Patents Examined by Mark T. Le
  • Patent number: 11772689
    Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Henry R. Schafer, Mike E. Teaford, Christopher M. Romero, Edward M. Meyers, Timothy Webb, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
  • Patent number: 11772684
    Abstract: For A zip line trolley brake system includes a cable suspended between upper and lower support platforms which, together, function with rider harnessing, loading, and take-off with a passive braking trolley allowing a controlled descent and barrel spring system providing addition braking near the end of a cable termination. The zip line trolley positioned atop a cable includes a frame assembled from a pair of parallel side plates, a four-sided rotational brake pad, and a parabolic groove wheel which is sandwiched between side plates, and a lever. A lever from which a rider is suspended, can be pinned anywhere within the trolley's circular toothed slot instilling a brake force for the cable slope. A trolley brake generally square sides are grooved for cables and fabricated from a durable polymeric material is rotatably within affixed side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Troy Richardson
  • Patent number: 11772686
    Abstract: A railway vehicle car includes a lower level and an upper level that are separated by an intermediate floor. The intermediate floor defines an opening emerging on the upper level and on the lower level, and also defines a bridge extending at least partially along the opening. The bridge connects a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the car on the upper level. The circulation of passengers is blocked on the lower level at least at one of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SpeedInnov
    Inventors: Christophe Sarti, Joel Hachet, Alexis Bonnet, Joris Bonnesoeur, Etienne Feger
  • Patent number: 11767041
    Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wade Specht, Ralph E. Young, Mitchell Wayne Beard, Kent Robert Shue
  • Patent number: 11767040
    Abstract: A unitary bogie frame for a bogie of a rail vehicle, includes: two side beams and at least one support beam extending in the transverse direction of the bogie frame and rigidly connected to each of the two side beams. The support beam includes a support portion for supporting a drive unit of the bogie and a slender portion. The support portion is directly connected to one of the two side beams and is connected to the other of the two side beams through the slender portion. The planar second moment of area and the polar second moment of area of any cross section of the support portion of the support beam are at least twice as great as the planar second moment of area and the polar second moment of area, respectively, of any cross-section of the slender portion of the support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Paul King, Philip Adams
  • Patent number: 11753052
    Abstract: A bogie frame includes a cross beam extending in a car width direction and including a car width direction middle portion at which a center pin arrangement space is formed. The cross beam includes a pair of pipe members extending in the car width direction and lined up so as to be located away from each other in a car longitudinal direction, and air spring seats provided at upper surfaces of car width direction end portions of the pair of pipe members. At least one of the pair of pipe members includes a curved portion at a car width direction middle portion thereof, the curved portion projecting outward in the car longitudinal direction such that a clearance between the pair of pipe members increases. The center pin arrangement space is formed between the pair of pipe members by the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI RAILCAR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Kounoike, Yosuke Matsushita, Yoshihiro Tamura, Yukihiro Sano, Toshifumi Machida
  • Patent number: 11753050
    Abstract: An ascent aid on a rail vehicle having a vehicle body includes a step and at least one folding mechanism fastened to the step at one end, as seen in longitudinal direction of the step. The folding mechanism has two lateral rods connecting the step to the vehicle body at hinges. The folding mechanism has a connecting rod additionally connecting one of the lateral rods to the vehicle body at hinges. The connecting rod is split into two parts by a folding hinge. The folding hinge is coupled to an action of force on the folding hinge causing the step to be folded at the hinges between first and second positions relative to the vehicle. In the first position, an ascent to a driver's cab of the vehicle is assisted. In the second position, the step is folded to maintain a predetermined clearance gauge of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hintermeir
  • Patent number: 11745772
    Abstract: A gangway for connecting a first car of a multi-car vehicle to a second car, the gangway having a first element and a second element of a group of elements comprised of a first vehicle mounting plate at a first end for mounting the gangway to the first car, a second vehicle mounting plate at a second end for mounting the gangway to the second car, a center frame and a hoop between the first and second vehicle mounting plates, whereby the gangway has a normal position in which the first element has a predefined position relative to the second element, a spring element is connected to a first connection point on the first element and to a second connection point on the second element, whereby in the normal position of the gangway the first connection point is at a different height compared to second connection point, and/or is arranged either further outward or further inward than the second connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dellner Couplers AB
    Inventors: Uwe Lauschke, Jason Fowler, Daniel Alton, Samuel Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 11738973
    Abstract: A gear-track-detachable driving device in a monorail crane for a steep slope includes a driving mechanism, a traveling mechanism, a four-bar linkage mechanism, a connection mechanism, a meshing track plate and transition track plates. The driving mechanism includes driving motors, meshing gears, a bearing rod, and a bearing plate. The traveling mechanism includes traveling wheels, clamping wheels, a shell and telescopic struts. The linkage mechanism includes first and second rockers, a linkage, and a cylinder. The connection mechanism includes fixation plates, a connection plate and connection bolts. When the crane travels to the slope front, the cylinder drives the linkage mechanism to send the meshing gears onto the transition track and adjusts the linkage mechanism into a dead point state, and the telescopic struts are locked. After the crane enters the slope, the meshing gears cooperate with the meshing track plate to provide an auxiliary drive for the crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY, XUZHOU LIREN MONORAIL TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hao Lu, Zhencai Zhu, Yidong Zhang, Yuxing Peng, Mai Du, Hengzhen Hu, Fuping Zheng, Yu Tang
  • Patent number: 11738786
    Abstract: A method that can be implemented relatively easily and inexpensively for monitoring a hazard zone of a level crossing, divides a roadway into a first roadway section and a second roadway section. For this purpose, the method is carried out such that by use of a first radio module, first radio signals are emitted in a first detection region containing at least one part of the first roadway section. By use of a second radio module, second radio signals are emitted in a second detection region containing at least one part of the second roadway section. The hazard zone is monitored indirectly using an analysis which is based both on the first emitted radio signals as well as the second emitted radio signals and which relates to the detection regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Pelz, Anna-Janina Bednarek
