Abstract: The present invention is a grinder head for attaching to a track cleaner. The present invention also includes the grinder head attached to a track cleaner. Preferably, the present invention will continuously grind and load hard frozen minerals like taconite or ice. In addition, the present invention preferably aids in removal of hard-to-handle material such as wet, sticky bentonite from tracks which can be difficult in the summer months. The grinder head attachment will preferably allow operators to use a track cleaner to remove materials, preferably in one pass, during the colder months when the bentonite is frozen and much easier to handle. Preferably, the present invention will also be able to remove concrete or asphalt surfaces at road crossings.

Abstract: A method of improving wear tolerance of desirable plants and reducing weed pressure involves periodically applying mechanical abrasion to the desirable plants and the undesirable plants, wherein the level of mechanical abrasion is selected to be damaging to the undesirable plants and substantially within the wear tolerance of the desirable plants. The desirable plants may include turfgrasses and/or forage grasses. The mechanical abrasion may be applied by a rotating cylindrical brush with bristles engaging a base having a plurality of grooves. In one example, the period of applying mechanical abrasion is about once per week.

Abstract: A sweeping machine for working ground surfaces, including a machine frame adapted to be moved in the traveling direction, at least one wheel axle with at least one wheel, the wheel axle being supported in the machine frame transversely to the traveling direction. The wheel axle supports the machine frame parallel to the ground surface, at least one sweeping element may be driven for rotation about a sweeping element axis, the sweeping element axis extending substantially parallel to the ground surface, and the sweeping element is in contact with the ground surface when in an operating position. The sweeping element axis may be moved from a first operating position, assumed when travelling straight, to a second operating position, assumed when driving a curve. In the second position the sweeping element axis is in a position pivoted towards the inner side of the curve.

Abstract: Railroad track cleaning assemblies and apparatus are described. An example railroad track cleaning assembly includes a movable carriage movably coupled to a frame to which a plurality of wheels are operably coupled to enable the frame to move on railroad tracks. Additionally, the railroad track assembly includes a shaft rotatably coupled to the movably carriage to receive one or more brushes that are to be rotated and engage one of the railroad tracks and a spring assembly coupled to the movable carriage and to the frame to bias, via the movable carriage, the one or more brushes into engagement with the one of the railroad tracks.

Abstract: A remotely operated device for inspecting and/or cleaning a subsea flexible pipe joint comprises a support assembly. In addition, the device comprises a tool positioning assembly coupled to the support assembly. The tool positioning assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a central axis. The tool positioning assembly is rotatable relative to the support assembly about the central axis. Further, the device comprises a cleaning assembly including a cleaning device adapted to clean the flexible pipe joint. The cleaning device is axially moveable relative to the rotating member. Still further, the device comprises a clamping assembly coupled to the support assembly. The clamping assembly has an open position disengaged with the section of the flexible pipe joint and a closed position engaging the section of the flexible pipe joint.

Abstract: A device for cleaning supporting strips of workpiece supports includes a motor feed drive assembly having a feed drive motor and a feed member. The feed member is configured to engage the supporting strip and to be driven by the feed drive motor to provide relative motion between the feed member and the supporting strip along a longitudinal direction of the supporting strip.

Abstract: An obstacle-removing device having brushes that can be retracted when the device is at the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The device includes a vertical frame positioned to the leading end in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and a lifting/lowering device attached to the vertical frame to lift and lower a brush holder having brushes and attached to a vertically movable member which can be lifted and lowered by the lifting/lowering device. The brush holder is pivotally attached to the vertically movable member such that the brush holder is tilting forward when the brushes held by the brush holder contact the running surface to perform an obstacle-removing operation.

Abstract: A railroad flangeway cleaner system for efficiently clearing debris and other foreign material from a railroad flangeway or other similar channel. The railroad flangeway cleaner system includes a frame for traveling along a channel, a drive unit attached to the frame and a cleaning device rotated by the drive unit, wherein the cleaning device clears the channel of debris.

