Abstract: An improved in-track welder eliminates conduction path force members and employs separate bridging current path conductors for DC welding of rail ends. The enhancement allows for an increased closure distance, thus improving cold-weather operations. An increased allowable distance between conduction contacts allows for the incorporation of an internal shear member for more efficient finishing of welds. The force members may be optimized for strength rather than electrical properties, and are comprised of relatively small diameter alloy steel rods.

Abstract: An improved welding head for creating an in-track weld between a first rail segment and a second rail segment includes a controller having computer-readable instructions read by the controller. The computer-readable instructions include instructions for compensating for rail jerk during in-track welding. The welding head includes a closing force actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, for moving the rail segments toward one another. A pressure transducer is monitored during welding to determine a closing force. An impending jerk of the rail movement is detected if an abnormal closing force change is observed, and in response the flow of hydraulic fluid into or out of the hydraulic cylinder is restricted to prevent or minimize the jerk. In addition, when an impending jerk is detected the weld current may be temporarily increased to burn or prevent the formation of short circuit paths between the rails.

Abstract: An improved method for executing a flash butt weld to join first and second rail segments includes applying a voltage to the first rail segment and the second rail segment to establish a voltage difference between the first and second rail segments. The rail end faces are brought into contact, resulting in an electrical current between the first rail end face and the second rail end face, resistively heating material at the interface. As material burns off at the interface, the power consumed at the rail end interface as a function of rail displacement is periodically sampled. If the comparison indicates that the power per unit of rail displacement is not increasing from sample to sample, the burn-off process is terminated. In a further aspect, if the power per unit of rail displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold, the burn-off process is terminated.

Abstract: An improved welding head for creating an in-track weld between a first rail segment and a second rail segment includes a controller having computer-readable instructions read by the controller. The computer-readable instructions include instructions for compensating for rail jerk during in-track welding. The welding head includes a closing force actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, for moving the rail segments toward one another. A pressure transducer is monitored during welding to determine a closing force. An impending jerk of the rail movement is detected if an abnormal closing force change is observed, and in response the flow of hydraulic fluid into or out of the hydraulic cylinder is restricted to prevent or minimize the jerk. In addition, when an impending jerk is detected the weld current may be temporarily increased to burn or prevent the formation of short circuit paths between the rails.

Abstract: An improved method for executing a flash butt weld to join first and second rail segments includes applying a voltage to the first rail segment and the second rail segment to establish a voltage difference between the first and second rail segments. The rail end faces are brought into contact, resulting in an electrical current between the first rail end face and the second rail end face, resistively heating material at the interface. As material burns off at the interface, the power consumed at the rail end interface as a function of rail displacement is periodically sampled. If the comparison indicates that the power per unit of rail displacement is not increasing from sample to sample, the burn-off process is terminated. In a further aspect, if the power per unit of rail displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold, the burn-off process is terminated.

Abstract: An improved in-track welder eliminates conduction path force members and employs separate bridging current path conductors for DC welding of rail ends. In an embodiment, this enhancement allows for an increased closure distance, thus improving cold-weather operations. In a further embodiment, an increased allowable distance between conduction contacts also allows for the incorporation of an internal shear member for more efficient finishing of welds. The force members may be optimized for strength rather than electrical properties, and in an embodiment are comprised of relatively small diameter alloy steel rods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for flash butt weld joining adjacent rail ends on site during initial field installation where at least one of the rails is fastened to the roadbed, and inclosure butt welding rails as in de-stressing long sections of rail track where both rails are fastened to the roadbed. The method and apparatus apply electrical power to the adjacent rail ends while simultaneously effecting relative closing movement between the rails ends through actuating means so as to bring the rail ends into position to effect current flow between the rail ends, and determining a force necessary to move the adjacent ends into a welding position under varying environmental conditions of the rails as the adjacent rail ends close and during flashing of the adjacent rail ends due to the current flow.

Abstract: A railroad switch stand for actuating a rail switch between open and thrown positions includes, in one embodiment, an upstanding frame supporting a handwheel at approximately chest height for movement between a first position enabling manual rotation of an upstanding throw shaft to actuate a horizontal rail switch throw rod, and a second position enabling powered rotation of the throw shaft to open or throw the rail switch points. In alternative embodiments, low profile railroad switch stands are adapted for interconnection to a rail switch throw rod through fluid pressure or electric motor actuators and associated constant force spring actuators in a manner to apply a substantially constant force to the throw rod in maintaining the rail switch in open or thrown positions. The constant force spring actuators provide overload protection and automatic reset in the event a train runs through a rail switch lined against it.

Abstract: A welding method and apparatus for flash butt welding adjacent ends of axially aligned railway rails includes a base frame and fixed and movable platens supported on the base frame. The platens support rail sections and are under the control of controller means operative to automatically move the movable platen through a predetermined distance/velocity relation as electrical power is inputted into the rail ends during straight flashing, preheating, flashing and upsetting phases of a welding cycle. The controller includes PID feedback loops operative to maintain the predetermined platen distance/velocity relation with entry of a single parameter by the operator. Significantly improved quality and repeatability of rail welds are obtained.

