Sensor systems and methods for measuring environmental parameters associated with a rail-bound vehicle having a plurality of carriages are disclosed. In an embodiment, the sensor system includes a plurality of sensors arranged in a separate carriage of the rail-bound vehicle at a defined distance from a reference point within the rail-bound vehicle. The sensor system further includes a control unit configured to receive measurement signals and time-shift the received measurement signals based on the defined distance and a velocity of the rail-bound vehicle to determine whether an event measured by the plurality of sensors is present at the same point in time in two or more signals of a modified (time-shifted) set of signals.

An open part that has an opening surface that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction is formed in a housing of a vehicle control device. An interior of the housing is divided into a first space including the open part and a second space by a partitioning member, a main surface thereof having a hole formed therein and opposing the opening surface. The semiconductor cooling unit is housed in the first space. The semiconductor cooling unit is detachably attached in a direction in which the opening surface and the partitioning member oppose each other. An engaging member arranged on the cover of the semiconductor cooling unit engages a guide arranged on the housing, and the guide supports weight of the semiconductor cooling unit. A heat sink is provided on a base plate and forms a vertically-directed flow passage.

An open part that has an opening surface that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction is formed in a housing of a vehicle control device. An interior of the housing is divided into a first space including the open part and a second space by a partitioning member, a main surface thereof having a hole formed therein and opposing the opening surface. The semiconductor cooling unit is housed in the first space. The semiconductor cooling unit is detachably attached in a direction in which the opening surface and the partitioning member oppose each other. An engaging member arranged on the cover of the semiconductor cooling unit engages a guide arranged on the housing, and the guide supports weight of the semiconductor cooling unit. A heat sink is provided on a base plate and forms a vertically-directed flow passage.

A locomotive propulsion system includes an engine assisting apparatus and an engine control unit that monitors an output parameter of a locomotive engine. The control unit determines whether the engine output decreases sufficiently low to at least partially de-fuel the engine and to activate an assisting apparatus. This assisting apparatus rotates a shaft of the engine with or without the engine also rotating the shaft. Rotation of the shaft by the assisting apparatus can be used to power traction motors or other loads of the locomotive while reducing fuel consumption and/or emission generation by the engine.

A locomotive propulsion system includes an engine assisting apparatus and an engine control unit that monitors an output parameter of a locomotive engine. The control unit determines whether the engine output decreases sufficiently low to at least partially de-fuel the engine and to activate an assisting apparatus. This assisting apparatus rotates a shaft of the engine with or without the engine also rotating the shaft. Rotation of the shaft by the assisting apparatus can be used to power traction motors or other loads of the locomotive while reducing fuel consumption and/or emission generation by the engine.

A system for navigating within a track network includes, as system components, a system central, a track maintenance machine and a communication device. The system central is set up for administering network data representing a model of the track network. The track maintenance machine is suited for treatment of track sections of the track network. The track maintenance machine includes a navigation device for processing navigation data derived from the network data. The communication device is provided for data exchange between the system central and the navigation device. The system includes at least one movable or stationary carrier platform with sensors for collecting raw data representing characteristic information of the track network. A big data framework is set up in the system central to evaluate the raw data and synchronize them with the network data. Automated updating of the network data can be carried out with the system.

A triggering system for a train having a spotter control system is provided. The triggering system includes a position detection system configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of a rail shop relative to the train. The system also includes a controller coupled to the position detection system, the spotter control system, and an engine of the train. The controller is configured to receive the position signal from the position detection system. The controller is configured to detect if the train is approaching the rail shop based on the position signal. The controller is configured to trigger a shutdown of the engine based on the detection. The controller is configured to trigger an activation of the spotter control system based on the detection.

A triggering system for a train having a spotter control system is provided. The triggering system includes a position detection system configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of a rail shop relative to the train. The system also includes a controller coupled to the position detection system, the spotter control system, and an engine of the train. The controller is configured to receive the position signal from the position detection system. The controller is configured to detect if the train is approaching the rail shop based on the position signal. The controller is configured to trigger a shutdown of the engine based on the detection. The controller is configured to trigger an activation of the spotter control system based on the detection.

A system and method for controlling a hybrid propulsion system. The system includes a computer programmed to obtain altitude and terrain information associated with a predetermined route for the hybrid propulsion system comprising a first energy source and a second energy source. The computer is also programmed to determine a power requirement and a torque requirement associated with the altitude and the terrain along the the predetermined route of the hybrid propulsion system, generate a trip plan to control at least one of a plurality of performance parameters and enable a stable low temperature combustion conditions in the hybrid propulsion system, as the hybrid propulsion system travels along the predetermined route. The computer is further programmed to preferentially select at least one of: the first energy source and the second energy source based on the trip plan to deliver at least one of: the power requirement and the torque requirement of the hybrid propulsion system.

A vehicle communication system includes a lead communication device wirelessly communicating command messages to remote communication devices onboard a vehicle system during a messaging cycle. The lead device receives reply messages from the remote devices during the messaging cycle in response to the command messages. The lead device receives a status signal from at least one of the remote devices during a guard interval that follows completion of the messaging cycle. The lead device communicates the command message and receives the reply messages using analog modulation or digital modulation. The lead communication device also receives the status signal using the other of the analog modulation or the digital modulation. The command messages, the reply messages, and the status signal are communicated using a designated frequency channel.