Abstract: Railway coupler knuckle apparatus are described herein. An example railway coupler knuckle includes a tail portion, a hub portion and a transition portion joining the tail portion and the hub portion. The hub portion includes a generally cylindrical pivot pin passage having a longitudinal axis. The railway coupler knuckle has a cavity formed inside the tail portion and at least a portion of the transition portion and a first wall extends between surfaces of the cavity adjacent the transition portion.

Abstract: A novel spindle nut assembly is presented comprising the following three components: a washer, a locking snap ring, and a nut. Each of these three components function together, and in conjunction with the spindle of a vehicle axle, to affix a wheel hub assembly onto the spindle of an axle. The three components comprising the spindle nut assembly incorporate design features allowing the components to interlock and resist loss of preload compression on the hub assembly.

Abstract: A brake beam wear liner for receiving a brake beam assembly includes a base wall extending between a rear end and front end. The base wall has opposite side edges. The base wall has a tapered thickness between the rear end and the front end with the base wall being thicker proximate to the rear end and being narrower proximate to the front end. The brake beam wear liner also includes side walls extending from the opposite side edges and flanges extending outward from the side walls generally opposite the base wall. The side walls and the base wall define an open ended trough configured to receive an end of the brake beam assembly.

Abstract: A novel two-piece backing ring assembly for a railcar axle is presented. The backing ring assembly has an annular body affixed to the fillet of the journal and a locking ring for further affixing the annular body into position on the journal. The locking ring has an inboard end affixed to the dust guard of the shaft and an outboard end for engaging a slot in the annular body. The locking ring assembly may be retrofitted to older generation railcar axles to increase the structural rigidity of the bearing assembly and minimize fretting wear caused by railcar axle deflection.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is presented having a novel lubricant sealing design that, in one embodiment, combines the sealing advantages of both a labyrinth-like seal in combination with a contact seal. The improved seal includes a non-rotating seal case working in closely spaced cooperation with a rotor to form a channel. The rotor is attached and turns with the shaft, inducing flow in the channel. Lubricant leakage is impeded by the tortuous fluid path formed by the convoluted channel of the labyrinth-like seal and the fluid shear forces developed by the turning shaft. Any lubricant leakage is further impeded by a resilient seal contacting the surface of the rotor and constricting the channel.

Abstract: A method of calculating the cost saving for producing a metallic component by the use of a powder metal process is provided. The method includes the steps of analyzing the current production method of the component, usually machining, to determine the current unit cost. The customer would agree to purchase an agreed supply of components for an agreed period of time. The production of the component utilizing powder metal process is then analyzed to determine the powder metal unit cost. The savings for production of the component utilizing the powder metal process is then presented to the customer. The customer would, then agree to purchase an agreed supply of components.

Abstract: A structural bunk system for a sleeper cab or other confined space is provided. The bunk system includes first and second shells that are made by injection molding and are then bonded together. The structural bunk system is secured to the wall of the sleeper cab or other confined space and is adapted to be moved between and upright stowed position and a lowered sleeping or storage position.

Abstract: A rail anchor and a rail anchor assembly are provided for use with a concrete railroad tie. An elastomeric plate is placed on a top surface of the railroad tie. A rigid plate is placed on top of the elastomeric plate. The rail anchor is placed adjacent the elastomeric plate and the rigid plate. The rail anchor has a first end with a receiving opening and a second end with a receiving indentation to receive edges of the flanges of the railroad rail. The rail anchor has a center portion joining the two ends. The outer portion of the rail anchor extends downwardly an amount less than the thickness of the elastomeric plate and the rigid plate to avoid contact with the concrete railroad tie.

Abstract: A railway car truck includes side frames each having a pedestal formed on longitudinally opposite ends thereof. Each pedestal has an upper jaw and a lower jaw surrounding a pedestal opening. The upper jaw has a roof section above the pedestal opening and the lower jaw has an inner wall and an outer wall on opposite sides of the pedestal opening. The inner and outer walls are spaced apart from one another to define a wide pedestal opening. A bearing adapter is received in each pedestal opening. Each bearing adapter includes a concave opening to receive a bearing and a generally rectangular center section having a top surface generally opposite the concave opening. The bearing adapter has steps extending outward from sides thereof that have outer surfaces separated by a distance corresponding to the width of the pedestal opening.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided having a roller bearing with an inner race fitted around the journal portion of an axle. An outer raceway combines with the inner raceway to receive roller elements. A backing ring is centered to the shaft fillet. Tapered roller elements are located between and contact the inner and outer raceways. A cage is comprised of an inner ring, and outer ring, and a plurality of pocket bars and support pocket bars extending between the inner and outer rings. The support pocket bars have an overall greater thickness than the pocket bars. The cage is a generally unitary structure comprised of a nylon resin material with a fiber fill.

