Abstract: A cylinder sensor assembly, a system, and a method of operating a piston-cylinder assembly. The sensor assembly may generally include a housing; a sensor supported by the housing and configured to sense a position of a piston relative to a cylinder; and a wireless transmitter supported by the housing and configured to output a communication signal representative of a sensed position of the piston.

Abstract: A jacking tie and method of using a jacking tie to level and/or lift a railroad track. The jacking tie is configured with an elongate body that is configured to span beneath two parallel rails of a railroad track. The jacking tie has two jacks, preferably hydraulic cylinder jacks that are positioned so as to lift each of the parallel rails of the railroads. The jacking tie body has two sections. A track support shell is supported by the hydraulic cylinder jacks. The track support shell is configured for nesting or mating engagement with the lower body shell in a compressed or resting position. The hydraulic jack cylinders are configured to lift the track support shell away from the lower body shell, thus lifting the rail positioned above the hydraulic jack cylinder. The track support shell and lower body shell are pivotally connected such that the ends of the track support shell can be independently raised.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque wrench and a method of determining a load exerted on a workpiece by a hydraulic torque wrench. The wrench may generally include a housing; a drive element for engaging the workpiece; a drive actuator for transmitting a torque to the drive element; and a gauge coupled to at least one of the housing and the drive actuator, the gauge being configured to detect a characteristic indicative of a torque exerted by the drive element to the workpiece. The wrench may include a sensor configured to detect rotation of the drive element.

Abstract: A pump and a filling assembly for a pump. The pump may generally include a flexible bladder configured to contain oil, the bladder having a bladder inlet and a bladder outlet; a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the bladder outlet and configured to dispense oil from a pump port; and a plug including a body extending along an axis and having a flange, a first stem extending from one side of the flange, and a second stem extending from an opposite side of the flange, the first stem being configured to extend into the bladder inlet, the body defining an oil passage and a separate air passage configured to allow simultaneous flow of oil into the bladder and air out of the bladder.

Abstract: A tensioning device, a tensioning system, and a method of applying tension with a tensioning system. The tensioning device may include a tensioning module including a piston and a tensioning housing supporting the piston for movement, the piston being operable to transmit force to a pulling member configured to engage a workpiece and to transmit a tensile load to the workpiece, the tensioning housing defining a tensioning port configured to receive pressurized fluid to move the piston from an initial position toward a tensioning position; and a retract module including a retract housing positioned in a stacked configuration on the tensioning housing, the retract housing defining a retract port configured to receive pressurized fluid to move the piston from the tensioning position toward the initial position.

Abstract: A system and method for use in raising the height of railroad structures. Railroad structures are defined as the structures where two or more railway tracks merge, cross, or divide. The method utilizes excavating an opening beneath a railway track at or adjacent to a railroad structure. A hydraulic jack is positioned within the opening. This is repeated until sufficient hydraulic jacks have been positioned around the structure. The hydraulic jacks are then actuated to raise the railroad structure to a desired height. Generally this height provides a slight crown to the structure. Ballast is then positioned beneath the raised railway. The hydraulic jacks can be disconnected from the hydraulic lines and left in position, or removed. Preferably the hydraulic jacks are positioned on hydraulic jack sleds for improved ease in transporting the hydraulic jacks and to provide a platform on which the hydraulic jack is slid into and out of the opening beneath the railway.

Abstract: A jacking tie and method of using a jacking tie to level and/or lift a railroad track. The jacking tie is configured with an elongate body that is configured to span beneath two parallel rails of a railroad track. Preferably the jacking tie is of the configuration to replace a standard railroad tie. The jacking tie has two jacks, preferably hydraulic cylinder jacks that are positioned so as to lift each of the parallel rails of the railroads. The jacking tie body has two sections. A track support shell is supported by the hydraulic cylinder jacks. The track support shell is configured for nesting or mating engagement with the lower body shell in a compressed or resting position. The hydraulic jack cylinders are configured to lift the track support shell away from the lower body shell, thus lifting the rail positioned above the hydraulic jack cylinder. The track support shell and lower body shell are pivotally connected such that the ends of the track support shell can be independently raised.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly, a system, and methods of operating a cylinder assembly and lifting a load. The assembly may generally include a housing; a hydraulic pump supported within the housing; a motor supported within the housing and operable to power the pump; a power source supported by the housing and operable to supply power to the motor; a cylinder coupled to the housing; a piston movably supported by the cylinder, the pump being operable to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder to move the piston to an advanced position; and a support member engageable with a work surface to support the assembly relative to the work surface, the support member being coupled to the cylinder. The assembly may have a maximum rated force capacity of at least 15 tons (t).

