Patents Examined by R. J. McCarry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9527516
    Abstract: A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam to support a carbody of a railcar; wheels at both railcar width direction sides of the bogie lined up longitudinally at each side; a pair of front and rear axles respectively at a front side and rear side in the railcar longitudinal direction to sandwich the cross beam each of the axles connect wheels located at the left side and right side of the railcar; bearings at both railcar width direction sides of each axle to rotatably support the axle; axle box portions coupled to the cross beam via elastic members to store the bearing; and plate spring portions to respectively support both railcar width direction end portions of the cross beam and both railcar longitudinal direction end portions of the plate spring portions, supported by the axle box portions. The axle box portions include a surface that supports the plate spring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Shunichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 9522685
    Abstract: Methods and systems relate to establishing a communication link with a wayside device, determining whether or not to at least one of update or configure the wayside device in dependence upon at least one update parameter, and when it is determined to update or configure the wayside device, updating or configuring the wayside device from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jared Klineman Cooper, Aric Albert Weingartner
  • Patent number: 9518427
    Abstract: The mining vehicle has a carriage, driving equipment for moving the carriage, at least one mining work device, an electric motor for supplying power to the mining work device, a connection for supplying electric power to the electric motor from an electrical network of the mine, and an energy source. The electric motor has at least a primary stator winding and a secondary stator winding galvanically isolated from each other. When the mining vehicle is connected to the electrical network of the mine via the primary stator winding, the electric motor is arranged, at least for a period of time, to supply power to the at least one mining work device and, at least for a period of the time, to supply power via the secondary stator winding for charging the energy source. A method for energy supply of a mining vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Mikko Kouvo, Samuli Kouhia
  • Patent number: 9505416
    Abstract: A superstructure for a railcar comprising at least a first side assembly, a roof extending from the first side assembly and being comprised of at least a first top chord extending inwardly and upwardly from the first side assembly and a first top chord stiffener comprised of at least a first leg and a second leg. The first and second legs are disposed at a right angle to each other, and the first top chord stiffener is attached to the first top chord and the first side assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Dawson, Ronald P. Sellberg, Frank Andrew Nibouar
  • Patent number: 9505419
    Abstract: A signal bond plate system for electrically bonding onto a railroad rail comprising: first and second conductive plates, first and second wires; and first and second conductive washers; a boltlike attachment means attaching, in order, the first conductive plate, the first conductive washer, a web of the rail, the second conductive washer, and the second conductive plate; the conductive plates each having an inside surface proximal to the web of the rail and an outside surface distal to the web of the rail; each wire having a wire first end and a wire second end; each conductive plate having a conductive plate first end and a conductive plate second end; the first wire first end is attached to the first conductive plate near the first conductive plate first end at a first attachment point; the first wire second end attached to the rail; the second wire first end attached to the second conductive plate first end at a second attachment point; the second end of the second wire attached to the rail; the first cove
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: L.B. Foster Company
    Inventor: Korhan Ciloglu
  • Patent number: 9499177
    Abstract: A railroad friction-modification system for applying a friction modifier to a section of railroad track, the system comprising an external storage tank for storing the friction modifier, a railroad friction-modification assembly for applying the friction modifier, a tube for connecting the external storage tank to the railroad friction-modification assembly, and a mounting assembly for securing the railroad friction-modification assembly to the rail. The railroad friction-modification assembly includes an expandable membrane for storing the friction modifier, an inlet valve for receiving the friction modifier from the external storage tank, a housing for securely containing the expandable membrane, at least one outlet valve for expelling the friction modifier from the expandable membrane upon the application of a force, and a nozzle for directing the expelled friction modifier onto the section of railroad track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventors: John A. Wade, Thomas L. Jennings, Donald E. Norris
  • Patent number: 9487920