Abstract: A method of forming a crankshaft bushing or similar component is provided. A compaction die is provided having an axial, generally cylindrical internal opening. An upper and a lower punch are provided with exterior surfaces corresponding to the internal opening of the compaction die. An upper core rod passes through an axial opening in the upper punch. A lower core rod passes through an axial opening in the lower punch. The upper core rod and the lower core rod each may have a generally flat external surface section. A metal powder is compacted in the compaction die by the combined action of the upper and lower punches and the upper and lower core rods.

Abstract: A railway car truck is provided that includes two sideframes and a bolster. Each sideframe has a pedestal opening at each end to receive a bearing adapter assembly. The pedestal opening is formed by a roof section that includes a pad receiving opening. The bearing adapter assembly includes a cast steel bearing adapter that is formed to fit on top of a bearing assembly. An adapter pad, comprised of a selected hardness elastomer, is fit on top of the bearing adapter. The adapter pad includes a base section and a raised top section that is fit within the pad receiving opening in the pedestal roof section.

Abstract: The modular conical stator pole provides an improved conical stator assembly on electrical machines. The improved conical stator pole assembly comprises a plurality of stator poles, each pole comprising an assembly having a coil secured on a soft magnetic composites (SMC) stator pole tooth by inserting a winding support through the open core of the coil and attaching a back iron and a stator face to either end of the winding support. Each stator pole having a parallelogram shaped cross section for forming a conical shaped rotor space when the stator poles are assembled having the back irons bearing against each other to space the coils apart and form a conical shaped outside profile of the stator pole assembly. The conical stator having a small end and a big end. The tooth comprising a winding support integrally molded with either the back iron or the face.

Abstract: A method is provided for cold forming center web or webless tapered piston pins in one forming sequence. The method eliminates secondary operations such as but not limited to machining, annealing, coating and secondary forming. The method includes the steps of cutting a metal rod into a substantially cylindrical slug piece, die extruding the slug piece to form a first cavity in the slug piece, optionally die extruding the slug piece to form a second cavity in the slug piece, piercing the slug piece to form the slug piece into a hollow cylindrical piece, die extruding the hollow cylindrical piece at either end to form a hollow cylindrical piece having a taper on an internal surface of the hollow cylindrical piece at either end.

Abstract: A mechanical draft cooling tower is provided. The cooling tower includes a direct cooling section having a plurality of fill sheets. Water is sprayed downwardly over the fill sheets and is collected in a collection sump. The collection sump includes two end walls, two side walls, a floor and a drain. The end walls are sloped at the floor intersection. The floor is sloped to a center section where the drain is located.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cooling fluids entering a closed circuit cooling tower. A triple circuit assembly is used to cool the fluid in the closed loop. The triple circuit assembly design allows a heat transfer tube bundle to maintain a relatively low pressure drop, but without simultaneously lowering thermal performance to a significant degree as compared to traditional double serpentine or QUAD serpentine designs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to outside diameter piloting apparatus and method for concentrically aligning a disc rotor to a wheel hub. The pitch circle diameter of the annular piloting features is greater than the pitch circle diameter of the rotor mounting fasteners and the wheel studs of the hub. The outside diameter piloting feature allows a hub section profile which is smooth and continuous between the inboard side of the wheel hub up to the mounting fastener apertures. This smooth and continuous profile reduces stresses and increases the fatigue life of the wheel hub.

Abstract: Control is provided over the pouring of iron in the casting of iron pipe in a centrifugal casting machine. The initial flow of molten iron from the pouring ladle into the trough actuates an electric eye. A second electric eye is actuated when the molten iron has filled the pouring ladle. The centrifugal casting machine is rolled up to surround the trough, the bell end of the pipe to be formed being at the end of the trough. The molten iron is poured into the casting machine trough and flows into the bell section of the pipe being cast. The casting machine is then moved away from the trough end to form the rest of the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolator particularly adapted for use with a rail anchor utilized in an application where railroad rail is installed on concrete ties. The isolator protects the concrete tie from contact with the rail anchor caused by longitudinal movement of the rail due to train acceleration of deceleration or expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. In one embodiment, the isolator is comprised of a structural plastic material and includes a front face section and a rear face section. The front face section and rear face section each comprise a generally rectangular structure, having a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges. A center section joins the front face section and rear face section and forms part of the top of the isolator. Ribs extending from the front face and the rear face to aid in positioning the isolator. In another embodiment, the front face section and the rear face section each include positioning tabs projecting therefrom to aid in positioning the isolator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolator particularly adapted for use with a rail anchor utilized in an application where railroad rail is installed on concrete ties. The isolator protects the concrete tie from contact with the rail anchor caused by longitudinal movement of the rail due to train acceleration of deceleration or expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. In one embodiment, the isolator is comprised of a structural plastic material and includes a front face section and a rear face section. The front face section and rear face section each comprise a generally rectangular structure, having a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges. Top and bottom sections join the front face section and rear face section and form part of the isolator. The rail anchor also comprises a support section that extends from an intersection of the rear face section with the bottom section. The rail isolator is designed to be embedded in a concrete railroad tie.