Abstract: A method of fabricating an amusement park ride track utilizing stock, planar materials, namely comprising of creating elongated, curved structures from planar materials. A roller coaster track capable of being fabricated from multiple planar pieces without heating or bending. Other embodiments are described which utilize elongated, curved structures such as ski lifts, people movers, staircases and architectural structures. A jig is disclosed for providing for ease of manufacture of the elongated, curved structures.

Abstract: A chair-lift has a chair, in turn having a seat, a safety bar rotating about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and at least one footrest bar supported by the safety bar and mounted to rotate about a second axis to move the footrest bar with respect to the seat, when the safety bar is in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transferring electric energy to a track bound vehicle, in particular to a light rail vehicle, such as a tram, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement (12) for producing an electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, the electric conductor arrangement (12) comprises at least one line (1, 2, 3) for carrying one phase of an alternating voltage or current, the line (1, 2, 3) extends along the track, the line (1, 2, 3) is arranged in such a manner that it produces—at each point in time while the alternating electric current is flowing through the line (1, 2, 3)—a row of successive magnetic poles (at sections 5) of an electromagnetic field, wherein the successive magnetic poles have alternating magnetic polarities, the row of successive magnetic poles extends in the travel direction of the vehicle which is defined by the track.

Abstract: An electrical connection device for an electric vehicle includes an arm, attached to a moving vehicle, and an air-bearing electrical-pickup device, disposed at a distal end of the arm. The air-bearing electrical-pickup device is positionable adjacent to an electric-powered guideway and configured to receive electrical power therefrom. The air bearing electrical-pickup device includes an air inlet positioned to provide a flow of air between the guideway and the air bearing device, and an induction loop, configured to sense ferromagnetic material in the guideway.

Abstract: An automatic rail spike feeder system for use with a rail maintenance vehicle having a bulk storage bin for containing a supply of spikes, and at least one spike driving mechanism, includes a mechanism constructed and arranged for receiving a supply of spikes from the storage bin and for automatically delivering individual spikes to the at least one spike driving mechanism in a desired orientation without operator contact of the spikes.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a powered rail vehicle includes a fuel engine, an alternator, and a tractive circuit. The alternator is coupled with and driven by the engine to produce a fuel-based electric current. The tractive circuit includes a conductive bus coupled with the alternator and a traction motor. The conductive bus is configured to couple with a power conditioning circuit to receive an external electric current from an external electric power source via the power conditioning circuit. The tractive circuit has a fuel-powered only configuration, a fuel- and electric-powered configuration, and an electric-powered only configuration. The tractive circuit supplies the traction motor with the fuel-based electric current in the fuel-powered only configuration, with the fuel-based electric current or the external electric current in the fuel- or electric-powered configuration, and with the external electric current in the electric-powered only configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diverter system to allow a line inspection robot to traverse an object. The diverter system includes a first diverter attached to a shield wire, a second diverter attached to the shield wire at a position spaced from the first diverter, and a bridge having a first end connected to the first diverter and a second end connected to the second diverter. The first diverter disengages the robot from the shield wire and onto the bridge and the second diverter disengages the robot from the bridge and onto the shield wire to allow the robot to traverse the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inductively transmitting electrical energy to or from a mobile object (3) that is located on a roadway or rail, is at a standstill or in motion, and comprises a load and/or an energy store, comprising a floor inductor (5) that is associated with the roadway (1) and comprises a plurality of first induction coils (4) that are arranged along the roadway (1) or rail, are connected to a current source, and have a magnetically conductive iron core (6) for generating a magnetic field directed toward the moving object (3). An inductive wheel (8) attached to the moving object (3) comprises a stationary second induction coil (9) having a magnetically conductive iron core (10) and magnetically conductive wheel disks (11, 12) that are directed toward the roadway (1) or rail and connected to said magnetically conductive iron core on both sides.

Abstract: A railcar coupler system that includes a yoke comprising a front end, a rear end, a top strap, and a bottom strap. The top strap and the bottom strap are positioned between the front end and the rear end. The front end comprises an internal bearing surface that is obliquely angled with respect to a central axis of the yoke that extends from the front end to the rear end of the yoke. The system also includes a connector configured to rotate within the yoke such that an axis of rotation of the connector is substantially aligned with the central axis of the yoke when the connector is positioned within the yoke. The connector includes an external bearing surface that is obliquely angled with respect to the axis of rotation of the connector and configured to correspond to the internal bearing surface of the yoke.

Abstract: A device (1) for the maintenance and the repair of rails and railroad apparatuses, includes: a frame (2); elements (3, 4, 5) of displacement on a rail; the elements of displacement including two wheels (4, 5) aligned with an axis (6) of displacement of the device along a rail (7). The frame (2) is arranged on the elements (3) of displacement so that, when the wheels of the device are positioned on a rail (7), the center of gravity (22) of the device is placed vertically to the rail. According to a preferred embodiment, each wheel is provided with two flanges (12, 13) having a substantially annular shape, the position of at least one of the flanges being axially adjustable.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for moving the buffers of articulated cars of railway vehicles travelling on a curve. The devices are disposed between two adjoining cars (6, 6?) articulated by a transversely centered coupling or linkage (12), said cars (6, 6?) including a front-end projecting element (9) which is joined to the coupling or linkage (12) extending from the rear end of the next car. In all embodiments of the invention, as the buffers (3) move sideways under the action of skids (2) or other means towards the center of the curve at the part of the device closest to the wheels (7) on the inner part of the curve, the sideways movement of the car into the curve is limited as the buffers (3) come into contact with the corresponding surface of the wheel set, obstructing the sideways movement of the car.

