Railway/highway Truck Patents (Class 105/215.2)
  • Patent number: 11993294
    Abstract: Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Nicholas Bjone
  • Patent number: 11938544
    Abstract: A system includes a mobile platform that includes a metal powder production machine that receives solid and continuous metal and outputs a metal powder. The mobile platform further includes an additive manufacturing system that receives the metal powder and outputs a manufactured component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srinand Sreedharan Karuppoor, Manuel Marya, Iain Michael Cooper
  • Patent number: 11766907
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a road-rail dual-purpose vehicle, comprising a vehicle frame (1), and a lifting airbag mounting seat (1c) is provided between two longitudinal beams (1a) of the vehicle frame (1); a load-bearing airbag insertion hole is formed in a lower cover plate (1a1) of the longitudinal beam (1a); a load-bearing airbag mounting seat (1d) is installed in the load-bearing airbag insertion hole, and a bearing bolster (1e) is installed on an outer side of the longitudinal beam (1a). The road-rail dual-purpose vehicle is suitable for transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CRRC YANGTZE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haiping Hu, Hui Luo, Danyan Liu, Ruijin Jiang, Fengwei Liu, Ziming Li, Xianhong Peng, Xiong Yao, Zhiying Xiang, Xiannian Wu, Chunyu Huang
  • Patent number: 11331971
    Abstract: A dual mode vehicle that operates on both guided rails and roadways includes a capsule, a carriage, a left motor, a right motor, a road drive system, a rail drive system, a pod control unit, and at least one battery. The carriage includes a spherical frame-housing, a left wheel housing, and a right wheel housing. A spherical cabin of the capsule is attitudinally mounted within the spherical frame-housing. The left motor is adjacently mounted to the left wheel housing. The right motor is adjacently mounted to the right wheel housing. The left and right motors are operatively coupled with the road drive system through the at least one battery and the pod control unit to operate a roadways transportation mode. The left and right motors are operatively coupled with the rail drive system through the at least one battery and the pod control unit to operate a railway transportation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Owen G. Drake
  • Patent number: 11230813
    Abstract: A track system for transporting people and goods with two support rails plus a side stabilizer mechanism associated with one or both rails. The side stabilizer is employed to provide lateral stability and keep a vehicle's rail wheels on the support rails. The side stabilizer may be a protruding bar or a recessed groove. This track system enables vehicles to change support rails at a junction with stationary non-switching rails. Rail wheels roll over the support rails and support the weight of the vehicle while on the rails. Interior side rollers contact the interior of the bar side stabilizer and maintain the vehicle's rail wheels centered over the support rails. Exterior side rollers contact an exterior of one of the bar side stabilizers and forces the vehicle to stay on the current track or to change to a different track. Recessed grooves and dual-flange wheels can alternately provide side stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Holtzman Williams
  • Patent number: 11207938
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a lift axle of a vehicle. To assist with braking according to an operation of a forward collision avoidance (FCA) system by using the lift axle in an emergency braking situation, the vehicle lift axle control apparatus includes a lift axle actuator that drives the lift axle of the vehicle, an interworking device that interworks with the FCA system, and a controller that controls the lift axle actuator based on information obtained from the FCA system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: In Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 11079246
    Abstract: A management system according to the present disclosure is a management system that manages a travel plan of a vehicle that is capable of traveling on a road and a railway track, and includes controller that creates the travel plan of the vehicle. In a case where there is a route candidate track that is a railway track that is possibly used as a travel route of the vehicle, the controller acquires a railway operation schedule for the route candidate track, and determines whether the route candidate track can be used as the travel route of the vehicle, based on the operation schedule. In the case where the route candidate track can be used as the travel route of the vehicle, the controller creates a travel plan according to which the vehicle travels along the travel route including the route candidate track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Yamamuro, Shinichi Adachi, Ryo Hattori, Taichi Amakasu, Keigo Hiruma
  • Patent number: 10625859
    Abstract: Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Beckman, Nicholas Bjone
  • Patent number: 10625548
    Abstract: There is described a hi-rail device comprising a cam assembly, an axle assembly and a locking pin. The cam assembly comprises a guiding slot which comprises a plurality of contiguous segments extending as a broken line, e.g., in a flattened M shape, wherein a first one and a last one of the contiguous segments extend in a downward slope with respect to a horizon. The locking pin inserted in the guiding slot and movable in translation within the guiding slot in which it is inserted. The axle assembly, in which the locking pin is inserted, has a weight applied on the locking pin which locks the locking pin in the lower end or the upper end of the guiding slot if the locking pin is in the first one or the last one of the four contiguous segments and no other force is applied thereonto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: TECHNOLOGIE CONTINENTAL RAILWORKS I INC.
