Patents Examined by Zachary Kuhfuss
  • Patent number: 9878636
    Abstract: A system and method in at least one embodiment provides magnetic levitation to a vehicle above and/or partially about a rail or track using a flux field generator having a plurality of members having mated waveform patterns. In a further embodiment, the magnetic levitation also uses a distribution system. In a further embodiment, the plurality of members forms a disk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment, the flux field generator is not vehicle based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: QWTIP LLC
    Inventors: Whitaker Ben Irvin, Sr., George Allan Metzenthin
  • Patent number: 9834227
    Abstract: A rail system including a rail-bound vehicle, which is able to be moved along a rail track, the rail track being made up of rail components, in particular, the rail-bound vehicle having an electric motor, with the aid of which the rail-bound vehicle is able to be driven, in particular moved along the rail track in the rail direction, one or more pole wheel piece assembly/assemblies being situated in a stationary manner, i.e., connected to the rail track, the rail-bound vehicle having a reaction part, which is able to be brought into operative connection with the pole wheel piece assembly, in particular for the purpose of generating a reaction force generated by eddy currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Günter Becker, Dirk Degen
  • Patent number: 9821826
    Abstract: A train information announcement system of the present invention includes vehicle radio sets VRS1 and VRS2 which performs wireless communication, and is installed on a train 1 which moves on a railroad track R, wayside radio sets WRS1 to WRS5 arranged along the railroad track R, and an information providing means which provides train information announcements at a station at predetermined timing based on information about a train location obtained by the wireless communication between the vehicle radio sets VRS1 and VRS2 and the wayside radio sets WRS1 to WRS5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE NIPPON SIGNAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9809233
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vehicle body. The method includes coupling a frame assembly to a platform, wherein the platform is in a cambered and unloaded condition, and wherein the frame assembly has a degree of play at coupling points with the platform and securing the coupling points to eliminate the degree of play and thereby to provide substantially zero residual stress in the vehicle body in the cambered condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Kendall, Daniel Ganzer, Zuoguang Liu, Aiqin Jiang
  • Patent number: 9802626
    Abstract: A sub-frame radial bogie comprises wheelsets, a side frame, a swing bolster, a wheelset radial device and a brake gear. Bearing adapters (41) forming the wheelset radial device are fixedly connected with the sub-frame (42) via pulling rivets (11), and each group of the bearing adapters (41) is bilaterally symmetrical in structure with a symmetry plane (A). The sub-frame (42) comprises an arm (51) and an end (52); a sub-frame connection hole (61) is arranged on the end (52); transverse positioning bosses (73) are arranged on the bearing adapters (41); and an arc groove (75) and symmetrical sub-frame connection holes (71) are arranged on a connection base (72). The bearing adapters use the same standard structure, hence, the more precise design and machining can be realized, and the cost is reduced, and meanwhile, the maintenance technique of the sub-frame is improved, and the maintenance cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CRRC MEISHAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Deng, Shuping Pan, Aimin Wang, Pu Wang, Yungui Wang, Hengli Li, Xianfeng Zhang, Hanjiang Luo, Ji Zhu, Zongquan Zhou, Chengyong Liu
  • Patent number: 9796272
    Abstract: A road bearing for inductive coupling to an electrical connection device of an electric vehicle includes a series of primary induction coils, a bearing surface element, and a plurality of deformation features in the bearing surface element. The series of primary induction coils are interconnected to a source of electrical power and disposed in a substantially linear array below a roadway surface and within a roadway structure, and are aligned generally parallel to an alignment of the roadway. The bearing surface element is disposed above the primary induction coils, and has an upper surface that is substantially flush with the roadway surface, has a surface flatness in the range of ±1 ?m per 30 mm, and a magnetic permeability in the range of 0.9 to 2. The plurality of deformation features include depressions in the upper surface of the bearing surface element, and are configured to provide friction to vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Bryan Richards
  • Patent number: 9789888
    Abstract: A railcar draft gear assembly specifically designed to consistently and repeatedly withstand up to about 110,000 ft-lbs of energy imparted thereto while not exceeding a force level of 900,000 lbs. and while having a wedge member of the draft gear assembly travel in an inward axial direction of less than about 4.5 inches relative to an open end of the draft gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MINER ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Donald E. Wilt, Robert J. Pokorski, Keith A. Salis, Erich A. Schoedl
