Abstract: An adapter frame for mounting onto a base, in particular a suction device, a system box and/or a roller board, and for receiving a particle collecting container for a cyclone pre-separator, where the adapter frame includes a rectangular underside and adapter frame peripheral walls extending upwards from the underside, and lower adapter frame couplers, designed to provide a releasable, vertically tension-proof coupling to the base when the adapter frame is positioned on the base. The adapter frame on its upper side has a container receptacle for receiving the particle collecting container, the horizontal inner contour of which tapers towards the underside, so that the container receptacle is able to receive and horizontally stabilise a particle collecting container having an outer contour tapering downwards.

Abstract: A deicing sprayer and impact absorber including fluid holding bumper tanks disposed upon a front and rear bumper a vehicle. The bumper tanks are filled with a deicing fluid and are configured to disperse the force of a collision upon the bumper portion of the vehicle. A reserve tank is disposed underneath one of the vehicles seats and is also filled with deicing fluid. A pump having a plurality of conduits in operational communication with each of the bumper tanks, the reserve tank, and a plurality of dispenser nozzles. A power switch and a CPU are disposed upon the vehicle and are in operational communication and in circuit with each of the pump and the vehicle battery. A plurality of automatic sensors configured to obtain humidity and temperature measurements are disposed on the undercarriage of the vehicle and are in operational communication with the CPU.

Abstract: A method of increasing the friction between a tire of a vehicle and an icy surface includes dispensing a cooling agent such that at least a portion of the dispensed cooling agent is distributed between the tire of the vehicle and the icy surface.

Abstract: A rail lubricator for a railroad rail has a nozzle adjacent to the rail and attached thereto. The nozzle has a discharge orifice disposed beneath the top surface of the rail. The orifice is aimed generally longitudinally of the rail with the aiming including an upward component and a lateral component toward the centerline of the rail. Jets of lubricant project upwardly from the nozzle, arch above the top surface of the rail, and then fall onto the top surface and gage corner of the rail. This lubricates the top of a rail using an optimum amount of lubricant on the optimum area of the railhead. The lubricant is applied when the nozzles are spanned by a car.

Abstract: To lubricate a length of track, a plurality of lubricating nozzles are provided. Each nozzle is fed by the output of a single positive displacement pump, and all the pumps are controlled by a computer. Vibration sensors, sound sensors, or L/V ratio sensors detect physical qualities which occur as a train passes a given point, and another detector measures the time between successive wheels on the truck of a car as it passes a given point to measure train speed. The computer compares the output readings measured by the detector to a table of outputs in its memory that are indicative of a lubricated track to determine if lubrication is needed.

Abstract: Metering or dosing device for sand spreading apparatuses with a metering piston for sealing off and releasing the throughflow opening for the material to be spread, in which the metering piston and the opposite housing wall of the passage hole have profiles overlapping each other so that a labyrinth-like outflow of the spread material results.

Abstract: Particles, devices and methods of increasing rail road train traction and reducing wheel/track noise. The invention provides hard metal particles which can be embedded into a rail head to minimize slippage for improved locomotive traction and reduced oscillations of train wheels which cause noise and track wear.

Abstract: An apparatus (40,60) for aligning a rail conditioning system, such as a sanding system or a compressed air snow removal system of a locomotive. A source of light (50,70) is removeably and unmovingly attached to a conduit (44,62) of the rail conditioning system to direct a beam of light (53) toward a rail (46) to verify a location of impingement (56) of a spray of rail conditioning material (45,66). The source of light may be a battery operated laser pointer, and it may be attached to a fixture (48,72) that is removeably secured to the conduit. The fixture may be attached over an outlet nozzle (42,62) of the conduit, or it may be threaded onto the conduit in place of the nozzle when the nozzle is removed for cleaning and inspection.

Abstract: A sensor detects force or other indications of an impending rollover of a motorized land vehicle. Upon detection of a threshold force value, the sensor actuates an applicator that delivers traction reducing fluid to the contact patch between at least one of the vehicle tires and the ground. The vehicle is enabled to dissipate the rollover inducing force by sliding laterally in preference to rolling over.

Abstract: The adhesion between a locomotive drive wheel and supporting rail can be substantially increased by application of a powder mixture that contains a hard particle constituent preferably including alumina, a soft particle constituent preferably including titania, and an iron oxide constituent. The mixture may be in the form of a dry powder, a paste with water or alcohol vehicle, or a metal composite that includes the powder.

