Abstract: A propulsion device for a rail vehicle, such as a railway train, applies power for propulsion directly between the frame of the vehicle and the rails without intervention of wheels. The device includes articulated members for connecting the frame of the vehicle to the device, a hydraulic cylinder for displacing the device between a lifted neutralized position for normal travel and a lowered working position, and two movable cross-bars having jaws mounted at opposite ends thereof. Traction hydraulic cylinders connect each movable cross-bar and the vehicle frame. A hydraulic cylinder is used to engage and disengage the jaws to rails.

Abstract: A tie replacement vehicle uses a tie feed arm to turn ties upon the main frame of the vehicle upside down such that they may be gripped by a tie inserter having a boom mounted below the main frame of the vehicle. The tie inserter has a tie clamp which may be shifted in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle in order to shift old ties out of the way. A tie pickup is mounted at each end of the vehicle for moving ties from the main frame of the vehicle to the rails. A conveyor system on the vehicle allows ties to be moved under the operator cab and engine.

Abstract: A short wheel base bogie provides stability by using a double pivot arrangement. Wheels are mounted to walking beams on each side of the bogie. The walking beams are mounted for transverse movement relative to corresponding pivot frames. Upon the bogie getting to a curved track section, the walking beam moves transversely in order to maintain the bogie in proper gauge. The bogie is used for a rail grinder vehicle wherein rail grinders are mounted upon the pivot frames such that the rail grinders follow curves in the rails.

Abstract: A railway guide wheel apparatus attaches to a frame of a road vehicle to allow the road vehicle to travel along rails. The apparatus has a side shift capability where railway wheels of the apparatus may be lowered to engage rails even when the vehicle is offset sideways from the rails. An automatic centering arrangement will center the vehicle relative to the rails after the railway wheels have engaged the rails. Spring cells are used as a suspension to absorb vibration from the railway wheels contacting the rails and to maintain the railway wheels in contact with the rails.

Abstract: An improved nested tube cryogenic support and its method of manufacture includes a plurality of nested tube assemblies each including an FRP tube having a metal connector element integrally joined at each end thereof by forming a groove around the outer periphery of the connector elements, forming the end portion of the uncured FRP tube into the groove, and applying a prestressed fiber reinforced plastic band around the outer periphery of the tube at the groove to apply a compressive force reinforcing the joint between the connector elements and the tube.

Abstract: A secondary containment system for conduits, pipes and electric cables includes a plurality of separate duct sections connected in end-to-end relation to provide an electrically insulating fluid tight system. Each duct section includes a pair of generally Z-shaped structural members formed from a fiber reinforced plastic material with each structural member including top and bottom flanges for supporting a removable top cover panel and a rigidly joined bottom panel. The structural member top flanges are preferably shaped to deflect the top cover panel to present an outwardly convex top surface to prevent the collection of condensate and other fluids.

Abstract: A rail engagement apparatus to allow a highway or road vehicle to travel along a railway includes a wheel support having railway wheels. When the rail support is in a lower position corresponding to a rail mode, the wheel support bears against the underside of the vehicle axle. Vibration and shock from contact between the railway wheel and rails will therefore be dampened by the vehicle suspension. The wheel support may be disposed in an upper position corresponding to a road mode such that there is no contact between the wheel support and the vehicle axle.

Abstract: A vehicle for replacing selective ties in a road bed uses a conveyor system whereby ties may be picked up from on top of the rails. If the ties are to be used by the particular vehicle, they may be held by that vehicle. On the other hand, the conveyor system allows ties to pass over top of the vehicle such that the ties will be again disposed on top of the rails such that a following tie replacement vehicle may use the ties. By use of a tie replacement or inserter head having two tie clamps, one can more quickly remove an old tie from underneath the rails and replace the old tie with a new tie which has been picked up from on top of the vehicle. Electromagnets are used to hold the tie plates against the rails during the selective replacement of particular ties such that replacement of the tie plates is not usually necessary.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armor system comprising a magnetized ferrous ceramic material encapsulated in a fiberglass layer for attachment to a surface to be protected.

Abstract: A tie remover/inserter machine uses the vehicle and bucket of a conventional backhoe with various modifications. Grader blades are added to the loader bucket such that the machine may be used for grading ballast along a railroad track. Rail engagement wheels which may be raised and lowered are mounted to the chassis of the vehicle. A three section telescopic boom is equipped with a tie clamping device that also has the ability to tilt a tie in relation to the boom. The boom may be pivoted about horizontal and vertical axes. The boom is mounted to the vehicle by way of a side shift carriage which allows the proximal end (i.e., end closest to the vehicle) of the boom to be moved towards the center line of the vehicle so as to allow the vehicle to meet road clearance limitations.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a railroad spike in a substantially vertical position while the spike is being driven into a railroad tie. The spike holding apparatus includes a support member adapted to connect said apparatus to a railroad spiking machine, a pair of jaws which rotatably depend from said support member at an angle to the plane of the rail which angle is large enough to avoid interference with rail anchors but not so large as to preclude sufficient mechanical leverage from being imposed on the spike to be held and actuators to to rotate said jaws relative to said support member and to one another. The first jaw of said pair includes a cradle adapted to receive a spike and further adapted to avoid interference with the spike after it is driven. The second jaw of said pair includes contact surfaces adapted to force a spike into the cradle of the first jaw and hold it down until said spike is driven into the tie.

