Abstract: System for determining train information relative to a train moving along a railway track having a pressure measuring device placed along the railway track and arranged to measure the speed of an airflow generated by the train when moving on the railway track, and to generate a speed signal; and a controller arranged to receive said speed signal and to determine train information relative to the train in function of said speed signal.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered switch machine having power and manual operating modes, and a dual disconnect mechanism. In power operation mode, the machine may be operated remotely, or using controls located on or near the machine. In the event of power failure, the machine may be operated manually. The dual disconnect mechanism physically disconnects the powered throw mechanism when the machine is operating in manual mode and physically disconnects the manual throw mechanism when the machine is operating in power mode, in both cases preventing unexpected movement of the manual throw mechanism.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a railroad switch machine, the mechanism including a hydraulic circuit operable to move a rail end point of a switch point assembly of the railroad switch machine, a pump to hydraulically operate the hydraulic circuit, and a motor to operate the pump, wherein the only electromechanical parts of the control mechanism are within the motor.

Abstract: A relay for a toy track set, the relay having, a first actuator in a first plane; a second actuator in a second plane vertically elevated from the first plane; a conduit fluidly coupling the first actuator to the second actuator; and a release mechanism moveably secured to the first actuator for movement between a first position and a second position wherein movement of the release mechanism from the first position towards the second position causes the first actuator to force a fluid through the conduit, wherein the fluid forced through the conduit by the first actuator causes the second actuator to actuate a second release mechanism, wherein the first actuator is coupled to a first vehicle track segment and the second actuator is coupled to a second vehicle track segment.

Abstract: A hydraulic oil control unit for supplying hydraulic oil actuators in switch machines of railway points or the like is described. The control unit comprises a closed circulation circuit of a hydraulic oil fluid with delivery and return lines. These lines are connected to a hydraulic oil actuator translating point blades of the railway point for moving the point blades from a normal end position to a reverse end position or vice versa. The control unit also includes: electrical means for monitoring the movement of the point blades and/or reaching of the end position, timing means for stopping an actuating stroke of actuators moving the point blades, and means for switching the direction of the actuating stroke. The electrical means comprise switches reversing the power supply signal of an electric motor driving the pump for reversing the rotational direction of the motor and the pump.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a railroad switch machine, the mechanism including a hydraulic circuit operable to move a rail end point of a switch point assembly of the railroad switch machine, a pump to hydraulically operate the hydraulic circuit, and a motor to operate the pump, wherein the only electromechanical parts of the control mechanism are within the motor.

Abstract: In a device for operating rail switches, in which a plurality of mutually coupled hydraulic operating devices are arranged in an offset manner in the longitudinal direction of the rails, the cylinder-piston units of the hydraulic operating devices are connected to be driven in the same direction. The working volumes (13) of the hydraulic cylinder piston units (7) each comprise two regions (18, 19) with defined cylinder cross sections, wherein the respective regions (18) containing end-position securing means (20, 21), safety locking means and/or sensors, of the cylinder-piston units (7) arranged in an offset manner in the longitudinal direction of the rails have equal cross sections and the respective other regions (19) of the cylinder-piston units (7) arranged in an offset manner in the longitudinal direction of the rails have cross sections differing from one another. (FIG.

Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: In a device for displacing the movable parts of rail switches or crossings, in which a plurality of hydraulic cylinder piston units engaging in an offset manner in the longitudinal direction of the rails are each connected in series, at least one directional or seat valve (9) capable of being adjusted in a pressure controlled manner is inserted in the duct (8) that connects the hydraulic cylinder piston units (1 to 4) arranged in series, which directional or seat valve blocks the connection to the consecutive cylinder piston unit if a preset differential pressure is exceeded.

Abstract: A railroad frog assembly is provided with a spring wing rail multi-position holdback subassembly that continuously retains the spring wing rail in each spring wing rail open position when activated by the wheels of a railcar traversing the frog assembly, and that automatically deactivates the multi-position holdback subassembly and releases the spring wing rail from retention in an open condition and for complete closing after the last railcar wheel has passed through the frog assembly.

Abstract: A device for setting railway switches includes a plurality of interlinked hydraulic switching devices (6) connected to a separate reversible hydraulic drive unit in a manner offset in the longitudinal direction of the rails, wherein the working volumes of the hydraulic cylinder piston aggregates (6) are connected to driving movement in same direction. The pistons (20) or plungers (11) include push-open valves (18) for travel limitation.

