Device to avoid the aquaplaning problem on a vehicle (10), the device being applicable at least on the drive wheels (28) of the vehicle and including a tank (12) of fluid under pressure that is connected to a plurality of fluid ejectors (26) associated with the respective wheels and suitable to shoot jets of pressurized fluid onto the road surface, and sensors (18) suitable to detect the conditions of the road surface to actuate the fluid ejectors. The fluid ejectors (26) are injector nozzles controlled by a central processing unit (CPU), which receives the signals from the sensors (18), and are operated in a manner coordinated with the physical position of the respective wheel so as to be continually oriented in the direction of travel of the same wheel.

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.

The invention relates to the field of rail transport. The present method for protecting wheelsets and a railroad bed from wear consists in applying, for the purpose of protecting coupling components under mutual friction from wear, an anti-wear coating that consists of ductile metals in the form of films on the frictional surface of said coupling components. A device for controlling the supply of a metal-plating ionisation solution emits a signal for activating or deactivating an electromagnetic valve mounted on a heated air duct connected to a reservoir that contains said metal-plating ionisation solution. The advantages of the present invention consist in more effectively protecting working surfaces from mechanical and hydrogen wear.

A vehicle (100) comprising a plurality of wheels (106a, b) and an apparatus on a wheeled vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle, or apparatus, comprises a control system arranged to issue a signal in the event of determining that one or more wheels of the vehicle has lost, or is at risk of losing, frictional contact with a road surface (104). The vehicle, or apparatus, further comprises a gas source arranged to supply a burst of gas upon said signal being issued. At least one gas outlet (112) is connected to said gas source and is arranged to direct said burst of gas so as to clear water and/or debris from the road surface in front of at least one of the wheels.

A vehicle (100) comprising a plurality of wheels (106a, b) and an apparatus on a wheeled vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle, or apparatus, comprises a control system arranged to issue a signal in the event of determining that one or more wheels of the vehicle has lost, or is at risk of losing, frictional contact with a road surface (104). The vehicle, or apparatus, further comprises a gas source arranged to supply a burst of gas upon said signal being issued. At least one gas outlet (112) is connected to said gas source and is arranged to direct said burst of gas so as to clear water and/or debris from the road surface in front of at least one of the wheels.

A system for preventing aquaplaning in a vehicle, said system comprising: a tank suitable for containing a fluid; sensor means configured to reveal the conditions of the vehicle and/or the environment in which the vehicle is found, and in particular, the conditions of a street surface; injector means configured to generate a jet of fluid on said street surface, said injector means being associated with at least one wheel of the vehicle; a control unit associated with sensor means and configured for controlling said injector means according to the conditions revealed by said sensor means. A unique feature of the system of the present invention consists in the fact that said injector means comprise at least one fan-type nozzle and equipped with a slit-shaped outlet opening suitable for creating a flat jet of fluid.

An anti-aquaplaning system for a motor-vehicle, includes control unit configured to assist a driver to avoid aquaplaning. The control unit is programmed for: receiving real time signals detected by automated driving assistance devices and a data transmission and receiving unit, integrating the received signals to generate an output signal indicative of a risk of aquaplaning, if said output signal exceeds a predetermined value of a minimum risk condition, generating a warning for the driver to inform him preventively of the risk of encountering a water layer which could lead to a lifting and/or slipping condition of the wheels on the wet road surface, in such a way that said control unit alerts the driver prior to contact of the wheels with the water layer on the road surface in such a quantity as to no longer ensure an adequate grip between the wheels and the road surface.

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.