Abstract: A track cleaning system mounted on a railcar and comprising track rail cleaning nozzles, leaf removal nozzles and third rail cleaning nozzles. Each of the nozzles may provide a fan-shaped spray pattern diverging to either side of a central axis and having a major axis. For each track rail nozzle, the central axis may be perpendicular to a horizontal top rail surface and the major axis may be perpendicular to the rail surface centerline. For each leaf nozzle, the central axis may be directly downwardly from the horizontal and the major axis may be parallel to an elongated spray bar on which one or more leaf nozzles are mounted. For each third rail nozzle, the central axis may be directed downwardly from the horizontal and the major axis may be positioned vertically. The third rail nozzles may be mounted to the rear of the leaf nozzles to aid in leaf removal. Main water valves are remotely actuated by air to release high pressure water to corresponding sets of nozzles.

Abstract: This track cleaning device is for model railroading enthusiasts that can be easily installed into many different types of model railroad cars. The track cleaning device car will provide an efficient method of keeping the electrical rails clean of foreign substances. The purpose of this car is to eliminate the manual operation of cleaning the rails.

Abstract: At least one powered disc is suspended from a locomotive and applied to a rail surface for treating the rail surface ahead of driven locomotive wheels to increase adhesion between the driven wheels and the rail surface. Torque applied to the disc varies the rate of rotation of the disc away from that of a freely-rotating disc so that a significant level of creep may be maintained between the disc and the rail surface with substantially no angle of attack between the disc and the longitudinal axis of the rail. The torque may be generated through a second disc contacting the rail and coupled to the first disc with the first and second discs rotating with differing rates of rotation, or may be generated through a passive or active actuator coupled directly to the disc. The amount of creep between the disc and the rail surface and the direction of the creep may be varied in accordance with the level of contamination of the rail and the disc may be disengaged from the rail when cleaning is not required.

Abstract: A track work machine comprises a machine frame supported by undercarriages on the track for moving in an operating direction, a broom housing, and a ballast broom having a horizontal shaft extending in a transverse direction and rotatably mounted in the broom housing. A holding device is provided for temporarily storing the ballast broom, the holding device being mounted on the machine frame and comprising two bearing arms for supporting the horizontal shaft of the ballast broom, the bearing arms being spaced from each other in the transverse direction. A horizontal guide extends in the transverse direction and displaceably guides the holding device in the transverse direction, and a drive is connected to the holding device for displacing the holding device in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A device for removing debris on upper surfaces of the ties of a railroad track adjacent to the rails thereof includes a frame selectively positioned on the rails such as to be displaced therealong with the frame carrying a pair of cleaning assemblies each including two motorized rotatable brushes adapted to be positioned on both sides of a respective rail such that when the brushes are rotated in their operational position, debris are swept off the upper surfaces of the ties. Each brush is adapted to be vertically displaced with respect to the rails and the ties' upper surfaces and to be horizontally displaced so as to adjust the spacing therebetween in view of the rail's width and the brushing pressure required thereon.

Abstract: An equipment for cleaning automatically railway tracks, including a box (4) guided and carried by rails, designed for installation under a railway vehicle and which can be lifted by means of jacks (6, 6'). The box includes two shaped brushes (13, 13') driven in rotation, placed one in front of the other in the direction of the axis of the rail. A brush (14) arranged between each rail and the axis of the track makes it possible to project debris in the direction of the shaped brushes (13, 13'). The shaped brushes (13, 13') rotate in opposite directions with respect to each other and drive the debris into the upper part of the box to be subsequently sucked into a suction conduit (10). Receiving drawers (16, 16') make it possible to recover debris which are too heavy to be sucked away.

Abstract: A railroad ballast broom vehicle uses a double or split auger to move ballast received from a rotary core broom. The auger has various features to minimize the risk of it jamming on ballast which it moves to the field side of rails of the railroad bed which is being swept. Flex plates are used to mount broom drive hydraulic motors to minimize or avoid problems which might otherwise be caused by slight misalignments in the motors and the rotary core of the broom. A dust control system is used to minimize escape of dust from operation of the vehicle. A method of using the vehicle advantageously uses only a single pass of the vehicle over a given section of road bed in need of sweeping.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing ice and snow from a surface consisting of a support frame and a elongate member rotatably mounted on the support frame. The elongate member has a first end and a second end. A plurality of flexible arms extend from the elongate member in a substantially helical pattern. Upon rotation of the elongate member the arms violently strike a ground surface to dislodge packed snow and ice which is then carried by the helical pattern of the arms from the first end of the elongate member toward the second end.

