Patents Examined by James William Jones
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Patent number: 11999389Abstract: A coupling support for a central buffer coupling of a rail vehicle includes first and second holding plates to be secured to the body of the rail vehicle. The coupling support has a base plate and a transverse bar disposed between the holding plates. The transverse bar is resiliently coupled to the base plate and is disposed above the base plate. First and second pivot levers are disposed on the base plate such that the pivot location of each pivot lever is disposed below the transverse bar, and the pivot locations are connected to the base plate. Each upper portion of the pivot levers is connected to the transverse bar by an articulated connection such that a movement of the transverse bar away from the base plate is restricted by the articulated connections and a movement of the transverse bar towards the base is allowed by the articulated connections.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbHInventors: Manuel Kroiss, Hannes Peer, Alexander Trachtenherz
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Patent number: 11979203Abstract: A set of stators of a linear induction motor are mounted on a track. A three-phase current is provided to each of the stators, such that a traveling magnetic field (TMF) is created by the stators along the length of the track. The traveling magnetic field includes a magnetic flux corresponding to a stator excitation modulated with a message signal. A rotor includes a series of conductor plates. As the traveling magnetic field passes through the conductor plates, a current is induced in the plates by induction. Such current then generates an opposing magnetic field causing the plates and the vehicle to be propelled. Each phase may first be modulated with a message signal, before being provided to the stator. The current at the rotor is then demodulated to realize the message signal. A doppler shift due to the speed of the rotor relative to the stator is corrected.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Laveen Vikram Sundararaj, Sheetal Kumar
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Patent number: 11975750Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect breaks in tracks and/or detect the presence of a vehicle, such as a train, in a monitored section of the track or rail. Embodiments of the present invention measure the change in track inductance associated with a track or rail break. Electrical shunts are connected between the rails at spaced-apart intervals (for example a shunt can be placed every mile). At least two different frequencies of alternating current are generated and fed into the segments of rail (for example at or near a mid-point between the shunts). If a rail break occurs, the total inductance of the rail at that segment will change. Using two or more frequencies allows a rail break to be differentiated from environmental rail-to-rail and rail-to-earth leakage.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Athena Industrial Technologies Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Gies
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Patent number: 11970191Abstract: A combined track conditioning unit includes a dispensing apparatus with an outflow opening integrated in the front region of the dispensing apparatus which is suitable for applying a gaseous drying medium to a rail. A gritting material outlet unit which is integrated in the rear region of the dispensing apparatus and is suitable for applying a gritting agent to the rail also forms part of the dispensing apparatus. A rail vehicle is also provided. Additionally, a method for increasing a coefficient of friction between a rail and a wheel of a rail vehicle with the aid of a track conditioning unit is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbHInventors: Ronny Boege, Wilfried Stelzle
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Patent number: 11964825Abstract: A transport device includes a carriage that travels along a traveling path that is predetermined; a transfer mechanism provided on the carriage and transfers an article in a transfer space set in the traveling path; a first movable element that is a rod shaped component attached to the carriage, extends in a traveling direction of the carriage, and operates by magnetism to drive the transfer mechanism; and a first stator fixedly disposed with respect to the traveling path, has a partially cutout ring shape, and causes the first movable element to operate by magnetism when part of the carriage is positioned outside the transfer space.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Kadoguchi
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Patent number: 11958518Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide a method and a device for controlling train formation tracking, the method comprising: obtaining a current distance between a first train and a second train in a train formation, wherein the first train is adjacent to the second train and located behind the second train; determining a target tracking mode of the first train based on the current distance, wherein the target tracking mode is one of a speed tracking mode, a distance tracking mode and a braking mode; and tracking the second train, by the first train based on the target tracking mode. Tracking efficiency is improved according to the method of the embodiments of the present application.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Traffic Control Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chunhai Gao, Chao Liu, Feng Bao, Chunyu Zhang, Ziyu Wu
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Patent number: 11952023Abstract: A method for route handling of a regional centralized control station is based on a CTC3.0 technology, and includes the following steps: step (1): generating multi-station train and shunting plans according to a multi-station planning terminal, and executing steps (2) and (4) at the same time; step (2): sending the train plan to an autonomous computer to generate a train route sequence, and executing step (3); step (3): sending, by the autonomous computer, the train route sequence to a regional centralized control route handling terminal; step (4): compiling, by the multi-station planning terminal, an automatically generated shunting route sequence in the shunting plan, and executing step (5); and step (5): synchronizing, by a center service, the shunting route sequence to the regional centralized control route handling terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: CASCO SIGNAL LTD.Inventors: Xuan Chen, Xingli Wang, Huarong Li, Zhenhao Fei, Xiang Wu, Zhenguo Feng, Jiannian Wang, Yahui Cao
