Patents by Inventor Mike E. Teaford
Mike E. Teaford 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).
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Publication number: 20240123491Abstract: A wedge driver and method therefor is presented. A wedge driver can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge therebetween to form a single link. The wedge driver can also drive the wedge out of the link joiner. The present disclosure provides the benefit of allowing the safe and effective removal of the link joiner by preventing violent or forceful decoupling of a link joiner. The wedge driver can include a trunk, a first prong, a second prong, a bolt, and a driver. The driver can be spring enabled, such that the driver can recede into the trunk as the bolt egresses the trunk. A bolt of the wedge driver can push a driver out of the trunk to axially drive the wedge into (or out of) a link joiner without rotating the wedge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Mike E. Teaford, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20240116147Abstract: Devices and/or tooling systems for performing maintenance of dynamic weight management (DWM) systems on railroad vehicles are provided. In embodiments, the devices may include specialized devices or tools configured for removing and/or installing various DWM components. In embodiments, the removal/installation devices may include a DWM cover plate removal device, a DWM crank and shaft removal device, and/or a DWM bushing maintenance device. In embodiments, the DWM cover plate removal device may be configured to remove a cover plate of a DWM system attached to a frame of a truck assembly of a railroad vehicle, the DWM crank and shaft removal device may be configured to remove a DWM main shaft and/or a DWM chain crank from a DWM system, and the DWM bushing maintenance device may be configured to install and/or remove a frame bushing from and/or into a frame bushing opening within a frame of a DWM system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Larry C. Valentine, Mike E. Teaford, Timothy Webb
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Publication number: 20240101166Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Henry R. Schafer, Mike E. Teaford, Christopher M. Romero, Edward M. Meyers, Timothy Webb, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20240101169Abstract: A crane-less locked axle cradle system configured to lift a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the lifted wheel along a rail is presented. The present disclosure discloses a system that can lift the locked-axle wheel off the rail with no crane thereby allowing the train with a locked axle to be transported off the mainline in a shorter period of time. A cradle system can have two parts (male and female members with wedges and rail wheels) that can be mated with each other around a rail wheel. As the male and female members are pulled together, locked wheel engagers can couple with different portions of the locked-axle wheel, causing the locked-axle wheel to lift off the rail given the gradient of the wedge or rotation of the wheel. In another embodiment, the wheel lifting can be assisted by an air bag, hydraulic cylinder, jack, or other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Christoper M. Romero, Henry R. Schafer, Timothy Webb, Mike E. Teaford, Edward M. Meyers, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20240101165Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Henry R. Schafer, Mike E. Teaford, Christopher M. Romero, Edward M. Meyers, Timothy Webb, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Patent number: 11850656Abstract: A wedge driver and method therefor is presented. A wedge driver can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge therebetween to form a single link. The wedge driver can also drive the wedge out of the link joiner. The present disclosure provides the benefit of allowing the safe and effective removal of the link joiner by preventing violent or forceful decoupling of a link joiner. The wedge driver can include a trunk, a first prong, a second prong, a bolt, and a driver. The driver can be spring enabled, such that the driver can recede into the trunk as the bolt egresses the trunk. A bolt of the wedge driver can push a driver out of the trunk to axially drive the wedge into (or out of) a link joiner without rotating the wedge.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Mike E. Teaford, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20230373015Abstract: A drill jig apparatus configured to be coupled to a locomotive bedplate is presented. The apparatus can include a first member and a second member. The first member can be configured to attach a drill to provide stability while drilling, and the second member can be operably coupled to a locomotive, such as to an engine and bedplate of a locomotive. An engine dowel drilling system is also presented, which can include a drill jig member and a bushing member, and the members can be operably coupled with one another. A method of drilling holes in a locomotive bedplate can include using a drill jig and a bushing to facilitate drilling, and the drill jig can be a conductor-side jig or an engineer-side jig. A kit is also presented for engine dowel installation that can standardize dowels and dowel holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Larry C. Valentine, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Mike E. Teaford