Abstract: A container for storing liquefied gas and for delivering the liquefied gas in either gas or liquid form is provided, the container having an inner vessel which holds the liquefied gas and an outer shell spaced apart therefrom, creating an evacuable spae between the inner vessel and outer shell. The inner vessel is suspended from the outer shell by a necktube. An upper necktube support structure which minimizes necktube damage or rupture from impact or other lateral forces includes a lateral support disc extending across a space between a cylindrical collar surrounding a portion of the necktube and the interior surface of the upper head of the outer vessel. The lateral support disc and the cylindrical collar are spaced apart by an insulative annular sleeve, while the disc is supported at its peripheral edge on insulative bosses and is spaced from an insulative ring extending around the circumference of the interior surface to provide a double heat break.

Abstract: An improved coupling device (e.g., 134) has a first section (e.g., 135), a second section (e.g., 136), and a sleeve member (e.g., 138) mounted on one of the coupling sections and arranged to selectively engage the other coupling section. The sleeve member is provided with a weakened portion (e.g., 156). The weakened portion is formed of a suitable material and is so configured and arranged as to permit the two coupling sections to be physically separated from one another through thermally-induced flexural deformation of the weakened portion, without rotation of the sleeve member relative to either section, when the temperature of the weakened portion is greater than about 200.degree. F. but less than about 300.degree. F., and preferably about 266.degree. F.

Abstract: A container for storing liquefied gas and for delivering the liquefied gas in either gas or liquid form is provided, the container having an inner vessel which holds the liquefied gas and an outer shell spaced apart therefrom, creating an evacuable space between the inner vessel and outer shell. The inner vessel is suspended from the outer shell by a necktube. An upper necktube support structure which minimizes necktube damage or rupture from impact or other lateral forces includes a lateral support disc extending across a space between a cylindrical collar surrounding a portion of the necktube and the interior surface of the upper head of the outer vessel. The lateral support disc and the cylindrical collar are spaced apart by an insulative annular sleeve, while the disc is supported at its peripheral edge on insulative bosses and is spaced from an insulative ring extending around the circumference of the interior surface to provide a double heat break.

Abstract: A valve (10) has a body (11) provided with two separate but parallel flow passages therethrough. A first diaphragm assembly (14) is held between a lower bonnet (12) and the body, and is movable toward and away from a seat (48). A second diaphragm assembly (15) is held between an upper bonnet (13) and the body. A follower (16) is arranged between the diaphragms. An actuator (20) is arranged to cause substantially parallel motion of the diaphragms in response to movement of the actuator.

Abstract: A crane has a twin post and a twin boom construction and provides for numerous degrees of freedom. The crane is a trailer and uses the weight of a vehicle to which it is attached for stability when it is in an operating mode. The crane has wheels which may be lifted off the ground to allow its positioning by a vehicle to which it is attached.

Abstract: Cannon system training apparatus employs a double acting hydraulic cylinder controlled by an electrically operated directional control valve which controls the supply of hydraulic fluid to the double acting hydraulic cylinder in such a manner as to cause the gun tube to execute a recoil/counterrecoil cycle similar to that which would occur during an actual firing of the cannon system. A counterrecoil accumulator stores energy in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid expelled from the hydraulic cylinder during recoil for counterrecoiling the gun tube. The gun tube is formed to enable dummy projectiles and simulated propellant charges to pass easily through the gun tube and to be ejected from the muzzle end by the ramming system employed.

Abstract: A rail grinder vehicle includes a series of connections between grinders and a chassis frame such that pairs of the grinders may be operated in an independent mode allowing separate movement and in wave control mode wherein the pair of grinders are coupled together for movement in unison. The grinders are supported from a K frame which is pivotably mounted at the center of the vehicle for stability. Each grinder is mounted upon a grinder support element and associated structure such that the grind stone of the grinder may be positioned relative to the rail and will automatically and simultaneously orient the grinding face of the grind stone at a proper angle relative to the rail corresponding to the desired position. A control system including a hydraulic system which is controlled by an electrical system is used to operate the grinders and maintain the individual grind motors at a constant power during grinding in an independent mode.