Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for measuring weight and speed of a moving railcar through dynamic processing of a voltage signal from at least one strain gauge embedded into a rail on the railroad track. The system comprises at least one strain gauge, an amplifier circuit, a converter circuit, and a first processing means. The method performed by the first processing means is a state machine expert system algorithm which dynamically determines the baseline non-stressed voltage level and the peak voltage level upon the strain gauge being stressed by a moving railcar passing over the strain gauge. The method further provides for eliminating the effects of debounce on the weight calculations by continuously monitoring the voltage signal from the strain gauge for a predetermined period of time after an initial peak is detected and updating that value if a greater peak is detected within the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A tube and tube retainer applied to the base of a railroad rail and capable of being simply and quickly adjusted for the application of lubricant to the wheel/rail interface contact patch. The tube accepts a lubricant supply from an external source at one end and directs it to the appropriate area of the wheel/rail contact patch. Implementation may include a plurality of such tubes on one or both rails to improve effectiveness. The present invention reduces overall waste by applying smaller amounts of lubricant with each tube, but increasing the total amount of lubricant applied.

Abstract: A track code analyzer is disclosed that measures the duty cycle, carrier frequency, modulation frequency, and amplitude of track code signal and determines when these parameters are outside predetermined limits. The system also detects and records transient anomalies in the track code. The track code analyzer of the present invention is either mounted on a railway vehicle or used as a portable, wayside troubleshooting device. In a preferred embodiment, apparatus for processing a track code signal for indicating track conditions is provided that comprises a pickup for inductively receiving and decoding an analog track code signal. The signal is preferably received and processed by a conditioning circuit for processing the analog track code signal and transmitted to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for creating a digital track code signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting surfaces are disclosed. The present invention provides a system which is particularly useful for inspecting the inner race of a bearing and uses two video probes to create dual displayed views of the inner surface. The bearing is slowly rotated and the entire surface of the inner race is visually inspected by viewing the images collected by the video probes. Preferably, a motorized stand and frame are provided that automatically rotate the bearing and automatically insert the video probes into the bearing respectively. The magnification provided by the video probes permits the detection of flaws invisible to the human eye, and in certain embodiments a scale on or adjacent to the video images is also provided so that the size of the defects viewed can also be accurately determined.

Abstract: A conversion structure for converting a gondola railcar or similar apparatus for transporting materials to transport cargo in the form of discrete plates or in the form of discrete cylindrical units, such as coils of steel. The apparatus disclosed comprises two longitudinally extending rails connected by a series of cross members. At either longitudinal end of the rails, the cross members are replaced by bulkheads which prevent the discrete cargo from sliding beyond the end of the rails. Preferably, the conversion structure is removable in order to permit the gondola car to be reconverted for hauling bulk cargo. In a preferred embodiment, stacking projections are provided on the conversion structure so that when they are removed, they may be stacked atop one another for storage. Improved methods of alternately transporting bulk, plate and cylindrical cargo are also disclosed.

Abstract: An extender assembly is provided for the lifting foot of a mobile crane used to lift trailers and the like. The extender is comprised of left and right extender pads attached to and spaced apart along a frame such that when the frame is rotatably coupled to the lifting foot via a clevis joint, the extender pads are disposed adjacent each side of the food pad. The lifting foot is capable of being used with the extender pads in either the raised or lowered position depending on the access for foot pad engagement available on the trailer being lifted. The extender assembly is adapted to allow it to be maintained in the raised position once it is manually placed therein and to be automatically rotated into the lowered position by resting the lifting foot on the ground.

Abstract: A hot bearing simulator is provided for verifying the proper operation of hot box detectors in a dynamic fashion. The hot bearing simulator employs a temperature controller and heater means associated with various axles of a rolling carriage. The heaters are adjusted such that a hot box detector will be verified to determine if it is able to sense when the absolute temperature of left or right wheel bearings exceeds a first predetermined temperature or, alternatively, when the difference in temperature between a left and right wheel bearing differ by a second predetermined amount.

Abstract: A chocking system for securing a vehicle to a deck which has a track extending therealong includes a pair of frames mounted on said track for movement along the track and hingedly mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the deck. A wedge is mounted on each of the frames and can be moved toward and away from the track. An L-shaped arm is pivotally mounted at one end on each of said wedges and has a shoe at its other end which can extend over and contact the peripheral surface of a vehicle wheel. The arms are adapted to overlap along their elbows and have means for releasably securing them together with the shoes being over the vehicle wheel. The frames can be lifted away from the deck to provide a clear deck for movement of the vehicles along the deck. With the vehicle in position on the deck, the frames are movable back onto the deck with a wedge being positioned at each side of the vehicle wheel to prevent movement of the vehicle along the deck.

Abstract: A railroad car adapted to receive at least one container from a truck positioned along the railroad car includes a deck mounted on wheels and at least one turntable rotatably mounted on the deck. The turntable includes a pair of spaced, parallel guide tracks which can slidably receive and support a container. A shuttle bar extends transversely across and is slidably mounted on the deck. The shuttle bar is connected to the turntable so that sliding movement of the shuttle bar rotates the turntable between a position in which the guide tracks extend longitudinally along the deck and a position in which the guide tracks extend across the width of the deck. The shuttle bar has hooks on its ends which can be engaged by a bail on the truck to allow the truck to move the shuttle bar and thus rotate the turntable.

Abstract: A hot bearing simulator is provided for verifying the proper operation of hot box detectors in a dynamic fashion. The hot bearing simulator employs a temperature controller and heater means associated with various axles of a rolling carriage. The heaters are adjusted such that a hot box detector will be verified to determine if it is able to sense when the absolute temperature of left or right wheel bearings exceeds a first predetermined temperature or, alternatively, when the difference in temperature between a left and right wheel bearing differ by a second predetermined amount.

Abstract: A wheel chocking assembly that is especially suitable for securing a wide variety of automobiles to the deck of a railroad car includes a polyester strap member adapted to conform to the shape and extending over the top of an automobile's tire which is coupled to a pair of chock members formed as collapsible wedges and positioned in front of and behind the wheel. In one embodiment, the wedges are rotatably coupled to a pair of channels extending the length of the railroad car, and are collapsible for positioning of the automobiles during loading. Another embodiment utilizes a pair of wedges which are adjustably mounted in a telescopic fashion to frames extending inward from a channel attached to the deck of the railroad car at its sides, the channels being adapted to permit the frames to be swung up and out of the way during loading and unloading operations.