Patents Examined by Louis A. Olson
  • Patent number: 6390382
    Abstract: A damper for reducing the track nose emitted by a rail system comprises a deformable material attachable to a surface of the rail, incorporating a plurality of elongate discontinuous resonant members of a stiff material as compared to the deformable material, sized to contain at least two resonant frequencies in the range of interest. The resonant members are suitably of steel or other metallic material. They can be of different profile, to form a resonant system with at least two resonant frequencies in the relevant frequency range. They are suitably embedded in the deformable material, to ensure adequate vibrational transfer from the rail to the resonant members and also provide environmental protection. The deformable member is visco-elastic, for example rubber or rubber-like material. This may be preformed and glued to the rail, or it can be cured in place on the rail. The damper is positioned on the rail at the junction between the web and the foot of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Corus UK Limited, University of Southampton
    Inventors: William Hodgson, John Barry Clarke, David Farrington, David John Thompson, Christopher John Cedric Jones
  • Patent number: 6357361
    Abstract: An assembly for selectively closing a pneumatic discharge outlet is disclosed. Such assembly includes a closure cap which, in a closed position, fits about and partially along to cover a free end of the discharge outlet and which is movable to an open position relative to the free end of the discharge outlet. Structure connects the closure cap to one side of the free end of the discharge outlet in a manner permitting pivotal and sliding movements of the closure cap relative to the free end of the discharge outlet, and wherein the sliding movements of said closure cap are limited to a fixed path of travel relative to the discharge outlet. A manually operated lock assembly attached at an opposite side of the free end of the discharge outlet cooperates with the structure in releasably maintaining the closure cap in the closed position while allowing for one-handed operation to move the closure cap to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy J. Dohr
  • Patent number: 6076471
    Abstract: A manway cover assembly to cover an opening of a tank car, defined by an upstanding manway nozzle. The manway cover assembly comprises a manway cover housing, a safety vent and a manway nozzle gasket. The safety vent includes a body mounted on the manway cover housing. The safety vent further includes a surge protector and a rupture disk. The rupture disk is designed to open at a known pressure and allow controlled venting of the pressure in the car. The manway cover housing defines a bore which contains the surge protector of the safety vent. The manway cover housing includes a tube extending downwardly and surrounding the surge protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Alex V. Degutis, Michael S. Ryan, Stanley A. Brzezniak