Patents Examined by R. J. McCarry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9701320
    Abstract: This seat includes a guard-rail able to occupy a lowered first extreme position and a raised second extreme position, and means for locking the guard rail when it is in a lowered position. The locking means include a bistable electromagnet provided with a rod that is able to move between a stable first position in which the rod allows the guard rail to lock in the lowered position by interposing an obstacle in the upward path described by a guard rail element to pass from the lowered position to the raised position, and a stable second position in which the rod allows the guard rail to unlock so that it can be moved into the raised position by moving the obstacle away from the upward path described by the guard rail element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SOMMITAL
    Inventor: Yves Chedal Bornu
  • Patent number: 9701323
    Abstract: A railcar coupler may include a coupler head comprising a shank and a head portion, the head portion defining a cavity for receiving a knuckle, a thrower, and a lock. The cavity can include a top pulling lug, a bottom pulling lug, and a thrower retaining lug. The top pulling lug can be configured to engage an upper knuckle pulling lug, and the bottom pulling lug being can be configured to engage a lower knuckle pulling lug. During operation of the railcar coupler, the ratio of the stress between the top pulling lug and the bottom pulling lug can be configured to be better balanced to help extend the life of the railcar coupler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Bedloe Industries LLC
    Inventors: Roshan N. Manibharathi, Jerry R. Smerecky, F. Andrew Nibouar, Corey M. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9701324
    Abstract: A chain and hydraulic motor-driven low dog railcar indexer is disclosed which is operable along a curved track section. The system includes left and right track side indexing railcar-moving arrangements, each of which includes an indexer track and a chain-return trough. The indexer tracks and chain return troughs are segmented to accommodate the curved railroad track section and wear pads are provided to enable chain operation in the curved section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Calvin J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 9701321
    Abstract: A rail vehicle has a internal tank installed. A connection opening is provided on a base of the tank into which a tank closure can be inserted from the outside of the tank. The tank closure is mounted on an inner side of an unfolding, sack-shaped container, and an edge of the sack-shaped container is attached to a shaft which lies beneath the tank, in the base of the rail vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Burkhard Arras
  • Patent number: 9701328
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a railway safety system having a circuit for enabling and disabling a safety device when trains are approaching or within a railway crossing. The apparatus may include an override switch, a flag, and a light, and may generate a control signal received by and configured to override the safety device circuit. The flag and the light may indicate to approaching trains that the safety device of the railway safety system has been overridden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Modesto and Empire Traction Company
    Inventors: Jared Martin, Steve Stanhope, Ron Peterson
  • Patent number: 9695758
    Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed that is capable of operating in multiple combustion modes. A method is also disclosed of operating a dual fuel engine in conjunction with the fuel system. The method may include detecting a performance parameter of gaseous fuel in the fuel system. The method may also include selecting a combustion mode from a plurality of combustion modes based on the performance parameter. The method may further include injecting gaseous fuel and liquid fuel into at least one cylinder of the engine according to an injection timing corresponding to the selected combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Ray Coldren, Joshua Wayne Steffen, Robert Michael Campion
  • Patent number: 9695565
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to marine rig equipment, and specifically to a mobile jackup rig having one or more moveable cranes. The one or more moveable cranes are configured to operate along a rail, and the one or more moveable cranes are positioned to reach more than one work site location. In one embodiment, a mobile jackup rig includes at least one two-rail system having a first guide-track rail and a second guide-track rail, and at least one moveable crane positioned to operate along the two-rail system. In another aspect, a mobile jackup rig may include at least one moveable pedestal crane positioned on at least one curved or straight guide-track rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Zentech, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh Maini
  • Patent number: 9689187
    Abstract: A multiple direction railroad gate release mechanism which is attached between the mount arms of a railroad gate actuator and a crossing arm to prevent breakage of the crossing arm due to impingement in either a frontal or rearward direction by a vehicle or other outside force. A primary pivot arm assembly allows a released movement of the crossing arm in reaction to frontal impingement and returns the crossing arm to the original and detent position subsequent to an impingement in order to maintain grade crossing protection. Spring assemblies, a shock absorber and a spring centering assembly act to return the primary pivot arm assembly and attached crossing arm to a normal detent position. A secondary pivot arm assembly is secured to the primary pivot arm assembly whereby the secondary pivot arm assembly can act independently of the primary pivot arm assembly to allow released movement and return of the crossing arm in reaction to rear impingement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MTR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin J. Luetzow
  • Patent number: 9675893
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: S&S Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Snyder, Mike Worley, Alan Schilke
  • Patent number: 9670623
    Abstract: A bonded fastener for a railway rail comprising: top and bottom generally horizontal plates bonded and separated by an insulating material wherein the top plate defines a rail bed; a plurality of clip housings wherein each clip housing houses part of a hold-down clip for attaching the rail to the bonded fastener; a plurality of anchor assembly areas wherein each anchor assembly area defines an opening through the bonded fastener for receiving an attachment device for attaching the fastener to a supporting surface; and one or more generally vertical barriers comprising part of the bonded fastener. Further, a first generally horizontal barrier may extend from the bonded fastener underneath each of the clip housings, and a second generally horizontal barrier may extend from the rail bed underneath the rail on each side of the bonded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: L B Foster Company
    Inventors: Korhan Ciloglu, Robert Alsop, Pete Frye, Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 9670962
    Abstract: An axlebox, comprising a first housing part, a second housing part and a bearing unit mounted therebetween, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part are connected by pivot element on one side of the bearing unit and by tightening feature on another side of the bearing unit. The invention also concerns a vehicle comprising at least one such axlebox. The invention also concerns processes for mounting, dismounting or replacing the bearing unit in such an axlebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Thierry Le Moigne, Arnaud Turmeau
  • Patent number: 9663120
    Abstract: A side bearer of a railcar truck is designed to limit reciprocal displacement of a truck and railcar under a frame. The side bearer includes a carrying body with a guiding opening wherein a bearing cup is mounted by applying a springing element. A thrust collar is implemented on a guiding wall in a groove. Upon off-loading the cup e.g., during dismantling of a truck from under a railcar, a thrust collar bears against a limiting face ensuring unreleasable connection of the side bearer. Indicator grooving is implemented on a working face and on a lateral wall of a carrying body, enabling visual control of a side bearer technical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Rail 1520 IP Ltd.
