Abstract: A railroad track monitoring system is described which detects changes in rail track geometry that could lead to derailments, The changes in geometry are detected via analysis of temperature and stress parameters that are collected at one or more sensors installed on the track. Methods are described which provide faster detection and reduced false alerts, thereby saving time and expense to the railroad system.

Abstract: A railroad track monitoring system is described which detects changes in rail track geometry that could lead to derailments, The changes in geometry are detected via analysis of temperature and stress parameters that are collected at one or more sensors installed on the track. Methods are described which provide faster detection and reduced false alerts, thereby saving time and expense to the railroad system.

Abstract: A rail stress monitoring system is disclosed. This system includes a sensor module that further includes a sensing device that is adapted to be mountable directly on a length of rail. The sensing device further includes a generally flat metal shim and at least one, and typically two or more, sensors mounted on one side of the shim. The sensors are typically strain gauges, which are mounted on the shim in a specific, predetermined configuration. At least one data acquisition module is in electrical communication with the sensing device and a data processing module receives and processes information gathered by data acquisition module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for determining rail safety limits. A first example method is disclosed for determining rail safety limits, including identifying a target rail neutral temperature for a portion of continuous welded rail. The method also includes monitoring a longitudinal stress for the portion of continuous welded rail and monitoring an ambient rail temperature for the portion of continuous welded rail. The method further includes determining a present rail neutral temperature based on the longitudinal stress and the ambient rail temperature. According to the example method, the present rail neutral temperature is compared to the target rail neutral temperature to determine whether a failure of the portion of continuous welded rail has occurred, and an alert is reported if the difference between the present rail neutral temperature and the target rail neutral temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A rail stress monitoring system is disclosed. This system includes a sensor module that further includes a sensing device that is adapted to be mountable directly on a length of rail. The sensing device further includes a generally flat metal shim and at least one, and typically two or more, sensors mounted on one side of the shim. The sensors are typically strain gauges, which are mounted on the shim in a specific, predetermined configuration. At least one data acquisition module is in electrical communication with the sensing device and a data processing module receives and processes information gathered by data acquisition module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for determining rail safety limits. A first example method is disclosed for determining rail safety limits, including identifying a target rail neutral temperature for a portion of continuous welded rail. The method also includes monitoring a longitudinal stress for the portion of continuous welded rail and monitoring an ambient rail temperature for the portion of continuous welded rail. The method further includes determining a present rail neutral temperature based on the longitudinal stress and the ambient rail temperature. According to the example method, the present rail neutral temperature is compared to the target rail neutral temperature to determine whether a failure of the portion of continuous welded rail has occurred, and an alert is reported if the difference between the present rail neutral temperature and the target rail neutral temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gunning of a material is provided having a nozzle with an inner passage having an inlet end into which a wetted material is to be introduced and an outlet end from which the material is to be sprayed. An outer passage is disposed around the inner passage and in fluid communication therewith and has an inlet end for introducing a gas to be passed through the outer passage and impinged on the wetted material passing through the inner passage. Also provided is an apparatus for the gunning of a material having a material delivery hose for providing a material. A water inlet in fluid communication with the material delivery hose provides water to wet the material and a nozzle outputs the wetted material. A mixing chamber is disposed intermediate and in fluid communication with the material delivery hose and the nozzle and has at least one inlet for introducing a mixing gas.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing and identifying genetic and metabolic factors associated with a physiologic procoagulant predisposition for and concurrent activation of the coagulation response in patients suffering from conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Gulf War illness and cardiovascular disease are disclosed. Diagnostic assays utilized in the methods include measurement of blood levels of Protein C, Protein S, antithrombin, activated protein C resistance, prothrombin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine. Treatment regimens include anticoagulant therapies comprising administering warfarin or heparin as needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gunning of a material is provided having a nozzle with an inner passage having an inlet end into which a wetted material is to be introduced and an outlet end from which the material is to be sprayed. An outer passage is disposed around the inner passage and in fluid communication therewith and has an inlet end for introducing a gas to be passed through the outer passage and impinged on the wetted material passing through the inner passage. Also provided is an apparatus for the gunning of a material having a material delivery hose for providing a material. A water inlet in fluid communication with the material delivery hose provides water to wet the material and a nozzle outputs the wetted material. A mixing chamber is disposed intermediate and in fluid communication with the material delivery hose and the nozzle and has at least one inlet for introducing a mixing gas.