Abstract: A pressure device for conduction of the cable in cable traction transportation systems including a pressure-roller (12) of the cable (7) supported elastically on a fixed support (2) and a counter-roller (6) supported on the fixed support (2) is described. In accordance with this invention the counter-roller (6) is supported in a revolving manner on a roller-holder (5) articulated at one end to the fixed support (2) and possesses at the other end guide means (8, 9) that engage as a running guide an arm (10) that bears in a revolving manner at one end the pressure-roller (12) on the side opposite the counter-roller (6) and is articulated at the other end to the fixed support (2) with the arm (10) being pressed by elastic means in the direction of exertion of pressure of the pressure-roller (12) on the cable (7).

Abstract: A center bowl liner is provided for use between a center plate of a railroad car and a center bowl surface on a truck bolster. The center bowl liner includes a disc-shaped element having top and bottom surfaces and a central opening for receiving a center pin. A conductive spring washer is attached to the disc-shaped element, with the conductive spring washer having a contoured profile such that portions of the conductive spring washer are exposed at the top and bottom surfaces of the disc-shaped element and create an electrical connection between the railroad car center plate and the center bowl on the truck bolster. The disc-shaped element acts as a load-bearing element generally supporting the railroad car center plate. The conductive spring washer, since it has spring-like properties, will also undertake to bear a limited amount of the load of the railroad car center plate in addition to providing an electrical connection between the car and truck.

Abstract: A machine for automatically orienting railroad tie plates includes a sensing region having at least one optical sensor adapted to sense a physical feature of a tie plate. An electronic controller is connected to the optical sensor and is disposed to receive a sensor signal indicative of the physical feature of the tie plate when the tie plate is in the sensing region. The electronic controller further determines an orientation of the tie plate based on the sensor signal, compares it to one or more predetermined or possible orientations, and provides a command to at least one actuator adapted to perform at least one tie plate orientation operation to change the orientation of the tie plate based on the comparison of the orientation of the plate with the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails.

Abstract: A vertical position compensating device for a vehicle, a vehicle using the device, and a method for controlling the vertical position of a vehicle. The vehicle has a wheel set mounted on a chassis by a primary suspension system and a body mounted on the chassis through a secondary suspension system. The device is mounted on the body. As the vehicle is loaded or unloaded the device moves vertically with the body and also moves relative to the body in proportion to the deflection of the primary suspension system. The total motion of the device is used to adjust the vertical position of the body through the secondary suspension in a direction opposite to the deflection of the body to maintain the position of the body constant relative to a datum line.

Abstract: An operator interface unit, includes a housing with a first electrical port having a first pair of terminals to be connect to a pair of network wires of the locomotive, and a second pair of terminals to be connected to a power source. A display and input device are on the housing. A transceiver assembly wirelessly communications with the ECP system. A controller assembly is connected to the first electrical port, the display, the input device and the transceiver assembly, and wherein the controller assembly is a node on the network via one of the first electrical port and the transceiver assembly. A portable assembly includes a battery source in a container which irremovably houses the operator interface unit.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that controls the power flow to Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) stators for a vehicle transport system. This invention allows multiple vehicles to operate in close proximity in a guideway without requiring an excessive number of separate controllers. It can be used in conjunction with schemes now in use and is particularly useful in elevator hoistways or for automated people movers near stations.

Abstract: A quick-release system for a quick-release device, in particular for a cycle, such as a bicycle, the device being of the type including an axially extending skewer and an end support element mounted on a first end of the skewer adapted to be supported on a first tightening surface of the cycle. The quick-release system includes a tightening sub-assembly including a support surface and an actuation sub-assembly including a movable actuating mechanism, capable of axial rotation around the skewer and configured to transmit a tightening torque to the tightening sub-assembly when the device is being tightened. The system includes tightening torque limiting mechanism making it possible to limit the torque transmitted by the actuation sub-assembly to the tightening sub-assembly.

Abstract: Structure of a bifurcation site and crossover site of a guideway in a guided vehicle transportation system; in which the guideway consists of left and right roadbeds, a depression between the roadbeds, and a guard rail having a U-shaped groove laid down on the depression; and a fail-safe mechanism is constituted by the guard rail and guard wheels attached to the vehicle; is proposed. The vehicle is equipped with automatic steering mechanisms for steering front and rear wheels and guard wheels supported laterally rotatably by front and rear supporting arms which are supported laterally rotatably underside the vehicle. The guard wheels are received in the groove of the guard rail.

