relative to systems for operating the components of conventional locomotive engines. Further, the locomotive engine may comprise modular components that can be readily installed or removed from the locomotive engine. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100076631 | ROBOTIC VEHICLE FOR PERFORMING RAIL-RELATED ACTIONS - A robotic vehicle configured for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation in a rail environment is provided. The vehicle can process image data to move about the rail environment and perform one or more actions in the rail environment. The actions can include one or more actions related to decoupling and/or attaching rail vehicles, and can be implemented by performing three-dimensional image processing. The vehicle can be configured to move with any movement of a rail vehicle on which one or more actions are being performed. In an alternative embodiment, the various components configured to perform the action are implemented at a stationary location with respect to a rail line. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100087971 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONTROLLER - An object is to obtain an electric vehicle controller capable of reducing a total sum of losses of an AD motor and losses of a main circuit. In a vector-control-command-value calculating unit, according to a torque command T*, a DC-voltage command value EFCR and a magnetic-flux command value F2R for which a total sum of losses of an AD motor and losses of a second main circuit is minimized is calculated and selected. The vector-control-command-value calculating unit outputs the magnetic-flux command value F2R to a vector control unit, and outputs the DC-voltage command value EFCR to a converter control unit. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100087972 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAIL CAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS USING DYNAMIC CLASSIFICATION TRACK ALLOCATION - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100131127 | RAILROAD SIGNAL MESSAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A railroad signal message system is provided. The system includes: an input circuit to receive railroad data from a railroad signaling device, an aspect converter operatively coupled to the input circuit to convert the railroad data into a machine-readable message that includes an indication of the railroad signaling device, and a message translator operatively coupled to the aspect converter to translate the message into a human-perceivable message. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131128 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AVAILABLE POWER AND WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION IN A TRAIN - A navigation system includes a computer readable storage medium having a sequence of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to acquire a plurality of parameters of a train comprising parameters measured after the train has begun a journey. The train includes a plurality of vehicles providing tractive effort and a consist coupled to the plurality of vehicles. The sequence of instructions also causes the processor to calculate the tractive effort of less than all of the plurality of vehicles based on the acquired plurality of parameters. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131129 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION-BASED TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM CAPABILITIES - A portable computer system and method of operating a vehicle using the portable computer system in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory is provided. The portable computer system includes a sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the CBTC system, wherein the portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle. The method includes verifying that the vehicle is operating with one of a non-operational CBTC computer system and a non-CBTC computer system, and removably coupling a portable computer system including at least one sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor to the vehicle such that the transceiver is coupled in communication with the CBTC system. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100174427 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMITING IN-TRAIN FORCES OF A RAILROAD TRAIN - A system and method for determining and managing a slack state of a train and for is disclosed. The system acquires railway system parameters for a plurality of railway vehicles and for a track segment traversed by the plurality of railway vehicles, the parameters including a grade of the track segment at each of a plurality of locations therealong and an acceleration of each of the plurality of railway vehicles at each of the plurality of locations. The system calculates a coupler force for each of the plurality of railway vehicles at each of the plurality of locations based on the railway system parameters, determines a slack state for the plurality of railway vehicles based on the calculated coupler forces, and determines a limit on a tractive effort generated by locomotive consists included in the railway vehicles based on the determined slack state. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174428 | Railroad Train Monitoring System - Railcar monitoring utilizes instrumented, flexible pads supported within the truck pedestal jaws on the bearing adapters. The pads contain sensors for monitoring temperature pressure, shifting loads, truck hunting and the like and have circuitry for processing information received from the sensors and for processing and reporting departures of performance variables to a remote source. The system cyclically activates polling each pad on a car and communicates signals of critical departures and car identity to a remote source. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100179713 | CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR RAILWAY ELECTRIC CAR - Provided is a controlling device for a railway electric car, the controlling device being able to detect a slipping/sliding phenomenon during, in particular, high-speed travel and to exercise slipping/sliding control in an appropriate manner. A slip controlling unit | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100185347 | System and Method for Verifying the Integrity of a Train - A system for verifying the integrity of a train having a predetermined length is provided. The system includes a device for communicating and synchronizing with a detector of a circuit. The detector detects the presence/absence of a train. The device also includes an odometer providing an odometric reference at the start of occupation of the circuit and when the circuit is left by the train, a first processor calculating the distance traveled by the train on the basis of the difference between the two odometric references, a second processor calculating a minimum estimate of the length of the train that is equal to the calculated distance traveled less the algebraic length of the detection circuit and an information mechanism indicating that the train is integral when the calculated length of the train is greater than the predetermined length of the train less the length of a wagon. A method and a computer program product are also provided. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100191395 | Method and Arrangement for the Operation of a Railroad Line - A method and a configuration for the operation of a railroad line include at least one signal box for providing line-block-section-specific light signal data and a line side system for an intermittent automatic or inductive train control system at line block section ends. In order to dispense with line side light signals and still be able to continue to use a signal box logic concept for light signals, the signal box transfers the line-block-section-specific light signal data over a radio system to a rail vehicle and the intermittent automatic or inductive train control system transfers line-block-section-specific data to the rail vehicle during passage by the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle determines the light signal data assigned to the line block section by comparison of line block section specifics. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100204856 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING LOCATION INFORMATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECORDED OPERATING INFORMATION FOR A RAILROAD TRAIN - A method for recording operating information of a railroad train ( | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204857 | DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A RAIL SYSTEM - The vehicles ( | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204858 | Method and Apparatus for Swapping Lead and Remote Locomotives in a Distributed Power Railroad Train - A communications system for a train having spaced apart first and second locomotives each capable of lead and remote operation and rail cars. The first locomotive operating as a lead unit controlling the second locomotive operating as a remote unit. The train comprising a brake system comprising a brake pipe extending a length of the train and controlled by a brake controller in the first and second locomotives. The communications system comprises a communications channel; a station in the first locomotive issuing a first command over the channel to the second locomotive, the first locomotive applying brakes and entering a suspended operational state during which its lead operation is suspended; and a station in the second locomotive issuing a second command over the channel to the first locomotive controlling it to remote operation and controlling the second locomotive to lead operation, and terminating the suspended operational state. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100217462 | OPERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED VEHICLE - A system for the communication of data used in the operation of a powered vehicle comprises a plurality of controllers onboard the powered vehicle for controlling operations of the vehicle. At least one of the controllers has a memory in which data is stored and the data is accessible and used by at least two of the controllers for controlling vehicle operations. A communication link is provided between the at least two controllers for sharing data stored in the memory of one of the controllers to control operations of the powered vehicle. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100222947 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING CAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS IN A SWITCHYARD USING CAR ETA AS A FACTOR - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222948 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAIL CAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS BY ASSESSING SPACE AVAILABILITY IN A CLASSIFICATION TRACK ON THE BASIS OF BLOCK PULL TIME - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100228410 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAIL CAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS IN A SWITCHYARD INCLUDING LOGIC TO RE-SWITCH CARS FOR BLOCK PULL TIME - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100235020 | Database For Efficient Storage of Track Geometry and Feature Locations - A database schema is disclosed that can significantly reduce the quantity of data required to describe the geometry of a train track and the geo-locations of features (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.) along the track. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a railroad track is represented as a plurality of partitions, each of which has its geometry contained within unique track point elements. Multiple track partitions are then joined together by common track point elements at their boundaries to create continuous rail networks. A compact table schema is employed that enables continuous sections of three-dimensional track splines to be rendered accurately in the track database, irrespective of the location of vertical and horizontal curvature along track segments. The data representation scheme also enables efficient storage of the geo-locations of features along a track, as well as the direct reconstitution of accurate three-dimensional track splines. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100235021 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAIL CAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS IN A SWITCHYARD INCLUDING LOGIC TO RE-SWITCH CARS FOR ARRIVAL RATE - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100241295 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING DATA IN LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST OR OTHER VEHICLE CONSIST - A locomotive consist includes a lead locomotive, one or more trail locomotives, and a multiple unit (MU) cable bus interconnecting the first locomotive and the trail locomotives, which is used in the locomotive consist for transferring non-network control information between the lead vehicle and the trail locomotives. In a system and method for communicating data in the locomotive consist, network data is transmitted from the lead locomotive in the locomotive consist to one or more of the trail locomotives in the locomotive consist. The network data is transmitted over the MU cable bus. Each locomotive may include a computer unit or other electronic component, which along with the MU cable bus form a network in the train, e.g., an Ethernet network. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100286853 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR DISTRIBUTING AND MANAGING DATA FOR USE BY A PLURALITY OF SUBSYSTEMS ON A LOCOMOTIVE - A communication system for controlling sharing of data across a plurality of subsystems on a locomotive, the communication system including an open defined interface unit configured so that a plurality of applications may access locomotive control system data in a common defined manner with predictable results. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100292875 | Method for Braking a Rail Vehicle - The invention relates to a method for braking a rail vehicle which has at least two individually actuable brake systems, in particular at least one electric brake system and at least one mechanical brake system, wherein the brake systems are actuated depending on their availability. There is provision for the mass of the rail vehicle which is to be braked and for each brake system to determine the instantaneously available brake forces (actual forces). The instantaneously required braking force (setpoint force) is also determined. The setpoint force is then distributed between the brake systems—taking into account the mass to be braked and the actual forces by means of a management function—in that the management function actuates the brake systems individually or in a combined fashion. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100299006 | Method and System for Providing Redundancy in Railroad Communication Equipment - A railway communication system ( | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100305787 | ELECTRIC TRAIN CAR CONTROLLING DEVICE - A first threshold is determined, with reference to an absolute acceleration that is determined in accordance with a vehicle usage condition, to detect an acceleration change generated in acceleration of a self-axle speed that is a maximum speed (a minimum speed in a decelerating operation) of revolving speeds of plural motors that drive plural driving wheel axles. When the acceleration exceeds the first threshold, a system for generating a target torque command value reduced in accordance with the acceleration deviation is separated by setting an output of a comparator circuit to level “0”, and a first-order delay circuit outputs the target torque command value subjected to a reduction process during a processing period designated by an output of a delay time generating circuit. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100318246 | DETERMINING THE REMAINING SERVICE LIFE OF A VEHICLE COMPONENT - Method for determining the remaining service life of a component of a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, operated on at least one predefined track section of a track network, wherein the remaining service life is determined for a vehicle component of the vehicle mechanically stressed by the interaction between the vehicle and the track section, after a usage interval of the at least one track section, wherein the remaining service life of the vehicle component is determined from a prior loss of service life preset at the beginning of the usage interval for the vehicle component and from a current loss of service life of the vehicle component associated with the usage interval, and wherein the current loss of service life is determined using an actual measured usage of the at least one track section by the vehicle and a relative loss of service life related to the actual usage of the at least one track section, wherein the relative loss of service life has been determined in advance for the at least one track section and at least the type of the vehicle. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100324759 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAIL CAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS IN A SWITCHYARD INCLUDING LOGIC TO RE-SWITCH CARS FOR BLOCK SIZE - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100324760 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAIL CAR SWITCHING SOLUTIONS IN A SWITCHYARD USING AN ITERATIVE METHOD - A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110022252 | Mass Transportation System - A mass transportation system for efficiently transporting a plurality of passengers along a predetermined path from a loading station to an unloading station. The transportation system generally includes a support structure, a track positioned above ground level via the support structure, and a carrier vehicle operable along the track. A first control module operable by a passenger is located outside the carrier vehicle upon a loading station for signaling the carrier vehicle to stop along the track at the loading station and a second control module operable by the passenger is located inside the carrier vehicle for signaling the carrier vehicle to stop along the track at an unloading station. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022253 | Automatic Identification Method and System for Train Information - The present invention relates to a method and system for automatically identifying various information of a train. The method comprises using sensors to collect wheelbase information, processing the information by signal data processing devices, thereby providing information of a train, namely: arranging a plurality of sensors along the rail in the incoming direction of the train, dividing the sensors into at least three groups, each group comprising at least two sensors; analyzing and processing the signal data stream obtained from the sensors and collected when a train vehicle passes by, thereby acquiring the speed and wheelbase of the train, and further acquiring the train segmentation information; determining the vehicle type; acquiring hook locating information; determining the train arrival; determining the train departure; acquiring vehicle number. The present invention further comprises a system for carrying out the information method for automatically identifying information of a train. The present invention can provide a plurality of types of train information with high accuracy, and is easy to be carried out. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110029166 | TRAIN CREW SUPPORT DEVICE - A train classification information interface receives train classification information, an ATS interface obtains ATS control information transmitted by an ATS system, a memory unit stores therein the train classification information, an operation determining unit determines the door opening-closing side based on a door opening information table stored in the memory unit, and door opening-closing-signal outputting units output a door opening-closing signal to door opening-closing devices, respectively, based on a door opening-closing operation performed by a crew member and based on a signal output by the operation determining unit. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110035083 | System and Method for the Automatic Generation of Movement Authority Solutions in a Rail System - A dual-process system for the automatic generation of railway route-solution candidates and their concomitant movement authorities includes a central authority server that accepts dispatcher-provided start and end point data and time information and executes two different independent routing processes to provide two independently determined route-solution candidates. The two solutions are compared for consistency and, when consistent, the route with the minimum authority grants is selected as the solution for use by the locomotive or train. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110046826 | Component Vehicle - According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110054722 | MODEL TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110060486 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY ISOLATING POWERED UNITS IN A RAIL VEHICLE SYSTEM - A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110082606 | VEHICLE SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle having a first truck with a first lift mechanism and a second truck with a second lift mechanism, each of the first and second trucks further configured with a plurality of axles, each of the first and second lift mechanisms configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one embodiment, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the first lift mechanism different from the second lift mechanism. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110093142 | METHOD FOR DEMANDING SAFETY REACTIONS FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - A method for demanding safety reactions for a rail vehicle having a plurality of appliances each able to demand a safety reaction when required, namely a braking process or a traction inhibit or both for the rail vehicle, includes:
| 04-21-2011 |
| 20110093143 | Controlled Motion System - A controlled motion system with movers mounted on a hybrid track system comprised of at least one smart section and at least one dumb section. The smart sections control each mover independently, while the dumb sections drive all movers at the same speed. The transition between these sections is characterized by positive control of the movers at all points in the transition. A soft magnetic composite core for the smart sections is disclosed. Also, a single-sided mover for smart sections that is constrained against loads in all direction, except for the direction of motion, is disclosed. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110106346 | Fire Detection in Railway Vehicles - Method for detecting fires in railway vehicles. For detecting fires reliably and with a reduced error rate, it is proposed that compartment air in a railway vehicle be sucked in by means of at least two suctioning devices operated separately from one another, each in a monitoring region, that the monitoring parameter of the compartment air sucked in be evaluated in the suctioning devices and that a first control signal be output on detection of a monitoring parameter threshold value in at least one suctioning device. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110112706 | ECP TERMINAL MODE OPERATION - The present method operates an electrically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake system that includes a system controller and a plurality of ECP devices on a train, in a semi-active mode between an active mode and an in active mode. The method includes setting the system controller to the semi-active mode if the ECP brake command is release; and setting the released ECP devices to the inactive state by the system controller when entering the semi-active mode. The ECP devices are set to an active state and to apply the brake by the system controller in response to an ECP brake command of apply. The ECP devices are reset to release and then to the inactive state by the system controller in response to an ECP brake command of release. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110118913 | RAILROAD SIGNALING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING A FAIL-SAFE VOLTAGE SENSOR TO VERIFY TRACKSIDE CONDITIONS IN SAFETY-CRITICAL RAILROAD APPLICATIONS - The present invention discloses an improved method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system to confirm visual signals and control train movement. The system for verifying whether a trackside signaling electrical component is energized comprises a sensor for providing trackside conditions to a remote train control system electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad interlocking adjacent to a trackside signaling electrical component, said sensor powered by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The fail safe method for sensing the status of an electrical component by powering the sensing means with voltage applied to a circuit when the electrical component is energized comprises electrically connecting a sensor to an electrical circuit associated with an electrical component, said circuit energized when said electrical component is engaged, said sensor adjacent to said electrical component; powering said sensor by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged; and indicating that said electrical component is engaged when sensor is energized by transmitting sensor status to a microprocessor. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110130899 | SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING MOVEMENT PROPERTIES OF A GUIDED VEHICLE - A system for determining the movement properties of a guided vehicle along a section adapted for a lane signaling control. The vehicle includes at least four onboard transponders that are arranged in pairs. The two transponders of each pair are aligned in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with at least one pair downstream and at least one pair upstream from the vehicle, and providing distinct identification means. At least one transponder reader is provided on the ground at each end of the section. A ground calculator communicates with the readers and determines, upon the passage of at least two transponders of a vehicle, a driving direction and a front/rear intrinsic orientation of the vehicle relative to the lane. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110153124 | WIRELESS DISPLAY UNIT FOR ECP TRANSITION SYSTEM - The present interface system includes a controller monitoring pressure on a locomotive brake pipe port, controlling pressure on a train brake pipe port in response to the pressure on a locomotive brake pipe port, providing ECP commands on an ECP trainline via a train electrical terminal in response to the pressure on the locomotive brake pipe port, and providing electrical power on the ECP trainline via an train electrical trainline terminal from the locomotive electrical trainline terminal. A transceiver is connected to the controller for wireless communication with the controller. A wireless display unit communicates via the transceiver with the controller and displays information from the controller to the operator remote from the interface system and provides inputs from the operator to the controller. The system also includes a three position change over valve. An event recorder and a GPS system may be connected to the controller. