Abstract: A transport system comprises a number of dual-mode vehicles (11) and a number of station systems (31). Each of the dual-mode vehicles (11) accommodates a number of passengers, such as, for example ten passengers. Each station system (31) comprises a number of platforms (32) each with a roadway section (36) configured as a ramp on which vehicles are guided forward by electronic control. Each of the platforms (32) are raised above the roadway. The roadway includes barriers (34) with an opening (35) on each side for the admission of a stationary vehicle (11) which has openable doors on each side of the vehicle which can provide admission to all seats simultaneously.

Abstract: A cover for closing a hatch opening in a container such as an enclosed railroad hopper car is provided. The cover is sized to fit over a coaming extending from the hatch opening. An outer rim is formed on the cover and cooperates with the coaming to form an air passage which surrounds an exterior surface of the coaming when the cover is disposed thereon. The cover includes a filter assembly and a gasket which cooperate to provide a continuous vent or air communication path between the interior and the exterior of the container through the air passage. All communication of air between the exterior of the container and the interior of the container is directed through the filter assembly.

Abstract: A racetrack structure includes several track sections, the track sections are engaged with each other by hinges, therefore the racetrack can be folded for storage. Each of the track sections of the racetrack structure has PC boards provided at two ends thereof, thereby forming an electrical loop by utilizing the PC boards electrically connected to each other by the hinges. By such arrangement, oxidization of the contact points is low.

Abstract: An energy supply train for under-ground mining has several universal transport unit frames (UTU frames) (1) inter-connected by drawbars and useful as elements of a suspended monorail. At least one of the U68TU frames carries a heavy-duty transformer and at least another UTU frame carries a compact station (4, 5) arranged in a pressure-resistant housing (2, 3) with switchgear (13, 14, 15, 16) for supplying electric energy to underground working means and with electric connection devices (10, 11) at the input and output side of the pressure-resistant housing (2, 3). Each UTU frame (1) carries two compact stations (4, 5) mechanically interconnected by a box (6) and electrically interconnected by electric lines (17) that extend through said box (6) so as to form a single device. The electric connection devices are verified by means of authorised power outlets directly arranged on the walls of the pressure-resistant housings (2, 3) of the compact stations (4, 5).

Abstract: An improved female connecting member for an articulated connector has a ring seat for a ring within an annular groove for contacting the male member of the connector, which female member has an improved undersurface passage for a probe to provide greater access to the ring-seat undersurface and more mechanical leverage to dislodge a worn ring seat; and, in an alternative embodiment, a structure and tool are provided for removal of a ring-seat from the exposed upper ring-seat surface.

Abstract: In a track whose rails are laterally and downwardly supported on the rail outer side and on the rail inner side via elastic intermediate inserts (4, 6) by longitudinal carriers underneath the head portion (3), the rails (2) extend at a distance above the track structure parts located therebelow. The longitudinal carriers at the rail outer side are first console ledges (5) which are part of a base plate (10) lying under the rails (2), and the longitudinal carriers on the rail inner side are second console ledges (7) which are part of an inner plate (11) lying between the rails (2), which inner plate (11) in turn is supported on the base plate (10).

Abstract: A switch point position detecting system and method uses a plurality of proximity detectors positioned proximate the switch point or points of a railroad switch. Additional proximity detectors are placed within a switch machine housing to detect the position of components therein, such as lock rods and lock bars. One or more Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) have inputs connected to the proximity detectors and outputs connected to relays or switches which control the switch machine and signals. The PLC's are programmed to operate the relays to give signals to proceed only when correct indications are received from all effected proximity detectors.

Abstract: The present invention include a non-motorized low-profile platform cart system for transporting heavy equipment, machinery and vehicles to limited access areas. The system includes a low profile platform cart without motorization and a portable loading ramp for loading vehicles and such onto the cart. The cart may be moved by any motor power source with hi-rail capability other than train engines. The cart also has a rear plow which is capable of removing ballast and debris from the tracks. Use of the cart and ramp allow easy access to limited access areas such as construction areas and bridge repair areas, as well as limited access railway areas where there are no access roads. This invention produces a simple, highly economical solution to the problem of limited access.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles includes a power source converter connectable to a power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential that is distributed on a distribution bus. A plurality of vehicle connecting stations are connected to the distribution bus. Each vehicle connecting station includes a station power converter for receiving electrical power from the power source converter for charging the battery and a station controller to control electrical power flow to the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A moisture barrier seal for use on a hopper car hatch opening that does not need to be removed before vacuum unloading of the hopper car due to the use of a grained plastic such as vertically drawn or cast polyethylene which will rupture as soon as the seal is subjected to the pressure differential across the seal created by the application of vacuum to the hopper car. The moisture barrier layer when combined with a filter layer forms a combination moisture barrier and filter seal.

