Abstract: A heat exchanger, such as an air-to-air after-cooler assembly, having reduced and/or eliminated leakage at the tube/header joint is provided. The assembly comprises a series of tubular members formed from a first metal, each of the tubular members including an end portion and a header formed from a second metal, wherein the first metal and the second metal have similar coefficients of thermal expansions. The header includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough and each of the end portions of the tubular members is mechanically secured within corresponding openings within the header to form an after-cooler assembly. A method for forming the air-to-air after-cooler assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A derailment detector for a railway vehicle includes a housing in selective fluid communication with a brake pipe of the railway vehicle to receive compressed air from a pneumatic braking system. A main chamber is disposed within the housing and pressurized by the compressed air. A shock detection assembly is adapted for detecting an acceleration indicative of a derailment condition and activating a main valve disposed within the main chamber upon detection of the acceleration indicative of the derailment condition. A discharge valve is in selective fluid communication with the main chamber, where, upon detection of the acceleration indicative of the derailment condition, the discharge valve is operative for discharging a predetermined amount of the compressed air from the main chamber to indicate that the derailment condition has occurred.

Abstract: A pneumatic manifold for a braking system of a railway vehicle includes a first manifold section and a second manifold section, each having an interior surface thereon and a plurality of ports and passageways extending therethrough, and a manifold joint seal for creating a sealing engagement between the first manifold section and the second manifold section. The manifold joint seal is removably mounted inside a slot provided on the surface of one or both manifold sections. The manifold joint seal includes a retainer body having an opening extending therethrough, and two sealing elements are disposed within respective channels provided on opposing surfaces of the retainer body in the axial direction of the annular opening.

Abstract: A data improvement system, including an initial database, a verification database, and a processing device in communication with the initial database and the verification database. The processing device receives data from the initial database and the verification database, and determines verification data based thereon. A track data improvement system and a track database improvement system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A parking brake for a railway vehicle includes a pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder wall, a first wall opposite a second wall, and a piston movable within the pneumatic cylinder. At least one spring extends between the piston and the second wall for biasing the piston against the first wall. A gear box is fixed relative to the second wall and includes a hand wheel. A spindle is operatively connected to the gear box to affect movement of a manual reset mechanism having a threaded shaft and a ball screw nut rotatably engaged with the threaded shaft. A pushrod is connected to the manual reset mechanism and extends through the cylinder and the first wall. When the hand wheel is rotated, the manual reset mechanism is rotated to cause the pushrod to move relative to the piston corresponding to the direction of the rotation of the hand wheel.

Abstract: An end-of-train unit for a rear railroad car, including: a housing mountable to a portion of the rear railroad car; a visual data collection device in operative engagement or at least partially integral with the housing and having a field-of-view, wherein the visual data collection device is configured to obtain visual data representative of at least a portion of the area in the field-of-view; and a transmission device in operative engagement or at least partially integral with at least one of the housing and the visual data collection device and configured to transmit the visual data to a processing unit of a forward railroad car. A visual data collection system and method are also provided.

Abstract: An air compressor with oil pump inlet strainer bypass features, including a bypass valve assembly in fluid communication with the air compressor crankcase to provide lubricating oil to the dynamic compressor components, or simply to the air compressor. The bypass valve assembly includes a valve housing defining an interior chamber and an oil strainer screen engaged with the valve housing to filter the lubricating oil entering the interior chamber. A bypass valve is in fluid communication with the interior chamber and includes a valve body having a bypass port and an indicator port. An optional suction tube is connected to the bypass port on the valve body. An indicator assembly is connected to the indicator port on the valve body.

Abstract: An empty-load device feedback arrangement for a train with the railcar having an air brake arrangement with an one air-operable braking assembly, the arrangement including: an empty-load device having: at least one sensor arrangement to sense a load associated with the railcar; a braking assembly input exhibiting a delivered air pressure; a regulation arrangement to regulate air pressure; and a braking assembly output exhibiting a regulated air pressure; and a pressure sensor to: sense the regulated air pressure of the air being delivered to the air-operable braking assembly; and generate a regulated air pressure signal. An air brake arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to this invention there is provided an adjustable base plate structure for a transit door comprised of a plurality of fixed dimension elements and a plurality of variable dimension elements for accommodating a plurality of door sizes and types. The base plate structure comprises a roller channel for spanning the width of the door and a center brace for being secured to the channel centered on the roller channel. Mounting brackets are secured to the vehicle or door frame and the roller channel.

Abstract: A data improvement system, including an initial database, a verification database, and a processing device in communication with the initial database and the verification database. The processing device receives data from the initial database and the verification database, and determines verification data based thereon. A track data improvement system and a track database improvement system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric swing plug door operator with a remotely powered auxiliary lock mechanism, door striker, catch and manual release system for use on light to medium duty shuttle or utility vehicles. The swing plug door system includes a door operator and base plate assembly, a shaft and arm assembly, a guide rod assembly, a lower shaft pivot, a door panel with a leading edge catch and lock striker assembly, an auxiliary lock and a manual release cable. The auxiliary lock assembly includes a lock bar engaging the lock striker mounted to the trailing edge of the door panel when the door reaches the fully closed position. The door operator includes a manual release lever and gear motor subassembly to drive the door system linkage and to manually disengage the door linkage and lock assembly to gain manual egress from the vehicle.

