Patents Assigned to Progress Rail Services Corporation
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Patent number: 10240299Abstract: A fastening mechanism for coupling track rail to a substrate includes a fastener body formed by a metallic base and an overmolded non-metallic coating. Metallic pillars are coupled with the fastener body, and define bores for receiving anchors held fast within a substrate. The coating encases the metallic base and extends peripherally around the metallic pillars to position vibration-attenuating non-metallic material between the metallic base and the metallic pillars.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Edward Constantine, Wilbur Osler
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Publication number: 20190063393Abstract: A warm-up system for an engine of a machine is provided. The machine has a primary alternator and an auxiliary alternator. The warm-up system includes at least one coolant heater configured to heat a coolant flowing through one or more coolant passages of the engine. The coolant heater is electrically powered by the auxiliary alternator of the machine when the engine runs at low load or idle conditions. The engine warm-up system further includes a thermostatic device operably coupled to the coolant heater and configured to control the operation of the coolant heater based on a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passages.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Andrew Smith, John F. Kral, Stephen Boucher
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Publication number: 20180310485Abstract: An implement system for a machine. The implement system includes a boom, an implement, a roller assembly and a carriage. The boom has a telescopic structure and a first end. The implement is coupled to the first end of the boom. The roller assembly is configured to be coupled to the machine. The carriage is engaged with the roller assembly and is coupled to the boom. The carriage is configured to move linearly along a longitudinal axis of the machine between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Kevin Lynn West, Mark T. Plyler, Richard David Mills
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Publication number: 20180291854Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a fuel injector includes a nozzle body and a needle tip positioned within the nozzle body. The needle check includes a terminal end surface positioned in spaced, facing relation to a sac surface of the nozzle body, to form a sac cavity. The terminal end surface and sac surface each have spherical shapes, and are centered about a longitudinal axis of the nozzle body. Structures of the terminal end surface and the sac surface are such that a clearance between them is nowhere less than along a line segment between centers of the terminal end surface and the sac surface, the sac cavity has a reduced volume, and wall thickness at the nozzle tip is sufficient for improved fracture resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2017Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Rolando Lopez, Randall Gunderson
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Patent number: 10081915Abstract: A mechanism for coupling a track rail to a substrate includes a rail plate and a base plate, where the rail plate surrounds the base plate. An overmolded coating is formed of a non-metallic material and encases the rail plate and the base plate. Related methodology is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Edward Constantine
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Patent number: 10012546Abstract: A temperature detection system for railway applications is provided. The system may include at least one infrared (IR) sensing element configured to detect IR signals emitted by a rail or a railcar, and a controller in communication with the at least one IR sensing element. The controller may be configured to receive the IR signals from the at least one IR sensing element, extract IR data corresponding to at least one of a rail and an undercarriage of the railcar from the IR signals, and generate a characteristic thermal profile of at least one of an ambient temperature and a rail temperature based on the IR data.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Mark Joseph Bartonek, Donald J. Arndt, Steven Conrad Hamerle
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Patent number: 9991767Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for generating power for a machine. The method may include inverting a common power at a first location and outputting a first inverted power. The method may further include inverting the common power at a second location, outputting a second inverted power, and shifting an operational phase of the second inverted power so that the first inverted power and the second inverted power are in phase. The method may further include passing the first inverted power to a transformer, passing the second inverted power to the transformer, and transforming the first inverted power and the second inverted power to a transformed power.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Madan Mohan Jalla
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Patent number: 9991696Abstract: A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an enclosure and a device disposed within the enclosure. The memory module may also have an orifice in a wall of the enclosure and a wire passing through the orifice. One end of the wire may be attached to the device. The memory module may further have a stopper attached to the wire. The stopper may be located abutting an outer surface of the enclosure. The memory module may also have a filler disposed within the enclosure. The filler may be configured to expand and be ejected out of the orifice when subjected to a threshold temperature. The filler may also be configured to push the stopper away from the outer surface and disconnect the wire from the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Mark Joseph Bartonek
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Patent number: 9988768Abstract: The disclosure provides a guard bar restraint for restricting movement of a guard bar. The guard bar restraint includes a hook block coupled to the front face of the guard bar, a back plate configured to contact the back face of the guard bar, and at least one fastener configured to hold the hook block against the front face of the guard bar and to hold the back plate against the back face of the guard bar. The guard bar restraint is coupleable to the guard bar and configured to allow no more than a maximum predetermined amount of lateral movement by the guard bar.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Brian F. Weaver, Phillip R. Merrifield
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Patent number: 9932054Abstract: A derailer for use in a railroad system, has an outside switch point that selectively overlays a running surface of a first mainline track and rises above the running surface of the first mainline track and an outside switch rail mechanically fastened to the outside switch point. The derailer also includes an inside switch rail including a second switch point that selectively lies adjacent a head of a second mainline track and terminates between the first and second mainline tracks.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Brian Weaver, Phillip Merrifield, Russell Hein
