Abstract: An expansion joint construction may include at least one adjustment element movable in a longitudinal direction of the expansion joint construction. The at least one adjustment element may include at least one element for taking up a force applied in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A rail structure for a bearing wheel of a crane includes surfaces receiving rolling and horizontal forces. The rail structure includes two surfaces located at a distance from one another and receiving rolling forces. The rail structure preferably includes at least one basic plate and, arranged on top of it, a wear surface arrangement. The surfaces receiving rolling forces are formed to this wear surface arrangement at a distance from one another. A combination of a bearing wheel and a rail structure of the above type is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a single-drive rigid-flexible coupling precision motion platform, including a machine base, a linear guide rail, a rigid-flexible coupling motion platform, a linear driver and a displacement sensor, wherein the rigid-flexible coupling motion platform includes a rigid frame, flexible hinges and a core motion platform; and the core motion platform of the rigid-flexible coupling motion platform is connected with the rigid frame through the flexible hinges. In this arrangement, the single-drive rigid-flexible coupling precision motion platform disclosed by the present invention can realize high-accuracy continuous change displacements of the platform, thereby avoiding displacement “jitter” caused by sudden change of acceleration. The present invention further discloses a realization method and an application including the above platform.

Abstract: Lateral fishplate (21) for isolating a railway rail, notably a buried rail, the upper face of which includes a protective strip (26).

Abstract: A rail system includes a track, a plurality of leveling members disposed below the track, and a plurality of adjustment mechanisms disposed between the track and the plurality of leveling members. Each of the adjustment mechanisms is coupled to the track and one of the leveling members. The adjustment mechanisms adjust a distance between the track and the respective leveling member.

Abstract: A multi-pass gas metal arc weld (“GMAW”) approach is used for in-situ repair of railhead defects. A defect is removed via machining a perpendicular slot or grove in the railhead leaving the web and base unaltered. A sufficient number of GMAW passes are used to fill the slot using a weld material suitable for the particular type of parent steel, and excess weldment can be removed. Optionally, for pearlitic steel rails post-weld heat treatment can be used to cause austenization and/or quenching of the weld. The weld heat inputs and other parameters are controlled to avoid ductile and brittle fracture related morphologies.

Abstract: A system and method for hybrid personal transit and a hybrid personal transit vehicle. The vehicle can include an enclosure and a suspension system including a plurality of wheels, the suspension system adapted to control a positioning of the wheels over a range from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal, wherein the positioning of the wheels is substantially vertical for engaging a road surface, and wherein the positioning of the wheels is substantially horizontal for engaging a rail.

Abstract: A method of making a special track assembly for supporting a train, including providing a special track segment, and attaching a number of ribs made of a resilient material to exterior surfaces of the special track segment. Adjacent ones of the ribs are spaced apart from each other by predetermined distances to define gaps therebetween respectively. The method also includes attaching one or more wall portions of the resilient material to the ribs, for bridging each gap to at least partially define a number of cavities between the adjacent ribs respectively. Each wall portion is deflectable for dissipating energy transmitted by movement of the special track segment relative to the supporting material which supports the special track assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing elevated rail segments and an elevated rail system including those rail segments. Features of the elevated rail system include pivot points between the track and vertical supports elevating the rail system, eccentric bolt and washer assemblies that allow precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the vertical supports and threaded bolts that allow precise micro-adjustment of height of the track above the concrete foundations.

Abstract: A rail repair insert enables repair of rails and rail-like structures. A rail defect is initially identified and removed as contained within a volumetric material portion so as to form a contoured void while maintaining continuity of the rail opposite the void. A pre-formed insert is then placed into the void thereby effecting a rail-to-insert interface. Current is driven through the interface as force directs the insert against the rail. Resistance heat and pressure weld the insert to the rail. The flash welding aspects remove oxides and other impurities from the interface, and the forge welding aspects create a robust solid state weld. Excess material, whether flash, rail, or insert-based, is removed during the finishing processes to provide a virtually seamless rail repair. The solid state weld repair insert may be used to repair any number of targeted metallic rail-like structures.