Abstract: A ballast regulator machine for dressing the ballast of a railroad bed during movement of the machine along tracks on the railroad bed has a frame for supporting various assemblies for distributing the ballast across the bed and ballast removal apparatus for removing ballast from between the rails to the outside of the rail which comprises a rotary broom assembly including a rotary broom for sweeping the ballast from between the tracks. The broom assembly is disposed for propelling the ballast rearwardly during the sweeping operation. A ballast deflector assembly is pivotally mounted to the rotary broom assembly and disposed for deflecting said rearwardly propelled ballast to the outside of the tracks. The deflector assembly is provided a baffle for deflecting the ballast in a direction which is substantially normal to the center line of the ballast machine.

Abstract: A rail-cleaning locomotive for electrical toy and model trains with a cleaning unit including polishing disks rotated by an electric motor and lying on the rails, wherein the cleaning unit is disposed in a fore-part, coupled to the locomotive so that it can pivot about a vertical and slightly also about a horizontal axis, and is provided with a cleaning motor, which is separated from the driving motor of the locomotive, and wherein the polishing disks are constructed as cleaning wheels with guiding wheel flanges.

Abstract: A ballast broom machine for sweeping ballast off a track comprises an elongated machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages, and at least three ballast brooms vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame, the ballast brooms being spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and including a leading ballast broom, each ballast broom comprising a rotary shaft extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction and flexible sweeping elements projecting radially from the rotary shaft. A conveyor band is mounted on the machine frame and extends in the longitudinal direction, the conveyor band having an input end arranged to receive ballast swept off the track by the leading ballast broom and a discharge end positioned higher than the input end, and a ballast storage bin having discharge openings is arranged on the machine frame below the conveyor band discharge end for receiving discharged ballast therefrom.

Abstract: A railroad ballast sweeper controls dust by use of a double segmented skirt arrangement. Segments of elastic, flexible material extend downwardly from a housing in which a rotary broom is disposed. The skirts prevent leakage of dust-laden air out from the housing. Further, a fan and associated filters are used to draw air out from within the housing, thus creating a slight negative pressure within the housing. A grate having a series of metallic strip grate elements is used to block dust from reaching the filters. The grate elements force air to turn up abruptly in order to get to the filters, whereas the dust, by virtue of its higher mass, is generally unable to make a sufficiently quick change in direction in order to reach the filters. The grate has an orientator to insure that, upon replacing the grate, any new grate will necessarily be inserted with the proper orientation.

Abstract: For cleaning the top surfaces of railway rails, a vehicle (1) carried on rails, and has scrapers, looseners, and rotatable brushes. In case of wet rail, the scrapers are used to make the top surfaces of the rails dry. The looseners are used to loosen up encrustments located on the top surfaces of the rails after which the encrustments are removed by the aid of the brushes means from the top surfaces of the rails (4). The scrapers and the looseners are carried by slewing brackets connected with the chassis of the vehicle and the brushes are carried by telescopic supports connected to the chassis of the vehicle. The scrapers, looseners and brushes are operable between an inactive position of repose and an active working position. The vehicle it can be used for cleaning of rails in both directions of travel.

Abstract: An improved broom element, means for loosely attaching the broom element to a broom element holder and orientation of broom elements on a broom reel of a railway ballast regulator is provided. The apparatus significantly reduces the time and effort required for maintenance of broom elements and reduces the stresses which can increase the wear on the broom elements and the sweeper unit of the ballast regulator.

Abstract: A sweeper bristle element especially adapted for the use in a broom machine for a railway road bed or track. The sweeper bristle elements of the broom machine have a solid rubber core and layers of rubber coated fabric encircling the solid rubber core. The fabric in the rubber coated layers provide sufficient strength to resist breakage during cleaning and also provides sufficient flexibility to improve the wear of the bristle elements. The fabric is spiral wound with a thin layer of nylon material and thence cured to form an integral and compact bristle element. The nylon material is then unwrapped and the bristle element is cut into a plurality of small length bristle elements.