    Inventors: Sukhykh Igor Vladimirovich, Rudakova Ekaterina Alexandrovna, Babanin Victor Sergeevich
  • Patent number: 9657445
    Abstract: Assembly (10) for fastening a railway rail (1), comprising a lower platen (11) provided with through holes (111) for anchoring the lower platen to ground (40) by means of anchoring means (15), an upper platen (12) superposable on the lower platen for supporting the rail (1), and a pair of rail fastening clips (142) for fastening the rail to the upper platen (12). The lower and upper platens comprise a pair of corresponding first holes (112, 121) distinct from the through holes (111), for removably securing the upper platen (12) to the lower platen (11) by first fastening means (16) independent of the ground anchoring means (15). The upper platen (12) and the rail fastening clips (142) comprise a pair of corresponding second holes (122, 144) distinct from the first holes and from the through holes, for securing the rail fastening clips (142) to the upper platen (12) by means of second independent fastening means (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HF Holding SA
    Inventors: Bolom Awi Abalo, Michel Lens
  • Patent number: 9651573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a positioning system (10) of a train, the system (10) including: a toothed tone wheel (12), three sensors (18, 20, 22) for detecting the presence of a tooth, arranged spatially so that six possible and different positions of the wheel (12) may be represented by six possible logic states of the three sensors (18, 20, 22), the six states being different, the method including a step for: detecting states corresponding to the signals delivered by the three sensors (18, 20, 22), comparing the detected states with the values of the six logic states, determining the operating state of the system (10) according to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies
    Inventor: Jacques Orion
  • Patent number: 9643495
    Abstract: A pantograph device of a trolley-type truck includes: a base frame; a bottom frame rockably attached to the base frame; a top frame rockably attached to the vicinity of the top end portion of the bottom frame through a connecting shaft; a collector shoe rockably supported in proximity to the top end portion of the top frame; a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the bottom frame, attached to the base frame; and a spring which acts so as to rotate the top frame upward through the connecting shaft. By erecting the bottom frame by the hydraulic cylinder, the tensile force produced in the spring is increased and the top frame is rotated upward through the connecting shaft. This makes it possible to obtain a wide movable range without use of a long and strong spring and enhance the followability to overhead wires without increasing pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: HITACHI POWER SOLUTIONS CO., LTD., HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kanazawa, Shinji Akino, Toshio Shikama
  • Patent number: 9643094
    Abstract: A flying simulator ride in accordance with present embodiments may include a suspended rotator ring capable of motion in six degrees of freedom. The flying simulator ride may also include a passenger support system suspended from the rotator ring wherein the passenger support system includes a first passenger support unit; and a second passenger support unit, wherein at least one of the first passenger support unit or the second passenger support unit are configured to move relative to one another to assume a stacked configuration and a loading configuration, wherein a distance between the rotator ring and the first passenger support unit is decreased in the stacked configuration relative to the loading configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Nathanael G. White
  • Patent number: 9637144
    Abstract: A railway car for traveling within a switch of a railway track is disclosed. The railway car includes a body portion for containing goods and a truck portion that is a framework for carrying a plurality of wheels of the railway car. The truck portion is connected to the body portion and is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the body portion. The railway car also includes a rotational joint defining the axis of rotation which the truck portion is rotatable about. The rotational joint rotatably connects the truck portion to the body portion of the railway car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Atmur, Thorin Arthur Rogers
  • Patent number: 9637137
    Abstract: A hanger trolley system includes: a driving chain provided in a power rail; a hanger trolley including a hanger dog attached to and detached from a chain dog provided in the driving chain and moving along a free rail formed below the power rail; and a sensor confirming coupling between the chain dog and the hanger dog. A coupled state between the chain dog provided in the driving chain and the hanger dog provided in the hanger trolley is confirmed through the sensor, such that judgment on succession when the hanger trolley is succeeded from a pre-process driving chain to a post-process driving chain becomes clearer as compared with the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Sang Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 9623883
    Abstract: In a railcar truck in which secondary springs are disposed between the railcar truck and a carbody of the railcar, the railcar truck has a pair of side beams having concavities configured to receive the secondary springs. Each of the side beams has a side beam outer wall, a side beam inner wall, a side beam lower wall and a side beam upper wall, and the side beam upper wall includes an opening through which the received secondary spring projects. The concavity is formed by the side beam outer wall, the side beam inner wall and the side beam lower wall, and receive the secondary spring through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshi Sato, Junichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9623880
    Abstract: A power system for short trains. In an embodiment, an over-the-road tractor is configured with drive gears on a drive axle to interface with driven gear systems on a rail car. By utilizing the apparatus, a method for efficient delivery of goods in containers on semi-trailers may be achieved, thus saving considerable time, and reducing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SEA-TRAIN EXPRESS - LLC
    Inventor: David Kun