Abstract: A model railroad train or other vehicle capable of operating in a vertical plane, inverted, or at any other desired angle of inclination.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling bell movement and/or sound in a model train or other model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a user control, a sound subsystem, a bell controller and a bell device. The user control may include a lever, a track, and a plurality of predetermined positions on the track, wherein the lever can be moved by a user to any one of the plurality of predetermined positions. The user control may be configured to transmit at least one bell signal in response to the lever being released from (or moved to) one of the plurality of predetermined positions. The bell controller is configured to receive the bell signal, and to use the bell signal to control at least the bell device. The bell device may include a bell and an electromagnetic device, wherein the bell comprises a permanent magnet and is configured to swing from a bracket.

Abstract: Section insulator for rigid catenary which has a dual functionality, since it can exercise the functions both of conventional section insulator and of neutral section insulator, configured so that it maintains a mechanical continuity which allows the smooth passage of the pantograph, minimizing the requirement for adjustment and maintenance. The insulator basically comprises a pair of conductor rail segments (2) between which is disposed a single central shoe (1) obliquely disposed with respect to the direction of the catenary, a pair of spark wires (9) wherein the electric field is broken and a series of strips (8) disposed on said central shoe (1) which, together with a bridging cable which extends from them to the conductor rail segment (2), enables bridging the wire conductor of the insulator (3) when one want to maintain the power supply to the pantograph.

Abstract: A method and system of using one or more railcar linear electric generators to decelerate a vehicle such as a train consist. In one embodiment, the one of more electric generators are configured to capture deceleration energy and supply the energy to one or more power grid connections. The one of more railcar electric generators may also operate as motors to assist propelling a train consist. Optional energy storage may also be included.

Abstract: A fairground attraction is disclosed, including a track, a number of people carriers and device connected to the people carriers for advancing thereof along the track. Each people carrier is connected to the advancing device for pivoting about its top axis and is suspended in cantilevered manner above the track or rests thereon via support devices displaceable at an angle to the direction of forward movement. The people carriers can thus be moved as it were in “drifting” manner over the track. The advancing device can be arranged between the track and the people carriers, and can include for each people carrier a connecting member which protrudes from the track and on which the people carrier is mounted on its centre line and around which the people carrier can swivel.

Abstract: A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by movable closure members. The hopper car has a plurality of hoppers of which two hoppers share a common ridge assembly. The ridge assembly forms a common mating and fit up location for the upper margins of the slope sheets of two lengthwise adjacent hoppers. The ridge assembly includes an horizontal center section and two end plates that angle upwardly outboard toward the top chords of the sidewalls. The ridge assembly stands proud of the upper margin of the respective adjacent slope sheets. A gusset is mounted between the adjacent slope sheets below the ridge plate such that the slope sheets and gusset form a reinforcement tube running across the car, the end plates forming the stems of a vertical T-section attached to the sidewall and overlapping the top chord.

Abstract: A trainline support bracket for connection to a railcar having a yoke and a coupler attached to the railcar and a coupler-uncoupling mechanism housing attached to the coupler having first and second side walls with first and second contoured recess members thereon, and having upper and lower compartments for attaching the trainline support bracket thereto. The trainline support bracket includes a main body connector having an upper connector section and a lower connector section. The upper connector section of the main body connector is for connecting to the coupler-uncoupling mechanism housing of the coupler. The trainline support bracket also includes a lower connecting bracket having a first end and a second end.

Abstract: The invention is hollow structural members, a rail system based thereon and method of manufacturing such hollow structural members. Embodiments of the structural members may be hollow triangular prism-shaped with a cross-section that is triangular, isosceles, hexagonal or otherwise. Embodiments of rail systems based on hollow structural members are also disclosed. Embodiments of the rail systems disclosed herein may also include reaction assemblies for local dissipation of stresses due to thermal expansion of track materials.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method is provided for monitoring the lighting and the gate arm position at a railroad crossing.

Abstract: A flexible track system includes at least one track section that includes a main body comprising two opposed side portions and a running surface extending between the two opposed side portions. The two opposed side portions extend at an angle from the running surface. Grooves are formed within the main body to allow flexion of the main body. One or more sets of a plurality of members are formed on, protrude from, and extend in a lengthwise direction along the main body. A constraining section engages a corresponding set of the members. End stops may secure the constraining sections to the main body of the track section. Force is applied to the track section to achieve a desired form or position. The grooves expand or contract in accordance with the applied force, and the constraining sections conform to and retain the applied position even after removal of the force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power conducting system comprising at least one power conducting unit (1) for conducting wires, cables, tubes, or similar items between a static and a mobile connection region by forming a curved section (6). The power conducting unit is formed by segments (3) connected together in a jointed manner and is conducted along a road in a conducting system. The conducting system has multiple first and second conducting elements (7,8). The first conducting elements (7) are arranged in a first plane, and the second conducting elements (8), in a second plane, spaced apart from each other. First elements (9) are arranged on some segments of the power conducting unit, and second elements (10) are arranged alternately on other segments. The first elements work together with the first conducting elements, and the second elements, with the second conducting elements.