Abstract: A system, method and assembly for detecting the operational status of one or more discharge gates on one or more railcars. The system and method monitor parameters that include whether the discharge gate is open or closed, whether the railcar is in motion or not, and whether the railcar is in a location where it is acceptable for the discharge gate to be open. Sensors carry out the monitoring, and the information obtained by monitoring the parameters are used to determine if a notification event has taken place and if so, a notification of such event can be transmitted to a remote receiver. A change in the status of any one of the monitored parameters can trigger the determination of whether a notification event has occurred.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a bearing cup having two ends, with a pair of outer raceways formed one adjacent each end of the bearing cup. A pair of bearing cones form a pair of inner raceways. Two rows of tapered roller bearings with each row received between one inner raceway and one outer raceway. A pair of wear rings are provided, each having a first axially inwardly directed end in engagement with an outwardly directed end of a bearing cone. A pair of seals each having a first end fitted into one into one of the bearing cup cylindrical counterbores. Each seal has a second end including a resilient element to form a seal with one of the wear rings. A second end of each wear ring is received in a cylindrical counterbore in each annular backing ring. A circular shroud is located radially outer and adjacent to one seal.

Abstract: A device is provided for addition to a three piece railway freight truck to prevent vertical over travel of the bolster and absorb inertia energy of the bolster before it impacts the side frame or brake equipment. Two variations of this device have a gap which prevents the device from being engaged under normal operating conditions. The device utilizes an energy absorbing elastomer material mounted between the top of the bolster end and the bottom of the side frame top center compression member.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a tank body and a tank cover of a pressure tank. The locking mechanism includes: a tank body, a tank chamber, a tank cover, a hydraulic cylinder, a locking ring, a spring cylinder, a fixing supporting mechanism, a fixing plate, a barb, a notch, and a pulling cylinder.

Abstract: A control valve includes a diaphragm with a flow path with a predetermined cross-section from a brake pipe to a first side of the diaphragm and another flow path having another predetermined cross-section from a second side of the diaphragm to atmosphere. A dump valve prevents flow from the brake pipe to atmosphere. A method for operating a control valve includes supplying brake pipe air to a first side of a diaphragm through a flow path having a predetermined cross-section and permitting or preventing reference air flow to atmosphere through another flow path having another predetermined cross-section. The method further includes supplying reference air to a dump valve that prevents brake pipe air flow to atmosphere.

Abstract: A pouring metallic plug stick clamping mechanism for cast steel wheels. The mechanism includes: a cast iron frame, a plurality of grooves, a centrally located opening in the frame, a first white ceramic ball, a second white ceramic ball, a third white ceramic ball, a retaining spring, a pressure regulating bolt, a control press button, a metallic plug stick, and a blocking iron piece.

Abstract: A railway truck to railway car body interface is provided. The railway truck is comprised of a bolster supported between two sideframes. The truck bolster includes a center bowl, and the car body includes a body bolster opening. A center plate is placed between the truck bolster center bowl and the car body bolster opening. A wear liner, usually comprised of an elastomeric material, is provided between the sides of the center bowl and the center plate.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly for use with railcars having coupler members is provided. The draft gear assembly has front and back ends and comprises a yoke, a coupler follower, a front resilient member, an intermediate stop member, and a back resilient member. The yoke has a back wall, a top wall extending from the back wall toward the front end of the draft gear assembly, and a bottom wall extending from the back wall toward the front end of the draft gear assembly. The coupler follower is positioned between the butt end of the coupler shank and the front end of the draft gear assembly. The front resilient member is positioned between the coupler follower and the intermediate stop member. The back resilient member is positioned between the intermediate stop member and the yoke back wall. The front and back resilient members are compressible.

Abstract: A slinger for a roller bearing seal includes (a) an inner section extending at least in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the slinger, encircling the rotation axis and forming a plurality of tabs configured to pressure fit the slinger onto a rotor of a roller bearing seal, (b) an outer section extending at least in the first direction at a greater distance than the inner section from the rotation axis and encircling the rotation axis, and (c) a middle section encircling the rotation axis and spanning between the inner section and the outer section, wherein the inner section, the middle section, and the outer section define respective portions of a single continuous part.

Abstract: A system for monitoring railcar and tram consist operational parameters and detecting anomalies in the operation and condition thereof using sensors to feed data to a distributive complex event processing engine.

Abstract: Valves for maintaining brake cylinder pressure in freight car brake equipment are provided. A valve includes a first diaphragm defining a first side and a second side, and a second diaphragm defining a first side and a second side. The valve further includes a first port for receiving pressure from one of an emergency reservoir or a control volume, the first port in fluid communication with the first side of the first diaphragm; a second port for receiving pressure from a brake pipe, the second port in fluid communication with the second side of the first diaphragm; and a third port for receiving pressure from a brake cylinder, the third port in fluid communication with the second side of the second diaphragm.

Abstract: A friction shoe for a railway car truck is provided. The railway truck comprises two parallel side frames, a suspension spring assembly supported by the side frames, and a bolster transversely mounted between the side frames and supported by the suspension spring assembly. Each side frame has at least one vertical support face, and the bolster has at least one sloped support face. The friction shoe comprises a sloped wall engaging the sloped support face of the bolster, a vertical wall engaging the side frame vertical support face, and a bottom base engaging and supported by a suspension control spring group which comprises three concentrically nested coil springs which provide a normal force on the column wear plate of between 3000 and 5000 pounds in the static empty railway car truck condition and between 7,500 and 12,000 pounds force under the static loaded railway car truck condition.

Abstract: A stabilized railway car truck consists of two side frames and a bolster. The bolster has laterally opposite ends, each end extending into and supported within a side frame opening on a spring group. The stabilized railway car truck also includes a transom extending into supporting contact with each sideframe by a hinge assembly. The spring group is supported at each transom end. The hinge assembly includes a pin arrangement that allows one sideframe to move vertically with respect to the other sideframe.

Abstract: A system for monitoring operation of a railcar having one or more sensing units, mounted on the railcar, for monitoring operating parameters and or conditions of the railcar, and a communication management unit, in wireless communication with the sensing units, wherein the system can make a determination of an alarm condition based on data collected the sensing units. A temperature sensor device for use in such a system is also provided.

Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body and a handle operably connected to the valve body. The handle has a shut position that prevents fluid flow through the valve body and an open position that permits fluid flow through the valve body. A shut detent is configured to engage with the handle in the shut position, and the valve further includes structure for biasing the handle toward the open position.

Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.

Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.

Abstract: A railroad car draft gear is provided which includes a housing. The housing is a unitary structure, having an open end and a closed end. Compressible spring elements are located inside the housing, with an end of the spring element located against the interior side of the closed end. A friction assembly is also located within the housing, near the open end. The friction assembly provides energy absorption during compression cycles. The spring element restores the friction assembly to its fully extended position after a compression event.