Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing and/or reconditioning side frames and bolsters for railway cars includes at least one robot adapted to access positions along the length of the part. A map of the part dimensions, which may be obtained by a probe or scanner on the robot(s), allows a processor to determine where welding and machining are required to meet certain dimensional tolerances, leveraging novel reference surfaces on the part which cannot be leveraged using conventional gauges. The robot(s) may locate and mount welding and material removal tools to carry out the welding and material removal operations determined by the processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway car truck incorporating an interconnection between a side frame and a bearing adapter. The bearing adapter may receive a reduced coefficient of friction surface member in a recess on a top surface of the bearing adapter, facilitating a reduced lateral spring rate of the wheelset. Alternatively, or in combination, an adapter plate is received in the pedestal jaw on the bearing adapter to retain the reduced coefficient of friction surface member above or below the adapter plate. The adapter plate may be provided with surfaces about perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral axes of the side frame to support elastomeric members, which may provide different longitudinal and lateral spring rates in response to a load applied to the truck.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing and/or reconditioning side frames and bolsters for railway cars includes at least one robot adapted to access positions along the length of the part. A map of the part dimensions, which may be obtained by a probe or scanner on the robot(s), allows a processor to determine where welding and machining are required to meet certain dimensional tolerances, leveraging novel reference surfaces on the part which cannot be leveraged using conventional gauges. The robot(s) may locate and mount welding and material removal tools to carry out the welding and material removal operations determined by the processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway car truck incorporating an interconnection between a side frame and a bearing adapter. The bearing adapter may receive a reduced coefficient of friction surface member in a recess on a top surface of the bearing adapter, facilitating a reduced lateral spring rate of the wheelset. Alternatively, or in combination, an adapter plate is received in the pedestal jaw on the bearing adapter to retain the reduced coefficient of friction surface member above or below the adapter plate. The adapter plate may be provided with surfaces about perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral axes of the side frame to support elastomeric members, which may provide different longitudinal and lateral spring rates in response to a load applied to the truck.

Abstract: A retarder for controlling the speed of a railcar is provided. The retarder includes a brake and a brake actuator that includes a hydraulic piston-cylinder and a spring. One of the piston and the cylinder acts on the brake and the other of the piston and the cylinder acts on one end of the spring. The other end of the spring acts on the brake. In this arrangement, supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the piston-cylinder causes both the piston-cylinder and the spring to move the brake towards a closed position in which the brake will apply braking pressure on the wheel of the railcar. The spring resiliently biases the brake into the closed position to maintain a substantially constant braking pressure on the wheel of the railcar as it moves through the retarder.

Abstract: Devices and systems for stopping travel of a railcar along rails is provided, the railcar having wheel treads that ride on the rails. A railcar stop is configured to engage at least one wheel tread of the railcar to stop travel of the railcar along the rails. The railcar stop extends above the rails at a first height prior to engagement with a wheel tread and extends above the rails at a second, greater height after engagement with the wheel tread.

Abstract: A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retarding the speed of a railcar are provided. A supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid is provided to a piston cylinder to actuate the cylinder and thereby move a brake into a closed position in which the brake will apply a predetermined braking pressure to a wheel of the railcar. An accumulator accumulates fluid from the circuit when the wheel forces the brake out of the closed position and supplies accumulated fluid back to the circuit as the brake moves back into the closed position to thereby maintain a substantially constant braking pressure on the wheel as it moves through the retarder.

Abstract: An air bladder actuator for a railroad car retarder utilizes a simplified stroke limiting arrangement that can be used in new actuator construction or applied as a retrofit assembly to an existing air cylinder actuated retarder.

Abstract: A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails.

Abstract: A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails.

Abstract: Devices and systems for stopping travel of a railcar along rails is provided, the railcar having wheel treads that ride on the rails. A railcar stop is configured to engage at least one wheel tread of the railcar to stop travel of the railcar along the rails. The railcar stop extends above the rails at a first height prior to engagement with a wheel tread and extends above the rails at a second, greater height after engagement with the wheel tread.

Abstract: An air bladder actuator for a railroad car retarder utilizes a simplified stroke limiting arrangement that can be used in new actuator construction or applied as a retrofit assembly to an existing air cylinder actuated retarder.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a system for connecting brake shoes to brake beams in a railroad car retarder all provide enhanced connecting joint tightness that reduces premature connecting joint loosening, reduces maintenance, and reduces failure of connecting bolts or equivalent connecting pins.

Abstract: A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails.

Abstract: A railcar presence detector including magnetic field sensors spaced along the length of a rail track for detecting magnetic field disturbances caused by ferromagnetic objects, such as railcars, passing along the rail track. Each of the magnetic field sensors generates an output signal that is received by a control unit. The control unit compares the output signal from each of the magnetic field sensors to a detection threshold and controls the position of a contact member dependent upon the comparison between the output signal and the detection threshold. Each of the magnetic field sensors includes a test device that is selectively operable to modify the magnetic field near the magnetic field sensor to test the operation of the magnetic field sensor. During operation of the system including the magnetic field sensor, the control unit can automatically activate the test device to assure that each of the magnetic field sensors are operating properly.

Abstract: An air bladder actuated railroad car retarder is designed to simplify installation, operate in a manner imposing minimal stress on the bladder, improve preventive maintenance, and simplify access to the main fulcrum bearings. The air bladder actuator is made with lightweight aluminum end plates and utilizes a unique stud assembly for attaching the actuator to the retarder pivot arms. Rigid mounting of the air bladder with a unique pivot geometry exposes the bladder to minimal lateral deflection which is balanced in both directions. A simple stroke limiter assembly, external to the air bladder, is also used to measure and monitor wear of the main fulcrum bearings. The stroke limiter assembly is easily demountable and removable to enhance access to the main fulcrum pivot for replacement of the fulcrum bearings.

Abstract: An air bladder actuated railroad car retarder is designed to simplify installation, operate in a manner imposing minimal stress on the bladder, improve preventive maintenance, and simplify access to the main fulcrum bearings. The air bladder actuator is made with lightweight aluminum end plates and utilizes a unique stud assembly for attaching the actuator to the retarder pivot arms. Rigid mounting of the air bladder with a unique pivot geometry exposes the bladder to minimal lateral deflection which is balanced in both directions. A simple stroke limiter assembly, external to the air bladder, is also used to measure and monitor wear of the main fulcrum bearings. The stroke limiter assembly is easily demountable and removable to enhance access to the main fulcrum pivot for replacement of the fulcrum bearings.