B61C15/08

Adhesion enhancement compositions

A composition for increasing adhesion between two surfaces that are in traction, sliding or rolling-sliding contact with each other is provided. The composition comprises one or more than one first component, where each of the one or more than one first component has a Mohs hardness value of equal to or greater than 7, and one or more than one organic rheology additive. The one or more than one first component and the one or more than one organic rheology additive are present in a ratio from about 90:10 to about 99.9:0.1 (wt/wt). The composition does not comprise water. A method of increase adhesion between two steel surfaces in sliding-rolling contact is also described. The method involves applying the composition to the rail surface at a rate sufficient to increase the adhesion between the two steel surfaces.

Adhesion enhancement compositions

A composition for increasing adhesion between two surfaces that are in traction, sliding or rolling-sliding contact with each other is provided. The composition comprises one or more than one first component, where each of the one or more than one first component has a Mohs hardness value of equal to or greater than 7, and one or more than one organic rheology additive. The one or more than one first component and the one or more than one organic rheology additive are present in a ratio from about 90:10 to about 99.9:0.1 (wt/wt). The composition does not comprise water. A method of increase adhesion between two steel surfaces in sliding-rolling contact is also described. The method involves applying the composition to the rail surface at a rate sufficient to increase the adhesion between the two steel surfaces.

Systems and methods for traction

Methods and systems for operating a vehicle are provided. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle may include flowing compressed gas selectively through distinct orifice sizes depending on an operating condition of the vehicle. In another example, the vehicle may be a rail vehicle. In one example, the compressed gas may include compressed ambient air, and where the compressed gas is selectively delivered toward an upstream of a vehicle wheel riding on a rail via a nozzle. In another example, the compressed gas may be selectively delivered through a first orifice and not a second orifice to the nozzle during a first condition, and delivered through the second orifice and not the first orifice during a second condition different from the first condition.

Systems and methods for traction

Methods and systems for operating a vehicle are provided. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle may include flowing compressed gas selectively through distinct orifice sizes depending on an operating condition of the vehicle. In another example, the vehicle may be a rail vehicle. In one example, the compressed gas may include compressed ambient air, and where the compressed gas is selectively delivered toward an upstream of a vehicle wheel riding on a rail via a nozzle. In another example, the compressed gas may be selectively delivered through a first orifice and not a second orifice to the nozzle during a first condition, and delivered through the second orifice and not the first orifice during a second condition different from the first condition.

Fluid control device and method

A fluid control device includes a first conduit having a first end and a second end, and a first fluid that moves within the first conduit between the first end and the second end. The first conduit includes an interior surface defining a cavity of the first conduit. The fluid control device includes a second conduit having a third end and a fourth end, and a second fluid that moves within the second conduit between the third and fourth ends. At least a portion of the second conduit extends within the cavity of the first conduit. The first fluid is separate from the second fluid as the first fluid moves within the first conduit and the second fluid moves within the second conduit.

Fluid control device and method

A fluid control device includes a first conduit having a first end and a second end, and a first fluid that moves within the first conduit between the first end and the second end. The first conduit includes an interior surface defining a cavity of the first conduit. The fluid control device includes a second conduit having a third end and a fourth end, and a second fluid that moves within the second conduit between the third and fourth ends. At least a portion of the second conduit extends within the cavity of the first conduit. The first fluid is separate from the second fluid as the first fluid moves within the first conduit and the second fluid moves within the second conduit.

Vehicle control system

A vehicle control system includes a controller comprising one or more processors. The controller is configured to determine a respective force exerted on a route segment by a first wheel of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle and obtain a respective available adhesion value for the first wheel at an interface with the route segment. The controller is configured to determine a respective effective adhesion value to utilize for driving rotation of the first wheel. The effective adhesion value is within a designated wheelslip margin relative to the available adhesion value for the first wheel without exceeding the available adhesion value. The controller is further configured to assign a torque setting to rotate the first wheel based at least in part on the respective force exerted on the route segment by the first wheel and the effective adhesion value for the first wheel.

Vehicle control system

A vehicle control system includes a controller comprising one or more processors. The controller is configured to determine a respective force exerted on a route segment by a first wheel of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle and obtain a respective available adhesion value for the first wheel at an interface with the route segment. The controller is configured to determine a respective effective adhesion value to utilize for driving rotation of the first wheel. The effective adhesion value is within a designated wheelslip margin relative to the available adhesion value for the first wheel without exceeding the available adhesion value. The controller is further configured to assign a torque setting to rotate the first wheel based at least in part on the respective force exerted on the route segment by the first wheel and the effective adhesion value for the first wheel.