Abstract: The doors of railroad passenger cars swing inward and toward the front of the car when opened for entry or exit by the passenger. An automatic locking device is described which may be mounted on the exterior surface of the door close to its trailing edge. When the railroad car is in motion, the pressure of the relative wind on an air foil acts to rotate the locking device to a position that prevents the door from opening. When the train slows and stops, the relative wind decreases and the locking mechanism returns to it's original position permitting the door to be opened.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle comprising an antihydroplaning system, particularly for improving the wheel adhesion despite the presence of a sheet of water on the road. Output signals from sensors for detecting body and chassis vibrations, ambient temperature and other parameters are analyzed to determine when hydroplaning is occurring or about to occur, and to activate antihydroplaning measures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing traction capacity and energy efficiency of locomotives and powered cars while helping to maintain the crown of the rail profile for better ride quality of trains. This is achieved by utilizing beneficially the effects of lateral creepage of a number of small, hard nonpowered cleaning wheels with alternately opposite angles of attack. The apparatus may include deflector shields and hot air jets for cleaning and preparing the rail crown surface, when the apparatus is used in locomotives or cars. An arrangement for automatically adjusting the angle of attack of the cleaning wheels is also given. The degree of cleaning of the rails can be electrically controlled by the locomotive engineer as desired including shutting off the device altogether.

Abstract: A lock for vehicle closures or flaps, especially doors, trunk lids and fuel tank caps or lids, wherein the cylinder of the lock includes a drain opening in the lower part thereof which communicates with the interior of the cylinder and through which moisture, especially water, can be drained from the interior of the lock. A drain line formed as a moisture absorbing wick provided with an electric heating element powered by the vehicle electric system is connected to the drain opening with the line being guided from the cylinder through an element, such as a door handle, containing the cylinder, to the interior of the closure. A water deflecting shield overlies the portion of the drain line within the closure. The drain line terminates in a vertically disposed drain section from which moisture drained from the cylinder can evaporate or drip off. The drain line may be operatively associated with a vacuum source on the vehicle to assist in drawing off moisture from the cylinder.

Abstract: A salt dispensing accessory mountable on an automotive vehicle so to dispense salt in front of the rear wheels thereof for traction on ice; the device including a salt storage container with a downward spout underneath, and also a unit for moistening the dispensed salt, the unit including a water storage vessel, a tube from the vessel being intercepted by a motor-driven water pump, and an outlet of the line being constructed to form an atomizer and being directed transversely across the falling salt.

Abstract: Corrections to be applied to the motion of a tunnelling shield to maintain or restore motion of the shield along a predetermined path are determined by directing a beam of collimated light in a direction parallel to or at a fixed angle with the axis of said predetermined path; focussing the beam on to the input end of an optical cable carried by the shield and comprising a plurality of optical fibres, the input ends of the fibres being arranged in an array in which the position of the input end of each guide relative to that of another is fixed; and displaying light transmitted through the optical cable or guides on to a screen at which the output ends of the guides are so arranged as to facilitate ready determination of any correction required to be applied to the motion of the shield. The method may be employed to indicate which propulsion rams of a tunnelling shield should be operated to apply the necessary correction to the motion of the shield.

Abstract: A method and system for maximizing the track-to-wheel adhesion and minimizing the rolling resistance of the wheels of a locomotive is disclosed. A low volume of high pressure water, alone or in admixture with wetting agents, cleaning agents, etc. is sprayed onto the wheel contact surface of the rail forward of the driven wheels of the locomotives at very high pressures, i.e. 4,000 to 6,000 psi. followed immediately by ejecting air or other gas under pressure onto the wheel contact surface of the rail to dry the contact surface.

Abstract: An auxiliary hopper is attached to the rear of a cinder spreading truck. The auxiliary hopper carries salt. The cinders and salt are discharged from their respective storage hoppers in predetermined proportions, are mixed and dumped onto a spreader for application to the roadway. A hydraulic control mechanism allows continuous variation of the proportions of salt and cinders in the mixture applied to the roadway.

Abstract: An Anti-Hydroplaning Device System for a vehicle comprising a blower driven by the engine of the vehicle. A pair of hoses are connected to the blower and each terminate in a nozzle disposed immediately ahead of the traction portion of the vehicle wheel and pivot therewith, whereby surface water is dispersed prior to engagement by the vehicle tire.

Abstract: Metering or dosing device for sand spreading apparatuses with a metering piston for sealing off and releasing the throughflow opening for the material to be spread, in which the metering piston and the opposite housing wall of the passage hole have profiles overlapping each other so that a labyrinth-like outflow of the spread material results.