Abstract: A rail support block assembly includes a resilient member and a molded block having a top, a bottom and peripheral wall. The block is adapted for fastening one or more rails on the top. The prefabricated resilient member has an outer tray and inner tray arranged within the outer tray, and includes a resilient intermediate structure between the trays. The block is molded. The block is fixed in the inner tray to extend under the bottom of the block and along a lower region of the peripheral wall. The resilient member may form a part of the block mold, so that a mold member combined with the resilient member delimit the mold for the block. The moldable material is introduced and adheres directly to the inner tray of the prefabricated resilient member.

Abstract: An expansion device for a rail suitable for guiding a wheel of a vehicle along a track, and a method for installing the expansion device. Specifically, the rail has a portion of track formed of a series of elements in the form of transverse track plates whose cross section is the same as that of the rail. The track plates are arranged in longitudinal succession along the portion with compressible modules inserted between them.

Abstract: In a method for producing different rail variants from an assembly set, and system having a vehicle which is movable on a rail part, the assembly set includes a rail profile part and two different reactive components, and the rail profile part includes an interface at which one of the different reactive components is optionally able to be connected.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation using a rail structure are disclosed. In one aspect, a track for use with at least one of a magnetic levitation vehicle and a rolling vehicle having one or more wheels is disclosed. The track includes a first head having a maximum lateral dimension, a second head having a maximum lateral dimension, and a connection portion extending between the first head and the second head. The first connection portion may have a maximum lateral dimension that is less than the maximum lateral dimension of the first head. The track may also include a base and a support extending between the second head and the base.

Abstract: A profiled element for damping sound vibrations on rail lines including a first main surface, which is designed and dimensioned such that it can be attached as a support surface to sections of the rail web without having to provide an adhesive layer, wherein the profiled element further has at least one recess on a front surface located opposite of the support surface, wherein the at least one recess in the front surface is designed for the positive engagement of an elastic fixing element for fixing the profiled element against the rail web, and at least one widened region of the profiled element in the region of the front surface, said widened region present in the lower region of the front surface in an installed position.

Abstract: A train rail includes an upper rail head, a lower rail head, a web, and at least one piezoelectric plate. The lower rail head is substantially parallel to the upper rail head. The web perpendicularly connects the upper rail head to the lower rail head. The at least one piezoelectric plate is positioned in the train rail and configured for producing electric power under pressure.

Abstract: A method for restoring a worn rail section includes cleaning a worn surface of a rail section to expose a clean metal surface, heating the rail section to a first temperature before welding, welding new metal on the clean metal surface of the rail section after heating the rail section to the first temperature, heating the rail section to a second temperature after the welding to heat-treat a heat-affected area caused by the welding, and shaping the rail section, wherein the welding is performed by a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process.

Abstract: The invention is hollow structural members, a rail system based thereon and method of manufacturing such hollow structural members. Embodiments of the structural members may be hollow triangular prism-shaped with a cross-section that is triangular, isosceles, hexagonal or otherwise. Embodiments of rail systems based on hollow structural members are also disclosed. Embodiments of the rail systems disclosed herein may also include reaction assemblies for local dissipation of stresses due to thermal expansion of track materials.

Abstract: A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exchange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail.

Abstract: A rail repair method and insert therefor enables repair of rails and rail-like structures. A rail defect is initially identified and removed as contained within a volumetric material portion so as to form a contoured void while maintaining continuity of the rail opposite the void. A pre-formed insert is then placed into the void thereby effecting a rail-to-insert interface. Current is driven through the interface as force directs the insert against the rail. Resistance heat and pressure weld the insert to the rail. The flash welding aspects remove oxides and other impurities from the interface, and the forge welding aspects create a robust solid state weld. Excess material, whether flash, rail, or insert-based, is removed during the finishing processes to provide a virtually seamless rail repair. The solid state weld repair insert and underlying methodology enabled thereby may be used to repair any number of targeted metallic rail-like structures.

Abstract: An expansion device for a rail suitable for guiding a wheel of a vehicle along a track, and a method for installing the expansion device. Specifically, the rail has a portion of track formed of a series of elements in the form of transverse track plates whose cross section is the same as that of the rail. The track plates are arranged in longitudinal succession along the portion with compressible modules inserted between them.