    Inventor: Francois Aube
  • Patent number: 10611204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling one or more tractive assemblies of a vehicle responsive to a disabling event. A sensor is arranged to detect one or more conditions of a tractive element indicative of the functionality of the tractive element. The sensor generates data corresponding to the detected conditions. The tractive element is coupled to a frame of the vehicle and configured to support a portion of the weight of the vehicle. When the tractive element is determined to not be functioning properly, control signal(s) for an actuator are generated to control a distance between the tractive element and the frame. The control signal(s) cause the tractive element to be effectively raised from a support surface for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Ron Zhang, David Hansen, Deepak Shukla, Aaron Rositch
  • Patent number: 10161509
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device for controlling multiple torque-transferring shift elements of an automatic transmission, where each of the shift elements features at least one hydraulic actuator, which includes one actuating pressure chamber, at least one stop valve and at least one hydraulic shift device with multiple pressure adjusting devices connected to the different shift elements. Thereby, the stop valve is configured and arranged in such a manner that the actuators of at least two shift elements are hydraulically connectable to the pressure adjusting devices through a common stop valve. In a first shifting position, all actuating pressure chambers of the at least two shift elements are tightly sealed by the stop valve. In a second shifting position, all actuating pressure chambers of the at least two shift elements are connected through the stop valve to the pressure adjusting device allocated to the respective shift element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Christoph Margraf, Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 10046777
    Abstract: A vehicular suspension device has: a pair of primary support parts for respectively and elastically supporting elastic tires on a sub frame, the tires being located on both vehicle-widthwise sides; and a secondary support part for integrally and elastically supporting the pair of primary support parts and a car body via the sub frame, the secondary support part being located between the sub frame and the car body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kousuke Katahira, So Tamura, Mitsuaki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9981509
    Abstract: A guide wheel (33) for guiding a vehicle along a track is equipped with an annular tread section (61) that comes into contact with a guide rail extending along the track and a pair of sidewall sections (62) that are formed continuing from both edges of the tread section (61) in the axial direction and extend inward in the radial direction, said guide wheel (33) being characterized in that protrusions (63a, 63b) are formed over the entire circumference of each of the sidewall sections (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kousuke Katahira, So Tamura, Mitsuaki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9950716
    Abstract: An autonomous device for rail track inspection includes a drive wheel system propelling the device via a drive wheel system, an automatic track loading fixture for and applying a load on rails, and sensors for taking track gauge measurement. Different automatic track loading fixtures may require stopping for load and measurement, or loading and measuring while still in motion. A switch agnostic system for operation with devices on a conventional railroad track system includes a linear slider movably mounted along a linear sliding support; multiple sensors mounted to the linear slider, the sensors operable to identify a rail of a track junction; and multiple roller bearings operable to engage the rail of the track junction and control the device across the track junction in response to movement of the linear slider along the linear sliding support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Brendan English, Paul Sandin, Blair Morad, Shawn Dooley, Craig Thrall
  • Patent number: 9919720
    Abstract: This traveling bogie is provided with: steered wheels; a main body for supporting the steered wheels; a guide device turning when subjected to a reaction force from a guide rail; a steering mechanism for applying a steering force to the steered wheels utilizing the reaction force applied to the guide device; and an assist mechanism for applying an assist steering force to the steered wheels, the assist steering force assisting the steering force applied by the steering mechanism. The assist mechanism is provided with: a first operation arm pivoting together with the steered wheels in the direction in which the steered wheels are steered; a second operation arm rotating about a rotation axis relative to the main body in response to the turning of the guide device; and an elastically deformable section connected to the first operation arm and the second operation arm and elastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihide Yanobu, Hiroyuki Kono, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira, So Tamura
  • Patent number: 9912347
    Abstract: A successive approximation ADC capable of reducing deterioration in AD conversion accuracy due to noise is provided. An AD converter according to an embodiment includes: a DA converter that generates a comparison voltage based on a sampling value obtained by sampling an analog signal, and a successive approximation control signal; a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a reference voltage used for the successive approximation process; a comparator that compares the comparison voltage with the reference voltage and outputs a successive approximation result; a successive approximation processing unit that generates the successive approximation control signal based on the successive approximation result; and a storage unit that stores an expected value of the AD conversion process. The reference voltage generation circuit generates the reference voltage based on the expected value stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Takada, Atsushi Tangoda