    Abstract: In a double frog for track crossings with two opposing noses that are realized in a common material block and to which a check rail with at least one guide surface for a wheel is assigned, the check rail region featuring the guide surface is separably fastened on a check rail mounting that is realized in one piece with the material block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: VOESTALPINE WEICHENSYSTEME GMBH, VOESTALPINE VAE GMBH
    Inventor: Alfred Lang
  • Patent number: 9481376
    Abstract: In a bearing unit of a cable sheave of a cableway system, the cable sheave is arranged on a shaft which is mounted in bearings in a bearing framework. An inner ring or an outer ring of at least a first bearing is connected to the shaft. The outer ring or the inner ring of the first bearing is connected to an inner ring or an outer ring of a second bearing and is mounted in the bearing framework via the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schmidinger, Guenther Primus
  • Patent number: 9481380
    Abstract: An improved coupler knuckle with an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission the interior having a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section of the coupler knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: PENNSY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zachary Ryan Brook, Manuel Tavares, Michael J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9481250
    Abstract: A mining vehicle includes electric components, devices or machines operating at alternating voltage and having a specific nominal voltage. Power is fed to the mining vehicle from an alternating current network with a specific voltage level. The mining vehicle further includes a transformer arranged to transform the voltage level of the alternating current network into the nominal voltage. When a voltage higher than the nominal voltage is fed to the transformer, the transformer lowers this higher voltage to the nominal voltage. When a voltage lower than the nominal voltage is fed to the transformer, the transformer raises the voltage to the nominal voltage. The transformer is arranged to feed the electric component, device or machine both when a voltage lower than the nominal voltage is fed to the transformer and when a voltage higher than the nominal voltage is fed to the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SANDVIK MINING AND CONTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Jukka Osara, Samuli Kouhia
  • Patent number: 9481381
    Abstract: E-type and F-type yokes improve the ability of the yokes to be constructed having lighter weight yet function to handle loads from car coupling assembly components, such as, for example, a coupler mounted on the yoke. The E-type and F-type yokes have straps and openings provided in the straps, and are constructed from austempered ductile iron. Embodiments may be constructed with a tail or butt portion that includes sloped walls that form cavities in the butt portion of the yoke, where a supporting structure spans between the yoke rear wall and the draft gear seat wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: PENNSY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Perry Levitt, Zachary Ryan Brook, Manuel Tavares, Wayne H. Murphy, Aaron Stern
  • Patent number: 9475511
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a system and methodologies that enable or improve a train operator's ability to detect when his train will or has switched tracks or routes automatically in response to the train switching tracks or route without input from the train operator. Disclosed embodiments enable automatic determination of a route that the train is currently on and the route the train is supposed to switch to and the ability to predict track/route switches before they occur. Thus, the disclosed embodiments are configured to more effectively provide proper driving instructions through the track/route change, instead of merely reacting to the track/route change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Tippey, Sean Adams, Sung-Ho Jee
  • Patent number: 9469207
    Abstract: Dynamic wireless charging systems may involve coordinating multiple charging base pads to provide coordinated, continuous power transfers to a moving receiver along the distance in which the dynamic wireless charging system is installed. The layout and design of the charging base pads, the current flow through the charging base pads, and the sequencing of charging base pad activation and current flow implemented may dramatically affect the power transfers and practicality of such dynamic systems. The sequencing and control of these coils may need to be capable of managing the individual coils with minimal infrastructure as well as be capable of distributing the required power from the power grid to these pads efficiently and safely, and may comprise charging base pads, controllers to control the power flow to, activation of, and current flow direction within the base pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas Athol Keeling, Mickel Bipin Budhia, Chang-Yu Huang, Michael Le Gallais Kissin, Jonathan Beaver
  • Patent number: 9469309
