Abstract: A model railroad car coupler assembly comprises a coupler with an upper shank having a coupler knuckle at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, a lower shank having a coupler thumb at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, and a coil spring terminating in first and second end portions, with a first turn of the coupler spring interlocked with the upper shank and a second turn interlocked with the lower shank. A mounting box has a circular mounting post that accepts circular openings in the shanks permitting them to rotate relative to each other between a closed coupled position and an open uncoupling position. The spring end portions engage the mounting box to bias the shanks into their coupled position. The knuckle carries a ferrous actuating pin that cooperates with a magnetic pad along a track to rotate the upper shank into its open position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a railcar coupler knuckle includes providing a first mold section having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of a first coupler knuckle mold cavity. The method includes providing a second mold section having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of a second coupler knuckle mold cavity. The second coupler mold cavity of the second mold section is offset from the first coupler mold cavity of the first mold section. The method includes closing the first and second mold sections and at least partially filling the first and second coupler knuckle mold cavities with a molten alloy, the molten alloy solidifying after filling to form the coupler knuckle.

Abstract: A heavy-duty pivot plate adjusting joint for railroad freight cars connects multi-part car sections. To this end, the adjusting joint is configured such that each drawbar end is provided with only one end coupling rod part having a spring column, and the drawbar is connected by way of the drawbar end plates to the support bearing plates of an under frame provided on a car side. Each adjusting joint is provided with an adjusting point pivot plate, wherein a pivot plate roll surface is present directly at the pivot plate or at the adjoining contact surfaces transmitting pressure force, the surfaces having a spherical or two-dimensional shape. A configuration of the adjusting joints in a “regular embodiment” is proposed, wherein the distance of the transmission end points of balance is smaller than the distance of the spring travel limiters.

Abstract: An energy absorbing coupler for railway vehicles includes a coupler anchor, a coupler mechanism supported to the coupler anchor by a deformation tube and draft gear element, and a plurality of energy absorbing devices associated with the coupler anchor. The energy absorbing devices each include two mating components in frictional engagement with one another. Sliding movement between contacting surfaces of the two components occurs when energy is applied to the coupler mechanism, thereby creating friction and dissipating the applied energy at least in part in the form of heat. The two mating components may include a male part, such as a mounting bolt, in mating engagement within a female part, such as a collar. An inside diameter of the collar may be slightly smaller than an outside diameter of the mounting bolt to create a press-fit engagement.

Abstract: A switch system for a guided automatic transit vehicle (GATV) is adapted for maintaining a first path of travel or for redirecting the first path of travel of the GATV. The switch includes a continuous guide having a first end and a pivotable second end opposite the first end. The continuous guide has a first edge with a first edge profile and a first continuous sidewall and a second edge with a second edge profile and a second continuous sidewall. A pivot point having a pivot axis is provided at the pivotable second end. The switch system pivots about the pivot point from a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switch system maintains the GATV along the first path of travel via the first continuous sidewall. In the second position, the GATV travels along a second path via the second continuous sidewall.

Abstract: A traction/pitching control assembly for attachment to a body portion of a monorail bogie. The monorail bogie is operative for supporting a monorail car over a monorail track that has a running surface and two side surfaces. The assembly comprises a first traction link, a second traction link and a linking member that has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first traction link is attached to the first end portion of the linking member, and the second traction link is attached to the second end portion of the linking member. The assembly further comprises a third traction link and a cross link. The cross link joins the third traction link to the first traction link and the linking member. The first traction link and the second traction link are attached to one of the body portion of the monorail bogie and the monorail car, and the linking member is connected to the other one of the body portion of the monorail bogie and the monorail car.

Abstract: A rail vehicle control communication system includes a vehicle management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track and of forming an instruction to control an operation of a rail vehicle travelling along the track, the vehicle management device transmitting the instruction to the rail vehicle through the conductive pathway; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with the rail vehicle, the on-board communication device configured to receive the instruction communicated through the conductive pathway from the vehicle management device, the on-board communication device configured to change the operation of the rail vehicle based on the instruction.

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. The device is then customized to a site specific location by activating the appropriate parameters for that location. Further, a new vital change management process, and a new failure recovery scheme are disclosed.

Abstract: An elevated bicycle-based transportation system comprises a bicycle, a front suspension member, connected to a front portion of the bicycle and having on the upper end a rolling, sliding, or gliding member, a rear suspension member, connected to a rear portion of the bicycle and having on the upper end a rolling, sliding, or gliding member, and an overhead track, which is a supporting member substantially horizontal in orientation, on which the rolling, sliding or gliding members of the suspension members rest. When suspended in this way, the bicycle can be ridden along the overhead track. When the suspension members are not suspended from the overhead track, the bicycle can be used in the normal manner, and at least one of the suspension members can be retracted, collapsed, folded, pivoted, detached, or otherwise modified by a simple operation, to be made less prominent.

Abstract: A coupler yoke and a coupler draft gear are used in the field of carriages of a railway and aim at solving the problems of lower strength, low safety and reliability and the like in the prior art. The coupler yoke comprises a hollow yoke body with the cross section being in a long concentric-square shape, the inner side surface of the one end of the hollow yoke body is a bearing surface, and at least part of the heavy loading area of the bearing surface protrudes outwards relatively to the end surface of the light loading area. The coupler yoke is used for connecting couplers between the carriages of a train, so that the carriages are connected to form the train for transmitting the tractive force in the transportation; the distribution pattern of the existing bearing surface is changed due to the arrangement of a middle groove.