Abstract: A suspension conveyor comprises two conveyor circuits which circulate in opposite directions. The circuits are arranged on opposite sides of an additional conveyor path, where the conveying directions of the path and circuits are the same at their point of coincidence. Roller devices for carrying objects (a, b, . . . , n), are entrained by a pushing or pulling mechanism of the conveyor circuits. A controllable switch arranged between the conveyor circuits, for transferring the objects individually from one of the conveyor circuits to the other, is adapted to transfer the objects selectively from the conveyor path to either of the conveyor circuits and vice versa. The switch is also adapted to selectively allow the objects to travel past the switch without leaving the respective conveyor circuit in which the objects are present. The suspension conveyor is additionally a sorting installation for sorting numerous different individually conveyed objects (a,b, . . . n).

Abstract: A railroad signal apparatus which includes a releasable joint which facilitates the servicing of railroad signal heads, particularly the servicing of signal lights mounted therein. The apparatus provides a signal head apparatus which is safe to operate and maintain, yet is still cost-effective to manufacture, operate, and maintain.

Abstract: A roller coaster or amusement park ride. The roller coaster comprises a track system capable of any directional travel, including horizontal, vertical, angled, curved, curvilinear, and retrograde directions. A carriage in which passengers reside is rotatable about the track system, either by programming or by passenger activation, providing for additional freedom of movement. The roller coaster may have a track through a clear tube (e.g., surrounded by water) and multiple, independent rides supported by the same support structure, providing increased excitement for the passengers.

Abstract: The temporary rail bridge (20) of the illustrated embodiment includes a bridge number (20) that is coupled to a track rail (16) by screw clamps (24). Each of the screw clamps (24) includes an internal tensioning component such as a spring (58) that allows for fast installation of the rail bridge (20) and maintains continuous pressure engagement in operation. The rail bridge (20) reduces track closure time due to rail damage and associated costs and inconvenience.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for travel through a conduit. The robotic vehicle includes forward and rear housings each having a hub portion, and each being provided with surface engaging mechanisms for selectively engaging the walls of the conduit such that the housings can be selectively held in stationary positions within the conduit. The surface engaging mechanisms of each housing includes a plurality of extendable appendages, each of which is radially extendable relative to the operatively associated hub portion between a retracted position and a radially extended position. The robotic vehicle also includes at least three selectively extendable members extending between the forward and rear housings, for selectively changing the distance between the forward and rear housings to effect movement of the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for installing and securing auto rack side panels, either during manufacture of the auto rack railway car, or during refurbishment of the car, where covers are placed over components which clamp the panel corners. In a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein end portions of elongated dust closure plates are employed to clamp side panel corners against brackets to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the end portions of the dust closure plates and the side panel corners engaged by the end portions thereof, plate covers are installed over the end portions of the elongated dust closure plates so as to be disposed between the end portions of the dust cover plates and the panel corners, to avoid abrasion and rusting as a result of friction.

Abstract: Railway axle assembly furnished with automatic change of track gauge and adaptable to conventional freight bogies. It comprises two independent rolling element assemblies (2), each composed of a wheel, a semiaxle, an outer bearing and an inner bearing, the inner bearing carrying a locking catch with two vertical shafts connected together by a bridge which contains the pieces which facilitate its unlocking and subsequent locking. It also includes an axle frame (1) on which are mounted the rolling elements (2) and their locking systems, a device (3) for connecting between the rolling elements, two trusses (4) for translating the brake shoes, a system of electrical continuity between wheels and a device (6) for detecting hot inner bearings. The invention is useful for converting current bogies with fixed axles into bogies with transversely displaceable axles.

Abstract: A lightweight, remote-controlled, self-propelled equipment support and transport system is stabilized against unwanted angular deviation in each of three perpendicular axes and adapted for motion at high speed along a simple tubular monorail. The system can be quickly and efficiently ground-mounted on stands, suspended horizontally from brackets or from a variety of overhead supports, or vertically mounted alongside a mast or wall. The system includes an elongated drive car running on and partly surrounding a rail, and an equipment support associated with the drive car and configured so that the supported equipment is transversely and longitudinally spaced and balanced about a point just below the center of the rail. The equipment support is mounted in angular isolation relative to the drive car by a system of damped pivots about pitch and yaw axes.

Abstract: A two-state directional control linkage (11) for controlling a steering axle, comprising a device for activating and deactivating the linkage (11) to lock the linkage in the operative position of the device and unlock it in the inoperative position thereof such that said device no longer transmits control movements. The linkage is particularly useful in public transport road vehicles.

Abstract: A rail vehicle has a longitudinal direction and includes an undercarriage, a crossbeam held against the undercarriage, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the superstructure and adapted for being seated on a bogie or similar structure. A mechanism is provided for elastically holding the crossbeam to the undercarriage.