System and method for optimizing vehicle performance in presence of changing optimization parameters

1. A method for controlling operations of a power system having at least one power unit, the method comprising:

(a) identifying a plurality of discrete potential dynamic events;

(b) for each potential dynamic event, computing an optimization profile which describes power settings for the power system to follow in order to optimize at least one operating parameter of the at least one power unit;

(c) selecting one of the optimization profiles based on the potential dynamic event with the highest current probability; and

(d) operating the system in accordance with the selected optimization profile.

2. The method of claim 1 where the optimization profile is calculated onboard the power system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the optimization profile is calculated offboard and relayed to the power system through a communications channel.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the optimization profile optimizes a parameter selected from the group consisting of: speed, fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions, vibration, component efficiency, geographic restrictions, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps of identifying a plurality of potential dynamic events, computing the optimization profiles, selecting one of the optimization profiles, and operating the power system in accordance with the selected optimization profile are performed autonomously.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the potential dynamic events are classified as near-horizon events or far-horizon events, and wherein near-horizon events are assigned a higher probability than far-horizon events.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the potential dynamic events are classified as near-horizon events or far-horizon events based on their physical distance from the power system.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the potential dynamic events are classified as near-horizon events or far-horizon events based on their temporal separation from the power system.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises a railway transportation system, and wherein the power unit comprises at least one locomotive powered by at least one internal combustion engine.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises a marine vessel, and wherein the power unit comprises at least one internal combustion engine.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises an off-highway vehicle, and wherein the power unit comprises at least one internal combustion engine.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises an external power unit which provides motive power to move a passive or active vehicle on a guideway.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the power system comprises an electrical power generation system.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the dynamic events comprises a speed target external to the power system.

15. A control system for operating a power system having at least one internal combustion power unit, the control system comprising:

(a) at least one sensor operable to generate signals indicative of at least one operating parameter of the power system;

(b) a communications channel operable to deliver data indicative of external information to the control system; and

(c) a processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the communications channel, the processor programmed to:

(i) identify a plurality of discrete potential dynamic events;

(ii) for each potential dynamic event, compute an optimization profile which describes power settings for the power system to follow in order to optimize at least one operating parameter of the at least one power unit; and

(iii) select one of the optimization profiles based on the potential dynamic event with the highest current probability.

16. The control system of claim 15 wherein the processor is further programmed to operate the power system in accordance with the selected optimization profile.

17. The control system of claim 15 wherein the processor which calculates the optimization profiles is located offboard the power system and wherein the optimization profiles are relayed to the power system through the communications channel.

18. The control system of claim 15 wherein each of optimization profiles optimizes a parameter selected from the group consisting of: speed, fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions, vibration, component efficiency, geographic restrictions, and combinations thereof.

19. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the power system comprises a railway transportation system, and wherein the power generating unit comprises at least one locomotive powered by at least one internal combustion engine.

20. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the power system comprises a marine vessel, and wherein the power unit comprises at least one internal combustion engine.

21. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the power system comprises an off-highway vehicle, and wherein the power unit comprises at least one internal combustion engine.

22. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the power system comprises an external power unit which provides motive power to move a passive or active vehicle on a guideway.

23. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the power system comprises an electrical power generation system.

24. The control system of claim 15 wherein the potential dynamic events are classified as near-horizon events or far-horizon events, and wherein near-horizon events are assigned a higher probability than far-horizon events.

25. The control system of claim 24 wherein the potential dynamic events are classified as near-horizon events or far-horizon events based on their physical distance from the power system.

26. The control system of claim 24 wherein the potential dynamic events are classified as near-horizon events or far-horizon events based on their temporal separation from the power system.