B61L15/0018

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION METHOD

A transmission system includes: a hub to receive a control command from two or more controllers that control operation of an in-vehicle machinery installed in a train, and to control an output of the control command on the basis of a priority assigned to the control command, and a system-controller to determine an operating state of a controller that is a source of the control command, the system-controller being capable of changing a priority assigned to a control command transmitted from a controller whose operating state has been determined, on the basis of a determination result.

Vehicle communication system, control system, and method

A vehicle control system includes a controller that detects a communication loss between a first vehicle and a second vehicle and/or a monitoring device in a vehicle system. The controller operationally restricts movement of the vehicle system based on the communication loss. The controller obtains or generates a transitional plan that designates operational settings for the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle based at least in part on a location of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle. The controller selectively changes movement of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle via the transitional plan to reduce a speed of the first vehicle and/or the second vehicle responsive to the communication loss being detected.

System and Method for Network Communication Within a Hyperloop Bogie During a Critical Period of Time
20210276602 · 2021-09-09 · ·

A system and method are disclosed herein and relate to a communication network within a hyperloop bogie, wherein the communication network logically connects a plurality of power electronic units. A first power electronic unit may generate a network packet to be sent to a second power electronic unit. The first and second power electronic units may perform a vote to determine a voting result. The first and second power electronic units may substantially independently perform further action based on the voting result. The first and second power electronic units may determine the voting result prior to the conclusion of a critical timeframe beginning with the transmittal of the network packet and ending with the voting result being stored.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE CONTROL
20210171077 · 2021-06-10 ·

A system for controlling a vehicle includes at least one vehicle network on board the vehicle, first and second controllers coupled to the at least one vehicle network and configured to communicate with each other via the at least one vehicle network, and first and second sensor sets coupled to the at least one vehicle network, and configured to communicate with any of the first and second controllers via the at least one vehicle network. Each of the first and second controllers is configured to, based on data output from any of the first and second sensor sets, control a movement of the vehicle independently of the other of the first and second controllers. The first sensor set is located at a first location on the vehicle, the second sensor set is located at a second location on the vehicle, and the second location is different from the first location.

Vehicle engine control system

A locomotive engine control system includes one or more processors operably connected to fuel supply devices. The fuel supply devices are configured to supply fuel into different corresponding cylinders of an engine. The one or more processors are configured to monitor a fuel quantity injected into the cylinders of the engine before and after communication of an overfuel control signal. The overfuel control signal commands the fuel supply device corresponding to a first cylinder of the cylinders to supply excess fuel into the first cylinder. Responsive to the fuel quantity that is monitored not decreasing after the communication of the overfuel control signal, the one or more processors are configured to determine that the fuel supply device corresponding to the first cylinder is defective, and may generate one or more control signals indicative of the fuel supply device corresponding to the first cylinder being defective.

Method of linking alarm data from physically disassociated wireless sensors to a train in motion
11014586 · 2021-05-25 · ·

A method of linking alarm data from physically disassociated wireless sensors to a train in motion. The sensor secured to a wheel axle-box of a rail carriage of a train to detect an over temperature alarm to enable a driver to stop the train. If the alarm condition is confirmed as belonging to the train, a Monitor/Relay immediately notes that there is a problem and warns an operator.

VEHICLE SYSTEM

A system and a method may include one or more sensors disposed onboard a vehicle that may sense one or more characteristics of the vehicle. The system may include one or more processors configured to determining an identification of a switch on a route along which a vehicle moves using one or more sensors onboard the vehicle. A location of the switch is identified with the one or more sensors. A state of the switch is determined with the one or more sensors. The identification of the switch, location of the switch, and the state of the switch are communicated with an off-board database.

METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR DETECTION OF DERAILMENT ON THE BASIS OF WHEEL SPEED SIGNALS
20210129879 · 2021-05-06 ·

The invention relates to a method for determining a critical driving situation of at least one wheel of a rail vehicle, wherein a characteristic value of a fluctuation strength of a raw speed signal of at least one wheel is determined, and wherein, for the purpose of evaluating the driving situation, said characteristic value is compared with criteria which describe a critical driving situation. Upon detection of a critical driving situation, the method provides that an action is triggered in the rail vehicle, wherein the method is designed in such a way that it can be combined with or make use of a sensor system and processing devices as found in a modern rail vehicle.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING SYSTEMS IN RAIL VEHICLES
20210129877 · 2021-05-06 ·

The invention relates to an apparatus for configuring systems, the apparatus being positioned as intended in a rail vehicle and comprising—a data-processing unit—information-transmitting connections between the data-processing unit and the systems—a selection unit for selecting a saved profile—an input unit for inputting operating parameters—a receiving unit for receiving additional or altered profiles.

Operation of Rail Vehicles to Limit Power Peaks in an Electrical Supply
20210129874 · 2021-05-06 ·

A rail vehicle is configured for extracting electrical energy from a power supply external to the vehicle and has at least one electrical energy storage unit. In a first operating mode, the rail vehicle travels by means of energy extracted from the power supply and without energy from the energy storage unit. In a second operating mode, the rail vehicle travels, at least in part, by means of energy from the energy storage unit and/or at reduced traction power in comparison to the first operating mode. The rail vehicle includes a controller set up for activating the first or the second operating mode, as a function of an upper consumption limit, which defines the permissible upper limit of the power that can be extracted from the power supply. The upper consumption limit is established in a variable manner so as to prevent power peaks in the power supply.