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Patent number: 11945478Abstract: A method and system include receiving positioning and motion information from one or more positioning and motion devices on a vehicle on a guideway, based on the positioning and motion information, receiving information from a database on the vehicle, the information comprising track geometry information and infrastructure information corresponding to the guideway, using the track geometry information and positioning and motion information to determine a path of the guideway and a trajectory of the vehicle along the path, receiving data from one or more electromagnetic sensors on the vehicle, and detecting an object by using the trajectory, the infrastructure information, and the information from the one or more electromagnetic sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: GROUND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CANADA INC.Inventors: David Beach, Alon Green, Walter Kinio
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Patent number: 11926350Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a friction-coefficient-optimizing mixture of at least one lubricant and at least one grit into the gap between a rail wheel of a rail vehicle and a rail. The device includes a reservoir for the lubricant, a reservoir for the grit, a metering unit for metering the lubricant, a metering unit for metering the grit, a delivery apparatus for delivering the lubricant, a delivery apparatus for delivering the grit, and a common dispensing nozzle. The apparatus for delivering the lubricant and the apparatus for delivering the grit are separate from each other and end in the common dispensing nozzle, the friction-coefficient-optimizing mixture therefore not being formed until the dispensing, and an additional compressed air line is provided, which ends in the common dispensing nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: NOWE GMBHInventors: Alexander Reich, Luc George Imbert, Matteo Frea
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Patent number: 11919550Abstract: A rail breakage detection device includes a first core part provided to a first cable connecting an electrical neutral point of an impedance bond that electrically connects a first rail and a second rail to the first rail, a second core part provided to a second cable connecting the electrical neutral point of the impedance bond to the second rail, a first coil wound around the first core part to generate a first electromotive force in accordance with a current variation occurring in the first cable, a second coil connected electrically to the first coil and wound around the second core part to generate a second electromotive force in accordance with a current variation occurring in the second cable, and a CPU to determine that the first or second rail is broken based on an electromotive force that is a sum of the first and second electromotive forces.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoaki Takewa, Takafumi Nagano, Yoshitsugu Sawa, Wataru Tsujita, Kenzo Makino, Katsunori Tsuchida, Daisuke Koshino
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Patent number: 11866074Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for transporting and dumping material. A hopper for receiving materials may include a bottom surface with a front portion, a central portion, and a rear portion. The central portion may be lower than the front portion and the rear portion. A bottom gate may be disposed in the central portion for discharging the materials from the hopper. Conveyors may be provided for moving material from the front portion and the rear portion towards the bottom gate. The conveyors may include a front conveyor coupled to the front portion and a rear conveyor coupled to the rear portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Inventor: Shiloh Williams
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Patent number: 11866887Abstract: A track-wheel based device is disclosed. The track-wheel based device may include a longitudinal member substantially perpendicular to an axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The track-wheel based device may further include a first lateral member and a second lateral member, each being substantially parallel to the axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The longitudinal member may be coupled to the first lateral member at a first location of the first lateral member and to the second lateral member at a first location of the second lateral member. The first lateral member and the second lateral member may be configured to undergo a relative angular rotation, in response to a planar misalignment of four or more points of contact between two or more guide tracks for the track-wheel based device and the track-wheel based device.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Inventors: Georg Robert Eitelhuber, Abdul Rahim Abdul Jaleel
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Patent number: 11858358Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fastening a sliding element to a current collector or to a rocker mounted thereto, to draw electrical energy from an overhead contact line to an electrically driven vehicle. The device comprises a sliding element, a carrier, a carbon contact piece arranged on the carrier, and a fastening point for fastening the sliding element to the current collector is formed between the sliding element and the current collector. At each fastening point between the sliding element and the current collector, a detent assembly is arranged on the side of the sliding element and, for each detent assembly, a receptacle for the detent assembly is arranged on the side of the current collector. Each detent assembly and the receptacle associated therewith are releasably brought into engagement with each other by inserting and locking the detent assembly in the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: PANTRAC GMBHInventor: Bastian Grothe
