Abstract: A gating circuit and method for controlling the output of data from the scanner of a heat detector in response to a bi-polar signal indicating the presence of an object within the scanning window of the heat detector; stores the data output; senses the stored data with respect to a reference signal with a differential amplifier responsive to the data output; gates the data output to storage by a first gate interconnecting the data output with the differental amplifier; generates control signals for opening and closing the gate with different states of the bi-polar signal for controlling the gate such that the reference signal represents the last immediate data output; detects the difference between the stored peak value and the highest data value of the output data subsequent to turning off a first gate; and using a second gate interconnecting the output of the sensor with the detector and controlled by the control signals to be open with the first gate closed and closed with the first gate open.

Abstract: In a vehicle adapted to carry cargo, the vehicle includes a cargo supporting surface having at least one opening and a cargo restraining device comprising a standard at least partially within the opening and capable of projecting from the opening above the cargo carrying surface. The device further includes a rotatable actuation shaft extending beneath the cargo supporting surface, and a control arm extending from the shaft and having a camming surface engaging the standard. Upon rotation of the actuation rod, the standard is caused to be displaced vertically within the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting at least one metallic object in a series of metallic objects lying along a path in a repetitive pattern by a metallic detector mounted on a vehicle movable along the path with the movement of the vehicle controlled by the detector to position the vehicle over a detected metallic object and blocking detection of a previously detected object subsequent to the detection of the previously detected metallic object to prevent erroneous metallic object detections, and further controlled to initiate different travel modes of movement including a fast mode to move the vehicle in a forward direction along the path at an optimum speed and controlling deceleration of the vehicle for accurately positioning it at a detected one of the metallic objects. The apparatus has particular application to the tamping of crossties on railway tracks and includes programs for controlling the movement of the vehicle and the tamping operation.

Abstract: An electronic levelling apparatus using an inclinometer mounted to a platform for sensing deviations from the horizontal and generating an output signal representative thereof, filtering the inclinometer output signal to remove electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, level-shifting the filtered inclinometer output signal to establish both positive and negative threshold voltages, determining positive and negative voltage level shifts to generate a level control signal therefrom and transmitting the level control signal to an actuating mechanism for maintaining the platform level.

Abstract: A safety restraint device is adapted to be mounted on a rail of a railway track, and includes a substantially U-shaped hood having a pair of hinged hood sections each supporting upper and lower rollers for engagement respectively with upper and lower surfaces of the ball of the rail. The upper rollers are adjustable for accommodating different rail weights, the rollers are located wholly within the hood, and the hinged hood sections permit quick assembly to and removal from the rail.

Abstract: An electronic fuel conserving control system for multiple unit locomotive consists. The control system varies the throttle settings of the individual locomotive units among full power, half power and minimal power settings to operate the consist in a fuel efficient manner while maintaining the desired speed. Special features include automatic dropping of the locomotive to full power reduction when the air brakes have been applied for 30 seconds, a 90 second manual override period which is initiated when the dynamic brake is released after having been applied for 30 seconds, dip switch selection of the number of units available for dynamic brake loading, a power reduction button for quickly reducing power, minimum and maximum speed limit switches which establish a speed range in which the control system operates the train, and a solid state control circuit for controlling the governor solenoids of the locomotives in the fuel save mode of operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a railroad car for use in transporting railroad ties. A flat bed is provided with siderails which extend upwardly along each side of the bed. Each of the siderails comprises vertically extending posts and horizontally extending rails with some of the rail sections being removable to accommodate unloading of the ties. The removable rail sections are disposed so that upper and lower rails on one sidewall are removable while an intermediate rail section on the opposite sidewall is removable. This helps to insure the structural integrity of the car.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening a rail spike or the like includes a pair of said facing support arms mounted for pivotal movement about spaced axes on a frame, male die blocks mounted on the arms for movement therewith toward confronting angularly related surfaces of a female die member. A plurality of such female die members may be mounted on a rotatable support table such that the support surfaces of the female dies define radially extending angular grooves. The support table may be incrementally rotated for sequentially effecting a spike straightening operation, the table being locked at the spike straightening station and thereafter automatically ejected.

Abstract: A track gauger includes a vertically movable gauger frame having a pair of fixed rail gauge bars extending between the rails upon a lowering of the frame. The gauger frame lies crosswise relative to the frame of a rail vehicle on which it is mounted, and outer edges of the bars are spaced apart in this crosswise direction a fixed distance for establishing a predetermined rail gauge distance. Pivotable rail gauge levers on the gauger frame engage the rails for gauging them at such predetermined distance upon engagement between the rails and the outer edges of the gauge bars. A track pre-gauger is mounted on the front end of the vehicle frame for pre-gauging the rails at such predetermined rail gauge distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving plugs into railway tie holes remaining after the removal of at least one rail and its associated tie plate and rail spikes from the railway ties, includes a vehicle adapted for travel along narrow gauge rails temporarily installed on the ties, or along the standard gauge rails while spanning a rail removed section of the track. Vertically reciprocable tamper plates are mounted on the vehicle frame and are reciprocated by the provision of limit switches on the frame in timed relationship to the rate of travel of the vehicle along the rails.

Abstract: A rail anchor remover includes a wedge member affixed to a rail lifter for progressively moving an end of each rail anchor away from the rail web until it no longer grips the rail base and falls to the ground. The wedge is provided with a tailpiece having a bearing surface engaging an outer edge of the rail flange for stabilization of the wedge, and are undercut surface which slopes downwardly and inwardly from an outer side wall of the wedge and slopes at a progressively steeper angle toward the tailpiece.

