Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a bearing hub assembly of a rail guide wheel apparatus for a rail vehicle. The bearing hub assembly may couple rail wheels to the rail guide wheel apparatus. The rail guide wheel apparatus may be included on a Hi-Rail vehicle or any other vehicle configured to travel along railroad tracks. The bearing hub assembly includes a sensor that is integrally mounted within the bearing hub assembly. The sensor collects information associated with rotation of the rail wheels. Information collected by the sensor may be used to determine a speed, direction, location, and/or distance traveled of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for identifying, detecting, and/or tracking rail features. In some aspects, a system includes a camera and a computer having at least one memory, at least one processor configured to receive a plurality of images from the camera, and for each of the images: assigning a location identifier and identifying one or more rail features that correspond to one of a plurality of predetermined rail features. In some systems, the at least one processor is configured to determine a location of each of the one or more identified rail features.

Abstract: A rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators , of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.

Abstract: A railway collision protection and safety system has a vehicle device located on rail vehicles at a work zone, a personal protection unit located with rail workers at the work zone, and a dispatcher processor at a control center. An authority limit within the work zone may be determined by the dispatcher processor, and an authority exceeded signal is sent to the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle is determined to exceed the authority limit.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to automated detection of railroad track features. Images of a railroad track are captured and analyzed to identify track features such as anchors, spikes, rail ties, tie plates, and joints. Various image processing techniques are utilized to accurately distinguish between track features and other objects in the captured images. Track features identified in the images are assigned identifiers and locations and stored in a database so that a status and/or condition of the track features may be monitored for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to work block encroachment warning systems for providing protection for rail workers working in a mobile or fixed work block. For example, a vehicle (V)-aware unit installed on a moving rail vehicle and a work block limit encroachment unit mounted on a railroad may wirelessly communicate with each other to determine a distance between them. When a vehicle is moving toward an occupied work block, the distance may be used to identify potential hazards.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to automated detection of railroad track features. Images of a railroad track are captured and analyzed to identify track features such as anchors, spikes, rail ties, tie plates, and joints. Various image processing techniques are utilized to accurately distinguish between track features and other objects in the captured images. Track features identified in the images are assigned identifiers and locations and stored in a database so that a status and/or condition of the track features may be monitored for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a rail vehicle that includes a chassis and a rail clamp assembly coupled to the chassis. The rail clamp assembly includes a fixed central member and a pair of lugs each extending outwardly from opposing sides of the fixed central member. The rail clamp assembly further includes a pair of arms respectively coupled to the lugs to thereby provide respective pivot points to permit rotation of the arms about the pivot points. A pair of gripping tool assemblies are disposed at respective lower portions of the arms and are coupled to one another via a guide rod.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a railway collision protection and safety system having a vehicle device located on rail vehicles at a work zone, a personal protection unit located with rail workers at the work zone, and a dispatcher processor at a control center. An authority limit within the work zone may be determined by the dispatcher processor, and an authority exceeded signal is sent to the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle is determined to exceed the authority limit.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a bearing hub assembly of a rail guide wheel apparatus for a rail vehicle. The bearing hub assembly may couple rail wheels to the rail guide wheel apparatus. The rail guide wheel apparatus may be included on a Hi-Rail vehicle or any other vehicle configured to travel along railroad tracks. The bearing hub assembly includes a sensor that is integrally mounted within the bearing hub assembly. The sensor collects information associated with rotation of the rail wheels. Information collected by the sensor may be used to determine a speed, direction, location, and/or distance traveled of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor package for sensing vibration is described. The sensor package includes a carrier and a piezoelectric module coupled to the carrier. A wireless vibration sensor is further coupled to the carrier at a distance from the piezoelectric module. The sensor package further includes one or more conductive paths coupling the piezoelectric module to the wireless vibration sensor. The sensor package may be disposed on a bearing housing of a rail vehicle. The sensor package may also be utilized in marine, land and aviation applications.

Abstract: A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, and a vibrating unit. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The vibrating unit is coupled to the workhead and includes a rotor, a stator, a first rotor coil coupled to the rotor and a first stator coil coupled to the stator.

Abstract: A track geometry measurement system includes a plurality of wheels, a frame, and an inertial measurement unit. The inertial measurement unit is coupled to the frame and includes at least one gyroscope.

Abstract: A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, and a vibration unit. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The vibration unit includes a rod member having a coil assembly coupled thereto. The vibration unit further includes a core assembly operable to receive the rod member therein. The core assembly includes a plurality of magnet members disposed along the periphery of the core assembly. The coil assembly and magnet members are operable to impart linear motion to the rod member relative to the core assembly.

Abstract: A railroad trailer chassis comprising two or more road axles, two or more rail axles operable to be moved between first and second positions, and a work unit. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a road mode when the two or rail axles are in their respective first positions. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a rail mode when the two or more rail axles are in their respective second positions. The work unit is operable to perform one or more railroad maintenance or operation functions when driven in the rail mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a bearing hub assembly of a rail guide wheel apparatus for a rail vehicle. The bearing hub assembly may couple rail wheels to the rail guide wheel apparatus. The rail guide wheel apparatus may be included on a Hi-Rail vehicle or any other vehicle configured to travel along railroad tracks. The bearing hub assembly includes a sensor that is integrally mounted within the bearing hub assembly. The sensor collects information associated with rotation of the rail wheels. Information collected by the sensor may be used to determine a speed, direction, location, and/or distance traveled of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses a chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators, of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a railway collision protection and safety system having a vehicle device located on rail vehicles at a work zone, a personal protection unit located with rail workers at the work zone, and a dispatcher processor at a control center. An authority limit within the work zone may be determined by the dispatcher processor, and an authority exceeded signal is sent to the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle is determined to exceed the authority limit.

Abstract: A workhead assembly for use in rail applications may comprise a frame and two pairs of workheads, wherein each pair of workheads is disposed on opposing sides of the frame and carries tamping tools. The workhead assembly may further include two vertically-oriented actuators being disposed on opposing sides of the frame. Two pairs of linkage arms are coupled between the vertically-oriented actuator and a pair of tamping arms. Each pair of linkage arms are disposed on opposing sides of the frame. Actuation of the linkage arms imparts movement to the tamping tools.

Abstract: Inter-vehicle communications for avoiding rear collision of rail vehicles on a railroad that includes, for example, a collision avoidance system. The collision avoidance system may comprise an end-of-train device and a V-aware unit located on different vehicles. The two devices may be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other, and then detect each other's presence by estimating a distance between them. Warnings may be issued to respective operators against a collision hazard when the distance drops to or below a pre-determined threshold.