Patents Examined by Zachary L Kuhfuss
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Patent number: 11897522Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a railway track trolley (10) generally comprising a collapsible chassis (12), two pairs of wheels (14a/b) and (16a/b), and a platform assembly (18). The collapsible chassis (12) includes a pair of opposing beams member (20a) and (20b) interconnected by a pair of adjustable cross-members (22) and (24). The pair of wheels (14a) and (16a) are removably mounted to opposing ends of one of the beam members (20a) whereas the other pair of wheels (14b) and (16b) are removably mounted to opposing ends of the other of the beam members (20b). The railway tracks (26a) and (26b) may be separated at one of a plurality of predetermined track gauges and the collapsible chassis in an expanded condition is designed to match the required lateral separation of the opposing rail members (26a/b).Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Melvelle Equipment Corp. Pty LtdInventors: Andrew Melvelle, Ben de Rooy, Gary Morris, Jason Casboult
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Patent number: 11891761Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for stabilizing a track, including a machine frame supported on on-track undercarriages and a vertically adjustable stabilizing unit designed to roll on rails of the track by means of unit rollers, the stabilizing unit comprising a vibration exciter with rotating imbalance masses for generating an impact force (FS) acting dynamically in a track plane perpendicularly to a track longitudinal direction and a vertical drive for generating a vertical load acting on the track. In this, it is provided that the vibration exciter comprises at least two imbalance masses which are driven applying a variably adjustable phase shift (??1, ??2). The invention further relates to a method for operating such a machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbHInventors: Samuel Wollanek, Nikolaus Matzinger
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Patent number: 11891097Abstract: In the present invention, a resource management device receives transmission of a reservation request for a block section to be reserved from among a plurality of block sections included in a track traveled by a vehicle on the basis of track information which indicates the plurality of block sections and the connection relationships of the block sections. In a case where the block section to be reserved, as indicated by the reservation request, has not already been reserved by a vehicle other than the vehicle that transmitted the reservation request at the point in time when such reservation request was received, the following is recorded in a management table: that the block section to be reserved as indicated by the reservation request and a connection boundary between that block section and another block section are objects reserved for the vehicle that transmitted the reservation request.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kenji Takao, Noritaka Yanai
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Patent number: 11891760Abstract: A rail assembly for rail vehicles having flanged wheels, in particular in the area of track covers and track crossings, as well as a profiled filling element therefor. The rail assembly (1) comprises a support structure (7) for a cover (9) which covers the space (8) directly alongside the rail (2), the cover (9) acting as a guide rail and being easy to remove from the support structure (7). Also disclosed is a profiled filling element (200, 220) particularly suitable for the rail assembly (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2018Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Daetwyler Sealing Technologies Deutschland GmbhInventors: Matthias Klug, Bernd Pahl, Tino Garbe, Nicola Klein, Andrea Ruedt
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Patent number: 11885085Abstract: An apparatus and a method for increasing the movement speed of the rail vehicle while carrying out measures for controlling weeds on track systems A rail vehicle equipped with an apparatus for increasing the movement speed of the rail vehicle while carrying out measures for controlling weeds on track systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: DISCOVERY PURCHASER CORPORATIONInventor: Hinnerk Bassfeld
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Patent number: 11878725Abstract: A system includes a safety mode activation device disposed onboard a vehicle system and operatively connected to a controller of the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is configured to receive a status signal indicating a presence of one or more of an operator or an active work marker in a location proximate to the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is further configured to transmit a lockout signal to the controller to prevent movement of the vehicle system along a route responsive to receiving the status signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: James D. Brooks
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Patent number: 11873016Abstract: A sensor device includes an audio sensor and a wireless communication module. The audio sensor is configured to be mounted on a railroad vehicle. The audio sensor is configured to (i) monitor sounds emanating from one or more wheels of the railroad vehicle as the railroad vehicle moves along a track and (ii) generate sound data associated with the monitored sounds emanating from the one or more wheels. The wireless communication module is configured to transmit a broken wheel signal responsive to a determination that a portion of the generated sound data is indicative that a first one of the one or more wheels is damaged or broken.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Ensco, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dick, Amaury Rolin
