Abstract: A hinge apparatus comprising structure to support a user interface incorporated into the cabinet housing of an electro-mechanical system for improved viewing and interaction with the user interface when the cabinet housing is opened during technician service, while simultaneously not obstructing access to the cabinet interior.

Abstract: A light reference system includes a first, second and third rail followers. The second rail follower is disposed between the first and third rail followers. First and second light sources are disposed on the first and third rail followers and operable to emit light towards the second rail follower. First and Second imaging devices are disposed on the second rail follower. The first imaging device is operable to receive the light emitted by the first light source and provide first image data. The second imaging device is operable to receive the light emitted by the second light source and provide second image data. A processing device is configured to perform a measurement, based on the first and second image data, indicating a relative position of the second rail follower with respect to at least one of the first and third rail followers.

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: The present disclosure teaches inter-vehicle communications for avoiding rear collision of rail vehicles on a railroad. For example, a 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.

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: A system and method for controlling a boiler comprising a microcomputer operatively connected to a microcontroller wherein the microcontroller is configured to provide flame safeguard operations and the microcomputer is configured to provide operating control instructions to the microcontroller. The boiler control system may operate either in a stand-alone, cascade master or cascade slave configuration.

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 shunt devices for providing multi-fold protection for track workers. For example, a failsafe shunt device may have a pair of end components magnetically couple to two running rails and a central unit connected to the pair of end components via electrical wires. The failsafe shunt device may communicate with an operations control center (OCC) to indicate a presence of the shunt device. Related methods of using disclosed shunt devices and associated systems are also described.

Abstract: A device and method for the replacement of railroad ties is disclosed. The tie extends laterally under two rails and is attached to the rails via tie plates. An example rail changing machine includes a tie changing boom moveable to one side of the two rails. The tie changing boom including a gripping assembly for clamping the railroad tie. The tie changing boom is moveable between a proximate position and a distal position from the one side of the two rails to grip the tie and remove the tie from under the rails. A kicker is located on the opposite side of the rails from the tie changing boom and contacts one end of the tie to move the tie toward the tie changing boom. A pair of tie plate clamps to hold the tie plates in place when the kicker moves the tie.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a boiler comprising a microcomputer operatively connected to a microcontroller wherein the microcontroller is configured to provide flame safeguard operations and the microcomputer is configured to provide operating control instructions to the microcontroller. The boiler control system may operate either in a stand-alone, cascade master or cascade slave configuration.

Abstract: A rail maintenance vehicle includes a frame, a workhead, an actuator, a pilot valve, and a throttling valve. The frame includes wheels that travel along rails. The actuator extends and retracts the workhead with respect to the frame. The pilot valve receives a fluid and controls the flow of the fluid to at least one output. The throttling valve adjusts a pressure of the fluid at an output relative to a pressure of the fluid at an input. The pilot valve and the throttle valve are coupled such that the fluid travels through the pilot valve and the throttling valve to cause the workhead to be extended or retracted.

Abstract: A system for performing track maintenance operations is described. The system includes a lead vehicle for identifying sections of rail that have been pre-marked for track maintenance operations. The lead vehicle further includes a control system for receiving and transmitting coordinates of the pre-marked track sections. The system further includes at least one drone vehicle for receiving the coordinates from the control system and the drone vehicle has at least one workhead for performing track maintenance operations on the pre-marked track sections.

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: A system and method for controlling a boiler comprising a microcomputer operatively connected to a microcontroller wherein the microcontroller is configured to provide flame safeguard operations and the microcomputer is configured to provide operating control instructions to the microcontroller. The boiler control system may operate either in a stand-alone, cascade master or cascade slave configuration.

Abstract: A vibrating device having a flywheel rotatably disposed within a housing assembly. The housing assembly includes one or more openings therethrough structured to allow an effective amount of air to pass between the housing assembly enclosed space and the atmosphere. By exchanging an effective amount of air between the enclosed space and the atmosphere, the temperature within the housing assembly remains below the breakdown point of a lubricant used to reduce friction created when the flywheel is in use.