Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Berg
Thomas R. Berg 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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Patent number: 10207722Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: STRATO, INC.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, Christopher J. Clark, Thomas J. Heyden, Kevin P. McGarvey, Michael Fortier
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Patent number: 9956968Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: STRATO, INC.Inventors: David Yuh-Shyang Lin, Thomas J. Heyden, Thomas R. Berg, Christopher J. Clark, Kevin P. McGarvey
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Publication number: 20180050708Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Thomas R. BERG, Christopher J. CLARK, Thomas J. HEYDEN, Kevin P. McGarvey, Michael FORTIER
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Publication number: 20160176418Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: David Yuh-Shyang LIN, Thomas J. Heyden, Thomas R. Berg, Christopher J. Clark, Kevin P. McGarvey
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Patent number: 8893626Abstract: A railway car truck incorporating an interconnection between the side frame and bearing adapter is characterized by a low lateral spring constant relative to the longitudinal spring constant. The interconnection provides a proportional restoring force with minimal internal friction and hysteresis. In embodiments, the interconnection comprises compressed elastomeric members positioned between the thrust lug of the side frame and the bearing adapter in the longitudinal direction and a low friction interface between the roof of the pedestal jaw and the top of the bearing adapter.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: STRATO, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, George Currier, Larry Hixon, Kevin McGarvey, Jason Reiling
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Publication number: 20140060380Abstract: The invention relates to a railway car truck incorporating a novel interconnection between the side frame and bearing adapter characterized by a low lateral spring constant relative to the longitudinal spring constant. The interconnection provides a proportional restoring force with minimal internal friction and hysteresis. In embodiments, the interconnection comprises compressed elastomeric members positioned between the thrust lug of the side frame and the bearing adapter in the longitudinal direction and a low friction interface between the roof of the pedestal jaw and the top of the bearing adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: STRATO, INC.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, George Currier, Larry Hixon, Kevin McGarvey, Jason Reiling
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Patent number: 8474383Abstract: The invention relates to a railway car truck incorporating a novel transom attached below the spring seat, having elastomeric fittings and a central opening to receive the truck bolster.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Strato, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, George Currier, Larry Hixon, Kevin McGarvey, Jason Reiling
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Patent number: 7263930Abstract: A tuned spring group with load springs, control springs, and a frictional damping arrangement for a railcar truck assembly provides better ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming, and increased hunting threshold speed of a railroad car. Specifically, this tuned damping and suspension arrangement provides a spring group reserve capacity of less than 1.50. Spring assemblies for different car types are tuned such that a reserve ratio less than 1.50 may be achieved. By reducing the spring assembly reserve capacity for a railcar and truck of a standard weight and configuration to less than 1.50, an unexpected result of a decrease in maximum vertical acceleration as the railcar truck assembly approaches a speed of 55 miles per hour is achieved. The decrease in vertical acceleration allows for improved ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming and increased hunting threshold speed of the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: ASF-Keystone, Inc.Inventors: Julius I. Pershwitz, Thomas R. Berg
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Patent number: 7174837Abstract: An improved three-piece truck system for railroad cars provides long travel side bearings for improved stability, a “wide” friction shoe design or equivalent to improve sideframe and bolster squareness, a resilient pedestal pad for improved curving performance and enhanced wear resistance, and a suspension system tuned and optimized for rail cars to have a minimum reserve capacity of less than 1.5 to improve motion control and ride quality, increase resistance to suspension bottoming, and increase hunting threshold speed. Such a motion control truck system is able to meet recent, more stringent American Association of Railroads standards, such as M-976, for railcars having a 286,000 lb. gross rail load rating.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: ASF-Keystone, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, Nathan J. Reese, Ralph H. Schorr, Jeffrey M. Ruback, Julius I. Pershwitz
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Patent number: 7017498Abstract: An improved sideframe has a bolster opening configured to accept a variety of spring group and friction shoe assembly designs. The bolster opening is defined by a bottom section, a top compression member, and two opposing column members and has two column wear plates each secured to the opposing column members. The bottom section of the bolster opening defines a spring seat. The dimensions of the bolster opening of the sideframe allow for a variety of freight car truck suspension systems including the spring group, bolster and friction shoe used therewith.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: ASF-Keystone, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, Nathan J. Reese, Jeffrey M. Ruback
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Publication number: 20040261651Abstract: An improved sideframe has a bolster opening configured to accept a variety of spring group and friction shoe assembly designs. The bolster opening is defined by a bottom section, a top compression member, and two opposing column members and has two column wear plates each secured to the opposing column members. The bottom section of the bolster opening defines a spring seat. The dimensions of the bolster opening of the sideframe allow for a variety of freight car truck suspension systems including the spring group, bolster and friction shoe used therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: ASF-KEYSTONE, INC.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, Nathan J. Reese, Jeffrey M. Ruback
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Publication number: 20040261652Abstract: An improved three-piece truck system for railroad cars provides long travel side bearings for improved stability, a “wide” friction shoe design or equivalent to improve sideframe and bolster squareness, a resilient pedestal pad for improved curving performance and enhanced wear resistance, and a suspension system tuned and optimized for rail cars to have a minimum reserve capacity of less than 1.5 to improve motion control and ride quality, increase resistance to suspension bottoming, and increase hunting threshold speed. Such a motion control truck system is able to meet recent, more stringent American Association of Railroads standards, such as M-976, for railcars having a 286,000 lb. gross rail load rating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: ASF-KEYSTONE, INC.Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, Nathan J. Reese, Ralph H. Schorr, Jeffrey M. Ruback, Julius I. Pershwitz