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Patent number: 11866887Abstract: A track-wheel based device is disclosed. The track-wheel based device may include a longitudinal member substantially perpendicular to an axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The track-wheel based device may further include a first lateral member and a second lateral member, each being substantially parallel to the axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The longitudinal member may be coupled to the first lateral member at a first location of the first lateral member and to the second lateral member at a first location of the second lateral member. The first lateral member and the second lateral member may be configured to undergo a relative angular rotation, in response to a planar misalignment of four or more points of contact between two or more guide tracks for the track-wheel based device and the track-wheel based device.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Inventors: Georg Robert Eitelhuber, Abdul Rahim Abdul Jaleel
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Patent number: 11866074Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for transporting and dumping material. A hopper for receiving materials may include a bottom surface with a front portion, a central portion, and a rear portion. The central portion may be lower than the front portion and the rear portion. A bottom gate may be disposed in the central portion for discharging the materials from the hopper. Conveyors may be provided for moving material from the front portion and the rear portion towards the bottom gate. The conveyors may include a front conveyor coupled to the front portion and a rear conveyor coupled to the rear portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Inventor: Shiloh Williams
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Patent number: 11866075Abstract: The position of a rail vehicle that is parked on a track is monitored in a cold movement detection. A vehicle-side device of an automatic train safety system is deactivated when the vehicle is parked. Prior to the deactivation, a first positional value is determined by the automatic train safety system, and independently, a second positional value is determined by another localization system. With the vehicle-side device deactivated, the actual position of the vehicle is monitored by the other localization system. The additional positional values and/or a deviation of the actual position from a target position is transmitted to a track-side device of the train safety system. When the vehicle-side device is activated, the track-side device transmits the actual position of the vehicle to the vehicle-side device. If the vehicle has not moved, the automatic train guidance system can immediately assume the monitoring process starting from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbHInventors: Malte Hammerl, Jacob Johannes Kohlruss
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Patent number: 11866080Abstract: A signal aspect enforcement method for a rail vehicle includes determining if vehicle position is unknown. The system determines if rail vehicle speed is less than a line-of-sight threshold speed. The system determines the grade of the rail. A worst-case braking distance of rail vehicle is calculated. The signal aspect is determined using a camera system and a beacon system. The system determines if the signal aspect determined by camera system is same as signal aspect determined by beacon system and, if so, determines the route of rail vehicle and speed limit of rail vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: THALES CANADA INCInventors: Alon Green, Walter Kinio
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Patent number: 11866076Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to railway track circuits, in particular track circuits with continued distance monitoring and broken rail protection.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.Inventors: Holger Schmidt, Brian Harp, Brian Joseph Hogan, A. Nathan Edds
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Patent number: 11859349Abstract: A system for and method of stabilizing rail track structures using a load transfer apparatus is disclosed. The load transfer apparatus includes a vertical load transfer element with at least one cross-sectional rib and a top load transfer element with at least one longitudinal vertical fin, wherein the top load transfer element is used to transfer applied locomotive and rail car loads to the vertical load transfer element. In one embodiment, the vertical load transfer element comprises a plurality of cross-sectional ribs spaced along a length of the vertical load transfer element. In another embodiment, the top load transfer element comprises a plurality of longitudinal vertical fins spaced along a perimeter of the top load transfer element to enhance stability of the top load transfer element.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Geopier Foundation Company, Inc.Inventors: David J. White, Kord J. Wissmann
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Patent number: 11858358Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fastening a sliding element to a current collector or to a rocker mounted thereto, to draw electrical energy from an overhead contact line to an electrically driven vehicle. The device comprises a sliding element, a carrier, a carbon contact piece arranged on the carrier, and a fastening point for fastening the sliding element to the current collector is formed between the sliding element and the current collector. At each fastening point between the sliding element and the current collector, a detent assembly is arranged on the side of the sliding element and, for each detent assembly, a receptacle for the detent assembly is arranged on the side of the current collector. Each detent assembly and the receptacle associated therewith are releasably brought into engagement with each other by inserting and locking the detent assembly in the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: PANTRAC GMBHInventor: Bastian Grothe
