Abstract: An end post (30) for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion (12) consisting essentially of a first electrically insulating material comprising a fiber reinforced polymer material and having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail head sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; a base (16) having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail base sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; and a stem (14) disposed between the top portion (12) and the base (16); wherein the stem (14) and the base (16) consist essentially of a second electrically insulating material comprising a polymer material.

Abstract: A bonded, direct fixation fastener as supportive structure for a rail on a railroad bed comprising: a substantially rectangular rail plate, wherein the rail plate has a generally horizontal center portion having a lower face and an upper face and wherein the rail plate defines an outer perimeter having a face defining a first angle to the railroad bed, the rail plate having attachment means to attach to the rail; a substantially rectangular bottom member defines an inner perimeter having a face defining a second angle to the railroad bed; and a substantially rectangular elastomeric portion disposed between, and bonded to each of, the outer perimeter and face of the rail plate and the inner perimeter and face of the bottom member.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting electrical current on an insulating element of a rail system, comprising: at least one electrically conductive lead or wire for attaching the sensor to the insulating element; an energy harvester for harvesting electric current transmitted from the insulating element to the energy harvester via the lead; a microprocessor circuit including a capacitor wherein the capacitor is charged by energy harvested by the energy harvester; and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting RF signals indicative of the detected current; wherein the microprocessor and transmitter are powered by the energy from the capacitor.

Abstract: A railroad rail comprising a rail head, wherein the rail head is made from a first material and defines a void, and an insert comprising a second material installed in the void.

Abstract: A railroad rail comprising a rail head, wherein the rail head is made from a first material and defines a void, and an insert comprising a second material installed in the void.

Abstract: A positive pressure displacement fluid sampler, comprising: a sample probe disposed in a sample probe connection; a needle valve in communication with the sample probe; a three-way solenoid valve disposed between the needle valve, a sample collection body and a sample collection tank; an adjustment stem for adjusting the size of the sample to be collected on each draw; and a confirmation switch for sending an electronic or other type signal for confirming that a sample or samples have actually been collected at prescribed times and/or frequencies. The displacement sampler may be spring-loaded and the confirmation switch may comprise a radio transmitter.

Abstract: A bonded, direct fixation fastener as supportive structure for a rail on a railroad bed comprising: a substantially rectangular rail plate, wherein the rail plate has a generally horizontal center portion having a lower face and an upper face and wherein the rail plate defines an outer perimeter having a face defining a first angle to the railroad bed, the rail plate having attachment means to attach to the rail; a substantially rectangular bottom member defines an inner perimeter having a face defining a second angle to the railroad bed; and a substantially rectangular elastomeric portion disposed between, and bonded to each of, the outer perimeter and face of the rail plate and the inner perimeter and face of the bottom member.

Abstract: A bonded fastener for a railway rail comprising: top and bottom generally horizontal plates bonded and separated by an insulating material wherein the top plate defines a rail bed; a plurality of clip housings wherein each clip housing houses part of a hold-down clip for attaching the rail to the bonded fastener; a plurality of anchor assembly areas wherein each anchor assembly area defines an opening through the bonded fastener for receiving an attachment device for attaching the fastener to a supporting surface; and one or more generally vertical barriers comprising part of the bonded fastener. Further, a first generally horizontal barrier may extend from the bonded fastener underneath each of the clip housings, and a second generally horizontal barrier may extend from the rail bed underneath the rail on each side of the bonded fastener.

Abstract: A signal bond plate system for electrically bonding onto a railroad rail comprising: first and second conductive plates, first and second wires; and first and second conductive washers; a boltlike attachment means attaching, in order, the first conductive plate, the first conductive washer, a web of the rail, the second conductive washer, and the second conductive plate; the conductive plates each having an inside surface proximal to the web of the rail and an outside surface distal to the web of the rail; each wire having a wire first end and a wire second end; each conductive plate having a conductive plate first end and a conductive plate second end; the first wire first end is attached to the first conductive plate near the first conductive plate first end at a first attachment point; the first wire second end attached to the rail; the second wire first end attached to the second conductive plate first end at a second attachment point; the second end of the second wire attached to the rail; the first cove

Abstract: A conductor rail assembly for use in transit rail transportation systems to transmit electrical power to rail cars comprising a first and second support sections preferably of aluminum to give the rail assembly its rail-shape and conductivity and a cap section preferably of stainless steel to provide a wear resistant surface to prevent damaging of the conductor rail by collector shoes that extend from rail cars and run on the conductor rail. The first support section has a rib and the second support section has a concavity. In the assembly, the rib of the first support member preferably is disposed within the concavity of the second support member, portions of both support members preferably are friction fit or compression fit within the cap and a friction stir weld preferably is disposed on the bottom of the assembly along a joint between the first and second support sections.

Abstract: A bonded, direct fixation fastener as supportive structure for a rail on a railroad tie or bed comprising: a rail plate, wherein the rail plate has a generally horizontal center portion having a lower face and an upper face and defining a rail plate horizontal plane, and wherein the rail plate center portion extends at a first angle from opposing sides as rail plate tongues above the rail plate horizontal plane, the rail plate having a rail securing device; a bed plate comprising a generally horizontal center portion, an upper bed plate face defining a bed plate horizontal plane, and a pair of opposing bed plate tongues extending from opposing sides of the bed plate horizontal center portion disposed at a second angle above the bed plate horizontal plane; a horizontal elastomeric portion of relatively lower durometer hardness encapsulating at least a portion of the bed plate and at least a portion of the rail plate; and vertical elastomeric portions of relatively higher durometer hardness encapsulating at lea

Abstract: An assembly to hold a rail boot to a rail during embedded track construction comprising: a cover having a bottom surface, a first portion of the bottom surface generally conforming to a length of a top surface of a rail head; the bottom surface having a second portion defining a convex shape adjacent to and generally parallel to the length of the top surface of the rail head; the bottom surface further defining a hook to engage a gauge side of the rail boot; and a clip having first and second ends, wherein the first end engages a gauge side of the cover; and the second end engages a field side of the cover and/or the rail boot.

Abstract: A bonded fastener for a railway rail comprising: top and bottom generally horizontal plates bonded and separated by an insulating material wherein the top plate defines a rail bed; a plurality of clip housings wherein each clip housing houses part of a hold-down clip for attaching the rail to the bonded fastener; a plurality of anchor assembly areas wherein each anchor assembly area defines an opening through the bonded fastener for receiving an attachment device for attaching the fastener to a supporting surface; and one or more generally vertical barriers comprising part of the bonded fastener. Further, a first generally horizontal barrier may extend from the bonded fastener underneath each of the clip housings, and a second generally horizontal barrier may extend from the rail bed underneath the rail on each side of the bonded fastener.

Abstract: A conductor rail assembly for use in transit rail transportation systems to transmit electrical power to rail cars comprising a first and second support sections preferably of aluminum to give the rail assembly its rail-shape and conductivity and a cap section preferably of stainless steel to provide a wear resistant surface to prevent damaging of the conductor rail by collector shoes that extend from rail cars and run on the conductor rail. The first support section has a rib and the second support section has a concavity. In the assembly, the rib of the first support member preferably is disposed within the concavity of the second support member, portions of both support members preferably are friction fit or compression fit within the cap and a friction stir weld preferably is disposed on the bottom of the assembly along a joint between the first and second support sections.