Abstract: The invention concerns a guide rail of compound type and a method of manufacturing such a guide rail. The guide rail is made like a railway rail or similar and intended for guiding interaction with a wheel of a unit travelling along the rail, comprising a long outer rail (4) made of sheet metal exhibiting the shape of a longitudinal open channel with defined inside (9) and outside (10), a long base rail (5) exhibiting a foot (1) for mounting the rail to a surface, a web (2) extending from the foot supporting a main part (3), which, in comparison to the web, is thicker and serves as a receptacle (11) for receiving and supporting the outer rail, whereby the outer rail has an outer profile that has been chosen to provide a guiding interaction with the wheel.

Abstract: A track device includes rails and cross-members capable of supporting a carriage with wheels such as a car, dolly or cart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support including a rail (10) preferably having an I-shaped section and provided in a channel (2) filled with concrete (4). The rail is partially coated, during the manufacture thereof and essentially along its entire length, with a filler material (8) defining at least one lateral extension (16) resting on the concrete and in which is formed a lateral groove (9) for the passage of the guiding or rolling roller. The rail is directly maintained by the concrete without requiring the use of an intermediate device for an additional fixation. The rail can be curved upon laying in order to conform to the curves of the track without any independent or additional bending step.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a freight transportation system includes a track comprising a pair of rails and a linear motor reaction plate disposed between the rails and a transport vehicle having a universal intermodal container bay configured to accommodate a plurality of containers. The transport vehicle includes one or more suspension systems each having a plurality of steel wheels engaged with the rails. The freight transportation system further includes a linear induction propulsion system coupled to the transport vehicle and operable to work in conjunction with the linear motor reaction plate to move the transport vehicle, and a control system coupled to the linear induction propulsion system and operable to control the movement of the transport vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provide a rail system for transporting spherical objects comprising: a first flexible rail; a second flexible rail; a flexible spine; and a connector attached to said first flexible rail, said second flexible rail, and said flexible spine. The connector allows for the track to be easily adjusted, while providing rigidity to hold the flexible rails and spline into position during use.

Abstract: A railway system has a pre-determined profile of contact surfaces between the rail and the wheel rolling along the rail. The length of the contact surface is determined based on the value of the convex-to convex or flat-to-convex contacting running surface of the rail and rolling surface of the wheel. Improved profile allows to significantly decrease contact stress loads and extend useful life of the railway system.

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: A miter rail system for spanning a railroad track joint includes a fixed rail and a lift rail formed from thick web rail stock. The joining ends of the fixed and lift rails are notched to interfit with each other along a predetermined longitudinal extent along the notches so that at least gage sides of the associated fixed and lift rails are in alignment with each other to provide a generally smooth and uninterrupted surface for rolling stock wheels. Preferentially, the inward facing edge of the notch is substantially entirely coextensive with a side of the thick web as a result of milling out, once the ends of the rails adapted to face each other have been bent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail system consisting of a rail, especially a grooved rail, comprising a head, stem and foot, whereby a base profile, made of an elastomeric material is for the most part arranged underneath the foot of the rail, in addition to guard rail tie bars that are preferably provided with an encasing profile made of an elastomeric material, a driving track made of concrete or other building materials with a built-in space for receiving the rail, packing made of an elastomeric material arranged on both sides of the rail, in addition to a fixture for said rail. The inventive rail system is characterized in that the packing, once it is adapted to the contour of the rail, fills the remaining gap entirely and is provided with electrical insulation.

Abstract: A guide rail for guiding a pair of angled or horizontal guide wheels (17,18) of a guide assembly. The guide rail comprises a rail base (2), a rail head (4), and a rail web (3) interconnecting the rail base (2) with the rail head (4). The rail head (4) has at least one zone facilitating engagement and disengagement of the guide wheels with the guide rail. The zone has a narrowed area in which the guide head (4) has a narrower transverse width dimension which is less than the larger transverse width dimension on opposite sides of the zone and less than a normal engagement spacing of the guide wheels from one another such that the pair of guide wheels (17,18) are only movable vertically into and out of engagement with the guide in the zone while the pair of guide wheels (17,18) are prevented from moving vertically into and out of engagement with the guide rail, relative to the guide rail, by the larger transverse width dimension of the guide head (4).

