Abstract: A direct fixation fastener comprising: a top plate; a bottom plate made of metal structural channel providing two spaced-apart side walls, wherein the bottom plate has a first end and a second end and wherein each of the first and second ends terminate in a first flat edge section and a second flat edge section, respectively, without spaced-apart side walls; first and second angle bars, wherein the first angle bar is attached to the first flat edge section and the second angle bar is attached to the second flat edge section; and an elastomeric layer disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate, between the top plate and angle bars and between the angle bars and the spaced-apart side walls.

Abstract: An end post (30) for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion (12) consisting essentially of a first electrically insulating material comprising a fiber reinforced polymer material and having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail head sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; a base (16) having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail base sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; and a stem (14) disposed between the top portion (12) and the base (16); wherein the stem (14) and the base (16) consist essentially of a second electrically insulating material comprising a polymer material.

Abstract: A direct fixation fastener comprising: a top plate; a bottom plate made of metal structural channel providing two spaced-apart side walls, wherein the bottom plate has a first end and a second end and wherein each of the first and second ends terminate in a first flat edge section and a second flat edge section, respectively, without spaced-apart side walls; first and second angle bars, wherein the first angle bar is attached to the first flat edge section and the second angle bar is attached to the second flat edge section; and an elastomeric layer disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate, between the top plate and angle bars and between the angle bars and the spaced-apart side walls.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting electrical current on an insulating element of a rail system, comprising: at least one electrically conductive lead or wire for attaching the sensor to the insulating element; an energy harvester for harvesting electric current transmitted from the insulating element to the energy harvester via the lead; a microprocessor circuit including a capacitor wherein the capacitor is charged by energy harvested by the energy harvester; and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting RF signals indicative of the detected current; wherein the microprocessor and transmitter are powered by the energy from the capacitor.

Abstract: A railroad rail comprising a rail head, wherein the rail head is made from a first material and defines a void, and an insert comprising a second material installed in the void.

Abstract: An end post (30) for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion (12) consisting essentially of a first electrically insulating material comprising a fiber reinforced polymer material and having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail head sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; a base (16) having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail base sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; and a stem (14) disposed between the top portion (12) and the base (16); wherein the stem (14) and the base (16) consist essentially of a second electrically insulating material comprising a polymer material.

Abstract: A railroad rail comprising a rail head, wherein the rail head is made from a first material and defines a void, and an insert comprising a second material installed in the void.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting electrical current on an insulating element of a rail system, comprising: at least one electrically conductive lead or wire for attaching the sensor to the insulating element; an energy harvester for harvesting electric current transmitted from the insulating element to the energy harvester via the lead; a microprocessor circuit including a capacitor wherein the capacitor is charged by energy harvested by the energy harvester; and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting RF signals indicative of the detected current; wherein the microprocessor and transmitter are powered by the energy from the capacitor.

Abstract: A bonded fastener for a railway rail comprising: top and bottom generally horizontal plates bonded and separated by an insulating material wherein the top plate defines a rail bed; a plurality of clip housings wherein each clip housing houses part of a hold-down clip for attaching the rail to the bonded fastener; a plurality of anchor assembly areas wherein each anchor assembly area defines an opening through the bonded fastener for receiving an attachment device for attaching the fastener to a supporting surface; and one or more generally vertical barriers comprising part of the bonded fastener. Further, a first generally horizontal barrier may extend from the bonded fastener underneath each of the clip housings, and a second generally horizontal barrier may extend from the rail bed underneath the rail on each side of the bonded fastener.

