Abstract: A system for measuring in-train and coupling forces of freight rail cars is provided. The system includes at least four strain sensing elements mounted to the coupler of a railway vehicle. Signals from the strain sensing elements are transmitted to a receiver where they are converted into force readings.
Abstract: A friction shoe is provided for use in a railway truck. The friction shoe is placed such that it frictionally engages both a wear plate on the side frame vertical column and wear plates on the slope surfaces of the bolster to dampen the oscillating motion of the bolster when supported by spring groups in the side frame. The shoe is provided with sloped surfaces that engage complementary slope surfaces on the bolster. Wear plates are fitted and held on the sloped surfaces of the bolster and on the vertical columns of the side frames.
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 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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 12, 2019
Publication date:
January 16, 2020
Applicant:
Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul Steven Wike, Jay P. Monaco, Joshua E. Tonnies
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 23, 2019
Publication date:
December 5, 2019
Applicant:
Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul Steven Wike, Igor Aleynikov, Jared Doerr, Thomas Petrunich
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
November 5, 2019
Assignee:
Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Zhongxian Du, Hongwei Ma, James Harold Strickland, Sijin Zhang, Chengqun Yan, Jianfei Sun, Fuyang Cao, Hongjun Chen
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 1, 2019
Assignee:
Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Zhaoli Yang, Yue Zuo, Xuejun Zhu, Sijin Zhang, Chengqun Yan, Zhongxian Du, Jianfei Sun, Fuyang Cao, Dongye Yang
Abstract: A retaining valve includes an inlet and a valve member downstream from the inlet, wherein the valve member has first, second, and third positions. A first passage through the valve member allows fluid flow through the retaining valve when the valve member is in the first position. A second passage through the valve member allows fluid flow through the retaining valve when the valve member is in the second position. A third passage through the valve member allows fluid flow through the retaining valve when the valve member is in the third position. A slide moves with respect to the valve member in response to pressure at the inlet. A spring engaged with the slide biases the slide toward the inlet. A seal located at an axial midpoint of the slide prevents flow through the third passage when pressure at the inlet is less than a predetermined pressure.
Abstract: An elastomeric pad is provided for use in a railway car truck that includes two sideframes and a bolster. Each sideframe has a pedestal opening at each end to receive a bearing adapter assembly. The bearing adapter assembly includes a cast steel bearing adapter that is formed to fit on top of an axle bearing assembly. An elastomeric pad, comprised of a selected hardness elastomer, is fit on top of the bearing adapter. Contact buttons extend from the top surface and bottom surface of the elastomeric pad and are received in openings in the elastomeric pad. A conductor provides an electrical connection between the contact buttons.
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 15, 2019
Publication date:
August 15, 2019
Applicant:
Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Mohsen Samadani, David Heagerty, Francis Cooper, Daniel Maraini, Andrew Seidel
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 bearing assembly comprising a bearing cup having two ends, with a pair of outer raceways formed one adjacent each end of the bearing cup. A pair of bearing cones form a pair of inner raceways. Two rows of tapered roller bearings with each row received between one inner raceway and one outer raceway. A pair of wear rings are provided, each having a first axially inwardly directed end in engagement with an outwardly directed end of a bearing cone. A pair of seals each having a first end fitted into one into one of the bearing cup cylindrical counterbores. Each seal has a second end including a resilient element to form a seal with one of the wear rings. A second end of each wear ring is received in a cylindrical counterbore in each annular backing ring. A circular shroud is located radially outer and adjacent to one seal.
Abstract: A device is provided for addition to a three piece railway freight truck to prevent vertical over travel of the bolster and absorb inertia energy of the bolster before it impacts the side frame or brake equipment. Two variations of this device have a gap which prevents the device from being engaged under normal operating conditions. The device utilizes an energy absorbing elastomer material mounted between the top of the bolster end and the bottom of the side frame top center compression member.
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 21, 2019
Assignee:
Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Yuepeng Zheng, Yue Zuo, Rizhuo Bai, Sijin Zhang, Chengqun Yan, Zhongxian Du, Jianfei Sun, Fuyang Cao, Dongye Yang
Abstract: A control valve includes a diaphragm with a flow path with a predetermined cross-section from a brake pipe to a first side of the diaphragm and another flow path having another predetermined cross-section from a second side of the diaphragm to atmosphere. A dump valve prevents flow from the brake pipe to atmosphere. A method for operating a control valve includes supplying brake pipe air to a first side of a diaphragm through a flow path having a predetermined cross-section and permitting or preventing reference air flow to atmosphere through another flow path having another predetermined cross-section. The method further includes supplying reference air to a dump valve that prevents brake pipe air flow to atmosphere.
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 26, 2014
Date of Patent:
April 16, 2019
Assignee:
Amsted Rail Company
Inventors:
William LeFebvre, Matthew Bonnes, Darren Dragish, Andrew Martin, Edward J. Mansfield
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2019
Assignee:
Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Sijin Zhang, Xuefeng Yu, James Harold Strickland, Chengqun Yan, Zhongxian Du, Changling Hu