  • Patent number: 9783215
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, the circuit logic of an existing relay interlocking system is mapped onto a functionally equivalent circuit of electronic components. Semiconductor components that are functionally identical to the components of the relay circuit are thus preferably used. The circuit logic is created, for example, by transforming an interlocking table or track diagram into a logic circuit by means of an automatic compiler according to predefined rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SUPERCOMPUTING SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Anton Gunzinger, Markus Montigel, David Mueller, Markus Herrli
  • Patent number: 9758932
    Abstract: A ballastless track system comprises a base; a track slab arranged above the base; a poured-field layer arranged between the base and the track slab, the poured-field layer being formed by filling self-compacting concrete, emulsified asphalt cement mortar or resin mortar, and the inside of the poured-field layer being of a steel bar structure; a connecting piece, the first end of the connecting piece extending into the track slab, and the second end of the connecting piece extending into the poured-field layer; and two rows of rail-seat arranged on the track slab in parallel; and rails arranged on the rail-seat. The ballastless track system is high in reliability, good in durability, and easy in construction and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: RAILWAY ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHINA ACADEMY OF RAILWAY SCIENCES
    Inventors: Chunfang Lu, Youming Zhao, Cheng Jiang, Jijun Wang, Meng Wang, Yong Zhao, Weibin Liu, Ziqing Jiang, Ruilin You, Xianggang Du, Jia Fan
  • Patent number: 9758182
    Abstract: A coupler for a railway car including a coupler anchor, a coupler mechanism pivotable relative to the coupler anchor from an on-center position to an off-center position in a substantially horizontal plane, and a coupler positioning device for pivoting the coupler mechanism relative to the coupler anchor. The coupler positioning device includes a controller adapted for receiving signal information from a bogie relating to an angular position of the bogie relative to a body of the railway car, and at least one pneumatic cylinder for pivoting the coupler mechanism. The controller controls the operation of the at least one pneumatic cylinder in response to the signal information received from the bogie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Daniel Peckham, William Clay Swindler, Kevin Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 9751415
    Abstract: An arrangement for providing a land vehicle, with electric energy includes producing an electromagnetic field on a primary side located on the track of the vehicle and/or located at a stop of the vehicle, by receiving the magnetic component of the electromagnetic field on a secondary side on board the vehicle above the source of the electromagnetic field and by magnetic induction on the secondary side. The arrangement includes a secondary side conductor assembly made of electrically conducting material which produces an electromagnetic stray field during operation while the electrically conducting material carries an alternating electric current and a secondary side shielding assembly made of magnetizable material. The secondary side shielding assembly extends sideways of the secondary side conductor assembly on the same level as the secondary side conductor assembly, thereby shielding regions, which are located beyond the magnetizable material, from the electromagnetic stray field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Czainski, Konrad Woronowicz, Federico Garcia, Marnix Lannoije
  • Patent number: 9731626
    Abstract: The section insulator for rigid conductor rails has conductive runners, a ramp and an insulating runner, each connected to one conductor rail. The conductor runners (7, 7?) and the ramps (11, 11?) are connected to one another at one end and at their other ends to the conductor rail, wherein the latter mentioned ends are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (3). The two conductor rails (1, 2) are rigidly and torsion-resistantly connected to one another by insulating profiles (5, 6). Insulating runners (14, 14?) are attached to the insulating profiles opposite the respective conductive runner, so that a current collector is properly guided when passing by. An insulating spacing is present between the ends of the conductive runners (7, 7?) and the ends of the closest insulating runner (14, 14?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Furrer + Frey AG
    Inventors: Beat Furrer, Beat Rothlisberger, Bruno Casali
  • Patent number: 9732476
    Abstract: A tangential grinding machine slidable on rails to be ground includes a base structure mounted on wheels slidable on the rails to be ground; a grinding unit freely slidable along the cross-members of the base structure, the grinding unit having a frame rigidly movable vertically relative to the base structure towards and away from the rail, the frame being rigidly coupled to at least two longitudinally aligned plates supporting a grinding wheel with a rotatable axis transverse to the rail longitudinal axis; and a bar hinged at its ends to the base structure and to the grinding unit respectively, there being connected to the frame supporting the plates a gear motor provided with a vertical axis worm gear, the end of which rests on the grinding unit, a control unit being associated with the gear motor to control frame descent following wear of the grinding wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Claudio Favaron