Abstract: The railway vehicle brake disc includes a cylindrical hub, friction ring, and bell-shaped flange connecting the hub with the friction ring. The cylindrical hub defines a central axis and has an axial width and an outer diameter. The surface at the outer diameter defines an outer hub periphery. The friction ring includes two opposed annular members each having an outer braking surface and an inner surface. The annular members are connected to each other by a plurality of fins extending from the inner surface of one annular member to the inner surface of the other annular member. The bell-shaped flange has an inner portion connected to the hub, an outer portion connected to the fins, and a radial portion connecting the inner portion to the outer portion. The hub, friction ring, and bell-shaped flange are formed integrally from a single material.

Abstract: An oil-free compressor for a rail vehicle includes a multi-piece compressor housing, a first piston cylinder supported in a first opening in the compressor housing, a second piston cylinder supported in a second opening in the compressor housing, a multi-piece crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing, and an optionally filtering air plenum in fluid communication with the compressor housing interior to provide a volume of air to the compressor housing interior. The crankshaft assembly is linked to pistons of the first and second piston cylinders by respective connecting rods. The connecting rods connect to a wrist pin associated with each of the pistons, and the wrist pins are respectively supported by a dry lubricant bushing to the associated piston. The compressor housing may have a first housing portion and a second housing portion forming respective halves of the compressor housing.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly for a railway vehicle braking system includes a pair of end members spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the brake actuator assembly, a hollow flexible elastomeric member, two peripheral flanges extending outwardly from ends of the hollow flexible elastomeric member. Two retaining members, apertures and fasteners are employed for attaching each peripheral flange directly to a respectively positioned end member. The brake actuator assembly is connected to a source of fluid under pressure enabling inflation of the flexible elastomeric member and initiation of a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The brake actuator assembly of the instant invention allows for improved control of the brake shoe forces including visual travel measurement indication which is especially desirable during light load conditions.

Abstract: A trip cock device includes a housing, a cam dog, a handle engaging the cam dog, a piston assembly at least partially received within the housing, and a fault detection valve secured to the piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a piston and the fault detection valve is configured to open and close. The fault detection valve engages the cam dog when closed.

Abstract: A coupler for transit cars includes a coupler anchor, a coupler mechanism supported to the coupler anchor by a deformation tube and draft gear element, and a coupler support mechanism. The coupler support mechanism includes two support arms pivotally mounted to a lower part of a coupling connector. A tension rod is provided for each support arm to control the pivotal displacement of each support arm. Each support arm further includes a torsion spring which is loaded as the support arm is pivotally displaced in an upward direction and unloaded as the support arm is pivotally displaced in a downward direction. The position of each support arm may be adjusted independently, thereby allowing adjustment of the coupler along longitudinal and lateral planes of the transit car.

Abstract: A brake monitoring system for an air brake arrangement including: at least one sensor to measure air pressure in at least one component of an air brake arrangement; at least one local controller to determine air brake data; and at least one communication device to transmit at least a portion of the air brake. An air brake arrangement and a computer-implemented method of determining air brake data in an air brake arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for detecting and reporting track defects while a train is in motion on railway tracks includes at least one defect sensor configured to sense an acceleration of at least a portion of the train; and at least one computer-readable medium. The at least one computer-readable medium comprises program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: detect, while the train is in motion on the railway tracks, at least one track defect in the railway tracks based at least partially on the acceleration of the at least a portion of the train; and generate track defect data based at least partially on a location of the train when the at least one track defect is detected.

Abstract: A railway vehicle brake system includes at least two relay valves in electrical communication with one another and in fluid communication with a brake pipe, at least two friction brake units in fluid communication with each relay valve, and at least one electric brake unit in electrical communication with each relay valve. Upon a failure of one of the electric brake units, the relay valve in communication with the failed electric brake unit sends a signal to at least one other relay valve to provide pressurized fluid to the at least two friction brake units in fluid communication with the at least one other relay valve. The at least two relay valves may include integrated electric relay valves. The at least two friction brake units may include disc brake units. Each relay valve may be positioned between and in fluid communication with the brake pipe and a main reservoir pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for determining dynamic braking data for use in a braking model of at least one train, the method including: (a) determining at least one initial safety factor; (b) determining at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor based at least partially on (i) the expected dynamic braking force, and (ii) specified retarding forces of the train; and (c) determining at least one new safety factor based at least partially on the at least one initial safety factor and the at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor. Also disclosed are braking systems including dynamic braking for a train having at least one locomotive.