B61L3/00

Vehicle Control System

A control system includes a controller that may determine whether a second speed limit, which is less than or equal to a first speed limit, is in effect for a segment of the route. The controller may switch one or more operational settings of a vehicle from the first speed limit to the second speed limit, and may operate the vehicle at the first speed limit outside of the segment of the route and operate the vehicle at or below the second speed limit while the vehicle is approaching or within the segment of the route.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLED TRAVERSAL OF PHASE BREAKS
20230294747 · 2023-09-21 ·

A control system can include a controller that may obtain a location of a phase break along a route. The controller can monitor locations of a vehicle and determine when the vehicle will reach the phase break location. The system also may include a switch proximate to a collector device of the vehicle and/or an actuator that moves the collector device relative to a conductive pathway. The conductive pathway may operate to supply electrical power to the vehicle. The controller can actuate a switch, an actuator, or both the switch and the actuator, and (upon activation) can change a source of power for one or more loads for propulsion of the vehicle through the location of the phase break along the route.

Communication System And Method Of A Vehicle Consist

A communication system and method receive, at an energy management system disposed onboard a vehicle system formed from a lead vehicle and one or more remote vehicles, trip data that represents one or more characteristics of an upcoming trip of the vehicle system along a route. A selected portion of the trip data is communicated from the energy management system to a distributed power system disposed onboard the vehicle system. The selected portion includes identifying information and one or more orientations of the one or more remote vehicles. Using the distributed power system, communication links between the lead vehicle and the one or more remote vehicles are established using the identifying information and the one or more orientations.

VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM
20220024503 · 2022-01-27 ·

A method is provided that may include obtaining image data related to a route from a imaging device associated with a vehicle. The method may also include determining an environmental condition based on the image data, and operating the vehicle or communicating an alert signal based on the environmental condition that is determined.

Route examination system and method

A route examination system includes a thermographic camera configured to be logically or mechanically coupled with a vehicle that travels along a route. The thermographic camera is also configured to sense infrared radiation emitted or reflected from the route and to generate a sensed thermal signature representative of the infrared radiation that is sensed. The system also includes a computer readable memory device configured to store a designated thermal signature representative of infrared radiation emitted from a segment of the route that is not damaged. The system also includes an analysis processor configured to determine a condition of a first portion of the route relative to other portions of the route at least in part by comparing the sensed thermal signature and the designated thermal signature.

Method, system and apparatus for self-driving vehicle obstacle avoidance

A system for path control for a mobile unmanned vehicle in an environment is provided. The system includes: a sensor connected to the mobile unmanned vehicle; the mobile unmanned vehicle configured to initiate a first fail-safe routine responsive to detection of an object in a first sensor region adjacent to the sensor; and a processor connected to the mobile unmanned vehicle. The processor is configured to: generate a current path based on a map of the environment; based on the current path, issue velocity commands to cause the mobile unmanned vehicle to execute the current path; responsive to detection of an obstacle in a second sensor region, initiate a second fail-safe routine in the mobile unmanned vehicle to avoid entry of the obstacle into the first sensor region and initiation of the first fail-safe routine.

Wire-Traversing Robot and Method of Operation
20220009532 · 2022-01-13 ·

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a robot comprising a body, a processor, and a memory. The memory further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the body to engage a first wire to support the robot from the first wire, traverse the first wire, engage a second wire simultaneously while engaging the first wire, the second wire branching from the first wire, then after engaging the second wire, disengage the first wire and traverse the second wire.

BANK TO BANK TRIMMING SYSTEM FOR A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE

A method of bank to bank trimming for a locomotive engine during steady state operation comprises receiving a plurality of operating parameter signals, receiving a fuel quantity signal for each of a standard cylinder bank and a donor cylinder bank, providing a trim map, determining whether the engine is operating in a steady state condition based on the plurality of operating parameter signals, determining a target fuel injection duration for each of the standard cylinder bank and the donor cylinder bank if the engine is operating in a steady state condition, and adjusting an actual fuel injection duration to equal the target fuel injection duration for the standard cylinder bank and the donor cylinder bank.

Commercial vehicle and rail system passenger seat for passenger comfort, safety, and convenience
11787314 · 2023-10-17 ·

A passenger seat for commercial vehicles and rail systems, having at least: a massage pad for increasing the ergonomics in the waist section of the passenger and applying massage; a compressor for inflating the massage pad; cooling pads for cooling the passenger; a heating pad for heating the upper portion of the seat and the backrest contacting the passenger; a presence sensor for determining whether there is a passenger on the passenger seat; a belt sensor for determining whether the passenger fastens the safety belt; a wireless charging unit for the passenger to charge a mobile device without using a connection cable; a manual control panel for the heating pad, cooling pad and the massage pad; a wireless connection module for the heating pad, cooling pad and the massage pad; and a control unit where the data collected from the presence sensor and belt sensor are transmitted.

AUTOMATED POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL EVENT DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS ENGINE AND METHOD THEREFOR

A system and method for automating workflow and performing root cause analysis for enforcement events is presented. The system can enable accurate detection of an enforcement event and identifies the root cause of such events. The system can provide a user with an interface to monitor the enforcement event by collecting a list of data characterizing the enforcement event, as well as analyze the data to evaluate what is the root cause of the enforcement event. The system can extract critical information from train system logs of the train using an extraction model to generate a window of activity providing an analysis model with a comprehensive scope to analyze the enforcement event. The system can give the user robust and accurate information of the root cause of the enforcement event.