Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side. The apparatus has a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the switch points to move the switch points from side-to-side in fluid communication with a power source. The direction of the movement of the switch points is controlled by a valve positioned in fluid communication between the power source and the hydraulic cylinder. The direction of movement of the hydraulic cylinder and, consequently the switch points, is determined by the direction the valve is moved. In another aspect, the present invention has a hydraulic rail pump in fluid communication with the accumulator for storing hydraulic power generated by the rail pump activated by the wheels of passing trains, and a safety reservoir in fluid communication with the accumulator for storing hydraulic power beyond the capacity of the accumulator.

Abstract: A peristaltic motor is provided comprising a reciprocating slave piston adapted to be actuated by the progressive, sequential contraction of two aligned, resiliently deformable peristaltic tubes by a weighted roller such as a wheel of a heavy vehicle. The leading ends of both tubes, that is the ends first contacted by the moving roller, are connected to the slave cylinder, one on either side of the piston and the trailing ends of the tubes are connected to one another so that movement of the roller from the leading end to the trailing end of the first tube causes the hydraulic fluid therein to move down the tube and into the slave cylinder moving the piston through half a stroke. Movement of the roller in the same direction over the second tube, forces the hydraulic fluid into the other side of the slave cylinder to move the piston through the second half of the stroke. The piston is associated with means to utilize its movement such as an air compressor or a pump.

Abstract: In a rail system one or more hydraulic assemblies comprising a movable cylinder (6) with a wheel-engaged rounded head (7) and a fixed piston (4) within the cylinder (6) are located adjacent a running rail (1). When engaged by passing rail wheels (2) the assembly provides pressurized fluid which is fed into a pressure line which leads to means for switching a set of points. Energy is thus extracted from moving rail vehicles and it is unnecessary to provide long-distance power supplies to a set of points.