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

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.

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.

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.