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110160942 | SIGNAL SYSTEM ON RAILWAY VEHICLE, RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND RAILWAY VEHICLE - The invention solves the prior art problem of signals not being transmitted between ground and vehicle when a train stops so that a cross point of a loop coil or a boundary between two loop coils is positioned between antennas disposed on a front side and a rear side in a direction of travel of the train. The present invention provides an arrangement in which two or more antennas are disposed on a front side and a rear side in the direction of travel of the train and providing a difference in signal levels received via the respective antennas, so that even when the train stops with the cross point of the loop coil positioned between antennas disposed on the front side and the rear side in the direction of travel of the train and the signals received via the front-side antenna becomes reverse phase with the signals received via the rear-side antenna and the signals are cancelled out, the signals having a higher reception level remains without being cancelled out, and therefore, a given level of transmission and reception can be obtained. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110172856 | Short Headway Communications Based Train Control System - A train control system, including: a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a first train; and a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a second train; wherein at least one of the control units of the first train and the second train is configured to: (i) receive, at the associated communication device, an authority signal including data sufficient to identify one of the first train and the second train as a lead train and the other of the first train and the second train as a follower train; (ii) establish at least one peer-to-peer communication link between the communication devices of the lead train and the follower train; and (iii) exchange train data between the lead train and the follower train via the at least one peer-to-peer communication link. An on-board control unit is also disclosed. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110172857 | MODEL TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110178659 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID DRIVE IN A RAIL VEHICLE - A method is proposed for controlling a hybrid drive in a rail vehicle in which an electronic route timetable (SPL) is predefined as route-section-related speeds by means of a train control device, route-section-related types of drive for the rail vehicle are predictively determined by means of the electronic route timetable (SPL) before the journey begins, a deviation of the actual position from a setpoint position of the rail vehicle which is obtained from the electronic route timetable (SPL) is determined while the rail vehicle is travelling, a time margin is calculated on the basis of the difference in position, and the current type of drive is retained or changed as a function of the time margin. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110184596 | Method for Platooning of Vehicles in an Automated Vehicle System - Disclosed is a method of increasing track capacity in an automated vehicle system, the automated vehicle system comprising a network of tracks along which vehicles are adapted to travel, the network comprising at least one merge point at which at least two up stream tracks merge to form a downstream track, at least one diverge point at which one upstream track diverges to form at least two down-stream tracks and a plurality of stations at which passengers may board and/or disembark from the vehicles; wherein the method comprises controlling vehicles so as to cause empty vehicles to travel as at least one sequence of vehicles defined as a platoon; and controlling the empty vehicles of the at least one sequence to travel with a first safety distance between each other, the first safety distance being shorter than a second safety distance between vehicles being at least partially loaded. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110218697 | VEHICLE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MASS TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION - The present invention provides a vehicle, system, and method for mass transit transportation, the system according to one embodiment including a plurality of passenger vehicles configured such that each passenger vehicle includes a passenger module ( | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110224850 | Component Vehicle - According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110231039 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - The invention relates to devices and methods, which relate to the arrangement of a sensor on the shaft of a rail vehicle. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110238241 | VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION TAG AND TRAIN CONTROL INTEGRATION - An identification tag reader reads identification tags on vehicles of a train consist. Identification tag identifiers are used to retrieve weights and lengths of the vehicles, and the weight and length information is used by an onboard train control system either to verify weight and length information already stored in the system or input the information initially, in either case for use in controlling the train such as in the calculation of braking curves. In another embodiment, an identification tag reader is paired with a sensor capable of detecting a condition on a train vehicle requiring maintenance, and the condition and an identification tag identifier are transmitted to maintenance personnel. The identification tag is preferably an AEI tag. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110238242 | SYNCHRONIZATION TO ADJACENT WIRELESS NETWORKS USING SINGLE RADIO - A train communication system is provided for enabling communications between wayside hubs and trains operating on a track. Each wayside hub includes a block processor and at least one hub radio, with the block processor and hub radio connected via a first network. The wayside hubs are interconnected through a second network. Each train includes a train radio connected to a train control system. The block processor transmits information to the train control systems via the hub radio. If a hub includes more than one hub radio, one is selected to act as a master hub to coordinate reception and transmission of messages between the block processor and the train radios within radio range of the hub radios. Synchronization information is exchanged between an upcoming hub and a current hub for a train upon determination that the train is approaching a boundary between the hubs. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110251742 | Visual Data Collection System for a Train - An end-of-train unit for a rear railroad car, including: a housing mountable to a portion of the rear railroad car; a visual data collection device in operative engagement or at least partially integral with the housing and having a field-of-view, wherein the visual data collection device is configured to obtain visual data representative of at least a portion of the area in the field-of-view; and a transmission device in operative engagement or at least partially integral with at least one of the housing and the visual data collection device and configured to transmit the visual data to a processing unit of a forward railroad car. A visual data collection system and method are also provided. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110276203 | Method for Determining a Characteristic of a Track Condition Parameter - A method for determining a characteristic of at least one position parameter, in particular of a disruption in the position parameter, of a track for a vehicle, in which detection values of at least one detection parameter affected by the position parameter are detected on a vehicle driving along a section of the track, and wherein the at least one position parameter for the track section is determined from the detection values. The current value of the position parameter is determined from the detection values as a function of the model data of a previously determined vehicle model of the vehicle, wherein a relationship between the position parameter and the at least one detection parameter affected by the position parameter is generated by way of the vehicle model. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110282525 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING DATA IN A LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST OR OTHER VEHICLE CONSIST - A communication system for a vehicle consist includes a control module that interfaces with at least one of a first router transceiver pair or a redundant router transceiver pair. Each of the router transceiver pairs can communicate network data between vehicles of the consist over a cable bus of the vehicle consist. The control module includes a monitor module and a switch module. The monitor module monitors operation of at least one of the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair. The switch module is operably coupled with the monitor module and controls the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair to communicate the network data over the cable bus if the other of the first router transceiver pair or the redundant router transceiver pair enters a failure condition for being unable to communicate the network data over the cable bus. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110320071 | System and Method of Determining Train Length - A system for determining number of cars within a train consist includes one or more cars, at least one automatic train controller (ATC) for the one or more cars, and a train line spanning the consist. Each car comprises a frequency generator and a frequency modifier. Each frequency modifier in each of the one or more cars is adapted to receive an input signal at an input frequency and generate an output signal at an output frequency different from the input frequency. A frequency generator in at least one of the cars provides a predetermined input signal at a predetermined input frequency to the frequency modifier in the at least one car when the at least one car is designated as a lead car and at least one frequency modifier in at least one of the one or more cars provides its output signal to the train line. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120004795 | DRONE TAMPER - A drone vehicle for performing maintenance on a railway system is provided. A drone vehicle control system is structured to utilize tie position data to position a drone vehicle workhead over at least a portion of a respective tie. The drone vehicle control system is further structured to actuate the drone vehicle workhead. The drone vehicle may be controlled by a drone vehicle control system linked, preferably by wireless communications, to a lead vehicle and a lead vehicle control system. The lead vehicle control system and the drone vehicle control system are structured to communicate with each other, with the lead vehicle control system providing the tie position data to the drone vehicle control system. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004796 | Method for managing the circulation of vehicles on a railway network and related system - This method includes, the railway network being subdivided into resources ( | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120016542 | SIGNALING AND REMOTE CONTROL TRAIN OPERATION - A model train and layout control system based on on-board sound and locomotive modules, new signaling methods, bi-directional communication, environmental sound, turnout control, train location methods, computer interaction and accessory control, by adding components to existing technology. AC power signal waveforms are variously altered to convey digital command words. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120022728 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for improving a balance between engine fuel economy and exhaust emissions in an off-highway vehicle. One example method includes adjusting an engine injection timing based on an ambient NOx level estimated by a NOx sensor in the engine intake. Another example method includes adjusting a trip plan with a time in notch duty cycle based on a deviation from the time in notch duty cycle from a reference duty cycle. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022729 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORECASTING THE COMPOSITION OF AN OUTBOUND TRAIN IN A SWITCHYARD - A system for forecasting the outbound workload in a switchyard. The system has a processing entity for which receives information on railcar traffic for handling by the switchyard, wherein the railcar traffic includes railcars that are yet to be switched into classification tracks of the switchyard. For every departure train of two or more departure trains, the processing entity applies logic rules to the information to compute a forecast of railcar traffic that will be available to the departure train for transport out of the switchyard. An output releases data derived from the forecast of railcar traffic, describing the traffic available for each train of the two or more departure trains. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120035790 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTING RAILCAR SWITCHING SEQUENCE IN A SWITCHYARD - As embodied and broadly described herein the invention includes a system for computing a preferred sequence in which cars in a switching queue of a railway switchyard are to be sequentially switched to classification tracks. The system has a processing entity for determining within a given set of cars at least two possible sequences in which the cars in the set can be switched and applying logic rules for identifying among the sequences a preferred sequence. The system also has an output for releasing data describing the preferred sequence. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120046811 | Railcar Handbrake Monitor - A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system so that the force applied to the brake system passes through the load bearing member. A strain gauge mounted on the load bearing member measures the strain. The information from the strain gauge is indicative of the force applied by the handbrake to the brake and is used to determine the status of the handbrake. Means for determining motion of the railcar is also provided. In one form, if it is determined that the brake is on and the railcar is in motion, information, such as an alarm, is transmitted. A system and method of monitoring a railcar handbrake are also provided. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120078452 | RAIL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail communication system includes: a communication management device capable of being communicatively coupled with a conductive pathway that extends along a track; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with a rail vehicle that travels along the track and with the conductive pathway, the communication management device and the on-board communication device configured to communicate a data signal between each other through the conductive pathway, where the data signal includes network data. A method for communicating with rail vehicles includes: coupling a vehicle management device with a conductive pathway that extends alongside a track; and coupling an on-board communication device disposed on a rail vehicle that travels along the track with the conductive pathway; where the communication management device and the on-board communication device communicate a data signal that includes network data through the conductive pathway. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078453 | RAIL APPLIANCE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL APPLIANCE - A rail appliance communication system includes: an equipment management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and an appliance communication device capable of being coupled with a rail appliance disposed proximate to the track, the appliance communication device and the equipment management device configured to communicate a data signal with each other through the conductive pathway. A method for communicating with a rail appliance includes: coupling an equipment management device with a conductive pathway that extends along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and coupling an appliance communication device with the rail appliance disposed proximate to the track; wherein the equipment management device and the appliance communication device communicate a data signal through the conductive pathway. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078454 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VERIFYING THE AVAILABILITY OF A LEVEL OF A BRAKING SYSTEM IN A POWERED SYSTEM - A verification system is provided for verifying the availability of a first level of a braking system in a powered system. The powered system travels along a route. The verification system includes a controller coupled to an engine and a braking system of the powered system. The controller is configured to predetermine one of an activation level of the engine and/or an activation level of the braking system at a plurality of incremental locations along the route. The controller is further configured to activate the first level of the braking system at an incremental location having a predetermined activation level of the braking system which is lower than the first level of the braking system. A method is also provided for verifying the availability of the first level of a braking system in a powered system. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120089278 | METHOD AND KIT FOR ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including a first and a second bank of cylinders. One example method comprises, adjusting engine injection timing based on a first temperature of a first intake of the first bank and a second temperature of a second intake of the second bank. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120095626 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE - A communication system for a rail vehicle includes a transceiver assembly, a selection module, and a monitoring module. The transceiver assembly selectively communicates a data signal over a plurality of communication channels. The data signal is related to distributed power operations of the rail vehicle. The selection module is communicatively coupled with the transceiver assembly and switches the transceiver assembly to any of the communication channels. The monitoring module is communicatively coupled with the selection module and determines a load parameter of one or more of the communication channels. The load parameter is based on a population value of the one or more communication channels. The selection module switches the transceiver assembly to a selected channel of the communication channels based on the load parameter for communicating the data signal over the selected channel. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120095627 | METHOD OF ALERTING HORN RULE TIMING - The present method includes determining the locomotive's present location on the track; and determining the present speed of the locomotive. From the present location of the locomotive and the present speed of the locomotive, a horn rule locations on the track for a point of interest is determined; and the operator is alerted to the horn rule location on the track. The horn rule location may include horn start and stop locations and horn free zones. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120101667 | Article Transport Facility and Article Transporting Method - An article transport facility in which movable bodies can merge into a merging portion while preventing collisions between the movable bodies. A communication relay device is provided to each of the first merging path, the second merging path, and the post-merging path. Each communication relay device includes an antenna portion, a relay device main body that associates movable body information obtained by communicating with the movable body communication devices using the antenna portion with identification information which indicates which one of the paths the antenna portion that received the movable body information is provided to, and that is capable of communicating the information thus obtained to the managing means. The managing means determines in which path the movable body exists to manage operations of a plurality of movable bodies based on said body information and identification information which are received from said main body. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120109429 | VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONING CONTROL METHOD - A vehicle air-conditioning control method includes: calculating an air-conditioning reference temperature for an interior of a vehicle on the basis of an in-vehicle temperature measured by an in-vehicle temperature sensor provided inside a vehicle that runs between stations, an outside air temperature measured by an outside air temperature sensor provided on the exterior of the vehicle, an in-vehicle humidity measured by a humidity sensor provided inside the vehicle, and a vehicle occupancy rate measured by a load-compensating sensor provided in the vehicle; determining an air-conditioning control pattern for performing air-conditioning of the inside of the vehicle on the basis of the air-conditioning reference temperature; and controlling a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus on the basis of the air-conditioning control pattern, wherein the data of a preceding vehicle is received, and is used in air-conditioning control of a following vehicle. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120116616 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTINUALLY MEASURING THE LENGTH OF A TRAIN OPERATING IN A POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL ENVIRONMENT - Methods and systems for continually measuring the length of a train operating in a positive train control environment are provided. Particularly, the methods and systems provided herein equate repetitive line of sight ranging measurements from the head end to the rear end of a train with the physically draped length of the train along a mapped track with various horizontal and vertical curvature characteristics. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120123617 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DATA COMMUNICATIONS - Systems and methods for controlling rail vehicle data communication are provided. In one embodiment, a multiple-unit rail vehicle system includes a first rail vehicle including a first wireless network device to detect a wireless network. The wireless network is provided by a wayside device. The rail vehicle further comprises a first communication management system to send, through the wireless network, a data communication to a second rail vehicle of the multiple-unit rail vehicle system. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120130567 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATIONS BASED RAIL VEHICLE CONTROL - Systems and methods for controlling a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a rail vehicle system includes a first version of a travel database including travel information, a communication link to receive a second version of the travel database, and a controller configured to, in response to the second version of the travel database including changes to the travel information that meet predefined override criteria, control operation of the rail vehicle system based on the first version of the travel database; and in response to the changes to the travel information not meeting the predefined override criteria, adjust operation of the rail vehicle system to operate based on the second version of the travel database. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120136514 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations along the consist and receive network data from an off-board device. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules and receive the network data from the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the network connection. The arbitration module forms a message represented by the network data. One or more of the routing modules transmits the network data received from the off-board device to the arbitration module over the network connection. The arbitration module receives the network data to form the message and transmits the message to one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist through the network connection. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120136515 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations and receive a trip profile from an off-board device. The trip profile is related to tractive and/or braking effort supplied by one or more powered units of the rail vehicle consist. The routing modules are disposed on the powered units and are communicatively coupled with the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle consist between the powered units. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the routing modules by the network connection. The routing modules transmit the received trip profile to the arbitration module. The arbitration module reconstitutes the trip profile into a message that is transmitted to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the powered units. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120136516 | Traveling Vehicle System - A traveling vehicle system ( | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120143407 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RAIL VEHICLE CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for train systems. One example system includes a rail vehicle, a mechanically-adjustable valve coupled in the rail vehicle having a plurality of positions, a pressure switch coupled to the mechanically-adjustable valve, an output of the pressure switch based on the position of the mechanically-adjustable valve, and a controller positioned in the rail vehicle and coupled to the pressure switch, the controller including code for setting an operational status of the rail vehicle in the train system based on the output of the pressure switch. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120150370 | Optimizing Rail Track Performance - A method for optimizing track performance comprising: is provided. The method involves measuring one or more track status data at one or more measurement sites of the track during a train pass though the one or more measurement sites. Followed by analyzing the one or more track status data against one or more baseline reference values to obtain a track status profile, and adjusting an operating parameter, a track parameter, or both the operating and track parameters, based on the track status profile, to optimize the track's performance. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120158223 | Method and Apparatus for Controlling Sanding on Locomotives - To avoid a locomotive from travelling with a disabled sanding system, a method and system are provided for ensuring that the sanding system is not disabled if a primary speed reference used to detect the locomotive's speed is faulty. The method comprises determining a first speed measurement from a primary speed source; if the first speed measurement is below a setpoint, determining a second speed measurement from a secondary speed source; and if the second speed measurement is below the setpoint, disabling the automated and/or emergency initiated sanding control system on the locomotive. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120173054 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR A RAILWAY SYSTEM - An arrangement for controlling an automated system, having a number of sensors and actuators, in particular for controlling a railroad system. A programmable control unit runs a user program to process input data from the sensors and to generate control commands for the actuators. The sensors and the actuators are connected to a remote I/O unit, which is connected to the control unit via a communication network. The control unit and the I/O unit interchange data messages in order to transmit the input data and the control commands. The arrangement has a remote disconnection unit, which is coupled to the remote I/O unit independently from the input data and control commands. The control unit is designed to integrate specific verification data for the disconnection unit into the data messages for the I/O unit. The disconnection unit is designed to deactivate the I/O unit depending on the specific verification data. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120179309 | Data Improvement System and Method - A data improvement system, including an initial database, a verification database, and a processing device in communication with the initial database and the verification database. The processing device receives data from the initial database and the verification database, and determines verification data based thereon. A track data improvement system and a track database improvement system are also disclosed. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120203402 | Intelligent Railway System for Preventing Accidents at Railway Passing Points and Damage to the Rail Track - An embodiment of the invention provides a method for controlling access to content in a social networking website, wherein a connection is established between a first user and a second user on the social networking website. Content on the profile pages of the first user is categorized into a first content category and a second content category. The first content category includes content created before the connection between the first user and the second user was established. The second content category includes content created after the connection between the first user and the second user was established. Content in the first content category is also categorized into a first subcategory and at least one second subcategory. Access by the second user is restricted to the first content category. Specifically, the second user is prevented from viewing content in the first subcategory and permitted to view content in the second subcategory. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120226396 | ADAPTIVE BRAKE SCHEME DURING A DISTRIBUTED POWER COMMUNICATION LOSS - An adaptive brake system for a distributed power train responsive to an interruption in a communication system for the train and a brake application initiated at the lead locomotive, reduces the brake pipe fluid pressure at a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive to a predetermined pressure level to reduce in-train forces that may occur as a result of the pressure differentials in the brake pipe line of the lead and remote locomotives. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120232726 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A QUALITY VALUE OF A LOCATION ESTIMATION OF A POWERED SYSTEM - A system is provided for determining a quality of a location estimation of a powered system at a location. The system includes a first sensor configured to measure a first parameter of the powered system at the location. The system further includes a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter of the powered system at the location. The system further includes a second controller configured to determine the location estimation of the powered system and the quality of the location estimation, based upon a first location of the powered system based on the first parameter, and a second location of the powered system based on the second parameter of the powered system. A method is also provided for determining a quality of a location estimation of a powered system at a location. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120239229 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING GOODS - An identification device reads an identification number from a tag of goods which are transported on an input guide rail. An application server receives the identification number from the identification device. The application server searches for a serial number of a designated output guide rail according to the identification number. When the goods are transported to an intersection of the input guide rail and the designated output guide rail. The goods are carried onto the designated output guide rail. The application serer controls the goods to be transported to a destination station along the designated output guide rail. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120239230 | CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE OPERATION THEREOF - A control apparatus has a control lever, in particular for controlling a locomotive or a traction vehicle, and a sensor device for detecting an operating position of the control lever. The sensor device has an angle measurement device which is suitable for measuring an adjustment angle of the control lever, forming a digitalized angle value. A measurement range of the angle measurement device is greater than an adjustment angle range of the control lever and an evaluation device is connected to the angle measurement device which determines the operating position of the control lever based on the digitalized angle value of the angle measurement apparatus. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120245769 | AERIAL TRAMWAY WITH MONITORING OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS ALLOWABLE IN THE TRAM CAR - The embarkation of passengers onto a vehicle of a transport installation with an aerial cable, comprising selectively served intermediate stations, is controlled by a programming device calculating the number of passengers allowed to go into a double-entrance security door and to embark onto a vehicle stopping at the station, according to the number of passengers in the vehicle and to the number of passengers disembarking from the vehicle at this station as they have compulsorily indicated when embarking. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120253565 | VEHICLE SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120259486 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A MISMATCH BETWEEN A MODEL FOR A POWERED SYSTEM AND THE ACTUAL BEHAVIOR OF THE POWERED SYSTEM - A system is provided for determining a mismatch between a model for a powered system and the actual behavior of the powered system. The system includes a coupler positioned between adjacent cars of the powered system. The coupler is positioned in a stretched slack state or a bunched slack state based upon the separation of the adjacent cars. The system further includes a controller positioned within the powered system. The controller is configured to determine a mismatch of the model. A method is also provided for determining a mismatch between a model for a powered system and the actual behavior of the powered system. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120265378 | COMBINED SYNCHRONOUS AND ASYNCHRONOUS POWER SUPPLY FOR ELECTRICALLY POWERED SHUTTLE TRAINS - A power supply and control system for electrically powered shuttle-trains incorporates at least one shuttle train having a motor and a generator. A first plurality of track segments has associated synchronous power modules exchanging power synchronously with a power grid through a plurality of power supply rail segments connectable to the motor or generator. A second plurality of track segments has associated variable frequency power modules exchanging power through a second plurality of power supply rail segments connectable to the motor or generator. Isolation segments separate adjacent power supply rail segments. A control system interconnected to the variable frequency power modules controls the frequency of each variable frequency power module based on the location of the shuttle train. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120277938 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE OR OTHER POWERED SYSTEM - A communication system for a vehicle includes an input module, a selection module, and a publisher module. The input module is configured to receive data parameters associated with one or more conditions (e.g., states, current operational aspects or modes, operational environmental conditions) of the vehicle. The selection module is configured to select a subset of the data parameters. The publisher module is configured to communicate the data parameters in the subset to one or more applications of the vehicle that use the data parameters to perform one or more operations. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277939 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEMORY MEDIUM FOR VERIFYING TRACK DATABASE INFORMATION - A system for verifying data in a track database comprises a track profile database stored in a memory having data relative to one or more track grades and geographic coordinates or range of coordinates associated with each of the one or more track grades. A vehicle trip plan is developed according to the track profile data that comprises a designated path of travel of the vehicle over the track system and a planned vehicle operating condition associated with each of the one or more track grades and the associated coordinates or range of coordinates of the track grades. A controller is configured to compare a stored current vehicle operating condition of the vehicle and associated geographic coordinates to the planned vehicle operating condition to verify the accuracy of the track grade data at the associated geographic coordinates. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120290156 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE - A method of controlling a vehicle system includes receiving information of a failure condition in a first rail vehicle of a rail vehicle consist. The method further includes, in response to the failure condition, controlling a second rail vehicle of the rail vehicle consist from a first operational mode to a different, second operational mode. In the second operational mode, the second rail vehicle performs a function that the first rail vehicle cannot due to the failure condition. The information is received over a distributed power system of the rail vehicle consist, and/or the second rail vehicle is controlled over the distributed power system. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120296501 | BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE AND BRAKE CONTROL METHOD - The operation frequency of electromagnetic valves is reduced in an air brake device of a train containing a motor car. A necessary brake force acquisition unit acquires the necessary brake force necessary for each car or flatcar of a train containing a motor car. An electric brake force detection unit detects an electric brake force of the entire composition of the train. A brake force adjustment unit distributes the air brake force so that fluctuations in the electric brake force are compensated for by the air brake force of one car or flatcar, in an operating period of one deceleration of the train or from running to stopping. A brake force command unit sends a command to an air brake control device for the value distributed by the brake force adjustment unit. The air brake control device controls the air brake of the car in accordance with the value commanded. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120303187 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A system is provided including a control unit and an input unit. The control unit is configured to interface with a first vehicle in a vehicle consist, and to generate first control signals for controlling operations of at least one of the first vehicle or the vehicle consist based on a stored consist configuration data set including information regarding a distribution of vehicles. The control unit receives consist change information from the input unit. The consist change information includes positional information representative of a location of at least one change in the vehicle consist. The control unit is configured to use the consist change information to generate an updated stored consist configuration data set, and to generate additional, second control signals for controlling at least one of the first vehicle or the vehicle consist based on the updated stored consist configuration data set. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120303188 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING TRAIN INTEGRITY - A method and device for monitoring train integrity wherein train integrity modules—TIM—arranged in at least some of the cars of the train recognize shunting regions in accordance with a digital map. The TIMs exchange data upon exiting a first shunting region in a calibration phase and, based on predefined data stability criteria, recognize the affiliation thereof to the exiting train and the TIMs cyclically exchange sensor data, in particular in respect of velocity, position and travel direction, until entry into a second shunting region. The TIMs recognize a train separation on the basis of predefined logic criteria and optionally transmit the sensor data to an operating control center as applicable. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120316707 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A NETWORK ACROSS A LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST OR OTHER VEHICLE CONSIST - A method for establishing a network across a plurality of locomotives in a consist includes designating one locomotive of the plurality of locomotives as a network lead locomotive and designating the other of the plurality of locomotives as network trail locomotives. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120316708 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATIONS IN A VEHICLE CONSIST - A communication method for a vehicle consist (for example, for resolving a conflict between IP addresses of vehicles in the consist) includes determining that a first vehicle in the consist has a network address (e.g., IP address) that is the same as a network address of a second vehicle in the consist, identifying an unused network address, and assigning the unused network address to one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120323411 | CONTROL OF AUTOMATIC GUIDED VEHICLES WITHOUT WAYSIDE INTERLOCKING - A vehicle management system for automatic vehicles running on a guideway independent of wayside signals or interlocking devices includes intelligent on-board controllers on each vehicle for controlling operation of the vehicle. The on-board controllers communicate with each other as well as individual wayside devices and a data storage system to identify available assets needed to move along the guideway and to reserve these assets for their associated vehicle. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120323412 | METHOD AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR DETERMINING A MISSION PLAN FOR A POWERED SYSTEM WHEN A DESIRED MISSION PARAMETER APPEARS UNOBTAINABLE - A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130006451 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE CONTROL - A system includes a first propulsion subsystem and a second propulsion subsystem. The first propulsion subsystem is operable to provide electrical energy to a first communication device when operating in an ON mode. The second propulsion subsystem is operable to provide electrical energy to a second communication device when operating in the ON mode. The first propulsion subsystem and the second propulsion subsystem are controllable in a mode of operation where if one of the first propulsion subsystem or the second propulsion subsystem is controlled to be in an OFF mode, the other of the first propulsion subsystem and the second propulsion subsystem provides electrical energy to the respective first communication device or the second communication device. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130018534 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF BLOCKED RAIL CROSSINGS - A blocked rail crossing detection and notification system is described. The system includes a processing device, a communications interface communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable for facilitating communications between the processing device and at least one external device, and at least one vehicle detection mechanism placed proximate to a rail grade crossing. The at least one vehicle detection mechanism is communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable to provide signals to the processing device indicative of the presence or non-presence of a vehicle within a defined area surrounding an intersection of a roadway and one or more railroad tracks. The processing device is further programmed to communicate the presence or non-presence of a vehicle along with supporting correlative visual data within the defined area to the at least one external device via the communications interface. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130018535 | Suspension Failure Detection in a Rail VehicleAANM Schneider; RichardAACI LohningenAACO CHAAGP Schneider; Richard Lohningen CHAANM Baert; MikeAACI Sint-AndriesAACO BEAAGP Baert; Mike Sint-Andries BE - The invention relates to a rail vehicle, including a wagon body and a suspension system having a running gear supporting the wagon body. A sensor device and a control device are provided. The sensor device capturing an actual value of at least one status variable being representative of a spatial relationship between a first reference part of the sensor device associated to a part of the running gear and a second reference part of the sensor device associated to the wagon body. The control device performs a malfunction analysis using the actual value of the status variable, the malfunction analysis assessing fulfillment of at least one predetermined malfunction criterion. The control device provides a malfunction signal if the malfunction analysis reveals that the malfunction criterion is fulfilled. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130024054 | RAILWAY SIGNALLING SYSTEM AND ON-BOARD SIGNALLING SYSTEM - In a railway signalling system which transmits a control order to an on-board signalling system by a trackside signalling system, the on-board signalling system being mounted on a train running on a line and the control order being compliant with a signalling system of the line, the present invention allows the train to run through into lines with different signalling systems using a single on-board signalling system. When the train enters a line with a different signalling system from a current line, the on-board signalling system installs a train control application program compliant with the signalling system of the entering line. Then, the on-board signalling system executes the train control application program, allowing the train to be controlled on the entering line according to a control order created by the trackside signalling system of the entering line. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130035811 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE CONSIST - A system includes first and second control modules, an energy management module, and an arbitration module. The first and second control modules are on-board first and second powered vehicles coupled by at least a third vehicle in a vehicle consist. The first control module forms control signals to coordinate tractive efforts provided by the vehicle consist. The energy management module is on-board the second powered vehicle and is communicatively coupled with the second control module. The energy management module forms control signals that are transmitted by the second control module to control the tractive efforts provided by the first powered vehicle and the second powered vehicle based on a trip profile associated with a trip of the vehicle consist. The arbitration module is communicatively coupled with the first and second control modules. The arbitration module determines which of the control modules controls the tractive efforts provided by the vehicle consist. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130046424 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE EXHAUST FILTER REGENERATION OF A VEHICLE IN A CONSIST - Methods and systems for distributing engine output among rail vehicles of a consist are disclosed. One method comprises, adjusting redistribution of engine output from at least a first engine to at least a second engine based on a particulate filter regeneration of a filter coupled to the second engine. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130054057 | PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND RELATIVE CONTROL METHOD - A passenger transportation system having at least one rail extending along a path; at least one trolley movable along the rail; an actuating device having a linear electric motor, in turn having at least one slide fitted to the trolley, and a linear stator extending at least partly along the path, and having an elongated body, and a quantity of power windings embedded in the elongated body; and a quantity of sensors configured to control the position of the trolley, the sensors being fitted to the elongated body and so positioned as to minimize noise generated by the power windings on the sensors. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130073125 | DRIVE DEVICE FOR RAILWAY VEHICLE - A control device for a railway vehicle controls an inverter device based on a direct-current link voltage Vfc between the opposite terminals of a filter capacitor. A direct-current voltage applied to the inverter device during regeneration is the sum of a voltage Vb of power storage equipment and an overhead wire voltage Vs, so that only detecting the direct-current link voltage Vfc is not enough to separate the voltage Vb of the power storage equipment and the overhead wire voltage Vs from each other. The power storage equipment can be connected in series with the inverter device, and a voltage sensor that detects the overhead wire voltage Vs is provided between a current collector device and a grounding point. The power storage equipment is controlled based on the detection result from the voltage sensor. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130079959 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POWER PRODUCTION, CONTROL, AND/OR TELEMATICS, SUITABLE FOR USE WITH LOCOMOTIVES - A power system housed in modules or containers may be located as a unitary structure for example secured to a locomotive platform, allowing easy retrofits. A control subsystem may maintain an RPM of a prime mover at minimum that still provides an expected level of power from an electric machine for any one of a finite number of throttle settings. The control subsystem may dynamically adjust loads between various combinations of series and/or parallel couplings. A set of processor executable instructions may be configured for specific platforms by selecting appropriate set of values based on number of loads (e.g., driven axles), rating (e.g., horse power), other criteria (e.g., manufacturer, model, year). Characteristics may be determined and verified, and operation based on the outcome of such. A telematics system method logs and provides remote access to operational data, engine data, power system data, anti-idling overrides, unauthorized changes, and/or location. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130096739 | AUTOMATED TRACK SURVEYING AND BALLAST REPLACEMENT - A method of surveying a section of a railway to determine amounts of ballast to be replaced keyed to position coordinates of track locations includes moving a survey vehicle along the railway, optically scanning the track at selected intervals to obtain optical data points with associated position coordinates, recording images at the intervals with position coordinates, recording position coordinates of no-spread zones, processing the optical data points to derive ballast unit weights associated with locations along the track, detecting anomalous unit weights, accessing images associated with the locations of the anomalous unit weights, accessing the anomalous unit weights to adjust as necessary, and loading the adjusted data into a computer of a ballast train to control the application of replacement ballast along the track according to the detected position of the ballast train. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130096740 | System and Method for Determining Whether a Locomotive in a Consist is in Leading Mode or Trailing Mode - By taking a pressure reading at a particular port on a multiple-unit braking valve, e.g. the MU-2-A valve, and comparing such a reading to a main reservoir pressure, one can identify whether the locomotive in which the valve is situated is in trailing mode or leading mode. In particular, it was found that the pressure on port | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130110328 | CONTROL NETWORK FOR A RAIL VEHICLE | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130116864 | ONBOARD APPARATUS AND TRAIN-POSITION CALCULATION METHOD - An onboard apparatus includes: a route database that stores start and end distances from a start point and a section length of the radiowave-reception difficult area; and an onboard control device that checks the rout database to determine whether the own train is in the radiowave-reception difficult area, and when the own train is not in the radiowave-reception difficult area, confirms whether position information has been obtained from a GPS receiver, and when the position information has not been obtained from the GPS receiver, executes control to stop the own train based on a running distance and a determination threshold for determining whether to stop the own train. When the own train is in the radiowave-reception difficult area, the onboard control device does not confirm whether the position information has been obtained from the GPS receiver, and updates a train position based on information from a speed power-generator. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130138276 | DISTANCE ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAILWAY VEHICLE - There is provided a ranging system for a railway vehicle. The system includes a reflector disposed along a railway relative to a stopping point and a ranging unit disposed on the railway vehicle. The ranging unit includes a transceiver configured to transmit an outbound signal and receive a corresponding reflected signal from the reflector. The ranging unit also includes a data storage unit configured to store a reference distance between the reflector and the stopping point. The ranging unit also includes a processor configured to determine a measured distance between the railway vehicle and the reflector based on an elapsed time between the transmitting the outbound signal and receiving the reflected signal. The processor determines a distance between the railway vehicle and the stopping point based on the measured distance and the reference distance. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130138277 | OVERHEAD RAIL GUIDED TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND IMPLEMENTATION METHOD THEREOF - A method for implementing an overhead rail guided transport system includes the following steps: a vehicle transport system is provided, which includes an upper rail guided transport system, a lower rail guided transport system, a vehicle exchange equipment, and a plurality of vehicles operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport system; respective vehicle utilizing rates in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems are provided; the vehicle exchange equipment is used to interchange the vehicles respectively operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems in order to equilibrate the respective vehicle utilizing rates. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130158752 | FUEL OPTIMIZING SYSTEM FOR A MOBILE ASSET, AND A RELATED METHOD THEREOF - A method includes determining a plurality of characteristic profiles associated with a mobile asset moving from a first operating point to a second operating point along a predefined path. The method further includes determining a fuel combustion ratio of the plurality of the fuels associated with at least one engine cylinder of the mobile asset based on the plurality of characteristic profiles so as to maintain a plurality of actual values associated with usage of the plurality of fuels to less than or equal to predefined corresponding threshold values. The method also includes controlling a fuel delivery system of the mobile asset so as to deliver the plurality of fuels to the at least one engine cylinder based on the fuel combustion ratio. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130158753 | ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX FOR A RAILWAY VEHICLE - An onboard electrical junction box. The onboard electrical junction box comprises an auto-change-over switch adapted to acquire: a first state wherein power is supplied to the electrical system from a power rail via at least one onboard power collector device; and a second state wherein power is supplied to the electrical system from a removable shore power source, wherein during operation in the second state, the at least one onboard power collector device is isolated from the power supplied by the removable shore power source. The onboard electrical junction box also comprises a switch control module in electrical communication with the auto-change-over switch for causing the auto-change-over switch to acquire the second state upon detection that: the removable shore power source has established an electrical connection with the onboard electrical junction box; and the electrical system of the vehicle is receiving power below a predetermined threshold. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130158754 | VIBRATION COMPONENT ACCELERATION ESTIMATION DEVICE AND VIBRATIONAL COMPONENT ACCELERATION ESTIMATION METHOD FOR RAILWAY VEHICLE - A device for estimating the acceleration of a vibrational component acting on a vehicle body in a lateral direction when a railway vehicle having a vehicle body tilting device runs in a curve section includes a sensor for detecting the acceleration acting on the vehicle body in a lateral direction, a calculation unit for acquiring track information at a running point, a running speed, and ON/OFF information of vehicle body tilting operation, and calculating a theoretical excess centrifugal acceleration αL acting on the vehicle body by equations, and a calculation unit for deriving the acceleration of the vibrational component acting on the vehicle body based on the acceleration detected by the sensor and the acceleration αL determined by the calculation unit. Vibration generated in the vehicle body in a lateral direction is suppressed, so that the acceleration of the vibrational component can be estimated. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130173093 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAIL VEHICLE TIME SYNCHRONIZATION - A communication method includes the steps of, at a first system, communicating with a second system for the establishment of a mutual clock and, at the first system, performing a first set of operations based on the mutual clock and performing a different, second set of operations based on a first clock of the first system, wherein the first clock is different from the mutual clock. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130173094 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAIL VEHICLE CONTROL - A system for controlling a consist of at least first and second rail vehicles, the first and second vehicles being configured for receiving control signals via a communication link. The system includes a first control unit electrically coupled to the first rail vehicle, the first control unit being configured to receive signals representing a level of a non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the first rail vehicle and a second control unit electrically coupled to the second rail vehicle, the second control unit being configured to receive signals representing a level of a non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the second rail vehicle. The level of the non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the first rail vehicle and the level of the non-propulsion consumable resource on-board the second rail vehicle are shared across the communication link. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130184905 | VEHICLE SYSTEM CONTROL DEVICE - A diesel-hybrid control device according to the present invention generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a storage battery car constituting a vehicle system of a train and driven by a motor, and includes a driving-force instruction unit that generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a railcar constituting the vehicle system and driven by a diesel engine. The driving-force instruction unit generates an instruction signal for instructing to start driving the storage battery car and generates an instruction signal for instructing to be on standby for driving the railcar at a time of starting the train. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130190952 | SIGNALING AND REMOTE CONTROL TRAIN OPERATION - A model train and layout control system based on on-board sound and locomotive modules, new signaling methods, bi-directional communication, environmental sound, turnout control, train location methods, computer interaction and accessory control, by adding components to existing technology. AC power signal waveforms are variously altered to convey digital command words. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130218375 | METHOD OF MOVEMENT AUTHORITY CALCULATION FOR COMMUNICATIONS-BASED TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - The present invention discloses a calculation method of movement authority for communications-based train control system, comprising: handling a route information for a train, and determining a searching range of the train according to the route information; initializing the limit of movement authority with the end position of the searching range; searching for static obstacles within the searching range, and successively determining whether each static obstacle meets the safety requirements for train operating, if not, setting the position of the last static obstacle within the searching range as the limit of the movement authority; if so, modifying the limit of movement authority as the end of route having been matched; searching for dynamic obstacles within the searching range, and determining whether there is a train, if so, modifying the end of movement authority as the beginning point of the track section where the train is occupying; if there is no dynamic obstacle within the searching range, modifying the final end is of movement authority as the position of the last static obstacle within the searching range. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to increase line capacity and improve traffic fluidity for rail transit. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130238175 | IN-VEHICLE GUIDANCE DISPLAY SYSTEM AND IN-VEHICLE GUIDANCE DISPLAY METHOD - A ground system includes a guidance-display-data creation device that creates a dataset including information on a stop station pattern, effective-period related information, and train number information as guidance display data, and an information distribution server that wirelessly distributes all or a part of a dataset included in the guidance display data to an on-board system. The on-board system includes a central distribution server that manages the distributed dataset, and when a train number is set, distributes the dataset to each vehicle if the central distribution server holds a dataset corresponding to the train number and within an effective period, and notifies the information distribution server of the train number to acquire a corresponding dataset and distributes the corresponding dataset to each vehicle if the central distribution server does not hold the dataset corresponding to the train number and within the effective period. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130245863 | AUXILIARY POWER UNIT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130245864 | FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130245865 | METHOD FOR SECURING A PILOTING SYSTEM OF A RECONFIGURABLE MULTI-UNIT VEHICLE AND A SECURE PILOTING SYSTEM - A method for securing a control system and a secured control system of a multi-unit vehicle. The control system has a device for determining a composition of the multi-unit vehicle, that can autonomously determine the composition of the multi-unit vehicle and generate composition data. A calculator for at least one unit of the multi-unit vehicle. Each calculator is connectable to an inlet/outlet set of inlet/outlet modules for at least one unit and to the composition-determining device, in order to exchange operating data of the unit and/or the multi-unit vehicle with each inlet/outlet module, and to acquire data relating to the composition from the determination device. At least one module for dynamically securing the exclusive connection of each calculator to the inlet/outlet set determines, from the composition data, the validity of the inlet/outlet set, and controls, cyclically or sufficiently frequently, a coherence between each connection of each calculator to the inlet/outlet set. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130253739 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING A FORCE APPLIED THROUGH A RAIL VEHICLE AXLE - A system is provided for dynamically determining a force applied through a plurality of axles in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track in a travel direction. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a controller configured to determine a respective dynamic weight shift of the plurality of wheels on the rail track based upon a dynamic factor of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130261856 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A DIRECTIONAL HEADING OF A VEHICLE - A system for confirming a direction of travel of a vehicle includes a location determining system and a control unit. The location determining system is configured to be coupled to a vehicle that travels in a network of plural route segments having fixed positions. The location determining system also is configured to obtain data representative of a measured heading of the vehicle. The measured heading represents a direction of travel of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to receive a designated route segment that is at least one of selected by operator input or provided by a trip plan that designates operational settings of the vehicle for a trip. The control unit is configured to compare the measured heading of the vehicle with one or more designated headings associated with the route segments to verify whether the vehicle is actually traveling on the designated route segment. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130261857 | BRAKE PRESSURE COMPUTING APPARATUS, BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEMORY MEDIUM - A brake pressure computing apparatus acquires a target cylinder pressure which is a target value of the pressure inside the brake cylinder of an air brake, and is equipped with a target cylinder pressure acquirer, a deceleration differential information acquirer, and a target cylinder pressure correction value acquirer. The target cylinder pressure acquirer acquires a target cylinder pressure on the basis of a required braking force and a target cylinder pressure correction value. The deceleration differential information acquirer acquires deceleration differential information indicating the difference between the target value of the deceleration and the actual value of the deceleration. The target cylinder pressure correction value acquirer acquires the target cylinder pressure correction value on the basis of the deceleration differential information. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130268147 | System and Method for Automated Locomotive Startup and Shutdown Recommendations - Data representative of a train consist (the train consist comprising a plurality of locomotives and a plurality of cars) and data representative of a route for the train consist can be processed by a processor to automatically determine which locomotives in the train consist should be powered on and which locomotives in the train consist should be shut down for each segment of the route. The processor can make these determinations based on an analysis of the train consist data and the route data with respect to a plurality of considerations that affect train efficiency. Recommendations for locomotive startups and shutdowns in accordance with such automated determinations can then be presented to the train crew for the crew to use during train operations. It is believed that when train crews are in compliance with such recommendations, significant improvements in efficiency, particularly with respect to fuel consumption, can be achieved. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130268148 | IN-VEHICLE CONGESTION-STATUS DISPLAY SYSTEM AND CONGESTION-STATUS GUIDANCE METHOD - The present invention provides an in-vehicle congestion-status display system that notifies railway users of a congestion status of each vehicle of a train. The in-vehicle congestion-status display system includes a main server that calculates a congestion rate immediately before boarding, which is a predicted value of a congestion rate when alighting of users is complete, of each vehicle of a train, based on a congestion rate during travel and an alighting rate acquired in a past and held as information indicating a difference between a congestion rate during travel immediately before arriving at the station and a congestion rate when alighting of users is complete after arriving at a next stop of the train, and a display device that notifies users of the congestion rate immediately before boarding calculated for each vehicle of the train. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130274966 | LOAD COMPENSATING DEVICE IN RAILWAY VEHICLES - Disclosed is a load compensating device in railway vehicles, the device including a pressure sensor detecting an air spring pressure in response to loads of the vehicles, an estimation unit outputting an estimated railway vehicle load by estimating each load of a plurality of railway vehicles, and a detection unit outputting a railway vehicle load by detection of fault in the pressure sensor. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130289805 | TRAIN TRAFFIC ADVISOR SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for providing train traffic advice. According to one embodiment, train status information associated with at least one train is received at a data center hosting a train traffic advisor application. Train crossing location data is stored in a database and retrieved by the train traffic advisor application. Based on the received train status information and the train crossing location data, train traffic information associated with the at least one train is calculated. Subscribing devices are identified by the train traffic advisor application, and the train traffic information is communicated to at least one of the identified subscribing devices. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130289806 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SERVICE VEHICLES APPROACHING STATIONS - A detection system for a vehicle pulled by cable circulating between two stations. The system includes a beacon placed on the vehicle and a receiving antenna placed in each of the stations, and the vehicle includes at least one retractable element on the top of the vehicle and wherein the beacon emits only when the retractable element remains protruding from the vehicle. When the beacon emits, the receiving antenna situated in the station is informed of a risk of collision of an element of the vehicle with the station, thus being able to communicate the information to the control/command system of the cable. When the beacon is not emitting, the receiving antenna is idle and the vehicle can enter into the station. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130289807 | DISTRIBUTED TRAIN INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method which may include on each locomotive a propulsion system and a braking system, a transceiver for communication between the locomotives, and sensors for sensing operational conditions on the locomotive. A processor receives the sensed operation conditions, communicates information including the sensed operational conditions to the other locomotive, determines a propulsion or braking value or command based on the sensed operational conditions, pre-selected criteria and the information received from the other locomotive, and outputs the propulsion or braking value or command. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130304286 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SAFETY PROTOCOL VERIFICATION, CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT - The present invention is an apparatus and a method for a safety verification system, or a safety verification management system. At railroads or construction sites, equipment, such as a piece of heavy machinery, or a locomotive engine, must be subjected to a safety protocol before authorized personnel are allowed to approach the equipment. It is essential to have independent, automatic confirmation that the safety protocol has been successfully completed. In railroad systems, a Three Step Protection Mode is often used to place a locomotive engine in safe mode. One embodiment of the present invention provides an independent, automatic verification that this safety protocol has been successfully completed and sends an audible, visual, audiovisual, or vibratory signal to remote personnel. Another embodiment tracks the relative positions of personnel and locomotives, and generates a warning when personnel are proximate to an equipment that is not in safe mode. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130317674 | BATTERY CHARGING CONTROL APPARATUS OF A TRAIN - A charge control apparatus of a train set having a plurality of trains, wherein the train has a generator, a battery and a motor supplied with power from the generator and the battery, power, generated by one of the generator and the motor, is able to charge to the battery, and a plurality of trains, driven by an operation of the motor, are connected and each battery is mutually independent, comprises an acquiring unit configured to acquiring charge information indicating charge condition of the battery from each train; and a charge amount control unit configured to control a charge amount of each battery using the charge information of the train. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130317675 | TRANSPORT CARRIAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING RUNNING OF TRANSPORT CARRIAGE - In a transport carriage system, multiple transport carriages travel along a common track and each transport carriage includes a servo system that performs servo control with respect to traveling of the transport carriage, and an intermediate instruction of the servo system is generated in a predetermined cycle by an acceleration/deceleration control unit of a traveling control unit. A smoothed instruction is generated for the predetermined cycle by smoothing the generated intermediate instruction over a plurality of cycles with a smoothing unit of the traveling control unit, and the servo system is controlled based on the smoothed instruction that was generated. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130325223 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE MOVEMENT MODELING IN A RAILWAY NETWORK - The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for vehicle movement modeling in a network. The modeling may be characterized by vehicle related intelligence gathering, processing and dissemination thereof for an adaptive rescheduling of the vehicle movement in the railway network. Predefined data associated with the vehicle in the railway network is acquired and is further processed to resolve one or more conflicts associated with the vehicle movement. The processing may include allocating resources, developing plans for voyages, and continuously gathering deviation data. The vehicle movement modeling may also include generating detailed layouts of vehicle movements for particular time-periods over the railway network. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20140005863 | Train and Method for Safely Determining the Configuration of such a Train | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140012438 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR TRACK CIRCUIT MONITORING AND ALERTING IN AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS - A method, system, and computer readable medium may be provided for train monitoring. Track circuit data may be received including an indication of a shunted track circuit on a train track. The received track circuit data and shunted track circuit may be analyzed. A train may be tracked on the train track based on the received track circuit data. A loss in physically expected track circuit occupancy in a path of the train may be detected. A graph may be generated showing the at least one shunted track circuit over time. The graph may indicate losses or abnormalities in physically expected track circuit occupancy in the path of the train, velocity of the train, acceleration of the train, and/or a size of the train. An alert with the severity and track circuit identifier may be generated and transmitted. | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140012439 | Train Detection System and Method of Detecting Train Movement and Location - A train detection system for detecting a train unit that includes a first transponder interrogator configured to generate one or more request signals for transmission, by a first antenna above a first track location, toward a first fixed transponder at the first track location; a second transponder interrogator configured to generate one or more request signals for transmission, by a second antenna above a second track location, toward a second fixed transponder at the second track location; and a controller communicably connected with the first and second transponder interrogators and configured to verify operation of the train detection system based on receipt of one or more message signals responsive to transmission of the one or more request signals from the first and second transponder interrogators. | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140046511 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE INLET AIR TEMPERATURE - A system for controlling engine inlet air temperature may include a compressor configured to increase pressure of air at an engine air inlet and at least one aftercooler configured to reduce the engine inlet air temperature. The system may also include a temperature sensor configured to provide signals indicative of ambient air temperature and a pressure sensor configured to provide signals indicative of ambient air pressure. The system may include a controller configured to receive signals indicative of the ambient air temperature and the ambient air pressure and determine a desired engine inlet air temperature based on the signals indicative of the ambient air temperature and the ambient air pressure. The controller may be configured to control operation of the at least one aftercooler based on the desired engine air inlet temperature. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140046512 | AUTOMATED DELIVERY VEHICLE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED DELIVERY - Provided is a delivery vehicle and methods and systems for automated delivery using the delivery vehicle. The automated delivery method comprises receiving, by a processing device, an order from a buyer. The order specifies one or more products to be delivered to the buyer and itinerary information. The processing device transmits the order to a placer robot. The placer robot positions the one or more products to a delivery vehicle. Then, the delivery vehicle may transport the products to a delivery destination based on the order. The delivery vehicle may be driverless and lightweight and move automatically. The delivery vehicle may move on a flat track using itinerary information of the order. Additionally, the delivery vehicle may use a Global Positioning System to determine own location and compare it to the itinerary information. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140052315 | RAILWAY TRAIN DATA RECORDER WITH PARALLEL REMOTE ONLINE INCIDENT DATA STORAGE - Incident, data of the type stored in a railway train crash hardened memory module (CHMM) and/or other information acquired by a railway train data recorder are transmitted to a remote data storage site. Beneficially the remotely stored information transmitted from the train's onboard recorder may be monitored and/or otherwise analyzed without having to wait for a scheduled periodic download of the CHMM. Parallel transmission and remote storage of incident data during train operation eliminates the need to carry a CHMM onboard the train or schedule dedicated incident data downloads while the train is stationary or otherwise out of service. Existing communications equipment for wireless data transmission already onboard the train may be used for the incident data transmission to the remote data storage device. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140052316 | AUXILIARY POWER UNIT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140074327 | RAILWAY TRAIN CRITICAL SYSTEMS HAVING CONTROL SYSTEM REDUNDANCY AND ASYMMETRIC COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY - A railway vital or critical application system substitutes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and/or software for railway-domain specific product components, yet is validated to conform with railway vital system failure-free standards. The vital system uses a pair of COTS personal computers and operating systems with asymmetric communications capability. Each computer and operating system may differ for additional redundancy. Both computers receive and verify vital systems input message data and security code integrity and separately generate output data responsive to the input message. The first computer has sole capability to send vital system output messages including the output data and an output security code, but only the second computer has the capability of generating the output security code. A failure of either computer's hardware, software or processing capability results failure to transmit a vital system output message or an output message that cannot be verified by other vital systems. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140081486 | ROLLBACK PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for preventing rollback of a rail vehicle from a stopped condition, includes receiving a first signal indicative of the rail vehicle's location, and, in response to the first signal, selecting from a lookup table one of a first plurality of pre-determined values of a braking parameter and selecting from the lookup table one of a second plurality of pre-determined values of a tractive effort parameter. In response to an order for movement, the method includes applying brakes of the rail vehicle, according to the selected value of the braking parameter; establishing tractive effort of the rail vehicle, according to the selected value of the tractive effort parameter; and, then, releasing the brakes of the rail vehicle to establish motion of the rail vehicle from the stopped condition. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140081487 | System and Method for Addressing a Pneumatic Emergency in a Helper Locomotive - Methods and systems for control and use in connection with an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP)-equipped train after transmission of a brake pipe emergency dump command message by a helper locomotive associated with the train. These methods and systems are implemented in an effort to improve braking safety and reduce brake system recovery time of a train. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140088801 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING TRAIN BRAKES - The present disclosure is directed to a method of monitoring the performance of a wheel brake for a wheel on a train car. The method may include detecting a first temperature of the wheel with the wheel brake deactivated. The method may also include activating the wheel brake and detecting a second temperature of the wheel with the wheel brake activated. The method may include determining a wheel brake condition based on at least the first and second temperatures of the wheel. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140100723 | AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE SIDESTEP MOTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method and apparatus for controlling the path of movement of an automatic guided vehicle relative to a first guidepath laterally along first and second cross tracks to a second guidepath laterally offset from the first guidepath. The turn indicator is mounted relative to the first and second guide tracks. A turn indicator sensor carried on the automatic guided vehicle detects the turn indicator. A controller responsive to the sensor output positions the automatic guided vehicle for movement of the first drive wheel along one of the cross tracks and the second guide wheel along the other cross track laterally from the first guidepath to the second guidepath. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140107874 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A RAILWAY SECTION AND CORRESPONDING RAILWAY SECTION - A method for operating a railway section that includes section elements, which are each actuated by a processor that is reliable in terms of signaling and cyclically carries out a test routine. A railway section is configured for carrying out the method. In order to save energy and cost, the processor is operated selectively in active mode or sleep mode. From the sleep mode the processor is switched to the active mode for the duration of the test routine by way of a timer logic element that is reliable in terms of signaling. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140107875 | METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR RECOGNIZING MANIPULATIONS ON A VEHICLE NETWORK - A method for detecting manipulation of at least one vehicle network of a vehicle includes determining a digital fingerprint of the at least one vehicle network, comparing the digital fingerprint of the at least one vehicle network to reference information, adapting a function of the at least one vehicle network as a function of a result of the comparison, such that operational safety is ensured, and activating a regular control mode if no manipulation of the at least one vehicle network is detected, or activating an operationally safe control mode if manipulation of the at least one vehicle network is detected. A control unit for detecting manipulation of at least one vehicle network of a vehicle carries out control tasks as a function of a result of a comparison of a digital fingerprint of at least one vehicle network to reference information of a control network. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140114507 | System, Apparatus, and Method for Automatically Controlling a Locomotive - A system, method, and apparatus for automatically controlling a locomotive include a control interface unit configured to receive input from at least one manual control, receive input from an automatic control system, and transmit commands to a locomotive control system, wherein the commands are based at least partially on the input received from the automatic control system. A bypass relay may also be provided to enable and disable communication between the at least one manual control and the locomotive control system. | 04-24-2014 |
| 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 |
| 20140129061 | DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A communication system for a vehicle consist may include a control module that interfaces with router transceiver units coupled to a cable bus, and can communicate network data between vehicles having a transceiver unit over a cable bus. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140136031 | Determining Locomotive Position in a Locomotive Consist - A method for determining order of locomotives in a locomotive consist is provided. Specifically, in a system wherein locomotives in a locomotive consist each include network interfaces having unique identifying criteria, such as IP addresses, the location of each locomotive relative to the lead locomotive may be accurately and automatically determined. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140142791 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLEET WHEEL-RAIL LUBRICATION AND NOISE MANAGEMENT - The present invention is a system and method for the control of applying lubrication to the wheels of a fleet of railed-based vehicles and the rails on which the railed-based vehicles travel. In an aspect, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system is configured to analyze and optimize the application of wheel/rail lubrication within a whole fleet to the best possible efficiency. In an additional aspect, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system is further configured to manage the noise created by the interaction between the wheels and rails of the whole fleet. In such aspects, the wheel-rail lubrication fleet management system can monitor the real results of the application of lubricant of rail-wheel systems that utilize the lubrication fleet management system. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140142792 | MOVING BODY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TRAVEL OF MOVING BODY - A detector detects positions of a moving body in a travel direction at a position shifted from a center of control of travel of the moving body in a direction different than the travel direction of the moving body. Positions of the center of control in the travel direction relative to the output of the detector is stored in a storage unit for at least a curved section of a travel route of the moving body, and the travel of the moving body is controlled by a controller, based on the positions of the center of control read out from the storage unit. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140156117 | DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A LOCOMOTIVE - The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may include at least a configurable controller that is reconfigurable to implement at least one control function associated with distributed control of the locomotive. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140156118 | TWO-TIERED HIERARCHICALLY DISTRIBUTED LOCOMOTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM - The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules spatially distributed within the locomotive and communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a first configurable controller and a programmable controller, and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a second configurable controller and does not include a programmable controller. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140156119 | BACK-UP AND REDUNDANCY OF MODULES IN LOCOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEMS - The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network, a plurality of electronic modules and a plurality of control elements distributed within the locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may be programmatically reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may be communicatively connected to one of the plurality of control elements via separate communication paths. The first electronic module may be configured to control the control element, and the second electronic module may be configured to control the control element when the first electronic module enters into a failure condition. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140156120 | MONITORING AND FAILOVER OPERATION WITHIN LOCOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEM - The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within the locomotive and communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules includes at least one configurable controller that is reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive. At least one of the electronic modules includes a programmable controller in communication with the configurable controller and the network. A first configurable controller may be configured to monitor at least a first programmable controller. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140156121 | REMOTE UPDATE IN LOCOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEMS - The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. The plurality of electronic modules are communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture and implementing distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may include a first configurable controller and a memory that stores a configuration file received via the network. The first configurable controller may be reconfigurable based on the configuration file stored in the memory. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140156122 | NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE FOR LOCOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEM - The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include at least one network and a plurality of communication centers spatially distributed within the locomotive. Each of the plurality of communication centers may include a plurality of communication outlets. The system may further include a plurality of electronic modules spatially distributed within the locomotive in a standardized scalable architecture and connected to the at least one network via the plurality of communication outlets included in the plurality of communication centers. Each one of the plurality of electronic modules may be reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140156123 | INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An inspection system for use with a rail vehicle includes a database containing vehicle route data and at least one location of track to be inspected. The database may be accessed by rail vehicles with on-board inspection systems so that they may inspect the location of track to be inspected | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140172205 | Method and System for Transmitting Enforceable Instructions in Positive Train Control Systems - A method and a system for transmitting enforceable instructions in a positive train control (PTC) system includes receiving, by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculator, at least one enforceable instruction from railroad systems. The CRC calculator calculates at least one enforceable instruction CRC based at least partly on the at least one enforceable instruction and transmits the at least one enforceable instruction CRC to a back office server of the PTC system and/or an on-board system of a locomotive. Methods for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) hazard mitigation in a positive train control (PTC) system and verifying enforceable instruction data on-board a train are also disclosed. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140180509 | METHOD OF REMOVING SUSPECTED SECTION OF TRACK BACKGROUND - A method of removing a suspected section from a record includes obtaining an estimated distance between a communicating vehicle and a block boundary of a first block and a second block of a track. The suspected section is defined as a section of the first block between a communicating vehicle and a block boundary of the first block and the second block. An occupancy status of the second block is obtained. The suspected section is removed from the record after, for a predetermined time period, (a) the estimated distance remains less than a predetermined threshold distance and (b) the occupancy status of the second block remains a vacant state, the predetermined time period being a non-zero time period. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140200753 | Rail Bus Transportation Network Loop System - A transportation network system: comprising existing dual-mode vehicles facilities operating on existing railway tracks and on existing roadways roads and existing roadway-railway crossings facilities for the transportation, pickup, and drop off of passengers and of goods within and about an urban city environment. Fundamental to this system is the integration of these exiting facilities with incorporation of modern computer marshalling means for operation of the railway-vehicles and of the roadway dual-mode vehicles, having wireless communications and GPS in which means administered are fuzzy logic computer logic engine means and fuzzy logic algorithmic means for save operation of the vehicles on the railway tracks and on the roads and the dual-mode vehicles entry to or egress from the tracks with which to provide an optimised and safe transportation system. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140207316 | EXHAUST TREATMENT SYSTEM IMPLEMENTING COORDINATED LOCOMOTIVE CONTROL - An exhaust treatment system may be associated with a plurality of locomotives in a consist. A plurality of individual controls may each be associated with a separate locomotive, and each of the individual controls may be configured to receive signals indicative of power plant operating parameters and exhaust gas parameters for the associated separate locomotive. A master control may be configured to receive data from the individual controls and supply operating instructions to the locomotives. The master control may also be configured to coordinate initiation and staging of exhaust gas treatment at each of the locomotives in accordance with power settings for each of the locomotives that increase fuel economy and reduce exhaust gas emissions for the entire consist. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140207317 | ROUTE EXAMINING SYSTEM AND METHOD - 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. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140214247 | TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A train control system of the present invention capable of controlling a train in a plurality of drive modes by a single on-board device, includes an on-board device | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140222258 | BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE FOR A BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKE SYSTEM, RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BRAKE SYSTEM - A brake control device for a brake system for a rail vehicle, the brake system having at least one adhesion-type friction brake device. The brake control device receives brake actuation data, which are assigned to the at least one adhesion-type friction brake device, from a brake actuation sensor device of the brake system. The brake control device receives brake action data, which are assigned to the at least one adhesion-type friction brake device, from a brake action sensor device of the brake system, and to cause the adhesion-type friction brake device to effect a braking process, and to monitor and assign brake actuation data and brake action data to each other during a braking process. Also disclosed is a brake system, a rail vehicle and a method for operating a brake system. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140244080 | BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE FOR A BRAKING SYSTEM OF A RAIL VEHICLE, BRAKING SYSTEM, RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT A STATE ANALYSIS OF A RAIL VEHICLE - A brake control device for a braking system of a rail vehicle, wherein the brake control device is connected or connectible to a vibration-sensitive sensor device for receiving vibration data. The brake control device is designed to identify at least one periodic signal from the vibration data and to store vibration data-based comparative data, and to carry out a state analysis of the rail vehicle based on the comparative data and/or the at least one periodic signal. Also disclosed is a corresponding braking system, a rail vehicle and a method for carrying out a state analysis of the rail vehicle. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140249705 | RAILWAY VEHICLE VIBRATION DAMPING DEVICE - Two or more front-side vibration suppression force generation sources and two or more rear-side vibration suppression force generation sources are interposed between bogies and the vehicle body. A controller calculates a sway high-frequency vibration suppression force for suppressing vibration having a frequency which is not less than a frequency of a centrifugal acceleration acting on the vehicle body when the railway vehicle runs in a curve section. The controller lets at least a part of the front-side vibration suppression force generation sources and at least a part of the rear-side vibration suppression force generation sources output a resultant force of a yaw suppression force and the sway high-frequency vibration suppression force. The controller lets all the remaining vibration suppression force generation sources function as passive dampers when the railway vehicle runs in the curve section. Ride quality of the vehicle in the curve section is thereby improved. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140257604 | BRAKING SYSTEM - A brake control unit for a railway vehicle having first and second cores. The first core is responsible for brake control functions and the second core is responsible for communications. A switch controls communication between the second core and a communication bus on the railway vehicle to safeguard the braking function of the first core. The second core only has write access to the communication bus when enabled by the first core, which first core determines whether the system is in a defined safe state to safeguard the braking function. This reduces the testing requirements for new communications software. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140257605 | ON-BOARD BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC AND REPORTING SYSTEM - A brake valve diagnostic and reporting system for a pneumatic only brake valve on a rail car which includes a brake pipe transducer for measuring brake pipe pressure; and a brake cylinder transducer for measuring brake cylinder pressure. A processor receives measurements from the transducers, compares the measurements against stored brake performance profiles, determines brake status from the comparison and prepares an event report for preselected brake statuses. A wireless transmitter connected to the processor transmits the report. An energy storage device powers the processor and transmitter. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140257606 | RAILWAY VEHICLE VIBRATION DAMPING DEVICE - A railway vehicle vibration damping device having at least two vibration suppression force generating sources interposed between a bogie and a vehicle body of a railway vehicle extracts from a transverse direction velocity of the vehicle body a frequency component at or above a frequency of a centrifugal acceleration of the vehicle body, and calculates a high frequency vibration suppression force on the basis thereof. When the railway vehicle travels in a curve section, at least a part of the vibration suppression force generating sources is caused to output the high frequency vibration suppression force, and the remaining vibration suppression force generating sources are caused to function as passive dampers. As a result, passenger comfort in the railway vehicle during travel in a curve section is improved. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140277858 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN RAILWAY SYSTEMS - A method optimizes energy consumption in a railway system including a set of trains and a set of substations connected to a grid. The method optimizes control parameters controlling at least part of the energy consumption of the railway system to produce optimized control parameters minimizing a total power provided by the grid to satisfy a power demand of the railway system. The optimizing is subject to constraints on operations of the railway system, which include as complementarity constraint. Next, the method generates a command to control the energy consumption of the railway system based on the optimized control parameters. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277859 | TRAIN INTEGRITY AND END OF TRAIN LOCATION VIA RF RANGING - Systems and methods that can be used in a Positive Train Control system to continuously monitor train integrity and end of train location using radio frequency (RF) ranging techniques to determine the line of sight distance between the head end and the end of the train. The systems and methods allow PTC controlled trains to maintain positive length of train awareness and to determine if a portion of the train separates unintentionally. The systems and methods can be implemented on existing RF infrastructure used on trains, without impacting existing messaging traffic, adding bandwidth or power requirements. The systems and methods work on stretched trains running on tangent or straight track, as well as on foreshortened trains running on curved track. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277860 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VEHICLE SYSTEM CONTROL - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277861 | System and Method for Optimizing Energy Consumption in Railway Systems with Energy Storage Devices - A system and method optimizes energy consumption in a railway system including a set of trains, a set of energy storage devices, and a set of substations connected to a grid by first optimizing control parameters controlling at least part of the energy consumption of the railway system to produce optimized control parameters. The optimized control parameters minimize, over multiple time steps, a combination of total power provided by the grid to satisfy a power demand of the railway system, a state-of-charge of each energy storage device, power supplied to charge the energy storage device and power supplied by the energy storage device. The optimizing is subject to constraints on operations of the railway system over multiple time steps. The constraints include a complementarity constraint. A command is generated to control the energy consumption of the railway system based on the optimized control parameters. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277862 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST - A locomotive assembly including a legacy locomotive controller and an intercept locomotive controller and a method of controlling a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power unit coupled to the power bus, and a legacy locomotive controller programmed to transmit control signals to the primary power unit. The locomotive assembly further includes an intercept locomotive controller programmed to receive a control signal indicating an requested amount of locomotive power from the legacy locomotive controller, allocate a portion of the requested amount of locomotive power to an auxiliary power unit, and control the auxiliary power unit to deliver the portion of the amount of locomotive power to the power bus. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277863 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING MOVEMENT OF RAILROAD TRACK - A system for monitoring movement of railroad track includes a plurality of data collection units secured to respective railroad ties in a curved section of railroad track. Each data collection unit includes a GPS receiver. The data collection units collect location data from the GPS receivers and transmit the location data to a base unit. The base unit collects the location data from the data collection units and periodically uploads the location data to a server. Software on the server reviews the data for any changes in location of the data collection units and reports the results to a user or users. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140297069 | AUTOMATED TRACK SURVEYING AND BALLAST REPLACEMENT - A method of surveying a section of a railway to determine amounts of ballast to be replaced keyed to position coordinates of track locations includes moving a survey vehicle along the railway, optically scanning the track at selected intervals to obtain optical data points with associated position coordinates, recording images at the intervals with position coordinates, recording position coordinates of no-spread zones, processing the optical data points to derive ballast unit weights associated with locations along the track, detecting anomalous unit weights, accessing images associated with the locations of the anomalous unit weights, accessing the anomalous unit weights to adjust as necessary, and loading the adjusted data into a computer of a ballast train to control the application of replacement ballast along the track according to the detected position of the ballast train. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140303817 | BRAKING PROCESS FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - A control device for a brake system of a rail vehicle, the brake system having at least one first brake device and a second brake device, which devices can be actuated by an actuating force during a braking process. The first brake device and the second brake device are adhesion-type brake devices. The control device is capable of receiving and/or generating a loss of adhesion signal, which identifies insufficient adhesion for the first and/or second brake device, and is also designed, during a braking process, to actuate the first and/or second brake device with an increased actuating force if a loss of adhesion signal is present. Also disclosed is a brake system for a rail vehicle having a control device of this type, a corresponding rail vehicle and a method for controlling the brake system of a rail vehicle using a control device. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140316618 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING DYNAMICALLY CHANGING DISTRIBUTIONS OF VEHICLES IN A VEHICLE SYSTEM - A system and method for determining dynamically changing distributions of vehicles in a vehicle system are disclosed. The system and method determine handling parameters of the vehicle system. The handling parameters are determined for different distributions of the vehicles among different groups at different potential change points along a route. The system and method also determine whether to change the distributions at potential change points based on the handling parameters. Based on determining that the distributions are to change, a selected sequence of changes to the distributions is determined at one or more of the potential change points along the route. Change indices are generated based on the selected sequence. The change indices designate times and/or the one or more potential change points at which the distributions changes. The vehicles included in a common group have common designated operational settings while the vehicles are in the common group. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140316619 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION TERMINAL, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Accident information determination server apparatus, when receiving a request from mobile communication terminal operated by a requester, specifies a train line, a terminal location, a moving direction, and a car number where mobile communication terminal that has made the request resides. Then, accident information determination server apparatus determines an impact of the accident represented by the accident information has on the requester who moves from the terminal location in the specified moving direction. Accident information determination server apparatus transmits a data that associates the accident information with the determined result on the accident information to mobile communication terminal. | 10-23-2014 |