  • Patent number: 9692441
    Abstract: A successive approximation ADC capable of reducing deterioration in AD conversion accuracy due to noise is provided. An AD converter according to an embodiment includes: a DA converter that generates a comparison voltage based on a sampling value obtained by sampling an analog signal, and a successive approximation control signal; a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a reference voltage used for the successive approximation process; a comparator that compares the comparison voltage with the reference voltage and outputs a successive approximation result; a successive approximation processing unit that generates the successive approximation control signal based on the successive approximation result; and a storage unit that stores an expected value of the AD conversion process. The reference voltage generation circuit generates the reference voltage based on the expected value stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Takada, Atsushi Tangoda
  • Patent number: 9637144
    Abstract: A railway car for traveling within a switch of a railway track is disclosed. The railway car includes a body portion for containing goods and a truck portion that is a framework for carrying a plurality of wheels of the railway car. The truck portion is connected to the body portion and is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the body portion. The railway car also includes a rotational joint defining the axis of rotation which the truck portion is rotatable about. The rotational joint rotatably connects the truck portion to the body portion of the railway car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Atmur, Thorin Arthur Rogers
  • Patent number: 9365983
    Abstract: The invention discloses an on-line laser processing vehicle for a rail, including a chassis, a vehicle body, a steer-control chamber and a container; the steer-control chamber includes a console, a CCD monitoring system and a drive-switching operating system; a dual driving system and switching mechanism, which with a process-operation driving system, a conventional operation driving system and a switching mechanism, is disposed in the container; the process-operation driving system operates to provide driving power for the laser processing vehicle during laser processing, and precisely controls moving speed and distance of the laser processing vehicle; the switching mechanism operates to implement switching between the conventional operation driving system and the process-operation driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignees: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WUHAN NRD LASER ENGINEERING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xiaoyan Zeng, Qianwu Hu, Chongyang Li, Yinlan Zheng, Min Du
  • Patent number: 9346474
    Abstract: A travel device includes a bogie frame (11) configured to support an axle (5) to which a wheel (3) is attached, a suspension frame (15) disposed close to a center of a vehicle body (1) with respect to the bogie frame (11) and having a support section (16) extending downward from the vehicle body (1), and an upper link (14a) and a lower link (14b) configured to connect the support section (16) and the bogie frame (11) to relatively move the bogie frame (11) with respect to the support section (16) in a vertical direction. In the lower link (14b), a position (11b) at which the lower link (14b) and the bogie frame (11) are connected by pin coupling is disposed lower than a position (15b) at which the lower link (14b) and the support section (16) are connected by pin coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Hiromichi Yamamoto, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 9010253
    Abstract: This is a vehicle transfer system to connect a roadway vehicle such as a bus to and from a train either when stopped or moving. It mounts the bus end or ends each on the swivel end of a railway car. The bus end which couples a railway car has wheels that retract to clear from the track. All wheels of the bus are lifted if the bus is supported on a railway car at each end. Automatic couplers are provided to couple to a moving train. If the bus is only supported at the front on a swivel coupling car it can have hi-rail retractable swivel truck wheels lowered to the rails to guide the rear of the bus around sharp tram curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Leonard D. Barry
  • Publication number: 20150000554
    Abstract: A rail gear system and a method for placing a truck on railroad tracks are provided in which the truck can be placed into the set of railroad tracks using a short siding. The rail gear may be mounted on a back portion of the truck and may rotate so that the a rear portion of the truck rotates about the track when the rail gear is engaged with the set of railroad tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: James Claypool
  • Patent number: 8910733
    Abstract: A chassis front assembly, a chassis rear assembly and a chassis intermediate assembly are disclosed. The chassis front assembly and the chassis rear assembly are connected to the chassis intermediate assembly for forming a chassis. A kit is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Keith Masserang, Joshua James Hicks, Lawrence J. Lawson, Barry Allan Clark
  • Patent number: 8869707
    Abstract: Provided is a branching device (D), which includes a branch line side guide rail (20c) that is disposed from a near side main line travel track (Ra) to a branch line travel track (Rc) at an inner side of these travel tracks, a main line side guide rail (10b) that is disposed from the near side main line travel track (Ra) to a far side main line travel track (Rb) at an outer side of these travel tracks, and a switching mechanism (40) that switches a position of a movable rail (25c) of the branch line side guide rail (20c) and a position of a movable rail (25b) of the main line side guide rail (20b) to a branch line guide position (BP) and a main line guide position (MP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Kawauchi, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Yoshinobu Murakami
