Abstract: An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives provides a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizing remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

Abstract: A portable, single-fixation, magnetic derailment mitigation device may be fixed on a rail track for measuring the deflection of the rail track. The magnetically fixing device is used for measuring vertical track deflection (sleeper voids), horizontal track deflection, ambient and rail temperature, rail angle, vibration, displacement, and location. The derailment mitigation device sends digital notifications and/or alarms during the live train and/or freight operations to help prevent derailments, rail buckles, breaks, and pull apart. The measured data and/or all events obtained from the derailment mitigation device is stored in the data storage such as cloud storage and viewed from any smart devices.

Abstract: A rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators , of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.

Abstract: A portable, single-fixation, magnetic derailment mitigation device may be fixed on a rail track for measuring the deflection of the rail track. The magnetically fixing device is used for measuring vertical track deflection (sleeper voids), horizontal track deflection, ambient and rail temperature, rail angle, vibration, displacement, and location. The derailment mitigation device sends digital notifications and/or alarms during the live train and/or freight operations to help prevent derailments, rail buckles, breaks, and pull apart. The measured data and/or all events obtained from the derailment mitigation device is stored in the data storage such as cloud storage and viewed from any smart devices.

Abstract: A portable railroad spike remover comprises a claw assembly extractor that is shaped to engage and secure a railroad spike previously installed into a rail tie. The claw assembly extractor may include a pair of jaw members that are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting pin and a rotating pin. Each jaw member may include a lower end configured to contact and secure a railroad spike and a pair of upper members interlocked with each other and pivotally connected to the clevis fastener with the rotating pin. When the drive shaft is rotated, the claw assembly extractor and the mounting flange may move inside the main housing in a vertical direction to extract the railroad spike from the rail tie.

Abstract: An emergency action system for use with a railcar or locomotive is described herein. The emergency action system may include a transmitter and a locomotive transceiver located within a cabin of the locomotive. The locomotive transceiver may receive a signal sent from the transmitter and may further send an emergency stop signal to a set of brakes on the locomotive to stop. The emergency stop signal may cause air to be released from the brake pipe, thereby applying the brakes and bringing the train to an immediate stop. The emergency action system enables crew members to stop a train or railcar without communication to the locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized.

Abstract: A portable railroad spike remover comprises a claw assembly extractor that is shaped to engage and secure a railroad spike previously installed into a rail tie. The claw assembly extractor may include a pair of jaw members that are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting pin and a rotating pin. Each jaw member may include a lower end configured to contact and secure a railroad spike and a pair of upper members interlocked with each other and pivotally connected to the clevis fastener with the rotating pin. When the drive shaft is rotated, the claw assembly extractor and the mounting flange may move inside the main housing in a vertical direction to extract the railroad spike from the rail tie.

Abstract: A portable device is disclosed for drilling a hole through a plate and into a wooden tie and/or inserting a lag screw into the hole in the plate and into the wooden tie. The portable device may include a handle and a removable drill with a rechargeable battery that provides power to the portable device. In various embodiments, the portable device may include a gear ratio and gear reduction system configured to allow a user to change speed and torque settings for the portable device independent from the battery-powered drill. In some embodiments, the portable device may include a quick connect/disconnect component configured to enable the portable device to be used as a tie drill device or a lag screw inserter device by interchangeably connecting either a drill bit or a lag screw socket to the portable device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable, lightweight, non-conductive, and non-flammable hard lightweight cover that is placed over a third rail and used to protect workers from being electrocuted while working near live powered third rail system. Further, the third rail railway cover board may be highly visible and made to work in all weather conditions. Because of the simplicity of installation, no special power expert is needed to install the third rail railway cover board which will save a great deal of time and safety. The third rail railway cover board may include one or more of the following features: lightweight, non-conductive, and flame retardant; placed over high voltage third rail; weather and rain resistant; high-visibility; stackable; locking mechanism from one cover to an adjacent cover; LED light holder; contoured shape to fit all US third rail systems; and water shed design.

Abstract: A portable device is disclosed for drilling a hole through a plate and into a wooden tie and/or inserting a lag screw into the hole in the plate and into the wooden tie. The portable device may include a handle and a removable drill with a rechargeable battery that provides power to the portable device. In various embodiments, the portable device may include a gear ratio and gear reduction system configured to allow a user to change speed and torque settings for the portable device independent from the battery-powered drill. In some embodiments, the portable device may include a quick connect/disconnect component configured to enable the portable device to be used as a tie drill device or a lag screw inserter device by interchangeably connecting either a drill bit or a lag screw socket to the portable device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device for measuring vertical rail measurements under service to record and report excessive vertical rail movement to prevent a train from derailing. The device may be pivoting with a tilt sensor and light-weight. The device may include a microprocessor, sensors, and a display. The device may be installed on the rail. The device may sense an approaching train, automatically turn on the device, and measure the real-time vertical displacement and the maximum/minimum vertical movement of the rail while the train is operating over the rail at all speeds.

