Patents Assigned to Wabtec Holding Corp.
  • Publication number: 20120211098
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve housing that has a main passage defined therein and a valve assembly that includes a valve body, which is movable within the main passage between open and closed positions, and a valve stem that fixedly engages the valve body. A handle is disposed on the valve housing that is connected to the valve stem and is operable to rotate the valve body between the open and closed positions via the valve stem. A switch is disposed within the housing, which operatively engages the valve assembly and is configured to transmit a signal to an operator's station regarding the position of the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
    Inventors: S. Clay Evatt, Gregory Stephen Childers
  • Publication number: 20120204655
    Abstract: Chain tension sensing device includes a hollow enclosure, a sensor mounted in a stationary position within enclosure and a member mounted for a reciprocal movement in a substantially linear direction relative to the sensor. The member includes a chain engaging first portion, a second portion mounted for reciprocal movement and a sensor target disposed on a distal end of the second portion. A compressible resilient member is mounted in abutting engagement with at least a rear surface of the first portion. Chain take-up attains tension thereon generating force and moving the member towards the sensor so as to position the sensor target in operative sensing alignment therewith. Chain let-up causes the compressible resilient member to move the member in an opposite direction, removing the sensor target from the operative sensing alignment with the sensor. Sensor generates a control signal in response to sensing or not sensing the sensor target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: WABTEC Holding Corp.
    Inventors: PETER GREGAR, Jonathon Marlow
  • Publication number: 20120205200
    Abstract: A device for indirectly sensing tension of a chain in a railroad handbrake includes an elongated bore formed through a holding pawl of the handbrake, sensor target attached to the holding pawl and a sensor mounted in close proximity to an upper end of the housing so as to sense the sensor target. The ratchet wheel of the handbrake positions the sensor target for operative sensing alignment with the sensor during at least partial handbrake application. A biasing member moves the sensor target away from the operative sensing alignment during handbrake release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: WABTEC Holding Corp.
    Inventor: PETER GREGAR
  • Publication number: 20120199545
    Abstract: An energy absorbing coupler for railway vehicles includes a coupler anchor, a coupler mechanism supported to the coupler anchor by a deformation tube and draft gear element, and a plurality of energy absorbing devices associated with the coupler anchor. The energy absorbing devices each include two mating components in frictional engagement with one another. Sliding movement between contacting surfaces of the two components occurs when energy is applied to the coupler mechanism, thereby creating friction and dissipating the applied energy at least in part in the form of heat. The two mating components may include a male part, such as a mounting bolt, in mating engagement within a female part, such as a collar. An inside diameter of the collar may be slightly smaller than an outside diameter of the mounting bolt to create a press-fit engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
    Inventor: Jason D. Peckham
  • Publication number: 20120192710
    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, and a multi-piece crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing. 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 at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion and the second housing portion may form respective halves of the compressor housing that are secured together with mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
    Inventors: Roland S. Moore, Michael V. Kazakis, Antione T. Ford, Murtaza R. Dossaji
  • Publication number: 20120192957
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
    Inventors: Robert N. Scharpf, S. Clay Evatt
  • Patent number: 8230985
    Abstract: A parking brake assembly for a railway car includes a ratchet mounted for rotation on a threaded piston rod of a brake actuator and a holding pawl engageable with the ratchet for maintaining a push rod of the parking brake assembly to apply braking force when the air pressure is lost in the brake pipe and releasing the push rod to accordingly release the braking force when the supply of air pressure in the brake pipe is restored. An operating lever and a cylinder connected thereto are provided for selectively rotating the holding pawl. Valve is provided for supplying air pressure to and evacuating it from the cylinder. Release mechanism is provided for manually releasing the braking force. The parking brake assembly is employed with either truck-mounted or carbody-mounted braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Howard Sommerfeld, Jonathon Marlow, Michael J. Moriarity, Wajih Kanjo, David Meyer, Bradley Anderson, Michael Ring
  • Publication number: 20120179309
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: M. Frank Wilson, Lee Olson, Matthew Schouten
  • Patent number: 8214091
    Abstract: A system for determining a possible location of a train in a track network including interconnected tracks having wayside devices associated with these tracks. The system includes a positioning system for determining an estimated location area of a train and a track database having track location data. A computer: obtains the determined estimated location area of the train from the positioning system; identifies a plurality of tracks in the estimated location area of the train, based upon the track location data; obtains signal system data for at least one wayside device associated with at least one of the tracks identified within the estimated location area; and determines at least one possible train location on at least one of the identified tracks based at least in part upon the obtained signal system data. A method and apparatus for determining the possible location of a train is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Kernwein
  • Publication number: 20120166109
    Abstract: A system for determining air propagation rate through a pneumatically-controlled braking arrangement of a train, the braking arrangement having a controller for adjusting air pressure of air transmitted through a brake pipe from a lead locomotive to a rear railcar, the system including: a lead device positioned on the lead locomotive and configured to associate first time data with first air pressure data sensed in the brake pipe at a first position; a rear device positioned on the rear railcar and configured to associate second time data with second air pressure data sensed in the brake pipe at a second position; and a control device configured to determine air propagation data based at least partially upon at least one of the following: first time data, first air pressure data, the first position, second time data, second air pressure data, the second position, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Kernwein, M. Frank Wilson
  • Patent number: 8175764
