Abstract: A single-piece friction wedge for use in damping relative movement between a bolster and a side frame of a railroad car truck includes a generally horizontal bottom surface, a generally vertical front surface, and a back surface oriented at an acute primary angle with respect to the front surface. The back surface has first and second sloped surfaces which are angled toward each other. A damping system employing such a friction wedge includes a bolster pocket insert. The bolster pocket insert is configured to be at least partially received within a pocket of the bolster and has an inner face configured to engage the pocket of the bolster and an outer face configured to engage at least one of the first and second sloped surfaces of the back surface of the friction wedge.

Abstract: A side bearing for use in a railroad car truck includes a cage, a resilient element within the cage, and a cap engaging an upper end of the resilient element. The cage has a bottom surface and an upturned sidewall, while the cap includes a top surface with a downturned sidewall. The downturned sidewall of the cap is at least partially received within the cage when the resilient element is in a partially compressed condition. The cap is fully received within the cage prior to the resilient element moving into a further compressed condition, such that the cage engages a car body wear plate to provide a solid stop that prevents further compression of the resilient element. One or both of the sidewalls includes wear-limiting contours that may include one or more raised pads.

Abstract: A toilet assembly is provided having a bowl assembly, a fragmentation passage, a jet assembly, and a water system. The bowl assembly has a wastewater inlet and a waste water outlet. The fragmentation passage has a passage, an inlet, and an outlet. The fragmentation inlet and outlet are each in fluid communication with the passage. The passage has an upper portion, that is above a water line, and a lower portion, that is below a water line. The fragmentation inlet coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the bowl assembly waste outlet. The jet assembly has an inlet and an outlet. The jet assembly is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the passage lower portion. The water system is coupled to and in fluid communication with the bowl assembly and the jet assembly. The water system is structured to deliver a quantity of water to the bowl assembly and the jet assembly and to remove wastewater from the fragmentation passage.

Abstract: A radio interference detection and screening system for performs on-locomotive testing of Locomotive Control Unit (LCU) radios. To eliminate bit errors during LCU sensitivity testing (also known as Bit Error Rate (BER) testing), the system detects interfering transmission signals which may cause bit errors in the transmission of test data, and suspends the LCU sensitivity performance testing during periods of detected external transmissions. Once the interfering transmissions are no longer detected by the system, the LCU then resumes the LCU sensitivity performance testing.

Abstract: A filter for a vehicular sewage system that includes an elongated body having a plurality of longitudinal vanes and slots. The body is made from a material able to support the growth of biological agents. The slots sized to resist the passage of particles larger than about 0.04 inches. The filters are structured for use with a vehicular sewage system having a treatment tank divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a membrane. The membrane has a plurality of filter openings in which the filters are disposed. The filters allow fluid waste and solid particles smaller than about 0.04 inch flow into the lower chamber. Larger particles of solid waste are exposed to air in the upper chamber thereby allowing aerobic biological agents to process the solid waste. In use, the filter allows the liquid portion of wastewater to pass from an upper chamber of the treatment tank into a lower chamber. The solid waste particles are then consumed by an aerobic bacteria in the upper chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft member driven by a motor. The assembly comprises a base member, an upright support member connected to the base member and a bearing member mounted on the upright support member Such bearing member is connectable with the rotatable shaft member for supporting such rotatable shaft member thereby reducing extraneous vertical and horizontal movement of such rotatable shaft member while permitting such rotatable shaft member to rotate freely.

Abstract: A valve insert comprises a bushing assembly, a piston assembly and a spring. Its design prevents non-longitudinal movement of the piston assembly as it is moved within the longitudinal bore of the bushing assembly. This virtually eliminates the bell clapper effect commonly suffered by many of the valve inserts currently used in the industry. The design of the valve insert also avoids the pressure imbalances inherent to the prior art valve inserts. The valve insert is designed to fit snugly and sealingly within a suitable borehole, such as the fill and cut-out boreholes of an ECP manifold assembly.

Abstract: A vent valve insert comprises a bushing assembly, a piston assembly and a spring. It is designed to fit snugly and sealingly within a suitable borehole, such as the vent borehole of an ECP manifold assembly. The bushing assembly defines a longitudinal bore within which the piston assembly is situated. When pilot pressure is applied to its top surface, the piston assembly is forced to an open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow through the vent valve insert. Absent pilot pressure acting against the top surface, the spring acts to force the piston assembly upward within the longitudinal bore. Secured to the bottom portion of the piston assembly, an annular sealing member is carried upward so that its flat surface seats against a raised inner portion of an annular valve seat. The vent valve insert is thus normally biased to the closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the length of a train utilizing received signal such as a reference signal from a global positioning system or the like is disclosed. A first receiver receives a signal, such as a reference signal from a global positioning system or the like, from which a first position on a train may be determined. Similarly, a second receiver receives a signal from which a second position on the train may be determined. A processor, operatively coupled to the first and second receivers, determines the length of the train based on the first and second positions.