  • Patent number: 8863670
    Abstract: A rail draft vehicle for moving railcars along a pair of rails includes a frame having a front end and a rear end. The vehicle also has a front wheel assembly associated with the front end of the frame as well as a rear wheel assembly associated with the rear end of the frame. Each of the wheel assemblies includes an axle housing with a differential and a pair of road wheels connected for rotation relative to the axle housing. Each wheel assembly pivots as a unit relative to the frame about a vertical axis. The vehicle also includes an engine attached to the frame. In addition, a power train powered by the engine drives each of the wheel assemblies and is connected to each wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nordco Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Don Jackson
  • Patent number: 8839721
    Abstract: A bogie for a vehicle guided by guide wheels rotating while contacting a guide rail arranged along a guideway of the vehicle has a steering mechanism which operates in conjunction with the guide wheels to steer running wheels; a guide frame including a pair of traverse beams each of which is equipped with the guide wheels rotatably on both ends thereof and connecting members connecting the pair of the traverse beams with each other, the traverse beams being respectively arranged on a front side and a rear side of the bogie; a connection rod connecting the steering mechanism to the guide frame to move the steering mechanism in conjunction with the guide frame and steer the running wheels; and a turning bearing having a circular or an arc shape to rotatably support the guide frame on an axle of the bogie or a supporting member of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Yoshinori Mitsui, Kousuke Katahira
  • Publication number: 20140261067
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for rail gear that may facilitate a vehicle traversing on the rails of a railway. The rail gear may comprise a first rail guidewheel and a second rail guidewheel in rotatable connection with an axle. The rail gear may also comprise a first mount that is restricted from rotating with respect to the axle and a second mount that is configured to rotate with respect to the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Diversified Metal Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas S. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140261066
    Abstract: A road/rail vehicle apparatus comprising a vehicle frame, and a rail axle with rail wheels rotatably attached to ends thereof. The rail axle is attached to the vehicle frame by a parallel link assembly. An airbag mounting plate is fixed to a link arm of the parallel link assembly, and an airbag is attached at a lower end thereof to the airbag mounting plate and attached at an upper end thereof to the vehicle frame. An airbag control is operative to vary air pressure inside the airbag, and as the airbag expands and contracts as the rail axle moves up and down the end plates of the airbag remain substantially parallel to each other increasing the range of travel and reducing lateral stresses on the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Josh Dumalski, Kyle Lockert
  • Publication number: 20140158014
    Abstract: A system and method for hybrid personal transit and a hybrid personal transit vehicle. The vehicle can include an enclosure and a suspension system including a plurality of wheels, the suspension system adapted to control a positioning of the wheels over a range from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal, wherein the positioning of the wheels is substantially vertical for engaging a road surface, and wherein the positioning of the wheels is substantially horizontal for engaging a rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas PUMPELLY
  • Patent number: 8677907
    Abstract: A bimodal container chassis for supporting a container during roadway and railway transit includes a mainframe having first and second ends, a top edge and a bottom angled edge. The bottom angled edge is positioned at an angle from horizontal. A running gear attachment is connected to the mainframe and slidable along the bottom angled edge in first and second directions between an over-the-road position and an over-the-rail position. The first direction is upward and toward the first end and the second direction is downward and toward the second end such that the running gear attachment is disposed adjacent the second end when in the over-the-road position and disposed upward relative to the over-the-road position and toward the first end when in the over-the-rail position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: RailRunner, N.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Graaff, Marieno P. Graveland, Michael W. DiLuigi, Gary L. Fenton, Thomas J. Draxler
  • Patent number: 8667901
    Abstract: A bogie for a vehicle which is guided by guide wheels that rotate while keeping contact with a guide rail arranged along a guideway of the vehicle. The bogie comprises a guide frame which includes a pair of transverse beams and a connecting member arranged between the pair of the transverse beams and each of the traverse beams being equipped with the guide wheels rotatably on both ends thereof, an axle supported on a non-turning part of the bogie such that the axle is capable of turning and running wheels which are attached to both ends of the axle. The running wheels are rigidly fixed to the axle and the guide frame is fixed to the axle so as to steer the guide frame, the axle and the running wheels integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Yoshinori Mitsui, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8651026