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Patent number: 11851095Abstract: There is disclosed a driverless transport system, DTS, (10) comprising: a travelling course (12), formed of routes (14), preferably travelled unidirectionally, which are defined respectively by one track (28), and of markers (16); a fleet (18) of at least two driverless transport vehicles, DTV, (20) travelling along the tracks (28) in a forcibly guided manner; and at least one station (26) defined by: at least one of the tracks (28), at least one of the markers (16), and an individualizing assigned station identifier; wherein each of the stations (26) can comprise a terminal (70) for allocation of travelling destination and wherein each of the stations (26) represents an area of the travelling course (12), within which the DTVs (20) can get assigned a new travelling destination and/or can be loaded, unloaded, energetically charged, and/or stopped; wherein the markers (16) include information, which is station-specific by being associating the respective information with the respectively assigned station identType: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: SSI Schäfer Automation GmbH (DE)Inventors: Dennis Chong, Ralf Kleedörfer
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Patent number: 11850529Abstract: An indoor zip coaster has a zip coaster rail suspended above ground and forming a closed loop. At least one trolley located is on the rail, with a rider tethered to the trolley by a harness. The rail has plural sections, with each section of the rail including an incline portion and a decline portion. The trolley traverses the respective incline portion of one of the sections before traversing the respective decline portion of the one section. Each of the stations contains a respective incline portion of rail, a ramp for the rider to climb. The decline portion of rail of the next section extends from one station to the next station. By including stations with inclined portions of rail along the zip coaster path, a longer ride can be obtained. In addition, sensors and gates can be provided at the stations to allow a single rider on each rail section, with multiple riders on the overall zip coaster spread among the sections.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: UATP IP, LLCInventor: Michael Browning, Jr.
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Patent number: 11851096Abstract: Examples of techniques for anomaly detection in a grade crossing prediction system are disclosed. Aspects include receiving a training data set comprising a plurality of labelled time series of signal values from a track circuit in a grade crossing predictor system, removing one or more non-unique values from each labelled time series of signal values in the plurality of labelled time series of signal values, extracting a plurality of features from the plurality of labelled time series of signal values, the plurality of features comprising: a number of signal values for each labeled time series of signal values in the plurality of labelled time series of signal values that are larger than a first threshold and a standard deviation for each labelled time series of signal values in the plurality of labelled time series of signal values, and training a machine learning algorithm utilizing the plurality of features.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc.Inventor: Forooz Shahbazi Avarvand
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Patent number: 11845414Abstract: An emergency braking extension device includes an emergency braking extension loop, a first emergency braking extension train line and a second emergency braking extension train line. The emergency braking extension loop has a protective circuit breaker, a normally open contact of an emergency braking button, and an emergency braking extension relay, which are sequentially connected in series. A normally open contact of the emergency braking extension relay is connected in series to a pantograph lowering control loop. A first normally closed contact and a second normally closed contact of the emergency braking extension relay are connected in series to a return line and a power supply negative loop of a train emergency braking control loop, respectively. A third normally closed contact of the emergency braking extension relay is connected in series to a control loop of a bypass cut-off circuit of a train emergency braking execution loop.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chaofeng Ding, Fengli Zhang, Rujun Liang, Chunmeng Wang, Xiaofang Shi, Aiping Zhang, Lian Ge, Hemin Ding
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Patent number: 11845480Abstract: A system for connecting a center sill to a draft sill in a railcar includes a center sill portion that includes a center sill portion top plate, a draft sill portion that includes a draft sill top plate, the draft sill portion having a draft sill cross-section larger than a center sill cross-section of the center sill portion. The system further includes a transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion, the transition portion includes a transition portion top plate, wherein the transition portion top plate is the same plate as at least one of the center sill portion top plate and the draft sill portion top plate. A method for connecting the center sill to the draft sill in a railcar includes forming the transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventor: Shaun Richmond
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Patent number: 11845343Abstract: A device and method for controlling a pneumatically actuated current collector for a vehicle, wherein the device includes a controlled system having a first pressure controller, a second pressure controller, and an actuation device, where at least one sensor, which is connected for signal conduction to a contact force controller of the controlled system, can be advantageously arranged on the current collector, the first pressure controller is coupled to the contact force controller, the second pressure controller and a pressure supply for signal conduction, the second pressure controller having a connection point for an actual pilot pressure from the first pressure controller, and signal-conducting connections are provided between the second pressure controller and the pressure supply and between the second pressure controller and the actuation device such that rapid adaptation of a contact force to variable operating conditions is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: SIEMENS MOBILITY AUSTRIA GMBHInventors: Guilherme Aschauer, Christian Saliger, Roman Horak, Walter Reichardt