Abstract: A switch gap detection system is disclosed herein that is configured to monitor a switch installed on a railway, detect a switch gap, and notify a train operator or otherwise take action to prevent a derailment, accident, or other dangerous situation. The switch gap detection system may include one or more switch gap sensors installed on or adjacent to a rail at a location proximate to a switch. The one or more switch gap sensors may be configured to determine a status of the switching points on the switch (e.g., open, closed, or switch gap detected). If the one or more switch gap sensors detect a switch gap, a notification may be provided to a train operator, for example, in the form of an audible and/or visual alert. In some embodiments, a signal may also be sent to automatically stop the train to prevent a derailment.

Abstract: A crane collision avoidance system is disclosed herein that is configured to monitor a crane and an environment surrounding the crane. The crane collision avoidance system may include one or more devices or sensors that are selectively attached to a crane. In various embodiments, the crane collision avoidance system may include a computer system configured to use images or information obtained via the devices or sensors to monitor a crane operator's blind spots and movement of the crane and its components, detect potential collisions with danger objects within the environment surrounding the crane, detect counterweight movement, monitor a load zone, detect when a boom or any other component of a crane has become energized, and/or otherwise provide improved situational awareness to a crane operator.

Abstract: An interactive vehicle safety system having capabilities to improve peripheral vision, provide warning, and improve reaction time for operators of vehicles. For example, the interactive vehicle safety system may have capabilities for portraying objects, which are being blocked by any of the structural pillars and/or mirrors of a vehicle (such as a truck, van, train, etc.). The interactive vehicle safety system disclosed may comprise one or more image capturing devices (such as camera, sensor, laser), distance and object sensors (such as ultrasonic sensor, LIDAR radar sensor, photoelectric sensor, and infrared sensor), a real-time image processing of an object, and one or more display systems (such as LCD or LED displays). The interactive vehicle safety system may give a seamless 360-degree front panoramic view to a driver.

Abstract: An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives provides a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizing remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

Abstract: The derail warning system may include a solar-powered LED indicator for derail or switch. The derail warning system may also include an orientation sensor that automatically turns on depending on the orientation of the derail (up or down), derail metal flag, or switch indicator flag. The derail warning system may bring more visibility with a 360-degree LED that is solar powered and may detect orientation and turn on based on the position of the derail, switch, or flag. The derail warning system may use a unique acceleration sensor or g-sensor that can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off and be fully charged to operate day or night. The derail warning system may also include a data-logging microprocessor to determine a time stamp of position and location.

Abstract: An interactive vehicle safety system having capabilities to improve peripheral vision, provide warning, and improve reaction time for operators of vehicles. For example, the interactive vehicle safety system may have capabilities for portraying objects, which are being blocked by any of the structural pillars and/or mirrors of a vehicle (such as a truck, van, train, etc.). The interactive vehicle safety system disclosed may comprise one or more image capturing devices (such as camera, sensor, laser), distance and object sensors (such as ultrasonic sensor, LIDAR radar sensor, photoelectric sensor, and infrared sensor), a real-time image processing of an object, and one or more display systems (such as LCD or LED displays). The interactive vehicle safety system may give a seamless 360-degree front panoramic view to a driver.

Abstract: A portable device is disclosed for drilling a hole through a plate and into a wooden tie and/or inserting a lag screw into the hole in the plate and into the wooden tie. The portable device may include a handle and a removable drill with a rechargeable battery that provides power to the portable device. In various embodiments, the portable device may include a quick connect/disconnect component configured to enable the portable device to be used as a tie drill device or a lag screw inserter device by interchangeably connecting either a drill bit or a lag screw socket to the portable device. In various embodiments, the portable device may include quick-release system, a bit-aligning tip, and/or a bit aligning guide to facilitate switching between different tools compatible with the portable device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device for measuring vertical rail measurements under service to record and report excessive vertical rail movement to prevent a train from derailing. The device may be pivoting with a tilt sensor and light-weight. The device may include a microprocessor, sensors, and a display. The device may be installed on the rail. The device may sense an approaching train, automatically turn on the device, and measure the real-time vertical displacement and the maximum/minimum vertical movement of the rail while the train is operating over the rail at all speeds.

Abstract: A battery-operated tool is disclosed for use in the rail industry. In some embodiments, the battery-operated tool may comprise a battery-operated spike driver configured to drive in spikes configured to hold rails for a railway onto a fixed point. The battery-operated tool may include or otherwise be connected to a battery management system. The battery management system may be configured to manage the power supplied to the battery-operated device via one or more batteries. In various embodiments, the one or more batteries may comprise a set of rechargeable batteries connected in series or in parallel. In some embodiments, the battery management system may be attached to or included within the battery-operated device. In other embodiments, the battery management system may be physically separate from the battery-operated device. For example, the battery management system may be included within a separate battery pack that includes the set of batteries.