System and method for determining whether a locomotive or rail engine is coupled to a rail car or other engine

1. An apparatus for indicating whether a first coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or an uncoupled state, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled state or an uncoupled state, the coupled or uncoupled state indicating a proximity or presence of a portion of a second coupler within a receiving area of the first coupler, wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic circuit configured to provide a detectable permeability when the first coupler is proximate to or coupled to the second coupler, and wherein the magnetic circuit is provided by a pair of coils located in a facing space relationship on the first coupler and the apparatus further comprises a sensor for detecting an induced current greater than a predetermined value through the pair of coils, the induced current being generated when the first coupler is secured to the second coupler.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an inductive proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of the second coupler proximate to a throat of the first coupler.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor.

4. A coupler configured to indicate whether the coupler is coupled to another rail car, the coupler comprising:

a main body portion comprising a neck portion and a receiving area defined by a portion of the main body portion;

a knuckle pivotally mounted to the main body portion and configured for movement between a coupled position and an uncoupled position wherein the knuckle pivots into the receiving area as the knuckle pivots from the uncoupled position to the coupled position; and

a sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state, the coupled or uncoupled state dependent upon the presence or proximity of a portion of a second coupler within the receiving area, wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic circuit configured to provide a detectable permeability when the coupler is coupled to another rail car, and wherein the magnetic circuit is provided by a pair of coils located in a facing space relationship on the coupler and the coupler further comprises a sensor for detecting an induced current greater than a predetermined value through the pair of coils, the induced current being generated when the coupler is coupled to the another rail car.

5. The coupler as in claim 4 , wherein the sensor is an inductive proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of another coupler proximate to a throat or the knuckle of the coupler the sensor is positioned on.

6. The coupler as in claim 4 , wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor.

7. A method for determining whether a coupler of a locomotive engine is coupled, the method comprising:

providing a signal indicative of either a coupled or uncoupled state of the coupler;

transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller;

processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller;

providing visually perceivable indication of the coupled or uncoupled state of the coupler,

configuring a video camera to provide video signals to the controller; and

programming the controller with image processing algorithms for determining whether the video signals depict a coupled or uncoupled locomotive.

8. The method as in claim 7 , further comprising:

disposing a pair of inductive proximity sensors on a knuckle of the coupler;

configuring a first one of the pair of inductive proximity sensors to provide a first signal indicating that the coupler is pulling another coupler; and

configuring a second one of the pair of inductive proximity sensors to provide a second signal indicating that the coupler is pushing another coupler.

9. The method as in claim 7 , further comprising:

positioning a strain sensor on a neck of the coupler; and

configuring the strain sensor to provide nonzero voltage output signals when either a pushing or pulling force is applied to the coupler.

10. The method as in claim 7 , further comprising configuring a magnetic circuit to provide a detectable permeability when the coupler is coupled to another coupler.

11. A system for detecting whether a coupler of a locomotive has been coupled to another rail car, the system comprising:

a sensing device configured to provide a signal indicative of a coupling state of the coupler;

a transmitter in operable communication with the sensing device, the transmitter being configured to receive and transmit the signal;

a status detection system configured to receive the signal from the transmitter, the status detection system comprising:

a controller; and

a storage medium; and

wherein the sensing device is a video camera configured to provide video signals to the controller, wherein the controller further comprises image processing algorithms for determining whether the video signals depict a coupled or uncoupled locomotive.