Patent ID: 7509233
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
1. A method for identifying one or more malfunctions from a plurality of malfunctions that can occur in a locomotive air compressing system comprising a plurality of components, with at least some of said plurality of malfunctions being correctable onboard a locomotive, said at least some malfunctions constituting onboard serviceable malfunctions, while a remaining of said plurality of malfunctions are correctable with the air compressing system being uninstalled and serviced at an off-board servicing site, said remaining malfunctions constituting off-board serviceable malfunctions, said method comprising: performing a test sequence configured to isolate components of the air compressing system from one another to identify a component subject to a malfunction; applying a pressurizing stimuli to the isolated components; monitoring a response indicative of a malfunction type, the malfunction type being associated with one of the following: a corrective action to be performed onboard the locomotive, and a corrective action to be performed off-board the locomotive; and performing the corrective action appropriate for the malfunction type.