Abstract: A track system for a railway system includes a base plate configured to be supported on a railroad tie. The system also includes a drive rail and a guard rail. The drive rail includes a head portion, a web portion, and a base portion. The head portion is configured such that wheels of a train car used in the railway system roll thereon. The web portion connects the head portion and the base portion. The base portion is supported on the base plate. The guardrail includes a head portion, a web portion, and a base portion. The head portion of the guardrail is configured to contact the wheels to prevent the wheels from slipping off the drive rail. The web portion of the guardrail connects the head portion of the guardrail and the base portion of the guardrail. The base portion of the guardrail is retained in a support on the base plate.

Abstract: A system for guiding a mobile carriage in a frame. The frame has three parallel linear-guiding tracks including a first track extending centrally on the frame and second and third tracks arranged laterally of the first track. The carriage has at least two axes of rotation. A first axis drives at least a first wheel in the first guiding track and a second axis drives at least a second wheel and at least a third wheel, respectively, in the second and third guiding tracks. The two axes of rotation are perpendicular. The description also relates to an associated method. A primary object is to enable the end of a mobile beam, such as a beam carrying a device for wiping a galvanizing product off a steel strip, to perform a guided movement with a high degree of freedom while minimizing mechanical stresses.

Abstract: Refinements and improvements in intermodal rail vehicles for making up a train of highway trailers are shown. The improved intermodal vehicle has a one-piece upper frame assembly (26) with a horizontal load carrying surface below the ends of a drawbar for connecting the trailers. Each highway trailer has a coupler socket assembly at both its front and rear into which the drawbar enters and is connected to the intermodal vehicle by a vertical coupling pin projecting upward from the horizontal load carrying surface. The upper frame is supported from dual steerable lower frames (28) by primary air springs (90). A backup suspension system is provided so as to support the upper frame in the event of failure of the primary air springs. A transition rail vehicle for adapting the unit train of trailers is provided, incorporating the necessary features of the intermediate intermodal vehicles heretofore described.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism includes first and second hollow outer shafts, two rotating wheels located between the first and second outer shafts, and an inner shaft received in the second outer shaft. Each of the first and second outer shafts forms a connecting portion at one end thereof. Each connecting portion defines two receiving holes. Each rotating wheel includes a body and a rod extending through the body. The bodies of the rotating wheels are in contact with each other. Two ends of the rod of each rotating wheel are correspondingly received in the receiving holes of the first and second outer shafts to connect the first and second outer shafts together. One end of the inner shaft contacts the rod of one rotating wheel. The inner shaft is rotatable in the second outer shaft to drive the two rotating wheels to rotate.

Abstract: A tie plate handling device for use in connection with removing and replacing railroad tie plates from a track during a rail change-out process. The tie plate handling device provides operator lift assistance and certain embodiments provide for a fully automated lift and movement of railroad tie plates. The tie plate handling device comprises a lifting arm, an engaging unit for securely coupling with a tie plate and a control unit for operating the same. Methods for using the tie plate handling device in conjunction with the rail change-out process are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation railway is described which comprises a guideway, at least one magnetic levitation vehicle and a device for contactless, inductive transmission of electrical energy from said guideway to said vehicle. According to the invention the device comprises at least two receiver coils (27a, 27b) being formed by conductor windings and mounted on the vehicle and at least one primary conductor extending in the longitudinal direction of the guideway and being connected to a high-frequency alternating voltage source. The two receiver coils (27a, 27b) are assigned either jointly to the same primary conductor or individually to one of two primary conductors each (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A roller coaster maintenance vehicle includes a platform with a set of wheels arranged to ride on a roller coaster track structure. The platform includes a propulsion system which allows it to traverse the track structure independent of the roller coaster propulsion system. In one embodiment, a person rides on the vehicle and controls its movement. In another embodiment the vehicle is remotely controlled. Remotely controlled vehicles preferably include one or more inspection apparatus for inspecting the track structure. Optionally, the remotely controlled vehicles also include remotely controlled repair/maintenance equipment such as a robotic arm with a power tool coupled to its free end.

Abstract: A method and system for magnetically levitating a load is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention is a system for magnetically levitating a load, the system comprising at least two lift generators, each comprising a source of magnetic flux configured to induce a magnetic flux in a rail via a leg on either side of the rail, at least one magnetically permeable beam connecting the lift generators, and control circuitry configured to generate and modulate a magnetic current flux through the crossbeam so as to maintain gaps between the legs and rail, wherein the gaps defined by the legs on either side of the rail are of unequal size.

Abstract: A vehicle traction mat may include a flexible and unitary body having a central portion. A first and second ramp may be connected to axially opposed first and second ends of the central portion. A tread layer may be positioned on a top surface of the central portion and terminating prior to reaching the first and second ramps. A plurality of first studs may be statically attached to a top surface of the body and protruding upwardly from the central portion such that a top most tip of each of the first studs penetrates out through the tread layer and terminates above the tread layer. A plurality of second studs may be statically attached to the central portion and protruding downwardly therefrom. The body may be selectively rolled and unrolled between cylindrical and planar shapes during non-operating and operating conditions respectively.