Abstract: A consumable applicator comprising one or more conduits in a fluid communication with a liquid composition dispensing system wherein the liquid composition comprises friction control components. The consumable applicator comprises a solid body having hardness of less than or equal 150 HB, a housing and a biasing member within said housing for advancing the consumable applicator toward a dispensing end. The consumable applicator may be used for applying a friction control consumable to sliding metallic parts such as the railway rails or wheels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction control composition comprising a binder a rheological control agent, and optionally a lubricant. The liquid friction control composition may also comprise other components a wetting agent, a consistency modifier, and a preservative. The liquid friction control compositions may be used to modify the interfacial friction characteristics in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems. A method of reducing lateral force, reducing energy consumption, or controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the composition to metal surface, for example a top of rail or wheel, is also provided. The composition may be sprayed onto the rail surface.

Abstract: A solid composition stick applicator is provided. The applicator comprises an applicator body having a first and second end, the second end having an opening through which a solid composition stick is dispensed. Within the applicator is housed a helical tension spring having a first spring end and a second spring end, the first spring end, second spring end, or both the first and second spring end held at a fixed position with respect to the applicator body. The helical tension spring is wound around a guide system that is housed within the applicator body. A pushing assembly is attached to the helical tension spring and the pushing assembly is movable from a first position at or near the first end of the applicator body, to a second position at or near the second end of the applicator body. Tension within the helical tension spring is greater in the first position than in the second position thereby urging the pushing assembly towards the second end of the applicator body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid stick composition comprising a thermosetting resin and a grease. Optionally, the solid stick composition may comprise a lubricant, a friction modifier, a thermoplastic plasticizer or a combination thereof. The solid stick compositions may be used for application between two metal surfaces in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems. A method of reducing energy consumption, or controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the solid stick composition to one or more than one of the metal surfaces, is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified solid stick composition comprising a thermosetting plasticizer, a resin, a lubricant, a friction modifier, or a combination thereof. The solid stick compositions may be used for application between two metal surfaces in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems. A method of reducing energy consumption, or controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the solid stick composition to one or more than one of the metal surfaces, is also provided.

Abstract: A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.

Abstract: A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface. A liquid composition application system is also provided. The liquid composition application system includes a reservoir(s) for holding a liquid composition mounted on a rail car. A pipe is connected to the reservoir(s), and a pump, for moving the liquid composition from the reservoir(s) to a dispensing nozzle(s), is provided. A controller processes topological information, data from the liquid composition application system, or both. The application of the liquid composition may be monitored and controlled from a remote site separate from the rail car.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a method of reducing wear of one or both of two steel elements having surfaces in sliding or sliding-rolling contact. The method involves applying an HPF friction control composition to one, or more than one contacting surface of one or both of the two steel elements. In a particular example, the HPF friction control composition comprises a rheological control agent, a lubricant, a friction modifier, and one, or more than one of a retentivity agent, an antioxidant, a consistency modifier, and a freezing point depressant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction control composition comprising a binder a rheological control agent, and optionally a lubricant. The liquid friction control composition may also comprise other components a wetting agent, a consistency modifier, and a preservative. The liquid friction control compositions may be used to modify the interfacial friction characteristics in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems. A method of reducing lateral force, reducing energy consumption, or controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the composition to metal surface, for example a top of rail or wheel, is also provided. The composition may be sprayed onto the rail surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified interlocking solid composition stick for applying to steel surfaces that are in sliding or rolling-sliding contact. The modified stick comprises a body member with four sides, a first end and an opposed second end, and a nib member attached to the first end of the body member, the nib member having four sides connected by substantially curved side edges. The second end of the body member contains a cavity with substantially curved sidewalls dimensioned to snugly receive a nib member of a corresponding interlocking solid stick. To reduce the likelihood of failure of the nib or cavity, the dimensions of the nib are optimized such that a length of one side of the nib member (nl) and a length of the side of the body member (l) in the same plane have a ratio nl/l from about 0.6 to about 0.75.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a liquid friction control composition characterized as either having a high and positive friction characteristic or a low and neutral friction characteristic, comprising a retentivity agent. The liquid friction control composition may also comprise other components such as a solid lubricant, a wetting agent, a consistency modifier, and a preservative. The liquid friction control compositions may be used to modify the interfacial friction characteristics in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems.

Abstract: A solid composition stick applicator is provided. The applicator comprises an applicator body having a first and second end, the second end having an opening through which a solid composition stick is dispensed. Within the applicator is housed a helical tension spring having a first spring end and a second spring end, the first spring end, second spring end, or both the first and second spring end held at a fixed position with respect to the applicator body. The helical tension spring is wound around a guide system that is housed within the applicator body. A pushing assembly is attached to the helical tension spring and the pushing assembly is movable from a first position at or near the first end of the applicator body, to a second position at or near the second end of the applicator body. Tension within the helical tension spring is greater in the first position than in the second position thereby urging the pushing assembly towards the second end of the applicator body.

Abstract: An applicator for a circular arc-shaped solid composition comprises a housing defining a conduit that is sized to accept the circular arc-shaped solid composition stick. The conduit has a first end and a second end, the second end being open, and has a continuous circular arc-shape from the first end to the second end. The housing also contains one, or more than one opening for engaging a fastener. Each one of the one, or more than one opening is of a sufficient size to permit at least partial lateral movement of the fastener. Also included in the housing are an inlet and an outlet in communication with the conduit, the outlet being in communication with the second end, and a biasing assembly for advancing the circular arc-shaped solid composition stick within the conduit. The position of the applicator of the present invention relative to a surface to be treated can be easily adjusted by laterally sliding the housing of the applicator relative to its mounting bracket.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a liquid friction control composition with enhanced retentivity comprising an anti-oxidant. The liquid friction control composition may also comprise other components such as a retentivity agent, a rheological control agent, a friction modifier, a lubricant, a wetting agent, a consistency modifier, and a preservative.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a liquid friction control composition for use in low temperature conditions, which comprises a rheological control agent, a consistency modifier and a freezing point depressant. The liquid friction control composition may also comprise other components such as a retentivity agent, an antioxidant, a friction modifier, a lubricant, a wetting agent, and a preservative.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a liquid friction control composition with enhanced retentivity comprising an anti-oxidant. The liquid friction control composition may also comprise other components such as a retentivity agent, a rheological control agent, a friction modifier, a lubricant, a wetting agent, a consistency modifier, and a preservative.

Abstract: A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.