A device and method control dispensing of adhesion-increasing agent of a rail vehicle. At least one wheel speed sensor and/or wheel acceleration sensor and/or wheel torque sensor measures the wheel speed or wheel rotational speed and/or the wheel acceleration of a particular wheel and/or the wheel torque acting on the wheel. A measuring unit determines the vehicle speed and/or the acceleration in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the entire rail vehicle. A calculation unit ascertains the ratio of the wheel speed or wheel rotational speed of the wheel and the speed of the rail vehicle and/or the ratio of the wheel acceleration and the acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle and/or the ratio between the target torque and the actual torque acting on the wheel; a change in ratio is used to control dispensing of the adhesion-increasing agent.

A diagnostic apparatus for a sand metering device for a sanding system for a rail vehicle includes a detection device and an evaluation device. The detection device is designed to detect at least one parameter of the sand metering device of the sanding system and to provide a detection signal representing the parameter. The evaluation device is designed to output a metering error signal using the detection signal, which metering error signal indicates a malfunction of the sand metering device if the parameter deviates from a target parameter.

A method for actuating a track conditioning unit or a wheel flange lubricating system of a rail vehicle. The track conditioning unit provides auxiliary agent to sub-regions of a rail on which the rail vehicle is travelling, in order to increase friction between the wheel and the rail. A wheel flange lubricating system provides a fluid to a wheel sub-region of the rail vehicle or to a rail sub-region, in order to reduce friction between the wheel and the rail. A relative movement between a railcar body and a bogie of the rail vehicle is detected using path measurement, in order to detect a bend in the track. Based on the path measurement, the track conditioning unit or the wheel flange lubricating system is actuated in a targeted manner according to the bend, such that the auxiliary agent or fluid is applied in a resource-saving yet effective manner.

A system and method herein relate to vehicle control by adjusting a torque distribution of the vehicle. The system includes a first motor configured to provide a torque to a first wheel, and a delivery system configured to controllably apply a traction control compound to a route on which the first wheel is configured to travel. The system also includes a controller circuit having one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to control the delivery system to apply the traction control compound to the route based on a monitored temperature of the first motor.

A system for controlling a consist of rail vehicles or other vehicles includes a control unit electrically coupled to a first rail vehicle in the consist, the control unit having a processor and being configured to receive signals representing a presence and position of one or more tractive effort systems on-board the first vehicle and other rail vehicles in the consist, and a set of instructions stored in a non-transient medium accessible by the processor, the instructions configured to control the processor to create a optimization schedule that manages the use of the one or more tractive effort systems based on the presence and position of the tractive effort systems within the consist.

Examples for a traction system are provided. In one example, the traction system includes a nozzle coupled to an air source and configured to be selectively aimed toward a determined portion of a rail surface of a rail, and a conduit configured to supply pressurized air from the air source to the nozzle, the nozzle flexibly coupled thereto. The nozzle is configured for the aim of the nozzle to be controlled to change its aiming direction in response to a change in curvature of the rail, whereby a stream of air from the nozzle impacts the determined portion during movement of the vehicle through the curvature of the rail.

A method for controlling a device for metering granular material and a metering device for metering granular material comprises a feed for the granular material from a container into a metering chamber. A metering piston can be actuated by a control device such that a gap between the feed and the metering chamber is opened by a predefined first distance and a second distance which is greater than the first distance. At least one sensor is arranged in a delivery line leading away from the metering chamber and is connected to the control device so that the metering piston can be actuated for a predefined duration such that the gap between the feed for the granular material and the metering chamber can be opened by the second distance if a blockage of the granular material is detected by the at least one sensor, so that the blockage is dispersed.

A device and method for dispensing a friction-coefficient-optimizing mixture of at least one lubricant and at least one grit into the gap between a rail wheel of a rail vehicle and a rail. The device includes a reservoir for the lubricant, a reservoir for the grit, a metering unit for metering the lubricant, a metering unit for metering the grit, a delivery apparatus for delivering the lubricant, a delivery apparatus for delivering the grit, and a common dispensing nozzle. The apparatus for delivering the lubricant and the apparatus for delivering the grit are separate from each other and end in the common dispensing nozzle, the friction-coefficient-optimizing mixture therefore not being formed until the dispensing, and an additional compressed air line is provided, which ends in the common dispensing nozzle.

A control system receives signals representing a presence and position of a secondary movement system onboard a vehicle. The secondary movement system changes movement of the vehicle without generating thrust or propulsion to move the vehicle. The control system creates a schedule of use of the secondary movement system based on the presence and position of the secondary movement system and controls the secondary movement system based on the schedule that is created.

A control system receives signals representing a presence and position of a secondary movement system onboard a vehicle. The secondary movement system changes movement of the vehicle without generating thrust or propulsion to move the vehicle. The control system creates a schedule of use of the secondary movement system based on the presence and position of the secondary movement system and controls the secondary movement system based on the schedule that is created.