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.

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.

A wayside friction management system, and method for monitoring and controlling a wayside friction management system is described. The system comprises one or more wayside device for mounting on a track of a rail system and configured to apply, through a delivery system, a friction control media onto a track. The wayside device further comprises one or more data collection module configured to collect and transmit data to a remote performance unit. The transmitted data is compared to reference values, and adjustments are made to the friction control media dispensing parameters, for example pump time, as required per the comparison. The data at least comprises measurements of the internal voltage of the delivery system. The wayside device may comprise a power source operatively connected to one or more components of the wayside device.

A wayside friction management system, and method for monitoring and controlling a wayside friction management system is described. The system comprises one or more wayside device for mounting on a track of a rail system and configured to apply, through a delivery system, a friction control media onto a track. The wayside device further comprises one or more data collection module configured to collect and transmit data to a remote performance unit. The transmitted data is compared to reference values, and adjustments are made to the friction control media dispensing parameters, for example pump time, as required per the comparison. The data at least comprises measurements of the internal voltage of the delivery system. The wayside device may comprise a power source operatively connected to one or more components of the wayside device.

An improved method and apparatus for determining the amount of lubricant dispensed to a rail, adjusting the amount of available lubricant for dispensing based on the amount of lubricant remaining, and advising the operator of same. The apparatus includes a reservoir of lubricant suspended from a load beam having load cells communicating with a microprocessor and a controller to determine the amount of lubricant remaining within the reservoir on a real-time basis as lubricant is dispersed. The method includes the determination of the amount of lubricant remaining and, following dispensing additional lubricant, re-determining the amount of lubricant remaining. In this manner, an operator may prepare a schedule for replenishment of the reservoirs of various lubricating stations based on feedback of the remaining amount of lubricant remaining. Thus, an operator may predict track downtime for refilling of a plurality of lubricating stations and schedule such to minimized track downtime.

An improved method and apparatus for determining the amount of lubricant dispensed to a rail, adjusting the amount of available lubricant for dispensing based on the amount of lubricant remaining, and advising the operator of same. The apparatus includes a reservoir of lubricant suspended from a load beam having load cells communicating with a microprocessor and a controller to determine the amount of lubricant remaining within the reservoir on a real-time basis as lubricant is dispersed. The method includes the determination of the amount of lubricant remaining and, following dispensing additional lubricant, re-determining the amount of lubricant remaining. In this manner, an operator may prepare a schedule for replenishment of the reservoirs of various lubricating stations based on feedback of the remaining amount of lubricant remaining. Thus, an operator may predict track downtime for refilling of a plurality of lubricating stations and schedule such to minimized track downtime.

An apparatus and system for applying lubricant to a rail road track having a control module, a housing, a lubricant distribution block, and a plurality of tubes for connecting the control module to the housing wherein the housing houses the lubricant distribution block. The control module is positionable in close proximity to the rail road track and the housing is positionable adjacent to and along a section of rail road track to be lubricated. The lubricant is stored in a vessel in the control module and pumped from the control module to a lubricant distribution nozzle connected to the housing and wherein sliding the lubricant distribution nozzle along the section of rail road track in a first direction distributes lubricant along the section of rail road track and then the block returns to a first position.

An apparatus and system for applying lubricant to a rail road track having a control module, a housing, a lubricant distribution block, and a plurality of tubes for connecting the control module to the housing wherein the housing houses the lubricant distribution block. The control module is positionable in close proximity to the rail road track and the housing is positionable adjacent to and along a section of rail road track to be lubricated. The lubricant is stored in a vessel in the control module and pumped from the control module to a lubricant distribution nozzle connected to the housing and wherein sliding the lubricant distribution nozzle along the section of rail road track in a first direction distributes lubricant along the section of rail road track and then the block returns to a first position.

A system and method for remotely lubricating a rail switch plate, the system comprising at least one lubricant distribution nozzle mounted proximate a rail switch arm such that when the rail switch arm is in a first position, the at least one lubricant distribution nozzle is positioned above and over the rail switch plate and wherein a lubricant supply vessel and pump therefor are positioned at a location spaced apart from the rail switch arm and wherein the lubricant supply vessel is fluidically connected to the at least one distribution nozzle for directing lubricant through the nozzle to the switch plate.

A system and method for remotely lubricating a rail switch plate, the system comprising at least one lubricant distribution nozzle mounted proximate a rail switch arm such that when the rail switch arm is in a first position, the at least one lubricant distribution nozzle is positioned above and over the rail switch plate and wherein a lubricant supply vessel and pump therefor are positioned at a location spaced apart from the rail switch arm and wherein the lubricant supply vessel is fluidically connected to the at least one distribution nozzle for directing lubricant through the nozzle to the switch plate.