  • Patent number: 9731738
    Abstract: A system for vehicle management includes a control signal interface subsystem and a vehicle-mounted subsystem. Each of these subsystems includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) communications component. The subsystems communicate with each other through the UWB components. The vehicle mounted subsystem interfaces with a braking system of the vehicle. The vehicle mounted subsystem determines the distance between it and the control signal interface subsystem based on the time-of-flight of at least one communication between the subsystems. The vehicle-mounted subsystem can cause the braking system of the vehicle to activate if the distance between the vehicle-mounted subsystem and the control signal interface subsystem is less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Marc W. Cygnus
  • Patent number: 9731733
    Abstract: A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating the vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. In turn, a signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. A generic intelligent signal device is also disclosed, and is based on a parameterization approach that incorporates a plurality of vital parameters into the vital logic of the device. The device is then customized to a site specific location by activating the appropriate parameters for that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Nabil Ghaly
  • Patent number: 9725288
    Abstract: First and second masts of a stacker crane are arrayed in an X direction and extend vertically. Connecting plates are mounted at lower portions and on both side surfaces, facing a Y direction, of the first and second masts, each including an upper portion fixed to the first or second masts, and a lower portion whose width in the X direction is greater than that of the upper portion. First and second lower hollow frames include a pair of hollow members disposed on both sides of the first and second masts in the Y direction and extending in the X direction and are fixed to the lower portions of the connecting plates. Travelling wheels are supported by the connecting plates and roll on a lower guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoichiro Koyama
  • Patent number: 9725100
    Abstract: A railcar hatch cover assembly having a cover, a latch engaging structure, a latch coupled to the cover, and a handle coupled to the latch. The handle is configured to be grasped by an operator. When a substantially vertical force is applied to the handle, it moves the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position and moves the cover from a closed position to an open position. When the cover is dropped from the open position to the closed position, the latch contacts the latch engaging structure and moves from the unlatched position to the latched position. A railcar latch assembly having a latch coupled to the cover and a handle coupled to the latch. The latch has an arcuate bottom surface that contacts the latch engaging structure to move the latch from an unlatched position to a latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: AERO TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Early
  • Patent number: 9718152
    Abstract: A method for reconditioning a railcar connector is provided. The method comprises machining a portion of a casting to create a wear plate application surface, positioning a plate on the wear plate application surface, and welding the wear plate to the wear plate application surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Brueckert, William A. Guess, Donald F. Kroesch
  • Patent number: 9718478
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a fuel system for a consist. The fuel system may have a tank located on a tender car of the consist and configured to hold a supply of liquefied gaseous fuel. The fuel system may also have an accumulator located on a daughter locomotive of the consist and configured to hold a supply of pressurized gaseous fuel at a predetermined pressure. The fuel system may further have at least one conduit fluidly connecting the tank to the accumulator and the accumulator to a first engine on a lead locomotive of the consist. The accumulator is configured to supply pressurized gaseous fuel to the first engine when pressure of fluid within the at least one conduit drops below the predetermined pressure of the pressurized gaseous fuel in the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Gamache Foege
  • Patent number: 9707489
    Abstract: A playset including a track is provided. The track may include a main section and a pivotal section. In a first mode, the pivotal section may be triggered to disconnect from the main portion to cause an object travelling on the track to be launched or disconnected from the track. In a second mode, the pivotal section may be triggered to disconnect from the main portion to cause a projection extending from the pivotal portion to pin the object to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nuttall, Stacy O'Connor