Abstract: A railway truck includes two parallel side frames, a suspension spring assembly supported by the side frames, and a bolster transversely mounted between the side frames and supported by the suspension spring assembly. Each side frame has at least one vertical support face, and the bolster has at least one sloped support face. A friction shoe includes a bottom base engaging and supported by a support spring, and a sloped wall engaging the sloped support face of the bolster. The friction shoe prevents bolster side wall wear.

Abstract: A railway freight car truck is provided with an elastomeric suspension device between the bolster end and the sideframe spring support surface. The elastomeric device is usually of an elongated oval shape. The elastomeric device takes the place of one or more rows of coil springs that comprise the suspension resting on the sideframe support surface. The freight car truck bolster is supported on the coil springs under empty car conditions and both the coil springs and the elastomeric device under fully loaded car conditions.

Abstract: A truck assembly is configured to travel along a track having rails, and includes a first side frame, a second side frame, and a bolster extending between the first side frame and the second side frame. One or more of the first side frame, the second frame, or the bolster includes at least a portion formed as an I-beam that includes a web having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, a first flange extending from the first end of the web, and a second flange extending from the second end of the web. A thickness of the web increases away from a first neutral axis towards the first flange and the second flange.

Abstract: A truck assembly is configured to travel along a track having rails. The truck assembly includes a bolster that includes a first flange, a second flange, and a web connecting the first flange to the second flange. The first flange, the second flange, and the web form an I-beam.

Abstract: A friction assist side bearing assembly for a truck assembly of a rail vehicle includes a first friction member, a second friction member that opposes the first friction member, and a cap coupled to the first friction member and the second friction member. The cap is configured to contact a portion of a car body coupled to the truck assembly.

Abstract: A pressure control system and means for pressure pouring of cast steel wheels, including a control system and a main gas circuit. The control system includes an upper computer, a PLC unit, a sensor, an operation box and an electronic valve. The upper computer is connected via a signal line with the PLC unit which is connected with each of the sensor, the operation box and the electronic valve. The sensor includes an inside-tank pressure sensor and an inside-mold liquid level detecting sensor. The electronic valve includes a quick breaking valve and a servo valve. The main gas circuit includes a gas pressure bag, a ball valve, a pressure reducing valve, a solenoid valve, and a pressure tank. The gas pressure bag, the ball valve, the pressure reducing valve, the solenoid valve and the pressure tank are connected with one another via gas tubes.

Abstract: A gas pressure tank structure including: a tank wall, a compression oil cylinder, a locking ring, a spring cylinder, a locating pin mounting hole, a dowel pinhole, a refractory brick, a guide mechanism, a sealing structure, an arc joint, an arc shaped tank bottom, a steel ladle stand, a tank cover, and a reinforcing board.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the operating condition of a wheelset on a railcar comprising a sealed unit mounted on or near a wheelset of the railcar for collecting data from the wheelset and performing AI analyses on the collected data to determine the operational condition and predict failure modes for the wheelset. Results are communicated off-railcar wirelessly via one or more of several different methods.

Abstract: A slinger for a roller bearing seal includes (a) an inner section extending at least in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the slinger, encircling the rotation axis and forming a plurality of tabs configured to pressure fit the slinger onto a rotor of a roller bearing seal, (b) an outer section extending at least in the first direction at a greater distance than the inner section from the rotation axis and encircling the rotation axis, and (c) a middle section encircling the rotation axis and spanning between the inner section and the outer section, wherein the inner section, the middle section, and the outer section define respective portions of a single continuous part.

Abstract: A system, method and assembly for detecting the operational status of one or more discharge gates on one or more railcars. The system and method monitor parameters that include whether the discharge gate is open or closed, whether the railcar is in motion or not, and whether the railcar is in a location where it is acceptable for the discharge gate to be open. Sensors carry out the monitoring, and the information obtained by monitoring the parameters are used to determine if a notification event has taken place and if so, a notification of such event can be transmitted to a remote receiver. A change in the status of any one of the monitored parameters can trigger the determination of whether a notification event has occurred.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a tank body and a tank cover of a pressure tank. The locking mechanism includes: a tank body, a tank chamber, a tank cover, a hydraulic cylinder, a locking ring, a spring cylinder, a fixing supporting mechanism, a fixing plate, a barb, a notch, and a pulling cylinder.

Abstract: A rail yard management system and method that takes advantage of infrastructure installed in rail yards and on train consists to allow the management of the assembly, disassembly and validation of train consists in the rail yard. A train management system and method is also provided.

Abstract: A pouring metallic plug stick clamping mechanism for cast steel wheels. The mechanism includes: a cast iron frame, a plurality of grooves, a centrally located opening in the frame, a first white ceramic ball, a second white ceramic ball, a third white ceramic ball, a retaining spring, a pressure regulating bolt, a control press button, a metallic plug stick, and a blocking iron piece.

Abstract: A slinger for a roller bearing seal includes (a) an inner section extending at least in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the slinger, encircling the rotation axis and forming a plurality of tabs configured to pressure fit the slinger onto a rotor of a roller bearing seal, (b) an outer section extending at least in the first direction at a greater distance than the inner section from the rotation axis and encircling the rotation axis, and (c) a middle section encircling the rotation axis and spanning between the inner section and the outer section, wherein the inner section, the middle section, and the outer section define respective portions of a single continuous part.

Abstract: Valves for maintaining brake cylinder pressure in freight car brake equipment are provided. A valve includes a first diaphragm defining a first side and a second side, and a second diaphragm defining a first side and a second side. The valve further includes a first port for receiving pressure from one of an emergency reservoir or a control volume, the first port in fluid communication with the first side of the first diaphragm; a second port for receiving pressure from a brake pipe, the second port in fluid communication with the second side of the first diaphragm; and a third port for receiving pressure from a brake cylinder, the third port in fluid communication with the second side of the second diaphragm.

Abstract: A friction shoe for a railway car truck is provided. The railway truck comprises two parallel side frames, a suspension spring assembly supported by the side frames, and a bolster transversely mounted between the side frames and supported by the suspension spring assembly. Each side frame has at least one vertical support face, and the bolster has at least one sloped support face. The friction shoe comprises a sloped wall engaging the sloped support face of the bolster, a vertical wall engaging the side frame vertical support face, and a bottom base engaging and supported by a suspension control spring group which comprises three concentrically nested coil springs which provide a normal force on the column wear plate of between 3000 and 5000 pounds in the static empty railway car truck condition and between 7,500 and 12,000 pounds force under the static loaded railway car truck condition.

Abstract: A system for monitoring operation of a railcar having one or more sensing units, mounted on the railcar, for monitoring operating parameters and or conditions of the railcar, and a communication management unit, in wireless communication with the sensing units, wherein the system can make a determination of an alarm condition based on data collected the sensing units. A temperature sensor device for use in such a system is also provided.

Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.

Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.