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Patent number: 11772689Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Henry R. Schafer, Mike E. Teaford, Christopher M. Romero, Edward M. Meyers, Timothy Webb, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Patent number: 11752561Abstract: A drill jig apparatus configured to be coupled to a locomotive bedplate is presented. The apparatus can include a first member and a second member. The first member can be configured to attach a drill to provide stability while drilling, and the second member can be operably coupled to a locomotive, such as to an engine and bedplate of a locomotive. An engine dowel drilling system is also presented, which can include a drill jig member and a bushing member, and the members can be operably coupled with one another. A method of drilling holes in a locomotive bedplate can include using a drill jig and a bushing to facilitate drilling, and the drill jig can be a conductor-side jig or an engineer-side jig. A kit is also presented for engine dowel installation that can standardize dowels and dowel holes.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Larry C. Valentine, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Mike E. Teaford
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Patent number: 11724723Abstract: A crane-less locked axle cradle system configured to lift a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the lifted wheel along a rail is presented. The present disclosure discloses a system that can lift the locked-axle wheel off the rail with no crane thereby allowing the train with a locked axle to be transported off the mainline in a shorter period of time. A cradle system can have two parts (male and female members with wedges and rail wheels) that can be mated with each other around a rail wheel. As the male and female members are pulled together, locked wheel engagers can couple with different portions of the locked-axle wheel, causing the locked-axle wheel to lift off the rail given the gradient of the wedge or rotation of the wheel. In another embodiment, the wheel lifting can be assisted by an air bag, hydraulic cylinder, jack, or other.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Henry R. Schafer, Christopher M. Romero, Timothy Webb, Mike E. Teaford, Edward M. Meyers, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20230110959Abstract: A wedge driver and method therefor is presented. A wedge driver can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge therebetween to form a single link. The wedge driver can also drive the wedge out of the link joiner. The present disclosure provides the benefit of allowing the safe and effective removal of the link joiner by preventing violent or forceful decoupling of a link joiner. The wedge driver can include a trunk, a first prong, a second prong, a bolt, and a driver. The driver can be spring enabled, such that the driver can recede into the trunk as the bolt egresses the trunk. A bolt of the wedge driver can push a driver out of the trunk to axially drive the wedge into (or out of) a link joiner without rotating the wedge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Mike E. Teaford, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Patent number: 11607720Abstract: A wedge driver and method therefor is presented. A wedge driver can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge therebetween to form a single link. The wedge driver can also drive the wedge out of the link joiner. The present disclosure provides the benefit of allowing the safe and effective removal of the link joiner by preventing violent or forceful decoupling of a link joiner. The wedge driver can include a trunk, a first prong, a second prong, a bolt, and a driver. The driver can be spring enabled, such that the driver can recede into the trunk as the bolt egresses the trunk. A bolt of the wedge driver can push a driver out of the trunk to axially drive the wedge into (or out of) a link joiner without rotating the wedge.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Mike E. Teaford, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20220305547Abstract: A wedge driver and method therefor is presented. A wedge driver can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge therebetween to form a single link. The wedge driver can also drive the wedge out of the link joiner. The present disclosure provides the benefit of allowing the safe and effective removal of the link joiner by preventing violent or forceful decoupling of a link joiner. The wedge driver can include a trunk, a first prong, a second prong, a bolt, and a driver. The driver can be spring enabled, such that the driver can recede into the trunk as the bolt egresses the trunk. A bolt of the wedge driver can push a driver out of the trunk to axially drive the wedge into (or out of) a link joiner without rotating the wedge.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Mike E. Teaford, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20220297203Abstract: A drill jig apparatus configured to be coupled to a locomotive bedplate is presented. The apparatus can include a first member and a second member. The first member can be configured to attach a drill to provide stability while drilling, and the second member can be operably coupled to a locomotive, such as to an engine and bedplate of a locomotive. An engine dowel drilling system is also presented, which can include a drill jig member and a bushing member, and the members can be operably coupled with one another. A method of drilling holes in a locomotive bedplate can include using a drill jig and a bushing to facilitate drilling, and the drill jig can be a conductor-side jig or an engineer-side jig. A kit is also presented for engine dowel installation that can standardize dowels and dowel holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Larry C. Valentine, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Mike E. Teaford