Abstract: A railroad track cleaner of non-self-motivational character which comprises a frame carrying front and rear wheels for rail traverse. The frame contains a housing for a transversely disposed, rotatably mounted broom assembly in the forward portion thereof and an axially parallel, rotatable feed conveyor located upwardly and rearwardly of the broom assembly and having a central spacing. A flipper or particle impeller is provided within said feed conveyor central spacing in alignment with a debris discharge port formed in the overlying portion of the housing. An air inlet port is provided in the housing forwardly of said debris discharge port. The cleaner is detachably engageable at the rearward end thereof to an automotive vehicle for travel, which vehicle is provided with a debris receptacle connected to a conventional vacuum. A flexible conduit is provided for extension between said cleaner discharge port and said vehicle hopper for withdrawal by said vacuum of debris swept by said broom assembly.

Abstract: There is described a self-propelled railroad track ballast broom machine having a first broom unit operatively mounted at the rear of the machine frame and a second broom unit operatively mounted at the front of the frame. The broom units have substantially cylindrical brooms extending transversely of the railroad track and deflector boxes located forwardly of each of the brooms. The brooms have gaps sufficiently wide, and so spaced apart thereon, as to avoid broom contact with the rail heads in normal tangent track sweeping operations. When the machine enters into track curves, the first broom unit is so far behind the machine rear axle that it is transversely displaced relative to the track center. Compensating transverse movement can be applied to the first broom unit to maintain the broom gaps in line with the rail heads and the ends of the broom in operative engagement with both the track shoulder edges.

Abstract: A bristle for railway roadbed brooms with a trailing edge that has a plurality of spaced apart grooves that are oriented transversely of the bristle in the trailing edge portion.

Abstract: A bristle for use in a railway roadbed broom is disclosed. The bristle is made of an elongate elastomeric core member with two elastomeric skin members bonded around it. Pieces of reinforcing stranded material are used to strengthen the interfaces between the elastomeric members.

Abstract: A method for clearing a railway roadbed of loose material employs elongate sweeper bristle elements, each element comprising a stem terminating in a knob portion which functions as a solid weighting mass and which forms a forward wearing surface. The method includes the steps of rotating a plurality of the sweeper bristle elements over the railway roadbed to be cleared so that the ends of the elements contact the loose material; imparting a centrifugal force on the stem and knob; and striking the loose material with the knob, thereby causing the loose material which contacts the knob to be driven away from the element.The preferred sweeper bristle elements are each comprised of a solid elastomeric stem preferably made of 80 durometer rubber. The stem extends substantially the length of the element and has upper and lower portions. A solid weighting mass forming a forward wearing surface and preferably made from 60 durometer rubber is attached to the lower portion of the stem.

Abstract: A bristle for mounting on a rotatable drum or shaft to form a sweeping device for use in maintaining railroad rails, ties, ballast and way. The bristle contains a length of wire rope with a lubricant within the interstices of the wire and strands of the rope. A low density polyethylene jacket is high compression extruded onto the exterior and into the intersticial area of the length of wire rope thereby containing and permanently sealing the lubricant within the wire rope, increasing the longitudinal stiffness of the rope, and effecting a mechanical interlock between the wire rope and the polyethylene jacket which both secures the strands of the rope together and secures the polyethylene jacket to the rope. A polyurethane jacket is extruded onto the exterior of the polyethylene jacket thereby stiffening the wire rope and polyethylene jacket, protecting the same from abrasion and cutting, and preventing splaying, unraveling or flaring of the bristle.

Abstract: Electrically nonconductive rotary cleaner elements supported for movement into and out of contact with a third rail of an electrified railway vehicle includes sets of cleaner elements arranged in tandem along one side of an adjustable carriage. The carriage is mounted in a frame structure having a device for rigidly attaching the frame to a wheel truck portion of the railway vehicle. Power driving apparatus received in the carriage provide for vertical movements of the carriage in the frame as well as actuating the rotary cleaner elements. The drive apparatus is responsive to a control device located in the cab of the railway vehicle. A counterbalancing weight arrangement mounted in the frame and attached to upper sides of the carriage provides for uniformly guided travel of the carriage in all positions.

Abstract: A bristle for use in a railway roadbed broom is disclosed. The bristle is made of an elongate elastomeric core member with two elastomeric skin members bonded around it. Pieces of reinforcing stranded material are used to strengthen the interfaces between the elastomeric members.