Abstract: A control assembly includes a monitoring module and a switching module. The monitoring module determines a load demand of a first rail vehicle traveling along a track, wherein the first rail vehicle is supplied with electric current from a plurality of power sources over a conductive pathway extending along the track. The switching module is communicatively coupled with the monitoring module and is joined with a switch controller disposed between the power sources and the conductive pathway. The switching module directs the switch controller to change which of the power sources supply the electric current to the first rail vehicle over the conductive pathway based on the load demand.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle having a plurality of axles and a lift mechanism configured to dynamically transfer weight from one axle to another. In one example, the method comprises, responding to an operating condition by adjusting the lift mechanism to provide a determined amount of lift, and in response to vehicle braking, a vehicle stall risk, poor infrastructure conditions, and/or a high vehicle penalty, reducing the determined amount of lift.

Abstract: This invention is based on using the railroad system for automatic address transportation of people and cargo. This invention allows usage of existing rail roads, many miles of which are not used or partially used. This invention includes design of vehicle that will be used for automatic address transportation. The invention allows excluding the most complicated part of railroads, switches, and transforms the railroad from an active to a passive system.

Abstract: A clamp comprising a first end including a base and a hooked portion and a second end moveably connected to the base of the first end. The second end includes a clamped portion and a wire jaw maintaining a wire. The wire jaw is shaped so as to be placed in the second end. The wire jaw including a base and arms extending from the base. The arms defining an opening including teeth, the teeth effective to grip and provide high contact pressure on a rail. A spring is disposed on the base of the first end and is effective to bias the second end toward the hooked portion of the first end.

Abstract: A method for casting a thrower for a railcar coupler includes creating a mold box that is vertically parted in halves, each half defining a side of a thrower cavity and that includes at least a portion of a sprue at a location above the thrower cavity, the thrower cavity also being oriented vertically; pouring molten metal into the mold box through the sprue and into the thrower cavity while the mold is oriented vertically; and shaking out the mold box to release the thrower after the thrower has cooled. Creating the mold box may be executed through a cold shell process. The halves of the mold box may include reflective images of the sides of two thrower cavities and an ingate connected between the sprue and one of the two thrower cavities.

Abstract: A system is provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along a route. The plurality of powered systems include a constraining powered system and at least one trailing powered system traveling behind the constraining powered system along the route. The system includes one or more controllers configured to control the constraining powered system to travel along the route according to respective predetermined operating parameters at respective incremental locations along the route. The system further includes one of said controllers being configured to control the trailing powered system to travel along the route according to the respective predetermined operating parameters of the constraining powered system at the respective incremental locations along the route. A method is also provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along the route.

Abstract: A central suspension device, a wagon bogie and an express railway wagon, wherein the central suspension device is arranged between a frame and a bolster of the wagon bogie and comprises a rubber-metal pad spring group composed of at least two rubber-metal pad springs, a bottom end of each rubber-metal pad spring is connected with the frame, a top end of at least one rubber-metal pad spring of the rubber-metal pad spring group is connected with the bolster, and a gap exists between the top end of at least one rubber-metal pad spring and the bolster. The central suspension device has multiple stages of rigidities in the transverse and vertical directions, so that the different rigidities can be mutually shifted conveniently on the empty vehicle condition and the heavy-load condition of the vehicle, therefore, the central suspension device is applicable to express railway vehicles for safe and stable running.

Abstract: A railway wagon for transport of for example a semi-trailer comprises—carried by two bogies or the like—a main portion, pivotally connected to a rearward bogie, and a wagon end, connected to a forward bogie, the main portion and the wagon end being releasably connected to each other. A beam is to be connected to or is connected to the wagon end for horizontally guiding the main portion at its pivoting out from the wagon end. Means are provided for vertically displacing the main portion or a part thereof in relation to the wagon end.

Abstract: An overhead wafer transport system includes an over head transportation (OHT) rail and at least one shuttle. The OHT rail includes a main track and two lateral tracks, each having a hollow transverse cross-section, each lateral track being in corresponding connection with the main track through the two sides thereof, constituting an approximate tri-directional branch form. The shuttle has a track-interface assembly and a docking unit, the track-interface assembly being adapted to travel along the OHT rail. The track-interface assembly being arranged at the junction of the two lateral tracks and the main track, wherein the track-interface assembly is adapted to selectively travel along at least one of the main track and the lateral tracks. Therefore, the overhead wafer transport system can be applied to a clean room with higher transfer efficiency and clean room space utilization.

Abstract: A device for using technical equipment underwater includes at least one guide rail configured to extend vertically underwater on an edifice from above a waterline. At least one device carriage is provided and includes a basic unit having a reception flange configured to couple the technical equipment thereto, and at least one running unit that abuts against the guide rail via guide rollers. A press-on unit is disposed on a first side of the device carriage and includes a lever pivotable on an axis of the device carriage so as to generate a pressing force of the device carriage against the guide rail. The lever includes a support roller at a first end and a weight packet at a second end so as to exert a downward drifting force underwater that is greater than a buoyancy of the device carriage. At least two spacers are each disposed at a first end on the at least one device carriage and abutting the edifice at a second end.