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a bolster spring, a bogie supporting the vehicle body via the bolster spring and a vehicle height adjusting mechanism. The vehicle height adjustment mechanism includes an integrating device, a measuring device and an elastic force adjusting device. The integrating device integrates a first relative displacement amount at a first position between the vehicle body and the bogie and a second relative displacement amount at a second position between the vehicle body and the bogie. The measuring device measures an integrated value of the first relative displacement amount and the second relative displacement amount. The elastic force adjusting device adjusts elastic force of the bolster spring based on the integrated value so as to adjust a relative displacement amount between the vehicle body and the bogie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Yoshinori Mitsui, Kousuke Katahira
  • Publication number: 20130298796
    Abstract: An improved excavator for use in construction and repair of railroad tracks is provided. The excavator has one set of removable flanged wheels on the backfill blade side of the excavator, and one set of retractable flanged wheels on the side opposite the backfill blade side. The excavator may also include a tow bar or tow bar receiver enabling easy transportation to and from a worksite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Jeramy LeGard
  • Patent number: 8561547
    Abstract: A track-guided vehicle wheel truck facilitates vehicle maintenance and enables reduction in costs. The track vehicle wheel truck includes guide frames arranged along the forward and rearward directions of the vehicle on the inside of the vehicle width direction in the running wheels, and fixed to knuckles; a tie rod arranged on the center side of the forward and rearward directions in the vehicle along the vehicle width direction, and interlock with the guide frames; guide wheel receivers disposed toward the inside of the vehicle width direction from the guide frames on the vehicle end side and the center side relative to an axis of the running wheels; and a steering axle arranged along the vehicle width direction, and are able to turn the running wheels, the knuckles, and the guide frames by installing a kingpin at both ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mihoko Shiroyama, Yoshiki Okubo, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8511622
    Abstract: A vehicle that is guided by a guiding system is monitored for derailment. The guiding system has a guiding member interacting with a railhead of a rail that guides the vehicle. The device includes a clamp with a bottom jaw tightly surrounding the railhead in a contactless manner in the closed position thereof, capable of opening the jaw when interaction is lost between the guiding member and the rail. The opening results when the railhead at least partially exits the jaw. A top rod of the clamp enables mechanical transmission of the opening of the jaw to a switch. The switch has a nominal configuration corresponding to the closed position of the clamp during correct re-railing and an alarm configuration generated by mechanical transmission of the opening of the jaw to the switch. The alarm configuration actuates a safety system of the guided vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens S.A.S.
    Inventor: Luciano Consoli
  • Patent number: 8505465
    Abstract: A railway truck is provided comprising first and second wheelsets, each wheelset comprising at least a left and a right wheel adjacent opposite ends of an axle. Each axle is supported for rotation about an axle axis by a respective bearing adjacent the left and right wheels. A first frame member extends between a bearing support adjacent the left wheel of the first wheelset and a bearing support adjacent the right wheel of the second wheelset. A second frame member extends between a bearing support adjacent the left wheel of the second wheelset and a bearing support adjacent the right wheel of the first wheelset. The first and second frame members are free to move without interference from each other to cause the truck to steer in response to a change in a rolling direction of either of the first and second wheelsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Lanza Projects Corporation
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Elizondo
  • Patent number: 8505656
    Abstract: The present invention features an automobile hauling system for improved maneuverability and hauling capacity for a tractor and trailer combination used to transport automobiles. The system features a cab-over automobile hauling tractor having an extended wheelbase frame with first and second side notches. The tractor features a first steering axle assembly, a second steering axle assembly, and an h-link. A pitman arm first end is located on a steering box and a pitman arm second end is pivotally located on a first drag link. The tractor features a supplemental axle assembly and a drive axle assembly located on the frame bottom. The system features an automobile hauling trailer pivotally located on the frame top side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Jesus Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20130104769
    Abstract: The invention transforms conventional vehicles into Personal Road-Rail Vehicles (PRRVs) that have revolutionary dual mode of travel capabilities that permits their being driving as both conventional vehicles on conventional roads and as revolutionary high speed PRRVs on compact Road-Rail Highway Systems (RRHSs) (somewhat vaguely similar to a one car, high speed passenger train). it is envisioned these PRRVs and RRHSs will permit cost effectively upgrading and modernizing the national transportation system and infrastructure by: significantly reducing traffic congestion at major cities and highways by cost-effective adding additional multi-stacked, compact RRHS' lanes on existing real estate; expediting the transition to all electric PRRVs and the construction of electric power grids nationwide to support the embedded power grids in the RRHSs; and lastly by providing automated PRRV travel on RRHSs that will support evolving to fully automatic PRRV travel thus reducing the need for high speed passenger trains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Fredrick John Lebert