Abstract: A front rail is formed by bending a steel sheet. The front rail has a front part 1 having a hole 2, the hole 2 allowing insertion of a dowel pin arranged on a printed circuit board, a top part 3 mounting a guide rail for guiding the printed circuit board thereon, a rear part 4 extending from the top part 3 via a hem 6 formed by folding back the steel sheet, for supporting a lower portion of the top part 3, and a bottom part 5 extending from the rear part 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for traveling on a closed track on the surface of a wall in which the moving platform can circuit along a rail forming a closed track while being maintained in the same orientation. To this end, a crawling-type moving apparatus is configured with a moving platform 4 moving along a guide rail 2 disposed on a wall surface W provided with supporting units 8A to 8D which can slide on the guide rail, a rotational member provided on the moving platform, to be driven to rotate by a driving mechanism, and a plurality of mating units for generating a driving force by mating with guide faces, which are curved in a cycloidal shape, of driving guides disposed on the wall surface, the mating units being disposed around the rotational member at the same distance from each other.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coated rail in which a rail to be coated (10) is positioned on a mould base (11) in an inverted manner, so that the head (12) of the rail is immediately adjacent the base plate (11). Then, mould side pieces (13, 14) are secured to the base plate (11) to run parallel to the side of the rail (10). Antislip material such as bauxite or granite chippings (21) are positioned in the mould so that they lie on the base plate (11), and then the liquid polymer is poured into the mould to fill the spaces (19, 20) and so encapsulate the rail (10). The polymer is poured into the mould, until its surface (22) covers the foot (23) of the rail. In this state, the polymer is allowed to cure, so that it solidifies, and once the side plates (13, 14) have been removed, the rail together with its polymer coating can be lifted from the base plate (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a track with rail track section (10) which differs from the usual basic layout. In order to check changes in track layout in a simple manner, the invention provides that the rail track section (10) has a cutout (24) running parallel to the basic layout in a longitudinal direction of the track. When the rail track section is placed parallel to the basic layout, the layout of said cutout is inversely the same as that of the desired change in layout.

Abstract: According to the invention, a guide rail for a transportation vehicle with an upper travel surface and base cushion. The guide rail has an intermediate zone extending from the upper surface to the cushion. In the intermediate zone there is at least one surface forming a pathway for a guide wheel of the transportation vehicle to move along the rail. The guide rail can be used for original guide systems and as a guide rail for other guided transportation systems.

Abstract: A rail system and transfer vehicle for a storage retrieval system. The rails are fabricated to include a vehicle support surface that supports a transfer vehicle, a load support surface that supports the skid, tote, vessel, or pallet to be stored, a spacing surface that defines the distance between the load support surface and the vehicle support surface. Attached to the load support surface is an alignment surface that extends upwardly at an angle between 40 and 80 from the horizontal. When a misaligned pallet is lowered, it first contacts the alignment surface and as it continues to be lowered, interaction between the alignment surface and the misaligned pallet causes the pallet to move into alignment with the rail system before coming to rest on the load support surface. The rail system can be used in conjunction with a high weight capacity transfer vehicle. Load lift is provided by a plurality of interconnected screw jacks.

Abstract: A guidance system for a vehicle designed to follow a two-way track and having pneumatically tired steered wheels coupled to a directional arm. The system includes a rail with a rolled steel section having a head supported on a web strengthened by a lower foot projecting from each side of the web; the head is bounded laterally by receding inclined lateral faces. A grooved roller follows the rail, and floats at an end of the directional arm of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. Front and rear bogies of the vehicles pivot about front and rear vertical turn axes and carry direction control wheels that cooperate with guide ribs along tracks for selective control of movement to either of two exits from a Y junction. Electric power can be supplied through upper and lower track structures which can be of laminated construction. The guideway provides a protected environment for error-free data transmissions made through closely spaced inductive couplings between monitoring and control circuits along the guideway and control circuits of the carrier vehicles. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: To provide a railroad car design that allows the car to travel at high speeds over current roadbeds at very low fuel costs per mile a special rail is formed. This rail has the form of a wave shaped on its top with the troughs and crests of the wave repeating themselves every several feet apart continuously down both tracks for the whole distance of the railroad. When a wheel of this multi-wheeled car comes over the crest of a wave it has encountered as it moves down this wave formed track, the wheel immediately begins supporting its computer calculated portion of the weight of the car on a cushion of air pressure forced into its supporting air cylinder at that moment and rolls down the face of the wave in its desired direction of travel.

