Abstract: A railcar moving or positioning system incorporating relatively simple mechanical bogey frame side member sensing systems mounted on each dog carriage of a railcar indexing system is disclosed. Each sensing system is used to control the operation of a dog mounted on the same carriage. A mechanical follower device is employed to sense the underside of an encountered bogey frame side member. Deflection of the follower is used to operate a hydraulic valve which, in turn, is used as a control cylinder to raise or lower an adjacent dog member.

Abstract: A single-carriage reversing train positioning system which includes an extending spike-type car engaging member for engaging and moving one or more railcars. An extending chuck assembly may be provided with the ability to operate gates in bottom-discharging railcars. The system uses a single self-propelled carriage with an on-board carriage drive system that includes a drive motor which operates the car along a fixed chain situated along a guideway. A generally horizontally disposed, laterally extendable pin car-engaging assembly is mounted on the car-moving carriage for aligning with and engaging a hook loop on a railcar for moving the car. A gate-operating assembly which includes a laterally extendable chuck system which aligns with, engages and rotates gate-operating capstans on bottom discharging railcars may also be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reversing train positioning system for engaging and moving a railroad car or trip of cars by engaging a bogey wheel truck frame. The train positioning system includes a dog carriage having a drive motor mounted on the dog carriage which operates to propel the dog carriage back and forth along a single tension chain in a carriage guideway provided alongside a railroad track. The carriage is supplied with electric power and hydraulic fluid from an attached flexible power track system which has a fixed end connected to a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid and a return sump and a source of electric power and a free end attached to move with the carriage. Alternatively, the entire hydraulic system may be carried on board the carriage.

Abstract: A control and safety system for coordinating movement of multiple hydraulic cylinders to reciprocally rotate a truck-mounted refuse compacting arm. The system includes a logic board controller in communication with a cam and switch arrangement mechanically linked to the rotating arm. Signals from the switches indicate the position of the arm to the logic board which responds by operating directional control valves to regulate movement of the cylinders. A pressure switch is activated to rotate the arm in the opposite direction if the arm is prevented from reaching a limit switch.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks in a hydraulic system. The system shuts down the hydraulic system if a leak is detected and notifies individuals in the area that a leak has occurred. The leak detection system has sensors for measuring hydraulic system parameters and a computer for detecting abnormalities in the system based on values returned by the sensors. Sensors used in the example leak detection system include an RPM pickup, a pressure transducer, a flow meter and an hydraulic fluid level and temperature switch. Outputs of the sensors are analyzed by the computer to determine if the hydraulic system has a leak. If a leak is detected, the computer sends response signals to a device for engaging or disengaging the prime mover from the hydraulic pump and to another device for actuating a valve to stop hydraulic fluid flow from the reservoir. The computer may also send indicator signals to a display console for activating a warning light, a buzzer or a display.

Abstract: Railway car indexers are disclosed that include a high dog engaging member for engaging a bogey frame behind a railway axle. The high dog is pivotally attached to a dog carriage which is slidably inserted in an indexer track juxtaposed to the railroad track. The high dog is actuated between a raised and a lowered position by a lever arm which is pivotally attached to the dog carriage and a spring-piston cylinder connected to the high dog and the lever arm. The dog carriage is moved back and forth in the indexer track to engage the lever arm and high dog with the bogey frame to move the railway cars. In a reversing indexer, the dog carriage includes opposing high dogs for engaging the bogey frame behind either axle for moving the railway cars in either direction. The single direction or reversing direction indexers include a dog carriage on one or both sides of the railroad track.