Patents by Inventor Duane B. Swartz

Duane B. Swartz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7051660
    Abstract: A railroad car positioning apparatus for positioning a railroad car along a railroad track includes a battery-powered and radio-controlled carriage assembly and first and second dog members mounted on the carriage assembly. The apparatus includes a main control unit for controlling the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is controlled via radio communication between the carriage assembly and the main control unit. The dog members are generally extendable to an axle height of the railroad car to be acquired for contacting one of the axles of the railroad car. The apparatus further includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for moving the carriage assembly in a forward or reverse direction on a guide way disposed between the railroad tracks on which the railroad cars travel. The batteries on the carriage assembly may be remotely recharged using a contactless power transfer device, which includes a battery recharging device situated on the guide way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel P. Insana, Duane B. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20040194655
    Abstract: A railroad car positioning apparatus for positioning a railroad car along a railroad track includes a battery-powered and radio-controlled carriage assembly and first and second dog members mounted on the carriage assembly. The apparatus includes a main control unit for controlling the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is controlled via radio communication between the carriage assembly and the main control unit. The dog members are generally extendable to an axle height of the railroad car to be acquired for contacting one of the axles of the railroad car. The apparatus further includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for moving the carriage assembly in a forward or reverse direction on a guide way disposed between the railroad tracks on which the railroad cars travel. The batteries on the carriage assembly may be remotely recharged using a contactless power transfer device, which includes a battery recharging device situated on the guide way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Samuel P. Insana, Duane B. Swartz