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Patent number: 9908542Abstract: A event recorder system carried on-board a locomotive may include a controller configured to receive data from one or more of a train management system, a cab signaling system, an energy management system, an exhaust aftertreatment monitoring system, a braking system, a communications management system, and an operator fatigue or distraction monitoring system. The data may include one or more of video data, audio data, sensor output data, GPS map data, scanned image data of an operator in a cab of the locomotive, and operational data associated with operation of the locomotive during a trip.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Marc David Miller, Gregory Richard Bessler, Stephen Harold Humphrey
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Publication number: 20180030661Abstract: The disclosure provides a guard bar restraint for restricting movement of a guard bar. The guard bar restraint includes a hook block coupled to the front face of the guard bar, a back plate configured to contact the back face of the guard bar, and at least one fastener configured to hold the hook block against the front face of the guard bar and to hold the back plate against the back face of the guard bar. The guard bar restraint is coupleable to the guard bar and configured to allow no more than a maximum predetermined amount of lateral movement by the guard bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORPORATIONInventors: Brian F. WEAVER, Phillip R. MERRIFIELD
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Publication number: 20180023257Abstract: A fastening mechanism for coupling track rail to a substrate includes a fastener body formed by a metallic base and an overmolded non-metallic coating. Metallic pillars are coupled with the fastener body, and define bores for receiving anchors held fast within a substrate. The coating encases the metallic base and extends peripherally around the metallic pillars to position vibration-attenuating non-metallic material between the metallic base and the metallic pillars.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Edward Constantine, Wilbur Osler
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Publication number: 20180023256Abstract: A mechanism for coupling a track rail to a substrate includes a rail plate and a base plate, where the rail plate surrounds the base plate. An overmolded coating is formed of a non-metallic material and encases the rail plate and the base plate. Related methodology is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventor: Edward Constantine
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Patent number: 9868430Abstract: An expansion module is disclosed for use in a communication network. The expansion module may include a housing, an input interface connected to the housing and configured to externally connect with at least one analog device, and an output interface connected to the housing and configured to externally connect with the communication network. The expansion module may also include at least one processor located in the housing and configured to receive analog signals from the input interface, to convert the analog signals to digital signals, and to direct the digital signals to the output interface. The expansion module may also include at least one sensor located in the housing and configured to generate digital signals indicative of a performance parameter associated with a fluid in communication with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Stephen Harold Humphrey, Marc David Miller, Todd Charles Goergen
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Publication number: 20170297592Abstract: A event recorder system carried on-board a locomotive may include a controller configured to receive data from one or more of a train management system, a cab signaling system, an energy management system, an exhaust aftertreatment monitoring system, a braking system, a communications management system, and an operator fatigue or distraction monitoring system. The data may include one or more of video data, audio data, sensor output data, GPS map data, scanned image data of an operator in a cab of the locomotive, and operational data associated with operation of the locomotive during a trip.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Marc David MILLER, Gregory Richard Bessler, Stephen Harold Humphrey
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Publication number: 20170291619Abstract: A signal structure is disclosed. The signal structure may include a housing and a light head disposed within the housing. The light head may include at least one signal light mounted thereto. The signal structure may also include at least one actuator operatively coupled to the light head and configured to move the light head within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Donald King, Thomas Tougas
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Publication number: 20170240190Abstract: A derailer for use in a railroad system, has an outside switch point that selectively overlays a running surface of a first mainline track and rises above the running surface of the first mainline track and an outside switch rail mechanically fastened to the outside switch point. The derailer also includes an inside switch rail including a second switch point that selectively lies adjacent a head of a second mainline track and terminates between the first and second mainline tracks.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Brian Weaver, Phillip Merrifield, Russell Hein
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Patent number: 9719158Abstract: A method of making a crawler shoe for a mobile machine having a track assembly is disclosed. The method may include casting a crawler shoe from manganese steel, the crawler shoe having at least one wear surface that engages the track assembly. The method may further include solution treating the crawler shoe to form fully austenitic manganese steel, applying an explosive material to the at least one wear surface, and detonating the explosive material.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: Michael Charles Westoby, Gillon Ford
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Patent number: 9697964Abstract: A method of manufacturing a power contactor from an existing contactor having a magnetic amplifier that comprises a blowout coil and a ferromagnetic core, and an arc chute for extinguishing an arc generated by opening the existing contactor under a current load is disclosed. The method includes removing a bolt assembly from the existing contactor and at least one side plate from the existing contactor. The method also includes removing the ferromagnetic core from the existing contactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorporationInventors: John Franklin Kral, Sidarta Fornari Beltramin