Abstract: A system for detecting a thin wheel flange and condition and a loose wheel condition of railroad wheels includes relatively movable contacts actuated by the passing wheels and triggering switches when the contacts move together into a spacing less than a predetermined flange thickness. Opposing contact arms bearing against back faces of the rims of the opposing wheels are interconnected for detecting a loose wheel condition upon the closing of an electrical circuit including microswitches and electrical contacts which close when the opposing wheels are spaced less than a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: An electronic control system for automatically controlling the locomotive units of a multiple unit locomotive consist in a manner to maintain a selected speed of the consist with minimum fuel consumption. The control system includes a microprocessor and related hardware for each unit in the consist. Control and acknowledgement signals are transmitted among the locomotive units along a single train line wire to vary the output power of each unit among full power, half power and idle speed settings while maintaining the consist at the desired set speed. The hardware is arranged to direct the control and acknowledgement signals to the proper locomotive units while transmitting in both directions along the train line wire. The software for the microprocessors takes into account the acceleration and deceleration of the consist in adjusting the power output of the locomotive units.

Abstract: In an automatic train-line air brake pressure monitoring system, a peak detector and hold circuit determines the peak voltage of an input signal representing the air pressure in the air brake system. A signal representing the present peak voltage of the input signal from the previously detected peak voltage is subtracted from the presently detected peak voltage to provide a subtraction output signal such that signals representative of the air brake pressure can be generated. The monitoring system may provide emergency air brake condition signals, as well as a number of programmable monitoring signals representative of different pressures within the air brake pressure system.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and device for reducing fuel consumption by a locomotive system comprised of a plurality of tandem diesel locomotives electrically interconnected so that one of the units is a lead unit and the remaining units are trailing units. In particular, the fuel saver arrangement of the present invention is capable of selectively placing one or more of the locomotives in the system in a "throttle one" power position without causing any significant reduction in the operating efficiency of the system's safety equipment. The locomotive is placed in the throttle one power position by means of switching relays that are operable to override the normal throttle control circuit of the locomotive. These relays respond to a fuel save signal that is generated in the control box located on the lead unit. The control box includes a fuel save switch operable to initiate and terminate the fuel save operation and a unit selector switch operable to select the locomotive to be reduced in power.

Abstract: A bolster bearing having a flat bottom wall and an annular sidewall is disposed in the bolster bowl of a truck bolster, a radially extending annular flange on the bearing sidewall overlying an upper surface of the upstanding rim of the truck bolster defining its bolster bowl. Cooperating elements on the rim and on the bearing flange prevent rotation of the bearing from a first position relative to the bolster bowl. The bearing may be radially shifted from its first position to a second position upon disengagement of such elements followed by a reengagement of such elements at such second position in which the bearing is likewise prevented from rotation relative to the bolster bowl.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cleaning of dirty railway ballast includes a dirty ballast remover and a ballast cleaner in the form of a hollow perforate drum rotatable about a central axis inclined upwardly from an inlet to an outlet end thereof. A spiral conveyor is mounted on the inner wall of the drum, and the inlet end thereof lies within a tank filled with a cleaning fluid, while the outlet end lies outwardly thereof. A spoils conveyor is disposed in the tank for the removal therefrom of spoils particles separated from the dirty ballast which is conveyed into the drum through its inlet end whereupon it is cleaned as it is tumbled by the spiral conveyor during drum rotation by separating the spoils particles from the dirty ballast which spoils particles move through the drum perforations. An unclogging device in the form of cylindrical rollers bear against the outer surface of the drum for unclogging any ballast particles from the perforations which may extend therethrough during drum rotation.

Abstract: The velocity of a railway car travelling along a particular track can be determined by measuring the distance travelled by the car during a predetermined time interval. This distance travelled is measured by determining the location of the car with respect to a fixed point on the track at two different points of time. The determination of the location, in turn, is found by measuring the time period that it takes an electric signal applied at a fixed signal generating point to travel along the railway track and, once reaching the car, to be reflected back along the track to the signal generating point. By measuring the time delay between the applied signal and the reflected signal, the distance between the application point and the closest railway car on the track can be measured.

Abstract: A device for latching a sliding door member in place against a stationary frame structure includes an elongated hasp mountable on the door and engageable with a keeper secured to a bracket on the frame with which the hasp engages preventing it from moving laterally outwardly. A pair of cam elements are pivotally mounted on the bracket for movement about a common axis above the hasp, and have flat end surfaces directly overlying an end edge of the hasp for latching it against vertical upward movement. A stop pin on the bracket below such common axis engages with the cam elements for permitting one of them to pivot in only one direction while permitting the other cam element to pivot in only an opposite direction so that the hasp remains latched against vertical upward movement by one or the other of the cams even when subjected to forces having a tendency to cause the cams to pivot in either such direction.

Abstract: Ballast is removed from beneath railroad ties in accordance with a ballast treating method and apparatus without disturbing the ballast in the cribs between adjacent ties, and is deposited into a trench formed along the railway. The crib ballast is likewise removed and deposited in the trench. A plow structure used for the ballast removal operation has cutting blades curved toward the trench and disposed with their leading ends lying along a line sloping rearwardly away from the trench. The rail vehicle which supports the plow structure is stabilized against transverse forces imposed on the vehicle during the ballast removal operation, and the plow itself is likewise stabilized against such forces.