Abstract: A hydraulic tool, a hydraulic torque wrench, and a method of operating a hydraulic tool. The hydraulic torque wrench may generally include a housing; a motor positioned in the housing; a battery pack supported on the housing and operable to supply power to the motor, a drive mechanism including a cylinder, a piston movably supported in the cylinder, a pump supported by the housing, powered by the motor, and operable to transfer hydraulic fluid to the cylinder to move the piston, and a driver attached to the piston and movable therewith between a retracted position and an extended position; and a drive element coupled to the driver, the driver being configured to transmit torque through the drive element.

Abstract: A boring bar assembly, a feed assembly, an alignment device for a boring bar assembly.

Abstract: A pump and a filling assembly for a pump. The pump may generally include a flexible bladder configured to contain oil, the bladder having a bladder inlet and a bladder outlet; a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the bladder outlet and configured to dispense oil from a pump port; and a plug including a body extending along an axis and having a flange, a first stem extending from one side of the flange, and a second stem extending from an opposite side of the flange, the first stem being configured to extend into the bladder inlet, the body defining an oil passage and a separate air passage configured to allow simultaneous flow of oil into the bladder and air out of the bladder.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque wrench and a method of determining a load exerted on a workpiece by a hydraulic torque wrench. The wrench may generally include a housing; a drive element for engaging the workpiece; a drive actuator for transmitting a torque to the drive element; and a gauge coupled to at least one of the housing and the drive actuator, the gauge being configured to detect a characteristic indicative of a torque exerted by the drive element to the workpiece. The wrench may include a sensor configured to detect rotation of the drive element.

Abstract: A tool assembly configured to calibrate a hydraulic torque wrench and a method of calibrating a wrench. The tool assembly may generally include a tool including a head, a base, an arm extending between the head and the base, and a strain gauge configured to sense a strain exerted on the tool; and an electronic processor in communication with the strain gauge and configured to calculate a torque based on a sensed strain.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool for working on a workpiece. A housing is configured for holding. A motor is positioned in the housing. A battery is supported by the housing and operable to supply power to the motor. A drive mechanism is supported by the housing and includes a cylinder, a piston moveably supported in the cylinder, and a pump powered by the motor and operable to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder to move the piston relative to the cylinder. A jaw member is supported by the housing and configured to engage with the workpiece. A spindle is operatively coupled to the drive mechanism such that operating the drive mechanism moves the spindle relative to the jaw member to work on the workpiece.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly having a housing, a pump supported within the housing, a motor supported within the housing and operable to power the pump, and a power source supported by the housing and operable to supply power to the motor. A cylinder has a first end, an opposite second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween. A piston is movably supported by the cylinder, the pump being operable to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder to move the piston relative to the cylinder at least from a retracted position to an advanced position. A frame is coupled to the sidewall of the cylinder and supporting the pump and the motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque wrench and a method of operating a hydraulic torque wrench. The wrench may be operable to apply torque to a workpiece. The wrench may include a housing; a drive system; a driver rotatably driven by the drive system and configured to selectively engage the workpiece; and a gripping mechanism including an end configured to selectively engage the workpiece, the gripping mechanism being movable between a first position, in which the end engages a surface of the workpiece, and a second position, in which the end is disengaged from the workpiece.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque wrench system includes an object including a plurality of fasteners and a hydraulic torque wrench. A wrench includes an orientation sensor and a controller having an electronic processor and a memory. The controller is configured to determine a desired sequence in which the wrench should tighten a plurality of fasteners on an object, receive a first measurement signal from the orientation sensor, and determine a first orientation value of the wrench based on the first measurement signal.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque wrench and method of operation. The wrench may include a housing supporting a drive element for engaging a fastener; a drive actuator for exerting a torque on the drive element; a sensor configured to sense movement of the housing; and a controller having an electronic processor, the controller being configured to receive a first signal from the sensor, determine, based on the signal, whether the housing is moving, and inhibit operation of the drive actuator in response to the housing of the hydraulic torque wrench moving.

Abstract: A jack assembly and a system for supporting a partially submerged structure. The jack assembly may include a fluid jack including a cylinder and a ram, the cylinder having at least one fluid chamber configured to receive a pressurized fluid to move the ram; and a valve housing removably coupled to the fluid jack for providing fluid communication between the fluid jack and at least one fluid conduit, the valve housing including a link movable from a first position toward a second position, the valve housing being secured to the jack while the link is in the first position, the valve assembly being disconnectable from the jack while the link is in the second position.