Abstract: The invention relates to a tension clamp for the holding of a rail for rail vehicles and a rail fastening point. The tension clamp has a central section having two legs, two torsional sections connected thereto and leading away laterally in an outwards direction having a supporting zone, and two supporting arms connected to the torsional sections. The supporting arms run to the front face of the tension clamp and have a spring section and a support section with a supporting zone. The fact that the support sections point laterally in an outwards direction such that the straight lines which in each case connect the centers of the supporting zones and the torsional section allocated to the supporting arm in an area on the rear face of the tension element increases the natural frequencies of the tension clamp such that they are outside of stimulation frequencies that occur in practice.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for electrification of a field chopper comprising the steps of: providing a cable drum and a winding drive on the field chopper, the cable drum and winding drive allowing at least one of the winding and unwinding of an energy supply line about the cable drum; providing a cable arm on the field chopper, the cable arm configured to adjust in at least one of an orientation and extension length to provide guided winding or unwinding of the energy supply line along a field surface; providing a pivotable ejection chute on the field chopper, the ejection chute extending beyond the cable arm and configured to transfer a chopped harvested material onto a transport vehicle driving alongside the field chopper; unwinding the energy supply line while along a first processing strip from the cable drum using the winding drive and cable arm; and winding the energy supply while along a second processing strip about the cable drum using the winding drive and the cable.

Abstract: A hybrid cable/rail transportation system comprising: at least one portion of the system configured as a cable transportation system; at least one portion of the system configured as a rail transportation system, a first trolley coupled to the supporting cable and comprising a first coupling device for coupling to the cabin; a second trolley coupled to the rail and comprising a second coupling device for coupling to the cabin; a plurality of transportation units wherein each transportation unit comprises a cabin, each cabin comprising a roof provided with a coupling system configured for coupling the cabin to the first trolley along the system portion configured as a cable transportation system and to the second trolley along the system portion configured as a rail transportation system; wherein the coupling system arranged on the roof of the cabin, the first coupling device of the first trolley and the second coupling device of the second trolley are configured for allowing a progressive passage of the cabin

Abstract: A plate retainer apparatus is provided for use on a railroad track with a tie exchanger having a main frame, the apparatus configured for gripping and retaining rail tie plates to a rail during a rail tie exchange process. The plate retainer apparatus includes a plate retainer workhead constructed and arranged for movement independent of that of the main frame. Included on the workhead is a pair of workhead modules, each module associated with a rail of the track and configured for retaining a single tie plate associated with a target tie at a time. Each workhead module is movable relative to the main frame independently of each other.

Abstract: A liftable carrying apparatus includes a carrying frame having at least two longitudinal beams extending relative to each other and connected with each other. The carrying frame has, a first support for the cargo, which first support can be driven on up to a maximum width transversely relative to the at least two longitudinal beams. A receiving location is provided for the lifting apparatus, and contact surfaces are provided for direct placement of the carrying apparatus on a terminal floor. A second support is arranged at or between arms of a first support device. A length of the arms is selected so that the first support in a first pivotal position of the arms is prolonged by the second in such a way that it can be driven on and that the second support is raised in a second pivotal position of the arms relative to the first support.

Abstract: A method operates a track-bound traffic system which carries out a determination that a first track section part lying between a track-bound vehicle and a second track section is free of vehicles. A track-side device disposed in a first track section at a distance to an adjacent second track section, transmits status information which characterizes the second track section as being free of track-bound vehicles, and the transmitted status information is received by a vehicle traversing the first track section. The distance is measured such that no other track-bound vehicle fits in a first track section part lying between the track-bound vehicle and the second track section when the track-bound vehicle receives the status information, and the first track section part lying between the track-bound vehicle and the second track section is identified as being free of other track-bound vehicles by the track-bound vehicle based on the received status information.

Abstract: A method operates a track-bound traffic system which in a particularly efficient manner and at the same time with a comparably low degree of complexity allows the position of at least one vehicle end of a track-bound vehicle to be ascertained. For this purpose, the method is carried out such that a track-side device transmits first information which directly or indirectly characterizes the location of the track-side device and second information which directly or indirectly characterizes the travel direction of a track-bound vehicle. The first and second information is received by the track-bound vehicle at the location of the track-side device; and a position of at least one vehicle end of the track-bound vehicle is ascertained by the track-bound vehicle on the basis of the received first and second information.

Abstract: A bolster beam of a railcar bogie includes a bolster beam main body in which a pair of auxiliary air chambers respectively communicating with a pair of air springs are formed; and a stopper structure projecting upward from a car width direction middle portion of the bolster beam main body. An upper wall of the bolster beam main body includes a middle upper wall portion at which the stopper structure portion is provided; and a pair of outside upper wall portions adjacently located at both respective car width direction sides of the middle upper wall portion and joined to the middle upper wall portion. The pair of outside upper wall portions include respective upward bent portions that are located at a car width direction middle side and bent upward toward the stopper structure portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a critical driving situation of at least one wheel of a rail vehicle, wherein a characteristic value of a fluctuation strength of a raw speed signal of at least one wheel is determined, and wherein, for the purpose of evaluating the driving situation, said characteristic value is compared with criteria which describe a critical driving situation. Upon detection of a critical driving situation, the method provides that an action is triggered in the rail vehicle, wherein the method is designed in such a way that it can be combined with or make use of a sensor system and processing devices as found in a modern rail vehicle.