  • Patent number: 11735899
    Abstract: A retractable data cable assembly is provided, which includes a cable, a winding assembly, a movable assembly and a housing defining an accommodating cavity where the winding assembly and the movable assembly are arranged. The cable is wound around the winding assembly and exposed out of the housing. The winding assembly includes a winder rotatable with respect to the housing. The movable assembly is disposed on a side of the winder and positioned to connect to the housing. The movable assembly includes a transmission assembly and an auxiliary member respectively coupled with the winder and the transmission assembly. The auxiliary member produces elastic deformation to provide the transmission assembly with a preload force for swinging toward or away from the side of the auxiliary member. The storage of the retractable data cable assembly is more convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: DONGGUAN CEESING INTELLIGENT DEVICE MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Zhanxing Lin, Shengwei Zhang, Min Ruan, Longkou Chen
  • Patent number: 11731669
    Abstract: A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam extending in a car width direction; a first traction motor supported by a first car longitudinal direction portion of the cross beam; a second traction motor supported by a second car longitudinal direction portion of the cross beam; and a coupling member arranged under the cross beam and between the first traction motor and the second traction motor and coupling the first traction motor and the second traction motor to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI RAILCAR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Kounoike, Yosuke Matsushita, Yoshihiro Tamura, Yukihiro Sano, Toshifumi Machida
  • Patent number: 11708097
    Abstract: A hydromechanical wheelset control system for a rail vehicle that comprises a leading wheelset and a trailing wheelset that is arranged behind the leading wheelset in the direction of locomotion, with the trailing wheelset having the property of adopting a favorable position in an arc of an undercarriage frame interacting with it and of a rail pair. The wheelset control system is characterized in that a wheelset control is provided that is connected to the leading wheelset control system and to the trailing wheelset control system and that is adapted to hydraulically deflect the leading wheelset in dependence on a deflection of the trailing wheelset, preferably by the same amount as the trailing wheelset, but in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Richard Schneider, Ivo Kovacic
  • Patent number: 11702799
    Abstract: A base plate, which is made of plastic and is intended for supporting a rail for a rail vehicle on a substrate, may include a lower face, and an upper face on which a supporting surface for the rail is formed, a recess, from which a passage leads to the upper face of the base plate, being formed in the lower face of the base plate, the diameter of the recess in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the passage being greater at least in part than the diameter of the passage, so that a stop for an insert piece fitted into the recess is formed on the top surface, assigned to the upper face of the base plate of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Vossloh Fastening Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hongchao Ma, Winfried Bösterling, Serdar Gözsüz
  • Patent number: 11702114
    Abstract: A trim assembly includes at least one trim part for a vehicle, wherein the at least one trim part has at least one bearing device where, in order to provide advantageous construction conditions, the trim assembly includes at least one first emergency catch device having a first support, the at least one first emergency catch device includes at least one first catch bolt having a contact surface facing the at least one trim part and includes at least one first spacer, and the at least one first catch bolt and the at least one first spacer are connected to the first support so as to ensure the trim assembly is highly resistant to loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS MOBILITY AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Czerwinka, David Kreuzweger, Christian Moser, Alexander Prix, Jochen Ringswirth
  • Patent number: 11697438
    Abstract: An emergency exit window for a public transport vehicle, comprising a pane, characterized in that the pane comprises at least one first zone with variable opaqueness, at least one second breakable zone, which may be broken in order to allow the passage of people through the window, and at least one third transparent or translucent zone with fixed opaqueness and withstanding breaking of the pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SpeedInnov
    Inventors: Christophe Pailler, Bastian Simoni
  • Patent number: 11697441
    Abstract: A railcar end unit is operable to be mounted in a center sill between buff and draft sill stops. The buff and draft end bodies are configured to be shiftably mounted relative to the center sill to engage the respective sill stops and to shift axially relative to one another along a unit axis. The end unit includes a buff spring pack operably mounted between the end bodies and compressible along the unit axis from a neutral condition to a compressed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: O-Ring Sales & Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Johnson, Richard Uriah Ralston, Andrew Allen Johnson
  • Patent number: 11700075
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for decentralized rail signaling and positive train control. A decentralized train control system may include a plurality of wayside units, configured for placement on or near tracks in a railway network, and one or more train-mounted units, each configured for use in a train operating in a railway network that support use of the decentralized train control system. Each train-mounted unit may configured to receive communicate with any wayside unit and/or train-mounted unit that comes within range, with the communicating including use of ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, and for generating control information based on the UWB signals, for use in controlling one or more functions associated with operation of the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt Alan Gunther, Sara Jo Woitel, Marc Wayne Cygnus
  • Patent number: 11697439
    Abstract: A car truck including a first side frame, a second side frame, and an underslung steering assembly connected to the first side frame and the second side frame, configured to reduce, inhibit, minimize, and/or prevent truck hunting and warping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew J. Morin
  • Patent number: 11691653
    Abstract: A running gear for a rail vehicle includes first and second independent wheel assemblies on opposite sides of a longitudinal vertical median plane of the running gear, each having an independent wheel and a bearing assembly for guiding the wheel about a revolution axis fixed relative to the bearing assembly. In a reference position of the running gear, the revolution axes of the first and second wheel assemblies are coaxial and perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical median plane. The running gear further includes one or more steering actuators for moving the bearing assembly of at least one of the two wheel assemblies away from the reference position in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal vertical median plane, a wheel flange contact detection unit for detecting a contact between a flange of the wheel with a rail, and a controller for controlling the one or more steering actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Jani Dede, Arne Pfeil