  • Publication number: 20130098263
    Abstract: This is a vehicle transfer system to connect a roadway vehicle such as a bus to and from a train either when stopped or moving. It mounts the bus end or ends each on the swivel end of a railway car. The bus end which couples a railway car has wheels that retract to clear from the track. All wheels of the bus are lifted if the bus is supported on a railway car at each end. Automatic couplers are provided to couple to a moving train. If the bus is only supported at the front on a swivel coupling car it can have hi-rail retractable swivel truck wheels lowered to the rails to guide the rear of the bus around sharp tram curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Leonard D. Barry
  • Publication number: 20130087067
    Abstract: A regulating device is disclosed for a working machine including at least four rubber wheels and a railway wheel unit in the area of a forward and rearward end, respectively, of the working machine, which each include at least two railway wheels and of which at least one can be raised and lowered by way of at least one power generating device. The regulating device includes a position regulating device by which the power generating device, in a driving position, is automatically controllable to maintain the railway wheels on a predetermined perpendicular distance from an arbitrary reference point on the chassis of the working machine. A railway wheel device, a working machine and a method for regulating the railway wheel unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: HUDDIG AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventor: Kjell-Ake Bodell
  • Patent number: 8381660
    Abstract: A track-guided vehicle wheel truck prevents wear and deterioration of a guide wheel and a guide rail, and ensures running stability while simplifying the structure. In the track-guided vehicle wheel truck, a guide frame 8 to which a guide wheel 9 guided by a guide rail 1 is mounted, can turn relative to a steering axle 6 of a running wheel 5. A support shaft 21 is provided on an axle bracket 20 provided in the steering axle 6 so as to be movable in the vehicle front and rear direction by straddling the steering axle 6. A link lever 22 capable of interlocking the turning of the guide frame 8 and the steering of the running wheel 5 is provided along the vehicle front and rear direction. A vehicle end-side end part of the link lever 22 is rotatably mounted to a connecting rod 19 that enables the steering of the running wheel 5. An intermediate part of the link lever 22 is rotatably mounted to the guide frame 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8356559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bogie for a guide rail type vehicle running on a predetermined guideway. The bogie of the present invention includes an axle in which steerable running wheels are mounted, a guide frame arranged under the axle, a pair of first guide wheels provided rotatably in a vehicle body end-side part of the guide frame, a pair of second guide wheels provided rotatably in a vehicle body center-side part of the guide frame, a pair of tie rod arms that is attached to the axle and are formed so as to extend from the axle to the vehicle body center-side, and a pair of tie rods each connecting the guide frame to each of the pair of tie rod arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8353248
    Abstract: In a track-guided vehicle wheel truck, a guide frame can be turned relative to a steering axle of a running wheel. A support shaft is adjustably provided on the guide frame. A receiving member is provided projecting toward the vehicle end side. A link lever capable of interlocking the turning of the guide frame and the steering of the running wheel, is provided along the vehicle front and rear direction. A center-side end part of the link lever is rotatably mounted to the receiving member. A vehicle end-side end part of the link lever is rotatably mounted to a connecting rod that enables the steering of the running wheel. A long hole extending in the vehicle front and rear direction, is provided in an intermediate part of the link lever. The long hole and the support shaft are rotatably engaged with each other at a given position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industires, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8342101
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transportation system with integrated infrastructure. In one embodiment, this infrastructure takes the form of a hollow elevated load bearing guideway structure designed to support the weight of traveling vehicles. The structure supports a backbone beam, or rail, that has multiple functions. These functions may include vehicle control, security, and energy delivery. The structure is bimodal meaning vehicles can have wheels like cars or steel rimmed wheels like a train or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: WFK & Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel
  • Publication number: 20120325107
    Abstract: The improved intermodal vehicle has a one-piece upper frame assembly with a horizontal load carrying surface below the ends of a drawbar for connecting the trailers. Each highway trailer has a coupler socket assembly at both its front and rear into which the drawbar enters and connects to the intermodal vehicle by a vertical coupling pin projecting upward from the horizontal load carrying surface. The coupling pin is operated up and down by either manual or air operated actuators, and locks in the up position by a manually operated safety latch. The upper frame is supported from dual steerable lower frames by primary air springs so that when the springs are deflated, the upper frame is lowered to allow the trailers to be pushed upon the load carrying surface. When the air springs are inflated, the trailers are raised so that the trailer wheels are carried above the railroad track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: RAILRUNNER, N.A., INC.
