Abstract: A chain and hydraulic motor-driven low dog railcar indexer is disclosed which is operable along a curved track section. The system includes left and right track side indexing railcar-moving arrangements, each of which includes an indexer track and a chain-return trough. The indexer tracks and chain return troughs are segmented to accommodate the curved railroad track section and wear pads are provided to enable chain operation in the curved section.

Abstract: A railcar handling system is disclosed that includes an indexing unit having a plurality of dog carriages, serially aligned in fixed spaced relation, each carriage carrying a railcar axle-engaging dog and a railcar wheel sensor and a hydraulic operating system including a hydraulic cylinder for moving the plurality of dog carriages in unison in a reciprocating ratcheting manner and operating said axle-engaging dogs. A control system is provided to coordinate the operation of the railcar handling system.

Abstract: A railcar handling system is disclosed that includes an indexing unit having a plurality of dog carriages, serially aligned in fixed spaced relation, each carriage carrying a railcar axle-engaging dog and a railcar wheel sensor and a hydraulic operating system including a hydraulic cylinder for moving the plurality of dog carriages in unison in a reciprocating ratcheting manner and operating said axle-engaging dogs. A control system is provided to coordinate the operation of the railcar handling system.

Abstract: A railcar indexer system is disclosed that includes a design that enables extremely high loads to be moved without exceeding present railcar limitations. The railcar handling system of the present invention employs hydraulically-operated indexers that divide the load between consecutive dog carriages that, in turn, operate to apply force to railcar bogey frames or axles on consecutive railcars. This transfers a large amount of force to be applied to a lead railcar and enables a much larger amount of force to be applied to the next railcar and a larger total force to be applied to a string of railcars.

Abstract: An automated trackside railed car discharge gate operating system is disclosed which can automatically unload a string of cars “on the fly” and without the need for a separate indexing system. The system includes a pair of carriage-mounted tool systems for opening/closing capstan-operated railcar gates disposed to travel along a carriage track and including visual devices that acquire and track capstans and coordinate tool orientation and operation.

Abstract: An automated trackside railed car discharge gate operating system is disclosed which can automatically unload a string of cars “on the fly” and without the need for a separate indexing system. The system includes a pair of carriage-mounted tool systems for opening/closing capstan-operated railcar gates disposed to travel along a carriage track and including visual devices that acquire and track capstans and coordinate tool orientation and operation.

Abstract: An automated trackside railed car discharge gate operating system is disclosed which can automatically unload a string of cars “on the fly” and without the need for a separate indexing system. The system includes a pair of carriage-mounted tool systems for opening/closing capstan-operated railcar gates disposed to travel along a carriage track and including visual devices that acquire and track capstans and coordinate tool orientation and operation.

Abstract: A disc valve hydraulic motor assembly is disclosed that includes a rotary valve that rotates in accordance with the motor output shaft and in which a two-pole bolt magnet is mounted in alignment with the center of the rotating valve to rotate with the rotating valve. The end housing of the disc valve hydraulic motor that is spaced from and disposed beyond the rotating valve is provided with a central opening aligned with the magnet. A stainless steel plug is interposed between the sensor and the interior of the motor so that the sensor is separated from the high pressure hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: An automated trackside railed car discharge gate operating system is disclosed which can automatically unload a string of cars “on the fly” and without the need for a separate indexing system. The system includes a pair of carriage-mounted tool systems for opening/closing capstan-operated railcar gates disposed to travel along a carriage track and including visual devices that acquire and track capstans and coordinate tool orientation and operation.

Abstract: A railcar positioning system operable as either an indexer or progressor is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced trackside railcar movers positioned outside and parallel to the rails of a railroad track. Each railcar mover includes a spaced trackside guideway located next to one of the railway rails, a plurality of spaced connected dog carriages mounted for operation together in the guideway, each dog carriage carrying a pusher dog mounted on the carriage, a reciprocating hydraulic cylinder associated with the plurality of spaced, connected dog carriages. A hydraulic power unit is connected to operate each of the cylinders individually or together and a control system is associated with the power unit for controlling the operation of the positioning system such that said positioning system may be optionally operated as an indexer or as a progressor.