Abstract: A signal bond plate system for electrically bonding onto a railroad rail comprising: first and second conductive plates, first and second wires; and first and second conductive washers; a boltlike attachment means attaching, in order, the first conductive plate, the first conductive washer, a web of the rail, the second conductive washer, and the second conductive plate; the conductive plates each having an inside surface proximal to the web of the rail and an outside surface distal to the web of the rail; each wire having a wire first end and a wire second end; each conductive plate having a conductive plate first end and a conductive plate second end; the first wire first end is attached to the first conductive plate near the first conductive plate first end at a first attachment point; the first wire second end attached to the rail; the second wire first end attached to the second conductive plate first end at a second attachment point; the second end of the second wire attached to the rail; the first cove

Abstract: A conductor rail assembly for use in transit rail transportation systems to transmit electrical power to rail cars comprising a first and second support sections preferably of aluminum to give the rail assembly its rail-shape and conductivity and a cap section preferably of stainless steel to provide a wear resistant surface to prevent damaging of the conductor rail by collector shoes that extend from rail cars and run on the conductor rail. The first support section has a rib and the second support section has a concavity. In the assembly, the rib of the first support member preferably is disposed within the concavity of the second support member, portions of both support members preferably are friction fit or compression fit within the cap and a friction stir weld preferably is disposed on the bottom of the assembly along a joint between the first and second support sections.

Abstract: A bonded, direct fixation fastener as supportive structure for a rail on a railroad tie or bed comprising: a rail plate, wherein the rail plate has a generally horizontal center portion having a lower face and an upper face and defining a rail plate horizontal plane, and wherein the rail plate center portion extends at a first angle from opposing sides as rail plate tongues above the rail plate horizontal plane, the rail plate having a rail securing device; a bed plate comprising a generally horizontal center portion, an upper bed plate face defining a bed plate horizontal plane, and a pair of opposing bed plate tongues extending from opposing sides of the bed plate horizontal center portion disposed at a second angle above the bed plate horizontal plane; a horizontal elastomeric portion of relatively lower durometer hardness encapsulating at least a portion of the bed plate and at least a portion of the rail plate; and vertical elastomeric portions of relatively higher durometer hardness encapsulating at lea

Abstract: A bonded fastener for a railway rail comprising: top and bottom generally horizontal plates bonded and separated by an insulating material wherein the top plate defines a rail bed; a plurality of clip housings wherein each clip housing houses part of a hold-down clip for attaching the rail to the bonded fastener; a plurality of anchor assembly areas wherein each anchor assembly area defines an opening through the bonded fastener for receiving an attachment device for attaching the fastener to a supporting surface; and one or more generally vertical barriers comprising part of the bonded fastener. Further, a first generally horizontal barrier may extend from the bonded fastener underneath each of the clip housings, and a second generally horizontal barrier may extend from the rail bed underneath the rail on each side of the bonded fastener.

Abstract: A signal bond plate system for electrically bonding onto a railroad rail comprising: first and second conductive plates, first and second wires; and first and second conductive washers; a boltlike attachment means attaching, in order, the first conductive plate, the first conductive washer, a web of the rail, the second conductive washer, and the second conductive plate; the conductive plates each having an inside surface proximal to the web of the rail and an outside surface distal to the web of the rail; each wire having a wire first end and a wire second end; each conductive plate having a conductive plate first end and a conductive plate second end; the first wire first end is attached to the first conductive plate near the first conductive plate first end at a first attachment point; the first wire second end attached to the rail; the second wire first end attached to the second conductive plate first end at a second attachment point; the second end of the second wire attached to the rail; the first cove

Abstract: A conductor rail assembly for use in transit rail transportation systems to transmit electrical power to rail cars comprising a first and second support sections preferably of aluminum to give the rail assembly its rail-shape and conductivity and a cap section preferably of stainless steel to provide a wear resistant surface to prevent damaging of the conductor rail by collector shoes that extend from rail cars and run on the conductor rail. The first support section has a rib and the second support section has a concavity. In the assembly, the rib of the first support member preferably is disposed within the concavity of the second support member, portions of both support members preferably are friction fit or compression fit within the cap and a friction stir weld preferably is disposed on the bottom of the assembly along a joint between the first and second support sections.

Abstract: An end post for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail head sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; a base; and a stem disposed between the top portion and the base; wherein one or more of the top portion, base and stem comprise a plurality of pieces of a first electrically insulating material disposed on or in a second electrically insulating material. The plurality of pieces are preferably spaced apart and may have a substantially disc-shape or a substantially cylindrical-shape, and are preferably made from a ceramic material such as zirconium dioxide, aluminum oxide or silicon nitride, where the second electrically insulating material comprises a polymeric material, such as polyurethane.