| 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 |
| 20140330461 | Power Conversion System for High-Speed Railway Vehicles and Method of Controlling Power Conversion System for High-Speed Railway Vehicles - A plurality of power conversion apparatuses disposed in a traveling direction of a plurality of vehicles coupled to one another each includes a conversion unit to convert electric power; a heat dissipation unit to dissipate heat that is generated in the conversion unit to a traveling wind; and a control unit to control the electric power to be converted. A control unit in a first power conversion apparatus is disposed forward, in the traveling direction, of a heat dissipation unit in the first power conversion apparatus, and increases or decreases electric power to be converted in a conversion unit of the first power conversion apparatus in accordance with at least one of information of a number of other heat dissipation units dissipating heat to the traveling wind and information of a distance to a forwardly adjacent one of the other heat dissipation units in the traveling direction. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140330462 | HYBRID-VEHICLE POWER GENERATION CONTROL APPARATUS - A hybrid-vehicle power generator control apparatus includes an integrated control unit that issues a driving command and a control command to an engine control unit and an electric-power conversion system control unit, respectively, based on requested electric power requested by a load apparatus, and a limiter that limits the control command from the integrated control unit such that when rotation frequency of an electric power generator is same as or lower than a predetermined value, the value of torque generated by the electric power generator becomes smaller than the value of torque generated by an engine. A limitation of the control command by the limiter prevents torques of the engine and the electric power generator from stepping out of the stable operating points. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140336850 | DEDICATED CHANNEL ESTABLISHMENT METHOD FOR HIGH SPEED DATA TRANSMISSION IN RAILWAY WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK - Disclosed is a railway wireless sensor network system. The railway wireless sensor network system includes a plurality of sensors which are included in a railway vehicle and measure an operation state of the railway vehicle in real time, a plurality of routers which receive information on the measured operation state through a dedicated channel with each sensor, and a gateway which receives information on the operation state through a dedicated channel between the routers, and periodically transmits information on the received operation state to a railway vehicle control center. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140336851 | TRAIN INFORMATION MANAGING APPARATUS AND SELECTION METHOD FOR CONTROL SOFTWARE OF TRAIN INFORMATION MANAGING APPARATUS - Train information managing apparatuses each include a plurality of pieces of control software of versions different from each other. The train information managing apparatus mounted on a head car compares version information of software for devices collected concerning all devices in a formation and version correspondence information included in each of the plurality of pieces of control software, discriminates control software including version correspondence information consistent with the version information of the software for devices concerning all the devices in the formation, when the discriminated control software is different from already-started control software, selects and starts the discriminated control software, and transmits a switching command for switching from the already-started control software to the discriminated control software to a train information managing apparatus mounted on another car. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140343767 | Braking Systems and Methods for Determining Dynamic Braking Data for a Braking Model for a Train - Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for determining dynamic braking data for use in a braking model of at least one train, the method including: (a) determining at least one initial safety factor; (b) determining at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor based at least partially on (i) the expected dynamic braking force, and (ii) specified retarding forces of the train; and (c) determining at least one new safety factor based at least partially on the at least one initial safety factor and the at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor. Also disclosed are braking systems including dynamic braking for a train having at least one locomotive. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140343768 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ATC INTERMITTENT INFORMATION IN RAILWAY - The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing an intermittent information in railway, the method comprising determining that data of a prescribed first length is received in first and second buffers; reading and storing the data of the first length in the first and second buffers; determining that data of a prescribed second length is received in the first and second buffers; reading and storing the data of the second length in the first and second buffers; and generating a final data by combining the data of the first length and the data of the second length. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140343769 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR MONITORING A BRAKE SYSTEM OF A BRAKE ARRANGEMENT OF A RAIL VEHICLE - A method and an arrangement monitor a brake system of a brake arrangement of a rail vehicle. To carry out such a method comparatively cost-effectively and gently on the wheels and rails, the deceleration of the rail vehicle is detected with a deceleration measured variable being obtained and the frictional connection between the wheel and rail is detected with a frictional connection measured variable being obtained. In the event of a small deceleration measured variable and a normal frictional connection measured variable, an error message signal is generated. In a brake system with at least one brake actuator, the deceleration of the rail vehicle is detected with a deceleration measured variable being obtained and the brake force of the at least one brake actuator is measured. In the case of a small deceleration measured variable and a low brake force, an error message signal is generated. | 11-20-2014 |
| 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 |
| 20140350757 | VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR HYBRID VEHICLE FOR RAILROAD - In a vehicle control apparatus, a system controller that overall controls an engine controller and a converter controller is provided. The system controller drives, through the converter controller, a generator with a generator-rotational-speed command value ωc_ref1 smaller than idling maintenance minimum rotational speed ωe_idol_min of an engine, starts, through the engine controller, fuel injection to the engine after elapse of a predetermined time, and, when the rotational speed of the engine reaches a predetermined rotational speed threshold ωe_th that is larger than the generator-rotational-speed command value ωe_ref and smaller than the idling maintenance minimum rotational speed ωe_idol_min, outputs, to a converter, a gate cutoff signal GSTOP for turning off energization to the generator. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140358336 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH TRAIN CONSIST - The disclosure is directed to a communication method for use with a train consist having a locomotive and a tender car. The communication method may include transmitting between the locomotive and the tender car operational data captured by network components located onboard at least one of the locomotive and the tender car. The method may further include selectively adjusting an operation of at least one of the locomotive and the tender car based on the data. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140358337 | TRAIN GUIDANCE-DISPLAY SYSTEM AND TRAIN GUIDANCE-DISPLAY METHOD - After latest door opening-side information is received from an operational management server on a ground after a train starts an operation, train-information managing apparatuses output the door opening-side information to display control apparatuses as guidance data, the display control apparatuses create video data indicating an opening side of doors for all stops at least between a next stop and a terminal station of the train using the door opening-side information, and displays perform display using the video data. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140358338 | TRAVELING VEHICLE SYSTEM - A traveling vehicle system includes a track network including tracks, a plurality of traveling vehicles, and a traveling vehicle controller. The controller is programmed and configured to include an abnormality detecting unit configured to detect an abnormality in a track on the downstream side of a diverging section including at least the track; and an entry determining unit configured to, in a case that a traveling vehicle that has just passed through the diverging section enters the track and a traveling vehicle that has immediately thereafter passed through the diverging section is about to consecutively enter the track, when the abnormality detecting unit has detected no abnormality, skip determination of whether the traveling vehicle is allowed to enter the track and, when the abnormality detecting unit has detected an abnormality, determine whether the traveling vehicle is allowed to enter the track. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140365046 | AXLE TORQUE CONTROL CORRESPONDING TO WHEEL SIZES - A system and method is disclosed for controlling at least one traction motor driving an axle on a vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of axles on which wheels are mounted. The method may include determining whether at least one of the wheels on at least one of the axles differs in diameter from at least one other wheel on a different one of the axles by more than a threshold value. The method may also include increasing a torque provided by a traction motor driving an axle with at least one wheel that has a larger diameter than at least one other wheel on a different axle. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140365047 | Method for optimized operation of an electrically driven rail vehicle on a predefined route - A method optimizes operation of an electrically driven rail vehicle on a predefined route. In order to optimize the known method even further, the costs of the electrical energy which is fed into the route and/or the environmental loading are sensed during the generation of the electrical energy which is fed into the route. The method of locomotion of the rail vehicle on the route is set taking into account the level of the costs of the electrical energy and/or the environmental loading in the generation of the electrical energy for the route. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140365048 | DIAGRAM CREATING DEVICE, DIAGRAM CREATING METHOD, AND DIAGRAM DISPLAY PROGRAM - A diagram creating device has a database and a processing device. The processing device includes a unit which displays names of track sections, names of stations in the track sections, and station line which displays the distances from each station, in parallel to the time axis in the diagram, a unit which displays junction buttons associated with other track sections, near the station line associated with the junction stations belonging to the other track sections in the diagram, and a unit which, when the junction button is pushed, reads the station order data and the junction data based on the track section code of the junction destination, switches part of the station line related to the track section displayed in the diagram for a junction station as a junction point, to the station line subsequent to the junction station belonging to the another track section, and displays the station line. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140379180 | POWER SHARING FOR A LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST - A method of sharing power between locomotives in a consist may include receiving a power demand signal at a control computer on one of the locomotives, with the power demand signal indicative of a total power output requirement for the consist. The control computer may determine an amount of available power on an electrical power bus running through all of the locomotives in the consist, and the power generating capacity of all power sources that are electrically coupled to the electrical power bus. One or more power sources on any one of the locomotives in the consist may be activated to provide electrical power to the electrical power bus for use by a load on a different one of the locomotives in the consist. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20140379181 | CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC TRAIN - A circuit breaker controller is mounted on each vehicle of an electric train together with a receiver that detects a track antenna beacon installed at a predetermined position before and after the dead section, to control a circuit breaker by detecting the track antenna beacon by the receiver. The circuit breaker controller includes a running-position calculation unit that calculates a running position of the vehicle based on a speed of the electric train, a circuit-breaker control-position calculation unit that calculates a circuit-breaker off-control position, and a circuit breaker control unit that executes off-control of the circuit breaker at a point in time at which the running position and the circuit-breaker off-control position match each other. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20140379182 | FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150012157 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING DYNAMIC BOUNDARIES TO MANAGE THE PROGRESSION OF RIDE VEHICLES THAT HAVE RIDER CONTROL INPUTS - A method for controlling vehicle progression along a ride path of an amusement park ride. The method includes receiving inputs from a passenger of a vehicle on the ride path and processing the received inputs to determine a vehicle state change. The method includes determining a present or predicted vehicle state and comparing the present or predicted vehicle state with constraints defined by a dynamic boundary associated with the vehicle. The method includes issuing vehicle control commands to a drive assembly to implement the vehicle state change if it complies with the constraints. The dynamic boundary is moved logically along the ride path at a nominal to define a set of boundaries for movement of the vehicle along the ride path. The vehicle state change may be a change that causes the vehicle to travel at a speed differing from the dynamic boundary while remaining within the dynamic boundary. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150019052 | TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL METHOD - A train state retriever acquires the state of a train. Based on the state of the train, a transmission priority determiner determines a transmission priority in transmitting transmission data serving as a transmission object to a transmission path. A transmitter transmits the transmission data to the transmission path in accordance with the determined transmission priority. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150025714 | CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR A RAIL-BOUND DRIVING ROBOT AND PROCEDURES TO OPERATE - A process for the control of movement of rail-based automated transport vehicles ( | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150025715 | MACHINE FOR MAINTENANCE OF A TRACK - A machine for cleaning a ballast bed has, in front of a take-up device relative to a working direction, a first signal receiver—suitable for position determination in a global navigational satellite system—for scanning an actual track position. A second signal receiver connected to the machine for scanning a new track position created by laying down the raised track onto the re-applied ballast bed is arranged downstream. Both signal receivers are associated with a control device designed to act on the drives that displace a track-lifting device relative to the machine frame. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150025716 | EMBEDDED SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A RAIL VEHICLE LOCATION SIGNAL - This system ( | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150025717 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE - A communication system for a vehicle includes a transceiver assembly, a selection module, and a monitoring module. The transceiver assembly selectively communicates a data signal over a plurality of communication channels. The data signal is related to distributed power operations of the vehicle. The selection module is communicatively coupled with the transceiver assembly and switches the transceiver assembly to any of the communication channels. The monitoring module is communicatively coupled with the selection module and determines a load parameter of one or more of the communication channels. The load parameter is based on a population value of the one or more communication channels. The selection module switches the transceiver assembly to a selected channel of the communication channels based on the load parameter for communicating the data signal over the selected channel. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150032301 | TWO TIERED ENERGY STORAGE FOR A MOBILE VEHICLE - A method of storing energy produced by a mobile vehicle is disclosed. The method may include receiving information on a vehicle trip profile. An electrical mode of a traction motor configured for propelling the vehicle may be changed from a motor mode where the traction motor receives electrical power to a generator mode where the traction motor produces electrical power when the trip profile indicates a charging opportunity. The method may further include directing energy generated by the traction motor in generator mode to a first tier of one or more energy storage devices with first rate-of-energy-absorption capabilities. A second tier of one or more energy storage devices with second rate-of-energy-absorption capabilities slower than the first rate-of-energy-absorption capabilities may then be charged with energy from the first tier energy storage devices. The charging of the second tier energy storage devices may continue when the traction motor is no longer producing electrical power. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150032302 | RAIL VEHICLE BRAKING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR BRAKING A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail vehicle braking device has at least one electrodynamic brake, which comprises a drive unit, which has at least one drive motor and a power supply unit for supplying the drive motor when the drive unit is in a traction mode. The rail vehicle braking device has at least two brake control units in order to increase the safety of the electrodynamic brake. In a first braking mode, a first brake control unit in an active state controls the power supply unit for providing a braking effect, a first brake effect monitoring unit and a switching unit, which serves to switch, depending on a brake effect parameter in the first braking mode, into a second braking mode, in which the second brake control unit in an active state controls the power supply unit for providing a brake effect. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150032303 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POWER PRODUCTION, CONTROL, AND/OR TELEMATICS, SUITABLE FOR USE WITH LOCOMOTIVES - A power system housed in one or more modules or containers may be located as a unitary structure where desired, for example secured to a locomotive platform, allowing easy retrofits. A control subsystem may maintain an RPM of a prime mover at minimum that still provides an expected level of power from an electric machine for any one of a finite number of throttle settings. The control subsystem may dynamically adjust loads between various combinations of series and/or parallel couplings. A set of processor executable instructions may be configured for specific platforms by selecting appropriate set of values based on number of loads (e.g., driven axles), rating (e.g., horse power), other criteria (e.g., manufacturer, model, year). Characteristics may be determined and verified, and operation based on the outcome of such. A telematics system method logs and provides remote access to operational data, engine data, power system data, anti-idling overrides, unauthorized changes, and/or location. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150045996 | IN-CAR INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM AND POWER SUPPLY METHOD - An in-car information display system includes a power storage device including a storage battery charged with direct-current power obtained by converting electric power from an overhead wire, a plurality of display devices that operate by receiving supply of direct-current power from the power storage device and provide a guidance display related to a service of a train to passengers, and a terminal device that operates by receiving the supply of the direct-current power from the power storage device and delivers to the display devices information for guidance display that is information used for the guidance display. The power storage device switches a power supply operation to the display devices according to a residual capacity of the storage battery and reduces a total amount of electric power supplied to each of the display devices. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150045997 | ELECTRIC RAILCAR POWER FEEDING SYSTEM, POWER FEEDING DEVICE, AND POWER STORAGE DEVICE - An electric railcar power feeding system in an embodiment includes a power storage device, a rectifier, and an emergency power supply. The power storage device is connected to a feeder line for an electric railcar. The rectifier converts alternating-current power of a first power system to direct-current power and supply the direct-current power for the feeder line. The emergency power supply supplies power of a second power system different from the first power system for the feeder line. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150045998 | RAILWAY DARK TERRITORY SWITCH AUTOMATION - The invention provides a railroad switch for use in un-signaled (dark) territory. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150051759 | ADHESION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for controlling a consist of rail vehicles or other vehicles includes a control unit electrically coupled to a first rail vehicle in the consist, the control unit having a processor and being configured to receive signals representing a presence and position of one or more tractive effort systems on-board the first vehicle and other rail vehicles in the consist, and a set of instructions stored in a non-transient medium accessible by the processor, the instructions configured to control the processor to create a optimization schedule that manages the use of the one or more tractive effort systems based on the presence and position of the tractive effort systems within the consist. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150051760 | ADHESION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for detecting clogs in a tractive effort system of a rail vehicle or other vehicle includes the steps of determining a baseline air flow rate from an air compressor during steady state conditions, actuating the tractive effort system, determining a secondary air flow rate from the air compressor subsequent to actuation of the tractive effort system, and comparing the secondary air flow rate to the baseline air flow rate. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150057845 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR ESTIMATING A FUEL LEVEL OF A LIQUID NATURAL GAS STORAGE CONTAINER - Various methods and systems are provided for modifying a fuel volume of a fuel container based on fuel consumption. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing an initial fuel volume measurement for a fuel container of a first rail vehicle and modifying the initial fuel volume measurement based on fuel consumption of an engine of a second rail vehicle to determine a modified fuel volume. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150057846 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING COMMUNICATION PATHS IN A TRAINLINE COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A system for determining communication paths in a trainline communication network utilized by a consist has a processor configured to determine direct data transmission metrics for one locomotive of the consist. The processor receives direct data transmission metrics for the remaining locomotives of the consist and determines indirect data transmission estimates for the one locomotive based on the received direct data transmission metrics. The processor determines communication paths for the one locomotive by comparing the direct data transmission metrics for the one locomotive to the indirect data transmission estimates for the one locomotive. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150057847 | TRAINLINE COMMUNICATION NETWORK ACCESS POINT INCLUDING FILTER - A trainline communication network access point has an intra-consist electrical cable connection point coupled to a transmission path and an intra-consist electrical cable, a processor, and a filter arrangement. The processor generates a data signal capable of transmitting network data over the intra-consist electrical cable. The processor determines from a plurality of possible transmit frequencies masked frequencies and non-masked frequencies and communicate the data signal on the transmission path on at least one of the non-masked frequencies and prevents communication of the data signal on the transmission path at the masked frequencies. The filter arrangement is disposed on the transmission path between the processor and the intra-consist electrical cable connection point and filters at least one of the masked frequencies from the transmission path. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150057848 | TRAINLINE NETWORK ACCESS POINT FOR PARALLEL COMMUNICATION - A trainline network access point connected to an intra-consist electrical cable of a consist has a network data signal path, a first communication module, a second communication module, and a network switch. The network switch is connected to the first communication module and the second communication module and configured to selectively connect the network data signal path to the first communication module and the second communication module. The first communication module has a first processor configured to receive first network data via the network data signal path, modulate the first network data for transmission over the intra-consist electrical cable, and transmit the first modulated network data over the intra-consist electrical cable. The second communication module includes a second processor configured to receive second network data via the network data signal path, modulate the second network data for transmission over the intra-consist electrical cable, and transmit the second modulated network data over the intra-consist electrical cable. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150057849 | MONITOR FOR BRAKE ACTUATOR PRESSURE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING BRAKE ACTUATOR PRESSURE - A monitor for a brake apparatus of a railway vehicle, wherein the brake apparatus has at least one pressure-actuated brake actuator, upstream of which a control valve device is provided. The monitor performs an estimation of the actuator pressure applied at the brake actuator on the basis of pressure data and actuation data, the pressure data represents at least one pressure present upstream of the control valve device and the actuation data represents an actuation of the control valve device. Further disclosed is a corresponding brake apparatus for a railway vehicle, a railway vehicle and a method for estimating an actuator pressure. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150057850 | PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAILWAY MAINTENANCE VEHICLES - A propulsion control system is provided for controlling a hydraulic drive system of a railway maintenance vehicle. An axle monitoring module receives and monitors a first signal from a first rotation sensor, and a second signal from a second rotation sensor, the first and second signals associated with first and second axles of the vehicle, respectively. A speed comparison module calculates a delta value representing a difference between the first and second signals, and generates a speed control signal based on the difference. A speed control module receives the speed control signal, and generates a power signal for controlling an amount of power applied to at least one of the first and second axles based on the speed control signal. An actuation control module receives the power signal, and performs a power allocation function for controlling a speed or power of the hydraulic drive system. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150057851 | BALLAST DELIVERY AND COMPUTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method, performed by a computer having a processor and system memory, for calibrating a tie height of a ballast profiling rail vehicle having a remote sensing system, includes traversing the rail vehicle along a first calibration section of railroad track at a calibration speed, detecting, using the remote sensing system, a plurality of height to tie measurements in the first calibration section, establishing a rolling median average of the height to tie measurements, and determining a calibration tie height relative to the rail vehicle based upon the rolling median average. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150057852 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR DISTRIBUTING AND MANAGING DATA FOR USE BY A PLURALITY OF SUBSYSTEMS ON A LOCOMOTIVE - A communication system includes a data manager unit, a private interface, and an open interface. The data manager unit is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to manage a transmission of data from a control system of the vehicle to a plurality of applications. The private interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit to the control system of the vehicle, and to limit communication with the control system via a connection protocol, wherein the connection protocol is configured to prevent direct communication between the data manager unit and an application that does not use the connection protocol. The open interface is configured to communicably couple the data manager unit and the plurality of applications. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150066255 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF BLOCKED RAIL CROSSINGS - A blocked rail crossing detection and notification system is described. The system includes a processing device, a communications interface communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable for facilitating communications between the processing device and at least one external device, and at least one vehicle detection mechanism placed proximate to a rail grade crossing. The at least one vehicle detection mechanism is communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable to provide signals to the processing device indicative of the presence or non-presence of a vehicle within a defined area surrounding an intersection of a roadway and one or more railroad tracks. The processing device is further programmed to communicate the presence or non-presence of a vehicle along with supporting correlative visual data within the defined area to the at least one external device via the communications interface. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150073629 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE OPERATION - A system, in a vehicle consist including at least a fuel car operably connectable to a powered vehicle via a fuel distribution path, includes a communication module and a determination module. The communication module is configured to communicate via a first channel and a second channel. The second channel is associated with the fuel distribution path and is configured to communicate a status signal. The determination module is configured to associate the fuel distribution path with the powered vehicle based at least in part on at least one of the status signal or an acknowledgment message indicating receipt of the status signal. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150081145 | RAIL VEHICLE BRAKING DEVICE - A rail vehicle braking device has at least one first electrodynamic brake with a drive unit that includes at least one drive motor and a power supply unit for supplying the drive motor in a traction mode of the drive unit. A brake control unit controls, in a first brake mode, the respective power supply unit for providing a braking effect. In order to optimize the system with a fall-back measure in case of a braking effect loss in respect of the cause thereof, there is provided at least one sensor unit, which detects a braking effect parameter for the first braking mode of the brake. A monitoring device is assigned to the first brake. It is independent of the brake control unit and considers, in a first monitoring mode, the braking effect parameter for the introduction of a fall-back measure concerning the brake. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150088343 | Method for Assisting Implantation of Access Points of a Radio-Communications Infrastructure Along a Railway Track - With first and second wagons (1, 3), including an emitter similar to the one of an access point and a receiving wagon (2), including a receiver similar to the one of a device onboard a train and measuring a quantity relating to a received signal, this method consists of: placing the first wagon at a previous implantation point while the emitter of the first wagon emits a first signal, moving the receiving wagon away from the first wagon; when the quantity relating to the first signal is under a threshold, immobilizing the receiving wagon;—while the emitter of the second wagon emits a second signal, moving the second wagon away from the receiving wagon; when the quantity relating to the second signal is under the threshold, immobilizing the second wagon; and storing its position as the implantation point of an access point. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150094884 | REGENERATIVE BRAKING EMERGENCY STOP SYSTEM - In a regenerative braking emergency stop system, a substation includes: a rectifier transformer configured to transform AC power received from outside; a rectifier configured to convert the transformed AC power into DC power; and a switch disposed on an electrical path between the rectifier and a power-feed rail and configured to be in a closed state or an opened state; a simulated ripple transmitter configured to transmit a simulated ripple, the simulated ripple being an AC signal having a predetermined frequency; a superimposing circuit connected to the power-feed rail in parallel with the rectifier and configured to superimpose the simulated ripple transmitted from the simulated ripple transmitter on DC power outputted from the rectifier; and a relay device configured to allow the simulated ripple transmitter to transmit the simulated ripple when the rectifier is receiving power from outside and the switch is in a closed state. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150094885 | TRACK-DATA VERIFICATION - A track-data verification vehicle and method for verifying positive train control (PTC) track data. The vehicle includes a 360° camera and a precision positioning system co-located on a vertical axis on the vehicle. The 360° camera provides a video image with indicators that are useable to align an asset with the positioning system. A second video camera is positioned interior to the vehicle to capture an image of a monitor associated with a train management control (TMC) unit and of operator inputs to the TMC unit; the TMC unit executes a PTC track-data verification application. The process of verifying asset locations is thus recorded and can be reviewed and approved by a Federal Railroad Administration representative without requiring the representative to be physically present within the vehicle during track-data verification. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150134155 | DYNAMIC WHEEL DIAMETER DETERMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method provide the capability to dynamically measure the diameter of a train wheel. An onboard sensor signals detection and loss of detection of a proximity plate having a predetermined length and placed along a direction of travel of the train. A signal generator generates a signal indicating the number of revolutions of the wheel. Based on the sensor signals indicating detection and loss of detection of the proximity plate, the length of the proximity plate, and the corresponding number of wheel revolutions, a controller automatically calculates the wheel diameter. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150134156 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE OPERATION THROUGH DATA-SHARING AMONG VEHICLES - Various embodiments of methods and systems are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of a first operating parameter produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable; receiving a second value of the first operating parameter produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; adjusting the second value by a first adjustment factor, the first adjustment factor based on a first value of a global positioning system (GPS) position of the first vehicle produced by the first vehicle and a second value of a GPS position of the second vehicle produced by the second vehicle; and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the adjusted second value of the first operating parameter. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150142225 | Railroad Interlocking System with Distributed Control - A system includes a transceiver for receiving one or more communications from a communication device in a railway vehicle; a microcontroller that is configured for communication with the transceiver and that is configured to control a position of a switch in the railway; and an electronic subsystem for interfacing with the microcontroller and with the switch; wherein the trans transceiver is configured to transmit to the microcontroller at least one of the one or more communications received from the railway vehicle; wherein the microcontroller is further configured to extract a command from the parsed contents; wherein the microcontroller is further configured to transmit the command to the electronic subsystem to cause the electronic subsystem to transition the switch to a position specified by the command; and wherein transitioning of the switch to the specified position enables the railway vehicle to cross the switch. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150149003 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FUEL TENDER OF LOCOMOTIVE - A control system for a fuel tender of a locomotive includes an input module, a sensor module, a processor unit, and at least one actuator. The input module is configured to generate a first signal based on one or more inputs received from an operator of the locomotive. The sensor module is configured to generate a second signal based on one or more operating parameters of at least one of the locomotive and the fuel tender. The processor unit is configured to generate a first actuation signal based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal. The actuator is disposed in electrical communication with the processor unit and the fuel tender. The actuator is configured to selectively perform at least one of enabling or disabling fuel flow from the fuel tender to the locomotive based on the first actuation signal. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150307118 | ROUTE FEATURE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes at least one application device, a control unit, and at least one processor. The at least one application device is conductively or inductively coupled with at least one of a first conductive track or a second conductive track. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current from a power source to the at least one application device to electrically inject at least one examination signal into the conductive tracks. The at least one processor is configured to monitor the one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the first or second conductive tracks, and to identify a construction feature of the route based on the one or more electrical characteristics, wherein the construction feature corresponds to a man-made aspect of the route. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150314796 | VEHICLE AND TRACK TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM - A vehicle includes running wheels traveling on traveling road surfaces of tracks; a pair of position detection parts disposed at an interval in a width direction that output signals by detecting a distance from measured objects; a control unit controlling the amount of steering of the running wheels according to the signals from the position detection parts; and a steering mechanism steering the running wheels via the control unit. Each of the position detection parts outputs a signal having characteristics such that the output increases as the distance from the measured objects increases while an output change ratio is decreased in a range wherein the distance from the measured objects is not less than a predetermined value, and is configured such that, when the distance between one position detection part and the measured object is decreased, the distance between the other position detection part and the measured object is increased. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150329128 | Method for generating action recommendations for the driver of a rail vehicle or control signals for the rail vehicle by means of a driver assistance system, and driver assistance system - A method for generating action recommendations for the driver of a rail vehicle or control signals for the rail vehicle by way of a driver assistance system. Taking at least one journey specification into account, driving data is calculated and on the basis of the driving data: an action recommendation is generated and displayed in an action recommendation display device or a control signal that acts on a vehicle control device is generated. In order to optimize such a method in relation to an energy requirement of the rail vehicle, at least one air pressure characteristic variable is taken into account as a journey specification. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150344048 | Locomotive-To-Wayside Device Communication System and Method and Wayside Device Therefor - A locomotive-to-wayside device communication system for a train having a locomotive travelling in a track network having wayside devices associated therewith. The system includes: an on-board communication device associated with the locomotive for transmitting and receiving data; and a wayside communication device associated with a wayside device, wherein the wayside communication device is programmed or configured to transmit data at or over (a) at least one power level, (b) at least one reporting interval, (c) at least one frequency, (d) at least one communication protocol, or any combination thereof. A wayside communication device and a locomotive-to-wayside device communication method are also disclosed. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150353061 | INCREMENTED BRAKE PIPE PRESSURE REDUCTION - A system and method for incrementally accomplishing brake pipe reductions using an operator button, touch sensitive screen or other human machine interface. The system is preferably made available to the user when the brake handle is positioned in the ‘minimum’ brake application position and allows an operator to create a more precise target reduction value without having to manually move the brake handle to the location that the operator believes may result in the desired reduction. Using small, predetermined increments, the system allows for more precise control over brake pressure without an operator having to estimate what handle movement will accomplish the desired brake pressure. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150353104 | TRACK-GUIDED VEHICLE, AND CAR BODY TILT CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - This track-guided vehicle is provided with a car body, and a bogie that supports the car body from the bottom, and has a frame capable of pivoting around an axis perpendicular to a track. The bogie is provided with: a car body tilting part that tilts the car body to the left and right in the direction of travel; a detection part that detects the amount of pivot of the frame; and a tilt control part that allows the car body to be tilted by the car body tilting part on the basis of the amount of pivot detected by the detection part. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150360706 | OPERATION MANAGEMENT DEVICE, OPERATION MANAGEMENT METHOD, VEHICLE, VEHICULAR TRAFFIC SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An operation management device that manages the operation of a plurality of vehicles is provided with: a vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires the positions of the plurality of vehicles; an interval adjustment unit that, on the basis of congestion information, identifies a station that is a reference for increasing the density of the plurality of vehicles that are present and sets a standby time at each station that is behind the station that is a reference, the standby time being for the plurality of vehicles that stops at the stations behind the station; and a departure determination unit that adjusts the departure times of the plurality of vehicles from each of the stations behind the station on the basis of the standby times. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150367862 | VEHICLE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A vehicle system comprises an interface assembly and a controller both on board a first rail vehicle. The interface assembly comprises one or more mechanical couplers, fuel couplers, fluid couplers, and electrical connectors, to detachably couple the first rail vehicle to a separate, adjacent fuel tender vehicle, for the transfer of one or more of fuel (e.g., compressed natural gas) from the fuel tender vehicle to the first rail vehicle, heated fluid from the first rail vehicle to the fuel tender vehicle (e.g., for regasification of liquid natural gas stored in the fuel tender vehicle to the compressed natural gas), or electrical power and/or control signals between the first rail vehicle and the fuel tender vehicle. The controller is configured to at least partially control operations of the first rail vehicle in relation to interfacing with the fuel tender vehicle for fuel transfer, heated fluid transfer, etc. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150375765 | LEAD RAIL VEHICLE WITH DRONE VEHICLE AND METHOD - A system for performing track maintenance operations is described. The system includes a lead vehicle for identifying sections of rail that have been pre-marked for track maintenance operations. The lead vehicle further includes a control system for receiving and transmitting coordinates of the pre-marked track sections. The system further includes at least one drone vehicle for receiving the coordinates from the control system and the drone vehicle has at least one workhead for performing track maintenance operations on the pre-marked track sections. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160001756 | BRAKE CONTROL DEVICE, AND BRAKE CONTROL METHOD - A required brake force calculator calculates a required brake force for each vehicle based on a load on the vehicle or carriage detected by a variable load detector and a brake command acquired by a command acquirer. A target brake force calculator, based on the required brake force, calculates a common target brake force for a vehicle driven by a main electric motor and calculates a common target brake force for a vehicle not driven by a main electric motor. A control pattern generator, based on the target brake force and a vehicle speed detected by a speed detector, generates a common control pattern for electric power converters. An electric brake force calculator calculates an electric brake force generated by operation of main electric motors. A supplementer sends a brake force command value based on the electric brake force and the target brake force to mechanical brakes. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160001801 | System, Method, and Apparatus for Generating Vital Messages on an On-Board System of a Vehicle - A system, method, and apparatus for generating vital messages on an on-board system of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of vital messages with each processor of a plurality of different processors of the on-board system based on train data available to each processor, transmitting the plurality of vital messages from the plurality of different processors to a separate processor, and generating, by the separate processor, a final vital message based on at least two vital messages of the plurality of vital messages. A system and an apparatus for implementing the aforementioned method includes appropriately communicatively connected hardware components. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160009302 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DECOUPLING A VEHICLE SYSTEM | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160009303 | System and Method for Monitoring Mobile Vehicles | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160009304 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE CONTROL | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160009531 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AT LEAST TWO AUTOMATED NON-PASSING RAIL MOUNTED GANTRY GRANES | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160039437 | ON-BOARD DEVICE, SIGNALING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD OF MOVING VEHICLE - An on-board device is loaded in a moving vehicle traveling on a track. The on-board device determines whether or not a traveling route has been secured, based on station related data indicating data related to a branch on the traveling route of the moving vehicle and acquired from a station interface device of a station to which the branch belongs, and different moving vehicle related data indicating data related to a different moving vehicle acquired from the different moving vehicle on the traveling route. The on-board device determines the traveling of the moving vehicle on the secured traveling route based on the different moving vehicle related data. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160039438 | ON-BOARD DEVICE, SIGNALING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD OF MOVING VEHICLE - An on-board device is loaded in a moving vehicle and includes a control device configured to control the traveling of the moving vehicle. In the control device, an in-field traveling instructing section determines whether a blockade moving vehicle exists to hinder the traveling of the moving vehicle on a traveling route to an inspection field in a railyard, based on different moving vehicle related data in the railyard when the moving vehicle is an inspection waiting vehicle. A traveling route securing section requests securement of the traveling route to a railyard interface device that controls branching on the traveling route when there is not the blockade moving vehicle on the traveling route. A traveling permission section permits the traveling of the moving vehicle on the secured route based on traveling route state data from the railyard interface device. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160046305 | UNATTENDED, SELF-GUIDED, ZIP-LINE, TOUR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A canopy tour system may include multiple track lines extending between associated upper and lower stations for loading, launching, receiving, and unclipping, respectively, riders of trolleys on the zip lines. A system of mechanical and electronic interlocks provides safety for users in remote locations, enabling individual riders to operate trolleys, including attaching and dis-attaching the trolleys from various track lines, unattended by other workers or employees of the canopy tour operation. Mechanical interlocks assure that a trolley cannot be properly engaged with a launch block on a track line until all such interlocks are properly closed. A master computer may communicate through a network, with all stations to verify and identify times and locations of users. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160046306 | ON-BOARD DEVICE, SIGNALING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD OF MOVING VEHICLE - An on-board device is loaded in a moving vehicle traveling on a track. The on-board device acquires failure data indicating a failure on the track. Based on the failure data, a traveling route is determined in case of the failure. The securement of the traveling route is determined based on station related data that is acquired from a station interface device of a station to which a branch on the route belongs and which indicates data of the branch, and different moving vehicle related data that is acquired from a different moving vehicle competing in at least a part of the traveling route and that indicates data of the different moving vehicle. The traveling of the moving vehicle is determined regarding the secured traveling route based on the different moving vehicle related data. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160046307 | SIGNALING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD OF MOVING VEHICLE - A signaling system includes an on-board device provided for a moving vehicle traveling on a track, and a station interface device provided for a station, and a branch provided on the track. A second moving vehicle transmits different moving vehicle related data of itself to a first on-board device of a first moving vehicle. The first station interface device transmits station related data of the branch to the first on-board device. The first on-board device outputs a command which instructs to switch the branch, to the first station interface based on the different moving vehicle related data and the station related data, to secure the traveling route. The first station interface device switches the branch and secures the traveling route. The first on-board device determines the traveling of the first moving vehicle of the secured traveling route based on the different moving vehicle related data. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160059872 | FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes an engine and a controller. The engine is capable of multiple operating modes, and each mode has a relatively different fuel ratio such that as the engine is changed from a first operating mode having a first ratio of a first fuel to a second fuel to a second operating mode having a second ratio of the first fuel to the second fuel. The controller is operable to change the engine from one operating mode to another operating mode. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160060035 | TRAVELLING VEHICLE SYSTEM - A travelling vehicle system that allows a travelling vehicle to smoothly pass through a switching region where a state of a track is switched. The system includes a switching device which switches a state of a track in the switching region, and a host controller which manages a travelling vehicle. The switching device includes a detector which detects the state of the track in the switching region, and a report device which is arranged along the track from the switching region toward the upstream side of the track and reports switching information showing the state of the track. The host controller includes a permission issuing part which issues to the travelling vehicle controller a passage permission, and the travelling vehicle controller includes a travelling control part which determines whether or not to stop before the switching region based on the passage permission and the switching information. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160060036 | Travelling Vehicle System - To allow a travelling vehicle to travel more smoothly, a host controller of a travelling vehicle system includes a first determination part which determines whether or not a second track selected by a first travelling vehicle is the same as a second track selected by a second travelling vehicle, and an entry permission issuing part that issues an entry permission into a switching track to the second vehicle after checking passage of the first vehicle through the switching track when the second track selected by the first vehicle is different from the second track selected by the second vehicle, and issues the entry permission into the switching track to the second vehicle regardless of receipt or non-receipt of the passage report from the first vehicle when the second track selected by the first vehicle is the same as the second track selected by the second vehicle. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160068172 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A LAND TRANSPORT VEHICLE, LAND TRANSPORT VEHICLE, GROUND EQUIPMENT AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM - A method for controlling a land transport vehicle traveling on a track, the track including, in a movement direction of the land transport vehicle, a zone with an external power supply adjacent to a zone without an external power supply to be traveled with an onboard power supply device, the zone with an external power supply including an external power supply device on the ground provided with a plurality of power supply segments arranged sequentially in the direction of the track, the land transport vehicle including at least one capture device adapted to be placed in contact with a power supply segment on the one hand and to be electrically connected to at least one traction motor on the other hand, the land transport vehicle further including an onboard power supply device adapted to be electrically connected to the or each traction motor. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160075345 | Arrangement for Supplying a Rail Vehicle with Electrical Energy - The invention relates to an arrangement for supplying a rail vehicle with electrical energy. One electrical machine is allocated to each of at least two internal combustion engines for generating electrical energy. A common controller is designed to start the internal combustion engines individually as required. At least one pre-heating device is designed to pre-heat the internal combustion engines before a start. A temperature detection device is thermally coupled to the internal combustion engines. The controller is designed, during an operation of one of the internal combustion engines, to start another of the internal combustion engines if, due to cooling of the other internal combustion engine, a temperature of the other internal combustion engine detected by a temperature identifying device reaches or exceeds a temperature threshold. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075346 | Optimal Control Of Air Compressors In A Locomotive Consist - A system for controlling locomotive compressors in a multiple locomotive consist to optimize compressor life, cold weather operation, and maintenance schedules. Each compressor is associated with a controller than can communicate via an interface to a network with the corresponding controllers of the other compressors that are also interfaced to the network. A lead compressor controller may then issue commands to the other compressor controller to more efficiently restore pressure to the system, to implement improved usage schedules, or to manage maintenance intervals to maximize usage of each compressor during periodic maintenance intervals. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160075350 | Device for Operating at Least one Electrical Consumer of a Rail Vehicle - An electrical consumer of a rail vehicle is operated with electrical power generated by a braking process of the rail vehicle. A control unit controls the operation of the consumer in a first operating mode for a first operating phase of the consumer during a braking phase of the rail vehicle and in a second operating mode for a second operating phase during a travel phase of the rail vehicle preceding the braking phase. The consumer is controlled for the first and second operating modes such that the operating power of the consumer is less in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode. In order to assure that a power generated during the braking process is used more efficiently, the device has a unit that determines at least one triggering parameter of the second operating phase, depending on at least one feature of the braking phase. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160080663 | Video Recording Assembly - A video recording assembly includes a cart that may be positioned on a support surface. A plurality of wheels is coupled to the cart. A track may be positioned on the support surface so the track extends between a starting point and an end point. A processor is coupled to the cart. A motor is coupled to the cart, the processor and the wheels. The motor may urge the cart along the support surface. A camera is coupled to the cart and the processor. The camera may record the athlete while the athlete is running. A sensor is coupled to the cart and the processor. The sensor may detect a motion of the athlete. A plurality of pins is coupled to the cart. The pins engage the track. The cart is guided between the starting and end points. The cart travels alongside the athlete when the athlete is running. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160082988 | Data Management System and Method for a Target Device of a Vehicle - System and computer-implemented methods and processes for data management of a plurality of target devices of a vehicle, the system including a portable computer device programmed for wireless connectivity to a network and data management activities and interaction with the target devices. The system and computer-implemented methods and processes are particularly useful in connection with trains having at least one locomotive, where the train includes multiple target devices, such as a train event recording system and the like. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160082989 | SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE SYSTEM FACTORING MASS ATTRIBUTABLE TO WEATHER - A system includes a weight determination device and a trip control system. The weight determination device is configured to receive 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, and to determine a first estimated weight of the vehicle system based at least in part on the weather data. The first estimated weight accounts for mass attributable to the weather. The trip control system is configured to control the vehicle system for movement along the route based at least in part on the first estimated weight and/or display information of the first estimated weight on a display device for an operator to control the vehicle system for movement along the route based at least in part on the information of the first estimated weight that is displayed. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160082990 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRACTION MOTORS IN A VEHICLE SYSTEM - A control system including a measurement module configured to receive motor measurements that represent operating parameters of plural traction motors of a common vehicle system as the vehicle system propels along a route. The control system also includes an analysis module configured to compare the motor measurements to an expected measurement. The expected measurement corresponds to a designated motor type. The analysis module is configured to determine that at least one of the traction motors is different from the designated motor type based on comparing the motor measurements to the expected measurement. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160082992 | POWER ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING VEHICLE SYSTEMS - A power assignment system and method determine a needed amount of power for propelling a vehicle system along a route and identify propulsion-generating vehicles for inclusion in the vehicle system based on power capabilities of the one or more propulsion-generating vehicles. Handling parameters of the vehicle system are determined for different groups of the propulsion-generating vehicles, and the propulsion-generating vehicles in at least one of the groups are selected based on the handling parameters. The selected propulsion-generating vehicles are included in the vehicle system during actual travel of the vehicle system along the route during the trip. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160082994 | RAILWAY SAFETY CRITICAL SYSTEMS WITH TASK REDUNDANCY AND ASYMMETRIC COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY - A railway safety critical application system substitutes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and/or software for railway-domain specific product components, yet is validated to conform to railway safety critical system failure-free standards. The safety critical system uses a pair of tasks executed on a controller of a COTS personal computer or within a virtual environment with asymmetric communications capability. Both tasks receive and verify safety critical systems input message data and security code integrity and separately generate output data responsive to the input message. The first task has sole capability to send complete safety critical system output messages, but only the second task has the capability of generating the output security code. A failure of any of systems hardware, software or processing capability results failure to transmit a safety critical system output message or an output message that cannot be verified by other safety critical systems. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160096535 | Automatic Driving System Disengagement Upon Operator Failure - A control system requires an affirmative action from an operator to disengage. This precludes a situation where an automatic drive system disengagement sequence is completed while the operator is either incapacitated or unavailable. Requiring an affirmative action by the operator ensures a machine's continued and efficient operation. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160096540 | RAILROAD TRACK CIRCUITS - The present invention provides systems, methods and devices that accurately detect the speed and direction of vehicles on railroad tracks, and which use the information to calculate arrival times. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160103083 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING WHEEL BEARING CONDITION - The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel bearing on a train car. The method may include detecting a size and a location of the wheel bearing. The method may also include detecting a temperature associated with the wheel bearing based at least in part on the size and the location of the wheel bearing. The method may further include determining a wheel bearing condition based on the detected temperature. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160114819 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING VEHICLE ORIENTATION IN A VEHICLE CONSIST - A system and method for determining an orientation of a vehicle are provided. The system and method determine (with a sensor assembly disposed onboard a first vehicle) a direction in which a fluid flows within the first vehicle. The first vehicle is included in a vehicle consist with a second vehicle. The orientation of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle is determined based at least in part on the direction in which the fluid flows within the first vehicle. The fluid may be air in an air brake pipe of the vehicle consist. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160121912 | REAL TIME MACHINE VISION SYSTEM FOR TRAIN CONTROL AND PROTECTION - A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for a machine vision system that incorporates hardware and/or software, remote databases, and algorithms to map assets, evaluate railroad track conditions, and accurately determine the position of a moving vehicle on a railroad track. One benefit of the invention is the possibility of real-time processing of sensor data for guiding operation of the moving vehicle. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160121913 | INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USING AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE - An inventory management system that uses an automated guided vehicle that scans articles on a shelf case while reciprocating along guide lines is introduced. This inventory management system using an automated guided vehicle may include a scanning unit configured to recognize information about articles placed in a shelf case, guide lines deployed along a plurality of shelf cases that are spaced apart from each other, a vehicle configured to support the scanning unit, to recognize the guide lines, and to move along the guide lines, and a control unit configured to control the vehicle so that the vehicle moves along the guide lines recognized by the line recognition unit. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160129925 | FUEL CONTROL STRATEGY FOR LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST - A method of controlling the relative amounts of two or more types of fuel provided to an engine on a locomotive in a train consist includes receiving a signal at a controller on the locomotive, with the signal indicative of a current load imposed on the train consist by a rail car attached to the train consist, and a current location of the load. The relative amounts of the two or more types of fuel to be provided to the engine may be determined based upon the type of engine, the energy density of each type of fuel, the cost of each type of fuel, the availability of each type of fuel, the emissions produced by each type of fuel, the location of the engine in the train consist, and the future predicted loads imposed at different locations in the train consist as a result of a rail car attached to the consist and the terrain along the rail line. The method may also include adjusting the relative amounts of the two or more types of fuel provided to the engine based upon the determination. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160144877 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM AND AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A method operates an automatic train control system which has an electronic signal box, a balise and a frequency track circuit. To configure the train control system so as to be constructed from components of the European train control system and of the frequency track circuit without substantial additional development effort, the balise is acted upon by indicator messages of a first type of the electronic signal box via an actuation module for modular elements having an addressable memory for the number of currently free block route segments. Indicator messages of a third type are created from indicator messages of a second type. A functional relationship between the addresses of the memory and code information of the frequency track circuit is taken into account during the creation of the third indicator messages. A transmitter of the frequency track circuit is acted upon as a result of the third indicator messages. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20160152145 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING BRAKING OF A MACHINE MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT ON RAILS | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160152158 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND POWER CONVERSON DEVICE | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160152250 | CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A CONDITION OF A BEARING UNIT FOR A VEHICLE | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160152254 | Method and Protection System for Trains Operating at Restricted Speed | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160152255 | CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM, CONDITION MONITORING UNIT AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A CONDITION OF A BEARING UNIT FOR A VEHICLE | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160159329 | Braking Systems and Methods for Determining Dynamic Braking Data for a Braking Model for a Train - Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for determining dynamic braking data for use in a braking model of at least one train, the method including: (a) determining at least one initial safety factor; (b) determining at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor based at least partially on (i) the expected dynamic braking force, and (ii) specified retarding forces of the train; and (c) determining at least one new safety factor based at least partially on the at least one initial safety factor and the at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor. Also disclosed are braking systems including dynamic braking for a train having at least one locomotive. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160159379 | DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR LOCOMOTIVE CONSIST - A data communication system for a locomotive consist is provided. The locomotive consist includes a primary unit and one or more secondary units. The data communication system includes a fuel level sensor associated with the secondary units. The fuel level sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a fuel level in a fuel reservoir of the respective secondary unit. The data communication system also includes a data controller communicably coupled to the fuel level sensor. The data controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the fuel level in the fuel reservoir of the one or more secondary units. The data controller is also configured to compare the fuel level with a predetermined threshold. The data controller is further configured to determine if the fuel level of any of the one or more secondary units is lesser than the predetermined threshold. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160159381 | VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - 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 system includes a controller and route examination equipment. The route examination equipment obtains a route parameter indicative of a condition of a route over which a vehicle system travels. The controller receives the route parameter, and examines the route parameter to determine the condition of the route. The controller can control at least one operational aspect of the vehicle system in response to the determined condition of the route. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160167523 | ELECTRIC TRACTION SYSTEM FOR A RAILWAY VEHICLE; PROTECTION METHOD REALISED BY SUCH A SYSTEM | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160176425 | RAILROAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING ONBOARD MANAGEMENT | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160185326 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASYNCHRONOUSLY CONTROLLING BRAKES OF VEHICLES IN A VEHICLE SYSTEM - A planning system and method determine handling parameters of one or more of a route or a vehicle system at different locations along a length of the vehicle system having plural vehicles traveling together along the route. The system and method also determine asynchronous brake settings for two or more of the vehicles in the vehicle system based on the handling parameters that are determined. Brakes of the two or more vehicles are controlled according to the asynchronous brake settings. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160194015 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING TRAIN CONSIST | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160194016 | RAILROAD ELECTRIC POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160194017 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MOVEMENT OF PASSENGER TRAIN | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160200333 | RAIL VEHICLE EVENT TRIGGERING SYSTEM AND METHOD | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160250998 | CONTROL UNIT FOR A WINDSCREEN WIPER SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A WINDSCREEN WIPER SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160251025 | CUMULATIVE INERTIAL TRACTIVE EFFORT | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160375888 | Verification System and Method for an End-Of-Train Unit of a Train and an Improved End-Of-Train Unit for a Train - A verification system for an end-of-train unit for a train having a first pressure sensor for determining the air pressure in a brake pipe, the system including: at least one additional pressure sensor to monitor or sense the air pressure in the brake pipe; and a computer to: receive or determine pressure data from the first pressure sensor; receive or determine pressure data from the at least one additional pressure sensor; compare the pressure data received or determined from the first pressure sensor with the pressure data received or determined from the at least one additional pressure sensor; and implement or facilitate an action based at least partially upon the results of the comparison. An improved end-of-train unit is also disclosed. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20170232943 | VEHICLE CONVOY CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170232983 | DRIVING ASSISTANCE DEVICE FOR A RAILWAY VEHICLE, COMPRISING PROGRESSIVE MEANS FOR INDICATING INSTRUCTIONS | 08-17-2017 |
| 20180022368 | TRAIN DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND TRAIN DATA TRANSMISSION PROGRAM | 01-25-2018 |
| 20180022369 | VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM | 01-25-2018 |
| 20190144022 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE NETWORK | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190144023 | Route Resource Controlling Method, Intelligent Vehicle On-Board Controller and Object Controller | 05-16-2019 |
| 20190144025 | AUTOMATIC TRAIN PROTECTION METHOD, VEHICLE ON-BOARD CONTROLLER AND TRAIN BASED ON VEHICLE-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION | 05-16-2019 |
| 20220135092 | AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND/OR MONITORING AN AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM - An air supply system for a rail vehicle that includes electrical consumers, such as a compressor, an air dryer, a valve or the like, and a converter coupled to a power supply of the rail vehicle, wherein the air supply system adjusts the voltage provided by the power supply to an operating voltage of at least one electrical consumer, wherein the converter is associated with at least two of the plurality of electrical consumers in such a way that the converter can control, particularly in a closed-loop manner, and/or monitor the operation of the at least two of the plurality of electronic consumers. | 05-05-2022 |
