Abstract: The vehicle traction deicing system comprises a reservoir, a pump, a heater, a plurality of valves, a plurality of nozzles, and an operator interface. The reservoir holds a supply of deicing fluid which the pump moves through the heater, valves, and nozzles. The nozzles are placed in front of and behind each wheel of a vehicle and pointed at the windshield. The valves control the flow of deicing fluid to the various nozzles. The heater heats the deicing fluid prior to dispersal by the nozzles. The operator interface provides a set of controls that allow the vehicle traction deicing system to be turned on and off and to dispense the heated deicing fluid at wheels and at the windshield.

Abstract: If the wheel/rail adhesion for a railway vehicle is insufficient then the wheels may slip when braking. If slipping is detected, a control system may reduce the brake pressure to permit a controlled level of slip and so to optimize the braking force for the available adhesion. By determining the pressure supplied to the brake cylinder, a signal may be obtained which indicates the value of the adhesion. Alternatively the adhesion may be monitored by detecting any discrepancy between the braking deceleration demanded by the driver and the observed deceleration. The adhesion signal may activate a warning. It may also be used to adjust the rate at which sand is supplied by a sander to the wheel/rail interface. The rate at which sand is supplied may also be adjusted in accordance with other parameters such as the train speed.

Abstract: A sanding apparatus improves adhesion between a railcar wheel and a rail by supplying adhesion intensifying particles to the contact faces. Sand and/or quartz particles, having diameters such that at least 50% of the particles are 100 to 300 micrometers, are mixed with compressed air and jetted at high velocity through a U-shaped storage chamber, out a nozzle, to the wheel-rail contact area. In the nozzle, a compressed air supply pipe surrounds and projects beyond the end of the particle supply pipe to create an air curtain surrounding the jetted particles. A heater, a heat insulation member, or constantly leaking air may be used to prevent freezing in the pipes.