Patents Assigned to Voestalpine Nortrak Inc.
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Patent number: 10711406Abstract: A tie having a non-linear keyway under the overlying rail to provide support to restrain lateral and longitudinal movement of the rail. A fastening system to hold rails down on a tie comprises a rail plate that may be fastened to the tie within the keyway. The fasteners are protected to avoid damage in case of a derailment or other adverse conditions. Also disclosed are visual inspection mechanisms to assist with determining whether a fastening system is securely attached to the tie.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: voestalpine Nortrak Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Mattson, Scott D. Lesher
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Patent number: 10458071Abstract: An interface pad for a concrete tie includes a resilient contact pad to cushion the tie from any overlying parts in a railway application, such as panels in a grade crossing or rails in a turnout. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means and methods to correctly secure such an interface pad to a concrete railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the tie.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: voestalpine Nortrak Inc.Inventors: Steven R Mattson, Scott D. Lesher, Perry E. Nuernberger
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Patent number: 10400397Abstract: A boltless brace assembly for a rail includes a base block interlocked with a brace, and further includes a wedge to be inserted between an upper surface of the base block and a lower surface of the brace, thereby applying an upward force to the brace and a resultant downward force to secure the rail base. The brace assembly may be modified to provide a universal brace assembly, a resilient brace assembly, or a frog base clamp.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: voestalpine Nortrak Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Brent Duffner, Bradley Smith, Derek Cameron
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Patent number: 9352762Abstract: A hydraulically powered switch machine having power and manual operating modes, and a dual disconnect mechanism. In power operation mode, the machine may be operated remotely, or using controls located on or near the machine. In the event of power failure, the machine may be operated manually. The dual disconnect mechanism physically disconnects the powered throw mechanism when the machine is operating in manual mode and physically disconnects the manual throw mechanism when the machine is operating in power mode, in both cases preventing unexpected movement of the manual throw mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: VOESTALPINE NORTRAK INC.Inventors: Gary Click, Brent Duffner
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Patent number: 9290192Abstract: A controller for a spring wing on a frog that utilizes a floating piston rod carrying a fixed piston valve and a free-moving piston head is provided. When the piston rod is actuated by the opening movement of the spring wing, the piston valve separates from the piston head briefly, allowing oil to flow through the piston head in a relatively unrestricted manner. The piston head is spring biased towards the piston valve; upon contact between the piston head and the piston valve, the oil flow through the piston head stops, helping to hold the spring wing in the open position. When the spring wing begins to close, the adjustable oil flow through the controller allows the piston rod to move at a controlled rate, thereby controlling the closure rate of the spring wing.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Voestalpine Nortrak Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Brent Duffner, Bradley Smith, Martin Webb
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Publication number: 20150204023Abstract: An interface pad for a concrete tie includes a resilient contact pad to cushion the tie from any overlying parts in a railway application, such as panels in a grade crossing or rails in a turnout. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means and methods to correctly secure such an interface pad to a concrete railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the tie.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: voestalpine Nortrak Inc.Inventors: Steven R. MATTSON, Scott D. LESHER, Perry E. NUERNBERGER
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Publication number: 20150159332Abstract: A controller for a spring wing on a frog that utilizes a floating piston rod carrying a fixed piston valve and a free-moving piston head is provided. When the piston rod is actuated by the opening movement of the spring wing, the piston valve separates from the piston head briefly, allowing oil to flow through the piston head in a relatively unrestricted manner. The piston head is spring biased towards the piston valve; upon contact between the piston head and the piston valve, the oil flow through the piston head stops, helping to hold the spring wing in the open position. When the spring wing begins to close, the adjustable oil flow through the controller allows the piston rod to move at a controlled rate, thereby controlling the closure rate of the spring wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: voestalpine Nortrak Inc.Inventors: Gary CLICK, Brent DUFFNER, Bradley SMITH, Martin WEBB
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Publication number: 20140339373Abstract: A hydraulically powered switch machine having power and manual operating modes, and a dual disconnect mechanism. In power operation mode, the machine may be operated remotely, or using controls located on or near the machine. In the event of power failure, the machine may be operated manually. The dual disconnect mechanism physically disconnects the powered throw mechanism when the machine is operating in manual mode and physically disconnects the manual throw mechanism when the machine is operating in power mode, in both cases preventing unexpected movement of the manual throw mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: VOESTALPINE NORTRAK, INC.Inventors: Gary CLICK, Brent Duffner
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Patent number: 8752773Abstract: The invention relates to an interface pad comprising a stiffener supporting a resilient pad to cushion the panels in a grade crossing between and around the rails from impact with the underlying ties and to prevent the panels from moving. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means to securely fasten such an interface pad to a railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the rails or panels in the grade crossing.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Voestalpine Nortrak Inc.Inventor: Steven R. Mattson