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Publication number: 20040261654Abstract: A tuned spring group with load springs, control springs, and a frictional damping arrangement for a railcar truck assembly provides better ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming, and increased hunting threshold speed of a railroad car. Specifically, this tuned damping and suspension arrangement provides a spring group reserve capacity of less than 1.50. Spring assemblies for different car types are tuned such that a reserve ratio less than 1.50 may be achieved. By reducing the spring assembly reserve capacity for a railcar and truck of a standard weight and configuration to less than 1.50, an unexpected result of a decrease in maximum vertical acceleration as the railcar truck assembly approaches a speed of 55 miles per hour is achieved. The decrease in vertical acceleration allows for improved ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming and increased hunting threshold speed of the railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: ASF-KEYSTONE, INC.Inventors: Julius I. Pershwitz, Thomas R. Berg
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Patent number: 6823800Abstract: A cast metal sideframe for use in a railway car truck has a spring seat for supporting the springs of a spring set. The sideframe is molded using a core that includes a portion for defining the exterior surface of the spring seat. The core can be a single piece or multi-piece core. The spring seat includes a plurality of aerodynamically-shaped spring retainers formed on the top face spring seat. The aerodynamic shape of the spring retainers reduces the tendency for sand to swirl and create voids during formation of the sand core that is used to mold the sideframe. The aerodynamic shape may include forming at least some of the side walls of the spring retainers at an obtuse angle with the top face of the spring seat. The spring retainers may have concave top faces so as to reduce the volume of material comprising the spring retainers.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, Anthony J. Bauer, Thomas R. Callahan, Hector Chaidez, Ralph H. Schorr
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Publication number: 20030200894Abstract: A cast metal sideframe for use in a railway car truck has a spring seat for supporting the springs of a spring set. The sideframe is molded using a core that includes a portion for defining the exterior surface of the spring seat. The core can be a single piece or multi-piece core. The spring seat includes a plurality of aerodynamically-shaped spring retainers formed on the top face spring seat. The aerodynamic shape of the spring retainers reduces the tendency for sand to swirl and create voids during formation of the sand core that is used to mold the sideframe. The aerodynamic shape may include forming at least some of the side walls of the spring retainers at an obtuse angle with the top face of the spring seat. The spring retainers may have concave top faces so as to reduce the volume of material comprising the spring retainers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, Anthony J. Bauer, Thomas R. Callahan, Hector Chaidez, Ralph H. Schorr
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Patent number: 5609109Abstract: A rail car truck side frame for use in a frame brace truck which has stabilizing cross braces extending between the side frames. The side frame has a top compression member and a bottom tension member which are joined by upwardly and outwardly slanted end walls. There is a bracket at the lower end of each end wall for use in mounting a cross brace. The bracket includes first, second and third walls, each integral with the side frame and each extending downwardly from the side frame. The first wall forms the wall for attachment of a cross brace with the second and third walls being perpendicular to the first wall and forming support for the first wall.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Standard Research and Design CorporationInventor: Thomas R. Berg
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Patent number: 5584250Abstract: A rail car truck has a pair of longitudinally spaced wheelsets and a pair of laterally spaced side frames which extend between and are supported by the wheelsets. A bolster extends between the side frames to support the rail car vehicle body. There is a brace which is connected to the side frames to control relative longitudinal movement therebetween. The brace includes a pair of struts which are diagonally connected to the side frame on opposite sides of the centerline thereof. The struts intersect generally centrally of the side frames and there is a clamp assembly for attaching the struts together. The clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp plates, each having a channel formed and adapted to receive a strut. Each clamp plate is welded to a strut and there are fasteners which attach the facing surfaces of the clamp plates directly to each other. The clamp plates are welded one to another. The clamp assembly inhibits relative movement between the struts in a generally horizontal plane.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1995Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Standard Research and Design CorporationInventor: Thomas R. Berg
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Patent number: 5579696Abstract: A rail car truck side frame has an upper compression member and a lower tension member, with these members being joined by integral end walls which slant upwardly and outwardly from the tension member toward the compression member. To protect the side frame from the elements of car progressors, there is a car progressor contact extending forwardly from the lower outward portion of each end wall of the side frame. The contact is formed and adapted to be contacted by and protect the side frame from the pusher of a car progressor. The car progressor contact may either be cast into the side frame or it may be a separate welded element. When the side frame is used in a frame brace truck, the car progressor contact may extend outwardly from the bracket which is attached to the side frame and supports the cross braces of the truck.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Standard Research and Design CorporationInventor: Thomas R. Berg
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Patent number: 5461986Abstract: A railroad car truck includes a pair of side frames and a bolster which is supported by springs on the side frame. There are diagonal cross braces attached to the side frames with each cross brace being attached to one side frame on one side of the bolster and being attached to the other side frame on the opposite side of the bolster. There are mounting brackets fixed to the side frame and there is an end block attached with elastomeric mounting elements to each mounting bracket. The end blocks mount the cross braces. Each end block has a profile such as not to materially interfere with the scan area of a hot box detector mounted adjacent one of the railroad track rails.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Standard Car Truck CompanyInventors: John T. Sarnicki, Thomas R. Berg