Abstract: An assay for an analyte wherein sample is applied to a support capable of binding proteins by essentially only hydrogen bonding and fixed on the support. Analyte may be determined on the support by use of a suitable tracer. A preferred support is amphiphilic cellulose acetate. In an immunoassay, it is possible to determine analyte without use of a supported ("capture") antibody.

Abstract: A method of air quenching a railway rail with an apparatus develops a pearlite microstructure in the head of the longitudinally travelling rail as it travels under the apparatus. A primary air chamber at a controlled pressure provides air to the top and side surfaces of the rail heads. A secondary air chamber at a separately controlled pressure provides air to the shoulders of the rail heads. More than one quench unit may be used in series, in which case the pressures in the primary air chambers may progressively increase to increase the cooling rate.

Abstract: An assay for an analyte wherein sample is applied to a support capable of binding proteins by essentially only hydrogen bonding and fixed on the support. Analyte may be determined on the support by use of a suitable tracer. A preferred support is amphiphilic cellulose acetate. In an immunoassay, it is possible to determine analyte without use of a supported ("capture") antibody.

Abstract: A boltless two-piece rail fastening assembly for securing a railway rail, supported on a conventional tie plate, to a wooden cross tie is comprised of a chair and a rail clip latched thereon. The chair includes a body, having a jaw with a bight configured to receive the clip, and at least one downwardly projecting leg or shank for securing the chair adjacent the base flange of the rail. The rail clip is a torsional spring clip in the general form of an "S" having a rail-bearing leg for proximate engagement with the base flange of the rail and a tie bearing leg for proximate engagement with the tie plate.

Abstract: Air quenching apparatus develops a pearlite microstructure in the head of a longitudinally travelling railroad rail as it travels under the apparatus. A primary air chamber at a controlled pressure provides air to the top and side surfaces of the rail heads. A secondary air chamber at a separately controlled pressure provides air to the shoulders of the rail heads. More than one quench unit may be used in series, in which case the pressures in the primary air chambers may progressively increase to increase the cooling rate.

Abstract: A main railway rail and a guard rail are maintained in spaced apart relationship on a tie plate having a shoulder located between the rails by an elastically deformed clip. The clip has two end lengths extending from opposite ends of a central length. One length of the clip rides on the main rail flange and the other length of the clip rides on the guard rail flange while the central length engages the intermediate shoulder.

Abstract: A compact, low profile, boltless, two piece railway rail fastening assembly for secring a railway to a conventional tie plate having spike holes enabling the tie plate to be affixed to a wooden cross tie. The assembly includes a drive-on, generally platelike, rail engaging, resilient, metal fastening clip coacting with a shoulder having a pair of anchor legs adapted for insertion through a pair of spike holes proximate the rail base flange so as to anchor the shoulder to the tie plate. The shoulder and rail clip cooperate to provide a positive interlocking relation which retains the clip against the rail base flange and secures the rail against movement under load.

Abstract: A drive-on rail fastening assembly for securing a railway rail to an anchoring support therefor is comprised of a generally S-shaped torsional spring rail clip and a chair adapted to cooperate therewith. The rail clip includes a central leg, a tie anchor portion and a rail bearing portion comprising a pair of loops on opposite sides and extending from opposite ends thereof, each of the loops including an arcuate and a terminal leg. The chair is adapted to have the rail clip driven thereon in seating engagement therewith.

Abstract: A process for preparing a grained confection from a supersaturated sugar solution on a continuous basis is provided. A homogeneous aqueous solution comprised of corn syrup and sucrose is continuously fed to a heating apparatus having an inlet and an outlet with the heating means interposed therebetween to provide an increasing temperature to the solution from the inlet to the outlet. The solution is heated to a predetermined temperature and water vapor is continuously separated from the solution to form a sugar solution of a predetermined concentration which is supersaturated at up to 185.degree. F. The concentrated sugar solution is continuously cooled in 33 seconds or less to below its saturation temperature and a fine grained confection is produced having minute crystals therein.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vacuum screw loader deaerates meat emulsions and meat chunk mixtures, and loads the deaerated product to a forming or casing station. A sealed vacuumized hopper has a lowermost auger for force-feeding processed product through an outlet in the bottom of the hopper to a positive displacement pump in communication with the next processing station. An agitator overlying the auger within the hopper serves to expose air pockets in the meat emulsion for more complete removal of entrained air. An inlet in the hopper positioned well above the normal product level is particularly sized to form a free-falling, film-like flow of product as the hopper is loaded whereby to expose maximum product surface area to the vacuum environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically actuating slave devices in direct response to the discharge of a dry chemical fire extinguishant is disclosed comprising at least one main fire extinguisher from which pressurized dry chemical fire extinguishant passes into a main discharge pipe, and a cartridge containing a pressurized gas connected to the main discharge pipe through an actuator valve. The actuator valve includes a resilient check closing the valve due to the pressurized gas in the cartridge and a piston having a head fit into the actuator valve at sufficiently close tolerance to minimize gas transfer therethrough. The piston head is disposed toward the main discharge pipe and an integrally connected base portion faces the tip of the check and is disposed such that depression of the piston head into the actuator valve moves the check, opening the valve and releasing the contents of the cartridge into a secondary discharge pipe.