B61L15/0063

AUTOMATIC ARMING OF A HEAD-OF-TRAIN DEVICE TO AN END-OF-TRAIN DEVICE
20220379936 · 2022-12-01 ·

A system and method for enabling automatic arming between an End-of-Train device and a Head-of-Train device on a train is provided. The system includes at least one sensing unit configured to detect a physical connection status of the End-of-Train device. The End-of-Train device is configured to transmit an arming request to the Head-of-Train device based on the physical connection status, wherein the arming request includes at least one of an identifier and a geospatial location associated with the End-of-Train device. The Head-of-Train device is configured to receive the arming request from the End-of-Train device. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to arm the Head-of-Train device to the End-of-Train device upon verification of the arming request, wherein arming comprises establishing a communication channel between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device.

Railcar sensor communication system

According to some embodiments, a railcar monitoring system for monitoring one or more conditions associated with a railcar comprises a railcar controller and one or more sensors disposed throughout the railcar and communicably coupled to the railcar controller. The railcar controller is configured to exchange data with the one or more sensors and transmit data from the one or more sensors to a remote location. An amount of data exchanged between the railcar controller and the one or more sensors is controlled based on a railcar context. The railcar context is based on a location and/or activity associated with the railcar.

VEHICLE SYSTEM WITH SECOND POWER SOURCE
20230129585 · 2023-04-27 ·

A system may be provided that includes a first power source configured to supply power to a communication system of a vehicle system to communicate a signal from a first vehicle of the vehicle system to a second vehicle of the vehicle system. The system may include a second power source configured to supply power to the communication system to communicate the signal from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, and a controller. The controller may obtain an operational parameter, and communicate the signal based on the operational parameter when the first power source supplies power to the communication system. The controller may be configured to communicate the signal utilizing the power from the second power source based on the operational parameter when the first power source does not supply power to the communication system.

Over-speed protection device

An SIL 4 over-speed protection device for a rail vehicle includes a first logical unit configured to be connected to a first power source, a first speed sensor and a first vital supervision circuit and a second logical unit configured to be connected to a second power source, a second speed sensor and a second vital supervision circuit. The first logical unit is configured to determine if the second logical unit is functioning properly and the second logical unit is configured to determine if the first logical unit is functioning properly.

SENSOR ARRANGEMENT, APPARATUS FOR POSITION DETERMINATION, RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR POSITION DETERMINATION FOR A RAIL VEHICLE
20220334142 · 2022-10-20 ·

A sensor arrangement for position determination of a rail vehicle includes at least two sensors that can be attached to the rail vehicle. Each of the sensors is configured to ascertain a position speed and to be disposed on the rail vehicle at different positions transverse to the direction of travel. At least one processing apparatus which is connected to the sensors is configured to process the position speeds ascertained by the sensors. An apparatus for position determination of a rail vehicle, a rail vehicle, and a method for position determination for a rail vehicle are also provided.

Blockchain remote command verification

The preset disclosure provides a control system for operating one or more locomotives in a train, the control system including a first communication unit located on-board a first locomotive of a first consist in the train; and an off-board remote controller interface located remotely from the train, the off-board remote controller interface being configured to receive or generate a locomotive control command, store the received or generated locomotive control command in a shared ledger, and relay the locomotive control command to the first communication unit. The first communication unit is configured to receive the locomotive control command from the off-board remote controller interface.

Data management system and method for a target device of a vehicle

System and computer-implemented methods and processes for data management of a plurality of target devices of a vehicle, the system including a portable computer device programmed for wireless connectivity to a network and data management activities and interaction with the target devices. The system and computer-implemented methods and processes are particularly useful in connection with trains having at least one locomotive, where the train includes multiple target devices, such as a train event recording system and the like.

Railcar Sensor Communication System

According to some embodiments, a railcar monitoring system for monitoring one or more conditions associated with a railcar comprises a railcar controller and one or more sensors disposed throughout the railcar and communicably coupled to the railcar controller. The railcar controller is configured to exchange data with the one or more sensors and transmit data from the one or more sensors to a remote location. An amount of data exchanged between the railcar controller and the one or more sensors is controlled based on a railcar context. The railcar context is based on a location and/or activity associated with the railcar.

LOCOMOTIVE HEALTH-BASED TRAIN PACING SYSTEM
20170305446 · 2017-10-26 · ·

A system for pacing a train having a plurality of locomotives is disclosed. The system may include an signaling system onboard component configured to receive a signal indicative of a requested time of arrival (RTA) of the train, a locomotive health system configured to output one or more health signals indicative of a health status of each of the plurality of locomotives, and an energy management system in electronic communication with the signaling system onboard component and the locomotive health system. The energy management system may be configured to generate driving command signals based on the RTA and the one or more health signals, generate an RTA confirmation signal based on the one or more health signals, the RTA confirmation signal being indicative of whether the train will achieve the RTA, and communicate the RTA confirmation signal to a train signaling system via the signaling system onboard component.

HYBRID COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

A communication system may be provided that includes a lead communication assembly configured to be disposed onboard a lead vehicle in a multi-vehicle system, and a remote communication assembly configured to be disposed onboard a remote vehicle in the multi-vehicle system. The lead communication assembly and the remote communication assembly may be configured to communicate with each other via a wired connection extending along the multi-vehicle system from at least the lead vehicle to at least the remote vehicle. Additionally, the lead communication assembly and the remote communication assembly may also be configured to communicate with each other via a wireless connection. The lead communication assembly and the remote communication assembly may also be configured to switch back-and-forth between communicating with each other via the wired connection and via the wireless connection.