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Patent number: 11845481Abstract: A rail and train system has at least a rail pair on which a rail vehicle that is provided with at least one wagon is movable. In the wagon, at least one lifting device is accommodated with which containers can be transported through an opening in the floor of the wagon and which is movable transverse to the length direction of the wagon. The rail vehicle can be provided with a chassis that is formed by two chassis parts that are positioned at a distance behind each other in the travel direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Inventor: Franz Kerner
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Patent number: 11845342Abstract: A current collector for a non-track-bound, electrically driven vehicle for feeding electrical energy from a two-pole overhead line system with two contact wires. Two upper arms are rotatably connected to an adjustable lower arm by toggle joints. Each upper arm carries a contact rocker for contacting the contact wires. Coupling bars are rotatably connected to the upper arms and articulated so that adjustment of the lower arm forces adjustment of the upper arms. A compensating rocker compensates for a height difference between the contact rockers with a rocker stand and a rocker beam. The rocker stand can be rotatably connected to the vehicle and the rocker beam is connected to the coupling bars by way of compensating joints on either side of the rocker joint. At least one stop element limits a rotational movement of the rocker beam about a rocker joint axis of the rocker joint.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbHInventors: Juergen Francke, Matthias Nelkel
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Patent number: 11845482Abstract: An obstacle detection device installed in a train includes: a sensor that monitors surroundings of the train and generates a range image that is a result of monitoring; a storage unit that stores map information including position information of structures installed along a railroad track on which the train travels; a correction unit that corrects, using the range image acquired from the sensor and the map information stored in the storage unit, first train position information that is information acquired from a train control device and indicates a position of the train, and outputs second train position information that is a result of correction; and a monitoring condition determination unit that determines a monitoring range of the sensor using the second train position information and the map information.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Naoki Ueda, Akira Nakanishi, Yoshitsugu Sawa, Emiko Kurata
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Patent number: 11827252Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connecting apparatus for supplying power to cars which are coupled to one another, including a first plug-in connector to which at least one cable is connected, and a corresponding second plug-in connector which is intended to be fastened to a car wall, in particular in a vertical lateral wall. The first plug-in connector and the second plug-in connector are each provided with one or more corresponding first contact elements or second contact elements which can be plug-connected in an insertion direction (A), and the cable of the first plug-in connector exits from the first plug-in connector in a first cable outlet direction (B) which is angled away in relation to the insertion direction (A). Also disclosed is a rail vehicle having at least two coupled cars, wherein each of the two coupled cars is provided with at least one electrical connecting apparatus as above described.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Inventors: Jens Horstmann, Albert Ferderer, Frank Quast
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Patent number: 11820238Abstract: A current collector for a non-rail-bound, electric traction vehicle has an articulated support linkage, which, on the contact wire side, supports rocker assemblies with contact strips and, on the vehicle side, has a base joint for articulation to the traction vehicle. A pneumatic reciprocating drive is coupled to the support linkage for raising the rocker assemblies from a lower parking position into an upper contact position when the reciprocating drive is pressurized and for lowering into the parking position under its own weight when depressurization occurs. An exhaust air line connects the reciprocating drive to the environment to lower the rocker assemblies. An air accumulator and a downstream throttle valve are connected between the reciprocating drive and an environment opening of the exhaust air line. The rocker assemblies can be quickly lowered and nevertheless brought into the parking position without damage in order to disengage the current collector.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbHInventors: Bastian Blase, Steffen Jakobi, Lennart Kilian, Stephan Krueger, Andre Tolksdorf, Florian Buehs
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Patent number: 11794793Abstract: A compact braking system for zip-line that brakes a sliding car including an anti-return trapping device that traps the sliding car preventing its return by a zip-line cable and a braking device that transfers and dissipates the energy of the arrival impact of the slide car without the use of one or more cables and/or elements external to it and without the activation of any operator.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Inventor: Luis Guillermo Valenzuela Romero
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Patent number: 11787447Abstract: A gap blocking system includes a loading platform having a gap separating a first portion of the loading platform from a second portion of the loading platform. A ride vehicle is coupled to a transport extending through the gap. A guardrail assembly having a plurality of guardrail units is coupled to the first portion, where the guardrail units are configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The guardrail units are configured to block access to the gap when in the first position. The ride vehicle includes an engagement feature configured to interface with an individual guardrail unit of the guardrail units to selectively transition the individual guardrail unit from the first position to the second position. The individual guardrail unit is configured to permit the ride vehicle to occupy a guest-accessible position adjacent to or on the loading platform in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Maria Carlota Fontiveros Penso, Rachel Sarah Wilcox, Robert William Dannenfelser, Jr., James Anthony Bertoncello, Michael David Russell, Jr.