Abstract: An automated warning time inspection system (5) and method to test a warning time (45) at a railroad grade crossing (25) on each route for a train (30). The automated warning time inspection system (5) comprises a track circuit (12) configured to activate when a train (30) enters the track circuit (12), an event recorder (17) configured to record a first log time (35(1)) for activation of a crossing warning system (15), a camera (20) to detect a first motion detection indication (40(1)) in a motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) if there is any motion and an island circuit (22) to detect a presence of the train (30) as the train (30) enters an island (42). The event recorder (17) to record a third log time (35(3)) for switch position indications when present. The event recorder (17) to record a fourth log time (35(4)) for activation of the island circuit (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling arrangement for a rail vehicle that includes a coupling rod which extends along a longitudinal axis, a bearing bracket to which the coupling rod is connected at a second axial end, a bearing between the bearing bracket and the coupling rod, and a support structure which elastically supports the coupling rod in relation to the movement in the vertical direction. The support structure is positioned in the vertical direction at least predominantly level with the bearing bracket and/or with the coupling rod in a manner substantially coaxial with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and software for train control and tracking using multi sensors, SSD/QR signs, and/or RF reflectors are disclosed, which enable determination of train location on a guideway, train movement authority, train length, and coupler status of each vehicle (married pair) and the consist (integrity) of the train.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switch (1) of a transport system for a movable transport element (T), where the switch (1) comprises a main track (3) and a secondary track (4) branching off, where the movable transport element (T) can be guided from a transition region (2), in which the secondary track (4) branches off from the main track (3), optionally along the main track (3) or transferred into the secondary track (4), where one or more linear motor sections (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are respectively provided at the main track (3) and the secondary track (4) for moving the movable transport element (T), where a normal force is present between the movable transport element (T) and the adjacent linear motor section or the adjacent linear motor sections (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), characterized in that devices for altering the normal force are provided in the transition region. The invention also relates to a transport system comprising such a switch and a transport element for such a transport system.

Abstract: A machine for track maintenance is manually displaceable on a track. The machine has a work module with a handle, a working tool powered by a drive and a machine frame configured to be guided on a rail of the track. The work module is detachably connected to an energy module and the energy module has an electrical energy store and output contacts. The output contacts are detachably connected to input contacts of the work module. The work module has as the drive an electric motor supplied with electrical energy from the energy store. This solution results in a high degree of overall efficiency because the energy available in the energy store serves for the largest part for covering performance peaks.

Abstract: A level control system for a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, includes at least one level control cylinder and one level control piston, the level control piston being movably guided in the level control cylinder in order to adjust the level of the rail vehicle, the level control piston having an outer piston sleeve and a piston main body at least partially accommodated in the piston sleeve, and the piston main body being slidable relative to the piston sleeve for wear readjustment and being lockable and/or fixable in at least two adjustment positions.

Abstract: A process for detecting a derailment of a rail vehicle having two or more rail vehicle parts and one or more articulations through which adjacent rail vehicle parts are rotatably connected with one another includes determining an angle of rotation between adjacent rail vehicle parts, and/or a quantity derived from the angle of rotation. The process further includes comparing the angle of rotation or the derived quantity with at least one reference value or threshold, or with at least one reference value range or threshold range. A test criterion indicating whether or not there is a derailment is defined based on the at least one reference value or threshold, and/or an expected relationship of multiple angles of rotation, and/or an expected relationship of the multiple quantities derived from the angles of rotation, relative to one another. The method further includes determining whether or not the test criterion is met.

Abstract: A high-speed mass transport system having a monorail track disposed along a travel path and a monorail car with a driving unit suspended from the monorail track and a commuter car selectively attached to the driving unit. The high-speed mass transport system having also having an omnidirectional wheel transporter being adapted to selectively raise and lower to engage the commuter car, thus allowing the commuter car to detach from and reattach to the driving unit.

Abstract: An on-track work or rescue vehicle for fire-fighting and/or the rescue of persons in tunnels or subway tubes has a drive which can be operated for at least a limited duration without ambient air. A liquid tank is arranged on the work or rescue vehicle. A fan blower with a fluid spraying device is connected to the liquid tank for producing a spray mist. The work or rescue vehicle is a traction vehicle for pulling or pushing other rail vehicles. A work or rescue vehicle of this type can move to a fire source under the protection of the spray mist blown into the tunnel or subway tube and, if required, pull or push a damaged rail vehicle from a danger zone.

Abstract: A rail tie plate retaining workhead is provided for use in conjunction with a rail tie replacement machine moving along a railroad track having a pair of rails. The workhead includes a workhead frame configured for movement along the track relative to the rail tie replacement machine, and a pair of plate retaining frames, each frame associated with a respective one of the rails, and being connected to the workhead frame. Each plate retaining frame has at least one rail guide wheel connected to the retaining frame using a fluid powered cylinder, the wheels vertically reciprocating between an extended position, in which the workhead is raised to a travel position, and a retracted position, in which the workhead is lowered to a working position in operational relationship with at least one targeted rail tie plate.