Abstract: A point drive unit (10) is disclosed for driving railway points to move via a connecting means of the points located generally centrally between two of the rails (3) of the railway track. The unit comprises a housing (11, 12) adapted to be installed between the two of the rails; a cylinder (18) enclosing a piston (19) which is moveable for driving the points, the cylinder being mounted within the housing at a location laterally offset to one side of the housing; control means mounted within the housing at a location laterally adjacent the cylinder for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder to control the movement of the piston; and an offset coupling (20) for coupling the piston to the connecting means so that the piston is laterally offset from the connecting means.

Abstract: A railroad frog assembly is provided with a switched magnet that immediately retains a frog flexible wing rail in its open position in response to a railcar wheel passing through the frog assembly, and that delayably releases the frog flexible wing rail from its open position for subsequent closure by an included frog compression spring.

Abstract: The railroad power switch operates from the energy stored in a hydraulic accumulator. A pump charges the accumulator and keeps it charged. A power cylinder acts on the moveable rail of a railroad switch through this hydraulic energy. The energy opens the switch, closes it, and stabilizes it during train trailing through the switch. A spring pack supplements this hydraulic energy in stabilizing the switch.

Abstract: A device for operating switches includes a plurality of interlinked hydraulic switching devices (7) offset in the longitudinal direction of the rails. The first mechanical switching device is connected with a hydraulic cylinder/piston unit acting as a pumping element, the working volumes (13) of this first hydraulic cylinder/piston unit (7) acting as a pumping element being connected with the working volumes (13) of consecutive hydraulic cylinder/piston units (7) so as to be driven in same direction.

Abstract: A railroad switch stand for actuating a rail switch between open and thrown positions includes, in one embodiment, an upstanding frame supporting a handwheel at approximately chest height for movement between a first position enabling manual rotation of an upstanding throw shaft to actuate a horizontal rail switch throw rod, and a second position enabling powered rotation of the throw shaft to open or throw the rail switch points. In alternative embodiments, low profile railroad switch stands are adapted for interconnection to a rail switch throw rod through fluid pressure or electric motor actuators and associated constant force spring actuators in a manner to apply a substantially constant force to the throw rod in maintaining the rail switch in open or thrown positions. The constant force spring actuators provide overload protection and automatic reset in the event a train runs through a rail switch lined against it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side. The apparatus has a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the switch points to move the switch points from side-to-side in fluid communication with a power source. The direction of the movement of the switch points is controlled by a valve positioned in fluid communication between the power source and the hydraulic cylinder. The direction of movement of the hydraulic cylinder and, consequently the switch points, is determined by the direction the valve is moved. In another aspect, the present invention has a hydraulic rail pump in fluid communication with the accumulator for storing hydraulic power generated by the rail pump activated by the wheels of passing trains, and a safety reservoir in fluid communication with the accumulator for storing hydraulic power beyond the capacity of the accumulator.

Abstract: A railway switch stand includes a reciprocating toggle arm which extends from the stand to operate a railway track switch between open and closed positions. The toggle arm has one end connected to a block which is operably mounted on the switch stand base for reciprocating forward and rearward movement. Forward and rearward brackets on the base prevent movement of the block beyond predetermined forward and rearward positions. An hydraulic cylinder connected to the block selectively moves the block between forward and rearward positions so as to reciprocate the toggle arm and throw the track switch. A pair of throw arms are pivotally disposed on opposite sides of the block relative to the blocks reciprocating path, with a forward end of the throw arm connected to the block.

Abstract: Couplings for hoses and the like having externally threaded male components and internally threaded female components provided with tube inserts projecting from one component into slide fit engagement with the other component for aligning the threaded portions of the components as they are brought together for threaded engagement. To further facilitate alignment of the components, the internally threaded female component has an unthreaded smooth extension for sliding over the externally threaded male component to align the thread. The tubular extension member may be a separate auxiliary tube bottomed in the female coupling unit and held in position by a resilient washer, such as is conventionally used between the coupling units. Alternately the tubular extension may be a fixed part of one of the coupling components. The extension tube and the extended smooth leading end of the internally threaded female member can be used together or separately.