Abstract: A bi-level aluminum vehicle carrier railcar (10) includes an integrated aluminum roofing structure (30), aluminum side panels (18, 20), and aluminum decking structure (36, 50) attached to a steel underframe. The decking structure (36, 50) is supported on side stakes (18) of the side panels (18, 20) with the decking structure (36, 50) including overlapping extruded aluminum decking plates with (38, 52) anti-skid features. The anti-skid features include a media blasted finish to a portion of the surface of the decking and extruded ribs (64) in a portion of the decking. The roofing structure (30) includes overlapping, arched corrugated aluminum panels (30), wherein the roof panels (30) remain uncoated.

Abstract: A bi-level aluminum vehicle carrier railcar (10) includes an integrated aluminum roofing structure (30), aluminum side panels (18, 20), and aluminum decking structure (36, 50) attached to a steel underframe. The decking structure (36, 50) is supported on side stakes (18) of the side panels (18, 20) with the decking structure (36, 50) including overlapping extruded aluminum decking plates with (38, 52) anti-skid features. The anti-skid features include a media blasted finish to a portion of the surface of the decking and extruded ribs (64) in a portion of the decking. The roofing structure (30) includes overlapping, arched corrugated aluminum panels (30), wherein the roof panels (30) remain uncoated.

Abstract: A highly tensioned, suspended pipeline (HTSP) which is especially useful in permafrost regions, rugged terrain, and active seismic fault areas. Basically, the pipeline is comprised of segments which are fluidly connected together to form the desired length of the line. Each segment is comprised of a length of tensioned pipeline which extends between two fixed anchors and which is suspended over a plurality of vertical support towers therebetween. The length of pipeline is greater than the distance between the anchors to allow the pipeline to sag significantly between adjacent vertical supports whereby there is no need for expansion loops in the line.

Abstract: A simplified integrated full-function valve for heavy duty brake systems comprising a valve body having individual ports for fluid communication with spring brake chambers, service brake chambers, pressurized-air reservoir and exhaust and for receiving pressurized control and supply air from respective sources thereof; internal passageways within the valve body providing selected fluid communication with the various ports; a plurality of valve modules within the valve body comprising a spring brake valve module, a relay valve module and a biased one-way pressure protection valve module, and disposed to selectively determine the fluid communications within the internal passageways and ports responsive to the respective positions of the valve modules; the port and related internal passageways for the spring brake chambers being fluid-communicatively-isolated from the reservoir, the service brake chambers and the control air, whereby the number of the internal passageways within the valve body is minimized; the

Abstract: An integrated gladhand and quick-release valve for tractor-trailer highway vehicles is mounted on the tractor, as opposed to the trailer, so the operator of a particular tractor will uniformly have quick-release capability for any trailer drawn by the truck. The integrated gladhand and quick-release valve provides an inlet port for fluid communication from the tractor brake system and an outlet port for fluid communication to the trailer brake system. The intermediate passageway that provides fluid communication between the inlet and outlet ports contains a valve element. The valve element may be apertured to allow limited, continuous fluid communication between the tractor and trailer brake lines. During the quick-release mode, the tractor side is substantially isolated and the trailer side is vented through an exhaust port. The present invention provides a uniform and safe braking system for tractor-trailer highway vehicles where the tractor operator does not own or maintain the trailers.

Abstract: A vibration damper includes a suspended mass connected to a pipeline or similar structural member by a support ring and an assembly of interconnected, generally cylindrical damper members formed of an elastomer material suitable to be stressed in shear. The damper assembly is of modular construction so that the damper can be easily tuned to particular frequency and amplitude conditions of different pipes and spans, respectively.

Abstract: A railway car side panel assembly with upright support posts forming the side walls of the car wherein painted or galvanized panels are protected from rusting by plastic inserts positioned between the corners of the panels and metal brackets on the posts to prevent vibration-abrasion of the galvanizing or paint and of the corners to rust, the plastic inserts being of flexible plastic material and formed as envelopes pocketing the corners and fitting into the complementary brackets, the envelopes each having a side wall with a retainer bottom snapped over flange edges of the panel to hold the envelope from falling off during assembly with the brackets.

Abstract: A railway car side panel assembly with upright support posts forming the side walls of the car wherein painted or galvanized panels are protected from rusting by plastic inserts positioned between the corners of the panels and metal brackets on the posts to prevent vibration-abrasion of the galvanizing or paint and of the corners to rust, the plastic inserts being of flexible plastic material and formed as envelopes pocketing the corners and fitting into the complementary brackets, said envelopes each having a side wall with a retainer bottom snapped over flange edges of the panel to hold the envelope from falling off during assembly with the brackets.

Abstract: A rail car enclosure having a bottom deck, sidewalls and a curved roof defined by at least one slope on each side connecting a flat top of the roof with the sidewalls and the deck connecting the opposite end of each sidewall to form an open end of the rail car. At least one intermediate deck extending between and connecting the sidewalls. An upper track mounted on the uppermost intermediate deck and a bottom track mounted on the bottom deck such that the upper track and bottom track curve around the sidewalls of the rail car. A plurality of panels hinged together at the marginal edges thereof to form a left and right door to slide on the upper and bottom curved tracks between a closed and stowed position. The doors parallel to the exterior of the sidewalls in the stowed position and standing substantially in one plane to fill the open end of the rail car in the closed position.

Abstract: A railroad car arranged to transport vehicles includes a floor, a roof, a pair of spaced side walls and at least one door assembly suspended for movement from a closed position at an end of the car to an open position adjacent a side wall for the loading and unloading of vehicles thereon. A plurality of fingers attached to the bottom edges of the door assembly straddle a rail and provide slidable movement of the door assembly relative thereto. A portion of the rail is positioned on a platform attached to an end of the railroad car a spaced distance below and in parallel relation to the floor. The upper edge of the rail on the platform does not extend above the level of the floor at least in the areas through which the tires of a vehicle pass during loading and unloading of the railroad car.

Abstract: A gondola-type railway car has a bottom which comprises at least one and preferably at least two transversely parabolic surfaces which extend below the side sills of the car, giving increased capacity, a lower center of gravity, and increased resistance to bottom damage.