Method and apparatus for monitoring brake performance and updating information relating to brake performance while a train is in motion. A computer on the train is provided with inputs for grade information, axle speed, brakepipe pressure, and locomotive tractive effort. During brake applications when the train is in motion, calculations are made by the computer to update parameters which relate to braking performance, and to generate signals representing those parameters.

Train brake performance monitor

A system (100) for analyzing machine performance is disclosed. The system may have one or more processors (111) and a memory (113). The memory may store instructions that, when executed, enable the one or more processors to identify an event for a machine that includes a desired output parameter value and send a command to a component of the machine. A command value associated with the command may be determined based on the desired output parameter value, one or more machine state parameter values, and a feedback control loop. The instructions may further enable the one or more processors to determine whether the machine requires maintenance by comparing the command value to one or more historical command values each determined based on a historical desired output parameter value and one or more historical machine state parameter values.

Systems and methods for analyzing machine performance

The invention relates to a device and a method for the early recognition and prediction of unit damage in machine plants, in particular mobile machine plants. The structural noise of the machine plant is thus recorded by a sensor (1), transmitted as an acceleration signal and analysed in a digital signal processor (DSP). In order to inhibit negative influences from environmental vibrations or structural sound waves which are nothing to do with the status of the machine plant, the acceleration signal is firstly transformed into the frequency domain by means of a fast Fourier transformation and the data thus obtained is then transformed back into the time domain by means of a cepstrum analysis, such that resonance data from single shock impulses (a cepstrum) are obtained in the time domain. Said cepstrum is then compared with a comparative cepstrum, available in a memory unit corresponding to load and speed signals for the current operating status for a new machine plant. On exceeding threshold values the diagnostic signal, in particular information about the unit diagnosed as being damaged and the predicted remaining service life thereof is displayed for the user and an emergency operation initiated.

Device and method for the early recognition and prediction of unit damage

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining brake effectiveness and changes in mass of a wheeled vehicle. The apparatus comprises a means for manually or automatically inputting vehicle mass, a means for determining brake system pressure during deceleration of the vehicle in a normal operating mode, a means for determining road slope, a means to determine air friction and engine friction of the vehicle, a means for determining predicted deceleration of the vehicle, a means for determining actual deceleration of the vehicle, a calculating means for calculating, from data representing actual deceleration, road slope, air friction, engine friction, brake system pressure and mass, vehicle brake effectiveness by comparing actual deceleration with predicted deceleration for the vehicle under comparable circumstances, and generating a signal representative of vehicle brake effectiveness, and a means to record and store data.

Method and apparatus for determining vehicle brake effectiveness

A brake warning system for vehicles with pneumatic air brakes monitors various factors to provide an indication of a pending or actual brake failure condition. According to one embodiment, vehicle brakes are tested by determining a delay time between pressure changes in a control brake line from a treadle valve and the response of the brake. According to another embodiment, brake performance is measured by monitoring applied brake line pressure versus known brake performance values. Measurements are taken with the brakes in a known good condition, during a "training mode," and data is then compared, on a continuous basis, with data acquired by ongoing measurements. The invention provides an on-board, real-time, assessment of vehicle brake performance, through measurement of a relatively small number of parameters.

On-board brake warning device for air brake equipped vehicles

Vehicle engine torque, acceleration, deceleration and brake treadle pressure are determined (30, 32, 38). Vehicle load is calculated (34) from the engine torque and acceleration; and braking system effectiveness is calculated (42) by comparing the determined deceleration with a deceleration predicted for the calculated vehicle load and the determined brake treadle pressure. Values representative of braking system effectiveness are accumulated and evaluated to more accurately determine when braking system service is required than is possible by merely scheduling service according to the amount of elapsed time or the number of miles driven since prior service was performed.

Method and apparatus for estimating vehicle braking system effectiveness

Actual performance is used to determine vehicle braking system maintenance requirements. Measures of wheel slip are determined for each wheel of a vehicle during periods of deceleration. The determined measures of wheel slip are accumulated; and those accumulated for left wheels are compared with those accumulated for right wheels of each axially associated set of wheels, those accumulated for one axially associated set of wheels are compared with those accumulated for each of other axially associated sets of wheels, and those accumulated for tractor wheels are compared with those accumulated for trailer wheels. A predetermined difference between measures of wheel slip indicates the existence of a possible problem with the brake associated with the wheel or at least one of the set of wheels for which the least wheel slip is determined.

Caron Laverne Andrew

Papers

Method and apparatus for estimating vehicle braking system effectiveness

Method and apparatus for determining a need for vehicle braking system maintenance.

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abschätzung der Effektivität eines Kraftfahrzeugbremssystems

Method and apparatus for estimating vehicle brake system efficiency