Patents Assigned to Union Pacific Railroad Company
  • Publication number: 20100218699
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aerodynamic pseudocontainer for a train. The pseudocontainer is configured to be stacked atop an intermodal container in a lead container car at a lead end of the train, so that its aerodynamic configuration reduces drag when the train is in motion, thereby reducing fuel costs and emissions. The pseudocontainer may have connectors on its bottom so that when it is placed on top of the intermodal container, locking devices may be used for attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company
    Inventor: Michael E. IDEN
  • Patent number: 7784409
    Abstract: Disclosed is a series of stacked intermodal containers, being pulled by a locomotive of a train, with aerodynamic drag reducing devices. The series includes at least a first, leading set of containers and a second, trailing set of containers. The first, leading set of containers has an aerodynamic drag reducing device with a drag reducing fairing and an attachment frame attached thereto facing a forward direction. The attachment frame includes at least one mounting device configured to be removably mounted in the tunnel of the top container of the first, leading set of containers. Additionally, the second, trailing set of containers may include a second, aerodynamic drag reducing device. Curtains may also be attached between a plurality of intermediate or adjacent sets of stacked containers to assist in reducing drag on the train when moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Union Pacific Railroad Company
    Inventors: Michael E Iden, Wayne A. Kennedy, Matthew M. Larson, John P. Haenggi
  • Publication number: 20100212539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container-based locomotive power source that can be readily interchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Iden
  • Publication number: 20090278381
    Abstract: Disclosed is a series of stacked intermodal containers, being pulled by a locomotive of a train, with aerodynamic drag reducing devices. The series includes at least a first, leading set of containers and a second, trailing set of containers. The first, leading set of containers has an aerodynamic drag reducing device with a drag reducing fairing and an attachment frame attached thereto facing a forward direction. The attachment frame includes at least one mounting device configured to be removably mounted in the tunnel of the top container of the first, leading set of containers. Additionally, the second, trailing set of containers may include a second, aerodynamic drag reducing device. Curtains may also be attached between a plurality of intermediate or adjacent sets of stacked containers to assist in reducing drag on the train when moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Union Pacific Railroad Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Iden, Wayne A. Kennedy, Matthew M. Larson, John P. Haenggi
  • Patent number: 6813581
    Abstract: A system is provided for tracking the wheel bearing temperatures of a train and selecting those that are statistically determined to be abnormally high, while eliminating from consideration, or otherwise categorizing those high temperature readings which are the result of other anomalous and non-anomalous conditions. The system determines the overall distribution of the bearing temperatures for both sides of a train at each wayside location. The bearing temperatures are ranked for comparison with the overall train distribution. Outliers are detected and characterized based on temperature patterns and previous history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Union Pacific Railroad Company
    Inventor: Todd W. Snyder