    Abstract: A system for identifying at least one condition of at least one upcoming feature of at least one track in a track network. The system includes a positioning system for determining an estimated train position on a track within the track network, and at least one database including track data and feature data. A computer (i) obtains the determined estimated train position on at least one track from the positioning system; and (ii) for the at least one track, identifies at least one condition for at least one upcoming feature based at least in part upon the track data and the feature data in the at least one database. The feature data is dynamically updated while the train is traversing the track in the track network. A method and apparatus for identifying a condition of an upcoming feature are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Kernwein
  • Patent number: 8171672
    Abstract: A removable teeter lever and gear assembly arrangement (100) for use with a pneumatic cylinder/differential engine for operating vehicle doors. The arrangement comprises a teeter lever (16), which is associated with the vehicle doors, a gear assembly (17) having a toothed portion and an output shaft (20) extending therethrough, and at least one securing member for removably securing and/or retaining the teeter lever (16) and the gear (17) on the output shaft (20). The securing member comprises at least one retention key (18a, 19a) which allows the arrangement to be easily disassembled for maintenance and/or replacement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Gennady Plavnik, David C. Griffis, Michael O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20120085596
    Abstract: A railway vehicle truck mounted brake rigging includes spaced apart first and second brake beams, a horizontally disposed first transfer lever having a pivotal connection with one brake beam and further having an upturned flange, a link seated horizontally on the shoulder, a horizontally disposed second transfer lever having a pivotal connection with another brake beam, a first force-transmitting member passing through the first opening of the bolster for pivotal connection with each of the link and the second transfer lever, the pivotal connection is offset in a vertical direction from a horizontal plane defined by the first transfer lever, and a second force-transmitting member passing through the second opening of the bolster for pivotal connection with opposed ends of the respective first and second transfer levers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: WABTEC Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathon Marlow, Peter Gregar
  • Patent number: 8136683
    Abstract: A draft gear assembly which is mountable within a yoke of the railway vehicle for cushioning buff and draft dynamic impact forces encountered during make-up and operation of a railway vehicle includes a compressible spring positioned intermediate the front coupler follower and the rear follower in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the yoke. A pair of axially aligned compressible springs may be also provided being either separated by a center plate or by a wall of the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp
    Inventors: Ronald J. Sprainis, Michael E. Ring, Bradley Anderson, Jonathon Marlow, David Meyer, Michael Moriarity, Wajih Kanjo
  • Patent number: 8128379
    Abstract: A temperature management system for an air compressor includes a plurality of cooling fans coupled to an intercooler of the air compressor; an electrical relay comprising a coil and contacts operated by the coil; and a temperature switch coupled to the coil of the electrical relay. The contacts are located between the cooling fans and an electrical power supply. The temperature switch opens at a temperature above a predetermined temperature at a high pressure inlet of a high pressure stage of the air compressor, thereby closing the contacts of the electrical relay which applies power to the cooling fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Hritz
  • Patent number: 8102077
    Abstract: A power generation and distribution system for providing power to at least one motor configured to drive a wheel of a vehicle includes: at least one power module having at least one generator configured to generate alternating current having a frequency and voltage; a common alternating current bus in electrical communication with the at least one power module through a contactor and configured to receive the alternating current therefrom; at least one power conversion module in electrical communication with the common alternating current bus and configured to convert the alternating current to a specified direct current for delivery to the at least one motor; and a controller configured to communicate with and operatively control at least one of the following: at least one component of the at least one power module; at least one component of the common alternating current bus; at least one component of the at least one power conversion module; or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Charles E. Neher
  • Patent number: 8096432
    Abstract: A draft gear assembly for cushioning both buff and draft dynamic impact forces being applied to a center sill member of a railway vehicle includes a housing member closed at one end and open at an opposed end, the housing member having a rear portion adjacent the closed end and a front portion adjacent the open end. At least one compressible elastomeric spring is positioned within the rear portion and has a rear end thereof abutting at least a portion of an inner surface of the closed end. A friction clutch mechanism is also provided in abutting engagement with each of the front end of the compressible elastomeric spring and the coupler shank. The housing member may be provided with a pair of ledge portions disposed intermediate its ends and attachment members disposed on the open end for attaching the housing member directly to the coupler shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp
    Inventors: Ronald J. Sprainis, Michael E. Ring, Bradley Anderson, Jonathon Marlow
  • Patent number: 8096431
    Abstract: A draft gear assembly for cushioning buff and draft dynamic impact forces being applied to a center sill member of the railway vehicle during make-up of a train consist and in-track operation of such train consist includes a resilient cushioning member and a friction mechanism both axially mounted within the yoke with the friction mechanism positioned between the front end of the resilient cushioning member and the front coupler follower. A pair of the resilient cushioning members with the friction mechanism mounted therebetween may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp
    Inventors: Ronald J. Sprainis, Michael E. Ring, Bradley Anderson, Jonathon Marlow, David Meyer, Michael Moriarity, Wajih Kanjo
  • Patent number: 8082645
    Abstract: A clamp and quick release mechanism for clamping and releasing a cylindrical linkage to a rod-like member comprises a locking ring located on the rod-like member and a clamping ring. The inner surface of the clamping ring and the outer surface of the locking ring are configured such that rotation of the clamping ring in one direction will compress the locking ring and rotation in the other direction will allow expansion of the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Michael E. Levins, II, Benjamin J. Smith, Michael J. Sette, Roland S. Moore
  • Patent number: 8083293
    Abstract: An empty/load valve brake control device for a railway vehicle includes a body and a valve member disposed within the body. The body defines an inlet passageway, an outlet passageway, an exhaust passageway, and a secondary passageway. The valve member has an empty position, a load position, and a partial load position. The inlet passageway is connected to the outlet passageway when the valve member is in the empty position, the outlet passageway is connected to the exhaust passageway when the valve member is in the load position, and the inlet passageway is connected to the secondary passageway when the valve member is in the partial load position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: John B. Carroll