Abstract: A magnetized rail for improving the adhesion between the rail and the steel wheels of a rail car will help prevent skidding of the rail car when decelerating from a high speed. The rail is split with an air gap in the rail head and a electromagnet coupled between the split webs of the rail.

Abstract: An extruded aluminum alloy rail for supporting a shaft for a linear guidance system, the rail comprising a vertical body with a longitudinal notch on its upper surface for receiving the shaft along two generatrixes and a pair of symmetrical longitudinal wings at its base for resting on a fixed stand, the wings being configured so that only the smallest possible surface areas of the wing rest on the support supporting the rail which together with bushed ball bearings support shafts for assuring the linear guidance of high precision modules or mobile platens.

Abstract: To achieve low wear and hence a greater shape durability of track parts, it is proposed that the contact surface of a track part have a curvature having a constant difference .DELTA.K in relation to the curvature of the corresponding current contact surface of the wheel supported on it, or that successive contact surfaces of the track part and the wheel have a continually changing curvature difference .DELTA.K with the curvature difference between the contact surfaces of the track part and wheel lessening as the angle of contact tangent increases.

Abstract: A laterally stable and self-turning wheel and rail assembly. The curved rolling surfaces of the wheels bear against curved contact surfaces of the rails such that centrifugal force causes lateral translation of the wheels on the rails, thereby increasing the effective rolling radius of an outside rail while decreasing or maintaining the same effective rolling radius of an inner wheel. The altered rolling radius causes the wheels to move along a curved path without slipping or sliding. Flanges are provided adjacent track turnouts so that guide members activated by a vehicle operator may contact the flanges to either maintain the vehicle in the same set of tracks, or switch the vehicle through the turnout onto a new section of track.

Abstract: A flexible rail comprises rail pieces arranged in line, laterally opposed side plates, and laterally opposed connecting plates. Each rail piece includes a generally I-shaped member and a shelter member which is fixed to a top of the I-shaped member. The opposed side plates are fixed to respective side walls of the shelter member. The side plate overlaps one side of the rail piece. The connecting plate is fixed to a rear one of adjacent side plates, and is connected to the front side plate for pivotal movement. Thus, the rail piece, the side plates fixed thereto, and the connecting plates fixed to the side plates, as one body, are capable of pivotal movement.

Abstract: A unitary one-quarter mile long railroad rail which is free of weld seams. The rail is produced via a process including continuous rolling and asymmetric cooling.

Abstract: A rail for a track for a wheeled vehicle is generally elongated and has a substantially "I" transverse cross section providing an upper rail head and a lower rail foot joined by a web. The rail head is provided with at least one and preferably two laterally spaced apart longitudinally extending apertures, which are adapted to receive alignment pins so that when the rails are coupled to each other substantially end on end, the pins extend between abutting ends of the rails to maintain the rails in an abutting and substantially aligned relationship. A track is also provided including spaced apart rails with a plurality of spacers extending between the spaced apart rails to maintain the rails in a predetermined spaced apart relationship. The spacers can be pivotally mounted on the rails, so that the rails are able to move and pivot relative to each other such as for the adjustment of gauge, packaging, and transport.

Abstract: A hanger conveyance rail system for transporting at least one item on a clothes hanger is provided. The rail system includes a rail extending in a direction defining a moving direction, the rail having a shape adapted to receive the hook portion of the hanger such that the hook is received on a top portion thereof. The rail system further includes a removable cover affixed to the rail. The cover is (1) made of a flexible, low-friction material; (2) affixed to the rail such that the cover (i) extends along the moving direction; (ii) overlays at least the top portion of the rail; and (3) is configured to have an open cross-section, whereby the cover may be selectively removed from and overlayed on the rail over the rail.

Abstract: A saw mill guide rail capable of being quickly, easily and accurately aligned to the saw blade, having two intersecting surfaces machined into the head of the rail, each parallel to the rail head length and extending for the length of the rail, one being vertical and the other being horizontal, to thereby form a line of intersection, such that a straight-edge can be positioned against one or both said planar surfaces at the line of intersection to align the rail in a straight line in either or both the vertical and horizontal plane.

Abstract: A miniature electric track and train system which provides a simple and inexpensive arrangement for the simultaneous independent operation of at least two electric engines on the same track.