    Inventors: Harry O. Wicks, Michael W. DiLuigi, Joseph Magri
  • Patent number: 8322289
    Abstract: A low floor vehicle reduces, when the vehicle enters a curved track, the lateral force of the vehicle, prevents occurrence of vibration and creaking sounds of the vehicle, improves riding quality of passengers, and reduces wear of wheel flanges. A low floor vehicle includes a bogie frame 9 of a bogie 7, a pair of bogie frame cross beams 9a arranged along a vehicle lateral direction in the middle of a vehicle longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 9 and arranged spaced apart from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a pair of wheels 8 provided in each of a vehicle front edge direction and a vehicle rear edge direction with respect to the pair of bogie frame cross beams 9a of the bogie frame 9 and configured to travel on a track 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Okubo, Hiroyuki Kono, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8316774
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive system for a high-rail vehicle comprises a high-rail vehicle having a first prime mover, a disengaged transmission, a chassis, a first set of on-road wheel assemblies and a second set of rail wheels, a cab for controlling the high-rail vehicle on road, a remote cab spaced from the primary cab, the remote cab allowing for control of the high-rail vehicle on railroad tracks, a secondary drive assembly comprising one of a hydraulic motor or an electric motor, a friction roller engaging one of the first set of on road wheel assemblies, the friction roller drivably engaging at least one of the first set of on road wheel assemblies and, the secondary drive assembly operable from the remote cab to move the friction roller and move the high-rail vehicle along the railroad tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Publication number: 20120240814
    Abstract: A bimodal container chassis for supporting a container during roadway and railway transit includes a mainframe having first and second ends, a top edge and a bottom angled edge. The bottom angled edge is positioned at an angle from horizontal. A running gear attachment is connected to the mainframe and slidable along the bottom angled edge in first and second directions between an over-the-road position and an over-the-rail position. The first direction is upward and toward the first end and the second direction is downward and toward the second end such that the running gear attachment is disposed adjacent the second end when in the over-the-road position and disposed upward relative to the over-the-road position and toward the first end when in the over-the-rail position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: RAILRUNNER, N.A., INC.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Graaff, Marieno P. Graveland, Michael W. DiLuigi, Gary L. Fenton, Thomas J. Draxler
  • Patent number: 8215240
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a bimodal container chassis of differing lengths in a gooseneck type as well as a flat beam type for supporting ISO and domestic containers and other cargo during highway as well as railway transit. The bimodal container chassis has a front end equipped with a king-pin for connecting to a tractor and a rear end equipped with braking and suspension components, axles, wheels and tires, which make the bimodal container chassis suitable for road transport. The bimodal container chassis has front and rear ends for connecting, and thereby suspending, the bimodal container chassis including but not limited to its payload between two rail bogies, which make the bimodal container chassis suitable for rail transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: RailRunner N.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Graaff, Marieno P. Graveland, Michael W. Diluigi, Gary L. Fenton, Thomas J. Draxler
  • Patent number: 8161889
    Abstract: The present invention provides the structure of a bogie for a vehicle in a track type transportation system in which the vehicle runs along a predetermined track, which can be simplified, and lightweight and which can be run at a high speed with the maintainability therefor being enhanced, comprising a guide rail 14 laid on the track 12, guide wheels 51 capable of traveling being made into contact with the guide rail 14, a guide arm 48 attached thereto with the guide wheels 51, and a guide wheel support bracket 52 for supporting the guide arm 48 arranged underneath an axle 22 of the vehicle so that the guide arm 48 is pivotable around a pivotal vertical support shat 56, left and right of the vehicle, and the guide arm 48, the guide wheels 51 and the guide wheel support bracket 52 constitute a unit structure which is attached to the axle 22 or a bogie frame 26 of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Morichika, Katsuaki Morita, Hiroyuki Kono, Hiroyuki Mochidome, Hiroshi Yamashita, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Kosuke Katahira