    Abstract: Power systems for an independent carrier for transport of payloads in an automation system for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. The independent carrier may include an onboard power source and an onboard electrical system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement of the carrier. The independent carrier may include an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the carrier and electrically connected to the onboard electrical system for receiving a command to control the movement of the carrier. Onboard power sources may include: replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries, induction battery charging, photovoltaic power, Peltier effect power, and external combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Baris Yagci, Colin Mellars, Benjamin Samuel Pollack
  • Patent number: 9469316
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a system and methodologies that provide an optimized train driving strategy using wayside signaling while conforming to the requirements of a wayside track safety system, e.g., the “Automatic Train Protection” (ATP) System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Tippey, Sean Adams, Sung-Ho Jee, Graham Hausler, Wade Goforth
  • Patent number: 9464611
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method producing a common rail excellent in fatigue strength from an inexpensive steel which uses as the material of the common rail a steel for high-strength liquid phase diffusion bonding having good toughness and fatigue strength, which steel contains, in mass %, C: 0.01 to 0.3%, Si: 0.01 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.01 to 3.0%, Cr: 1.0 to 12.0% and Mo: 0.1 to 2.0%, further contains, in mass %, V: 0.01 to 1.0%, B: 0.0003 to 0.01%, Ti: 0.01 to 0.05% and N: 0.001 to 0.01%, has P content limited to 0.03% or less, S content to 0.01% or less and O content to 0.01% or less, further has total content of grain boundary segregated embrittling elements As, Sn, Sb, Pb and Zn limited to 0.015% or less, and a balance of unavoidable impurities and Fe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugihashi, Koji Hirano, Yasushi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9463811
    Abstract: A cable transportation system has rails and a draw cable, both extending along a transportation path, a drive member for driving the draw cable; at least one vehicle, which moves along the transportation path and has wheels which roll along the rails, and a coupling device for connecting the vehicle to the draw cable, at least one passenger station where the vehicle is stopped and an electric machine located on the vehicle and driven by the wheels to generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ROPFIN B.V.
    Inventors: Federico Bavaresco, Giuseppe Conte
  • Patent number: 9452688
    Abstract: Magnetic means and apparatus for implementing rail bonds and rail feeds. A rail bond embodiment comprises an electrical conductor. Mechanically and electrically coupled to each end of the electrical conductor is a magnet that comprises a magnetic material that is plated with an electrically conductive material. In an alternative embodiment, the magnet comprises a magnetic material that is disposed between two pieces of steel or other metal. In operation, the two magnets are attached to two rail sections, across a joint separating the rails, via the attractive magnetic force between each magnet and its associated rail. In this way, the electrical circuit comprising the rails is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Mark A. Williams
  • Patent number: 9435082
    Abstract: An elongate rail pad (20) for providing continuous support of a rail has a top face (201) and a bottom face (201), wherein the top face (201) is formed with a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal grooves (201). A longitudinal seal (23) against water and dirt is provided on the top face (201) at each lateral end (204). The seal (23) comprises, when considered from the lateral end, a successive arrangement of a first longitudinal lip (231), a first longitudinal channel (233), a second longitudinal lip (232), and a second longitudinal channel (234), in that order, wherein the first lip (231) projects above the top face (201), and the first and second channels (233,234) have a cross sectional size large enough to allow, in use, water that oozes in to flow throughout the channel, and the thickness (T2) of the second lip (232) is smaller than the spacing (W) between the second channel (234) and an adjacent first groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: HF Holding SA
    Inventors: Bolom Awi Abalo, Michel Lens
  • Patent number: 9434210
    Abstract: A vehicle traction jack that functions as a traction mat platform, ramp, and vehicle jack to assist a vehicle's tire when a tire is stuck in a rut, hole, or some sort of terrain or weather condition such as sand, gravel, dirt, mud, or snow is disclosed. The traction jack comprises a first plate and second plate, a hinge assembly, and a removable center jack mechanism. The first and second plates can extend to a partially-opened or fully-opened position forming a ramp and traction mat platform. The removable center jack mechanism attaches to first plate and second plate via pins. Easily stored in a vehicle at all times, a single user can use the traction jack to help move any type of vehicle's tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Traction Jack, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brown, Jr., Carlos Amaro