A monitoring and diagnostics system for a rail car that includes multiple sensor units, each comprising sensor devices and a data transfer unit, wherein the set of sensor units includes at least one power harvester, which is configured to convert ambient energy into electrical energy, and one energy storage means, which can be configured to store the electrical energy generated by the power harvester, a sensor hub which includes a communication subsystem and a receiver, wherein the data transfer units are configured, so that the sensor units transfer detected/measured data to the sensor hub and the communication subsystem is configured, so that the sensor hub transfers the data to the receiver, either with cable or wirelessly.

A warning device and system for a rail vehicle includes at least the following components: an error detection apparatus, designed to detect at least one error condition of the rail vehicle, an image memory containing a number of images which indicate an actual condition of a rail vehicle, a first selection unit for selecting at least one of the images from the image memory in accordance with a detected error condition of the rail vehicle, at least one user interface with at least one display unit, a display control unit for controlling the display unit such that the image selected in accordance with the detected error condition is output on the display unit. There is also disclosed a corresponding method for warning a vehicle driver of a rail vehicle and the use of a warning system of a rail vehicle for displaying an actual condition of a rail vehicle.

A warning device and system for a rail vehicle includes at least the following components: an error detection apparatus, designed to detect at least one error condition of the rail vehicle, an image memory containing a number of images which indicate an actual condition of a rail vehicle, a first selection unit for selecting at least one of the images from the image memory in accordance with a detected error condition of the rail vehicle, at least one user interface with at least one display unit, a display control unit for controlling the display unit such that the image selected in accordance with the detected error condition is output on the display unit. There is also disclosed a corresponding method for warning a vehicle driver of a rail vehicle and the use of a warning system of a rail vehicle for displaying an actual condition of a rail vehicle.

A method for controlling a position of a floor of a carriage of a railway vehicle moving on rails, relative to a platform. The carriage includes a body including the floor, at least one bogie, and at least one suspension interposed between the body and the bogie. The method includes determining a level difference between the actual position of the carriage relative to the platform and an expected position of the carriage relative to the platform, adjusting a height of the suspension for compensating the determined level difference. Determining the level difference includes capturing an image of at least one predetermined pattern comprised on the platform with a camera borne by the body, comparing the captured image with a memorized reference image of the at least one pattern of the platform, and calculating a vertical displacement from the images to determine the level difference.

An acoustic air data system includes first and second acoustic transmitters, an array of acoustic receivers, and control circuitry. The array is positioned to receive first and second acoustic signals. The control circuitry determines time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the first and second acoustic signals. The control circuitry determines, for each of a first and second set of acoustic receiver pairs, a signal velocity of the first and second acoustic signals, respectively, based on a distance between an inner acoustic receiver and an outer acoustic receiver and a corresponding TDOA for each pair of acoustic receivers. The control circuitry estimates one or more of wind angle, speed of sound, Mach number, and true airspeed of the airflow about the exterior of the vehicle based on parameters of a best fit circle.

A system determines a wheel contact force in a vehicle that includes a support system including a wheel and a force transmission member configured to transfer a load and/or power to, and from, the wheel to the support system. The includes a sensor connected to the force transmission member that is configured to detect strain in the force transmission member and generate signals representative of the strain and a processor configured to derive a lateral force on the wheel from the signals. A method of calibrating a wheel force measurement system for a vehicle includes measuring a lateral force on a flange of a wheel in contact with a rail or road surface, generating data with a sensor on the force transmission member, and calibrating the data based at least in part on the measured lateral force. A method of operating a vehicle includes determining a plurality of lateral forces Y on a wheel of the vehicle, summing a plurality of lateral forces Y to determine a sum of wheel lateral forces ΣY, determining a vertical force Q on the wheel, determining a lateral to vertical coefficient value defined as ΣY/Q, and controlling operation of the vehicle to maintain the lateral to vertical coefficient below a determined limit or within a determined range.

A system determines a wheel contact force in a vehicle that includes a support system including a wheel and a force transmission member configured to transfer a load and/or power to, and from, the wheel to the support system. The includes a sensor connected to the force transmission member that is configured to detect strain in the force transmission member and generate signals representative of the strain and a processor configured to derive a lateral force on the wheel from the signals. A method of calibrating a wheel force measurement system for a vehicle includes measuring a lateral force on a flange of a wheel in contact with a rail or road surface, generating data with a sensor on the force transmission member, and calibrating the data based at least in part on the measured lateral force. A method of operating a vehicle includes determining a plurality of lateral forces Y on a wheel of the vehicle, summing a plurality of lateral forces Y to determine a sum of wheel lateral forces ΣY, determining a vertical force Q on the wheel, determining a lateral to vertical coefficient value defined as ΣY/Q, and controlling operation of the vehicle to maintain the lateral to vertical coefficient below a determined limit or within a determined range.

A system for managing sensor power to a remote wireless condition monitoring sensor installed on a railway rolling stock. The system provides an energy harvester that derives wireless sensor power, a rechargeable battery connected to the energy harvester for supplying energy to the rechargeable battery and for powering the system, an antenna for sending signals to a remote database based on measured vibration and acceleration data, a central processing unit having a memory an arithmetic logic unit and a control unit for controlling a function of the system. The remote wireless condition monitoring sensor is protected from potentially fatal over voltage and under voltage conditions and the operating life is prolonged by entering dedicated modes of operation based on battery voltage and available energy capacity as instructed by the central processing unit. Also, a method for carrying out the function of the system.

A system for managing sensor power to a remote wireless condition monitoring sensor installed on a railway rolling stock. The system provides an energy harvester that derives wireless sensor power, a rechargeable battery connected to the energy harvester for supplying energy to the rechargeable battery and for powering the system, an antenna for sending signals to a remote database based on measured vibration and acceleration data, a central processing unit having a memory an arithmetic logic unit and a control unit for controlling a function of the system. The remote wireless condition monitoring sensor is protected from potentially fatal over voltage and under voltage conditions and the operating life is prolonged by entering dedicated modes of operation based on battery voltage and available energy capacity as instructed by the central processing unit. Also, a method for carrying out the function of the system.

A system for monitoring the state of a wheel of a rail vehicle includes an acquisition unit that is designed, upon a braking event, to acquire at least one operating parameter for the wheel, an evaluation unit that is designed to determine a temperature value for the wheel based on the acquired operating parameter; and a control unit that is designed to generate and to output an output on the basis of the determined temperature value. It furthermore relates to a method for monitoring the state of a wheel of a rail vehicle, in which, upon a braking event, at least one operating parameter for the wheel is acquired, a temperature value for the wheel is determined based on the acquired operating parameter and an output is generated and output on the basis of the determined temperature value.