Abstract: A railcar positioning system operable as either an indexer or progressor is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced trackside railcar movers positioned outside and parallel to the rails of a railroad track. Each railcar mover includes a spaced trackside guideway located next to one of the railway rails, a plurality of spaced connected dog carriages mounted for operation together in the guideway, each dog carriage carrying a pusher dog mounted on the carriage, a reciprocating hydraulic cylinder associated with the plurality of spaced, connected dog carriages. A hydraulic power unit is connected to operate each of the cylinders individually or together and a control system is associated with the power unit for controlling the operation of the positioning system such that said positioning system may be optionally operated as an indexer or as a progressor.

Abstract: A railcar moving or positioning system incorporating relatively simple mechanical bogey frame side member sensing systems mounted on each dog carriage of a railcar indexing system is disclosed. Each sensing system is used to control the operation of a dog mounted on the same carriage. A mechanical follower device is employed to sense the underside of an encountered bogey frame side member. Deflection of the follower is used to operate a hydraulic valve which, in turn, is used as a control cylinder to raise or lower an adjacent dog member.

Abstract: A single-carriage reversing train positioning system which includes an extending spike-type car engaging member for engaging and moving one or more railcars. An extending chuck assembly may be provided with the ability to operate gates in bottom-discharging railcars. The system uses a single self-propelled carriage with an on-board carriage drive system that includes a drive motor which operates the car along a fixed chain situated along a guideway. A generally horizontally disposed, laterally extendable pin car-engaging assembly is mounted on the car-moving carriage for aligning with and engaging a hook loop on a railcar for moving the car. A gate-operating assembly which includes a laterally extendable chuck system which aligns with, engages and rotates gate-operating capstans on bottom discharging railcars may also be provided.

Abstract: A railcar moving or positioning system incorporating relatively simple mechanical bogey frame side member sensing systems mounted on each dog carriage of a railcar indexing system is disclosed. Each sensing system is used to control the operation of a dog mounted on the same carriage. A mechanical follower device is employed to sense the underside of an encountered bogey frame side member. Deflection of the follower is used to operate a hydraulic valve which, in turn, is used as a control cylinder to raise or lower an adjacent dog member.

Abstract: A single-carriage reversing train positioning system which includes an extending spike-type car engaging member for engaging and moving one or more railcars. An extending chuck assembly may be provided with the ability to operate gates in bottom-discharging railcars. The system uses a single self-propelled carriage with an on-board carriage drive system that includes a drive motor which operates the car along a fixed chain situated along a guideway. A generally horizontally disposed, laterally extendable pin car-engaging assembly is mounted on the car-moving carriage for aligning with and engaging a hook loop on a railcar for moving the car. A gate-operating assembly which includes a laterally extendable chuck system which aligns with, engages and rotates gate-operating capstans on bottom discharging railcars may also be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reversing train positioning system for engaging and moving a railroad car or trip of cars by engaging a bogey wheel truck frame. The train positioning system includes a dog carriage having a drive motor mounted on the dog carriage which operates to propel the dog carriage back and forth along a single tension chain in a carriage guideway provided alongside a railroad track. The carriage is supplied with electric power and hydraulic fluid from an attached flexible power track system which has a fixed end connected to a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid and a return sump and a source of electric power and a free end attached to move with the carriage. Alternatively, the entire hydraulic system may be carried on board the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reversing train positioning system for engaging and moving a railroad car or trip of cars by engaging a bogey wheel truck frame. The train positioning system includes a dog carriage having a drive motor mounted on the dog carriage which operates to propel the dog carriage back and forth along a single tension chain in a carriage guideway provided alongside a railroad track. The carriage is supplied with electric power and hydraulic fluid from an attached flexible power track system which has a fixed end connected to a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid and a return sump and a source of electric power and a free end attached to move with the carriage. Alternatively, the entire hydraulic system may be carried on board the carriage.

Abstract: A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car bottom discharge gate is disclosed which utilizes a pair of spaced converging, opposed normally open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, operated between a closed and an open position by a reciprocating fluid cylinder and a motor for rotating the gripper mechanism relative to the cylinder to thereby rotate the capstan to operate the gate.

Abstract: A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car bottom discharge gate is disclosed which utilizes a pair of spaced converging, opposed normally open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, operated between a closed and an open position by a reciprocating fluid cylinder and a motor for rotating the gripper mechanism relative to the cylinder to thereby rotate the capstan to operate the gate.

Abstract: A reversing chain-operated, dual carriage train indexer is provided with a chain tension control that acts directly on the chain and a retraction-biased, two-position carriage connection cylinder in conjunction with a spring biased linkage system allows indexer operation in either direction with dogs up or down in dual force ranges controlled by the chain tension control.