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: An end post for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion 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; and a stem disposed between the top portion and the base; wherein one or more of the top portion, base and stem comprise a plurality of pieces of a first electrically insulating material disposed on or in a second electrically insulating material. The plurality of pieces are preferably spaced apart and may have a substantially disc-shape or a substantially cylindrical-shape, and are preferably made from a ceramic material such as zirconium dioxide, aluminum oxide or silicon nitride, where the second electrically insulating material comprises a polymeric material, such as polyurethane.

Abstract: An end post for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion 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; and a stem disposed between the top portion and the base; wherein one or more of the top portion, base and stem comprise a plurality of pieces of a first electrically insulating material disposed on or in a second electrically insulating material. The plurality of pieces are preferably spaced apart and may have a substantially disc-shape or a substantially cylindrical-shape, and are preferably made from a ceramic material such as zirconium dioxide, aluminum oxide or silicon nitride, where the second electrically insulating material comprises a polymeric material, such as polyurethane.

Abstract: A dual membered sound wall panel constructed of two pre-formed half-panels. The half-panels have an inner surface that contains a plurality of connectors around their periphery and an outer surface. The outer surface may be textured if desired. The half-panels are each of concrete material with an embedded layer of mesh re-bar. The half-panels are oriented so that their inner surfaces are facing each other and the embedded connectors on each face are secured to each other. Additionally, between the half-panels are contained multiple spacer plates.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved Z-shaped sheet piling (15). In the preferred embodiment, the piling has a first flange (16), a web (19), a second flange (18), a section modulus of at least about 25 in.3/ft., a weight of less than about 31 lbs./ft.2, the second flange having a wale location (68), and the web, first flange and second flange being so dimensioned and configured that the transverse stress at the wale location for each psi of applied pressure load is less than about 1000 psi. The present invention also discloses a Z-shaped sheet piling in which the first flange has a span location (65) and the first flange, web, and second flange are so dimensioned and configured that the transverse stress at the span location for each psi of applied load is less than about 800 psi. The transverse stress at the wale location may be about 878 psi per psi of applied load and the transverse stress at the span location may be about 731 psi per psi of applied load or about 786 psi per psi of applied load.

Abstract: Railway wheel detection and counter and block control systems are disclosed using magnetic coils to detect wheels via measuring eddy current losses induced by a railway wheel as it disturbs the coil's magnetic field. Information from the coils is measured and processed using combination of analog and digital signal processing which processing automatically tests and calibrates all components to provide fail-safe operation. Virtual blocks are used to establish train presence, speed, and direction which parameters are used to provide block control systems.

Abstract: A retained earth structure includes an upright soil retaining wall of interlocking facing panels and a plurality of horizontal elongated wire mesh reinforcement panels extending outwardly from the back surface of the modules into the backfill material. The wire mesh panels are connected in tiers to the retaining wall while embedded in the backfill material soil behind the wall by use of a three-way adjustable, turnbuckle-type connector assembly. The three-way adjustable turnbuckle-type connector assembly ensures verticality of the finished precast wall panels.

Abstract: An adjustable guard rail assembly is provided for use with a running rail and is made up of a plurality of spaced base plates having one end extending beneath the running rail, brace means fixed to each base plate adjacent the other end, a guard rail supported on said spaced base plates and abutting said braces, fastening means extending through said brace and guard rail and interchangeable spacer means on said fastening means interchangeable from one side of the guard rail to the other whereby the position of said guard rail with respect to the brace may be changed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for agitating liquids, maintaining solids in suspension and breaking up surface ice on waterways is provided in which a base plate having a plurality of dependent probes adapted to be immersed in a liquid to be agitated in subject to vibratory energy produced by selectively rotating eccentric weights in a vibratory case fixed on top of said base plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for cleaning metallurgical vessels such as slag pots, ladles and the like by inducing vibration into such vessel from a housing clamped to said vessel and containing a vibratory means such as rotating eccentric weights.

Abstract: An area of soil having an initial low bearing strength, such as an alluvial or sandy area, or an area formed by hydraulic fill, is compacted to provide an improved area of high bearing strength by forming a plurality of granular particulate (e.g., crushed stone, pebbles or sand) columns in pre-compacted holes in the area. The pre-compacted holes are formed by vibratorily driving a hollow probe having openable closure means set in closed position at its lower end, vertically downwardly to form each vertical hole, the soil around the probe thus being compacted. Thereafter, the probe is vibratorily extracted and granular particles are passed downwardly through the probe with the adjustable closure means open. Desirably, the granular material is compacted, i.e.

Abstract: A vibratory pile driver and extractor is provided in combination with a yoke means above and movable relative to said driver and extractor and resilient rubber support means between opposed abutments on said driver and extractor and said yoke means whereby said driver and extractor is resiliently connected to said yoke means through said abutments, said abutments acting to prevent separation of the yoke means and driver and extractor in case of failure of the resilient rubber means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recovering stump and root systems in timber harvesting by exerting a vertical lifting force combined with simultaneously vibrating the trunk of a tree or stump being harvested.