Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080237511 | Pneumatic Retarder Actuator Valve - The present invention pertains to an electro-pneumatic retarder control (EPRC) valve for a pneumatic retarder that controls the speed of railroad cars in a marshaling yard. The EPRC valve has a housing that generally encloses and protects its various components. The housing has a lid that can be opened to gain access to a control panel mounted on an interior door. The control panel includes a display, keyboard and programmable logic controller or PLC module that can be adjusted to set the desired pressure levels of the retarder. The EPRC valve has a modular pressure control assembly that includes an intake and exhaust manifold, a retarder supply and return manifold and several interchangeable control lines formed by like-shaped control valves and components. A pilot air control assembly enables the PLC module to selectively open and close the control valves and lines to deliver or release pressurized air to the retarder. | 10-02-2008 |
20080303518 | RAILCAR PRESENCE DETECTOR - A railcar presence detector including magnetic field sensors spaced along the length of a rail track for detecting magnetic field disturbances caused by ferromagnetic objects, such as railcars, passing along the rail track. Each of the magnetic field sensors generates an output signal that is received by a control unit. The control unit compares the output signal from each of the magnetic field sensors to a detection threshold and controls the position of a contact member dependent upon the comparison between the output signal and the detection threshold. Each of the magnetic field sensors includes a test device that is selectively operable to modify the magnetic field near the magnetic field sensor to test the operation of the magnetic field sensor. During operation of the system including the magnetic field sensor, the control unit can automatically activate the test device to assure that each of the magnetic field sensors are operating properly. | 12-11-2008 |
20090045019 | Bladder-actuated railroad retarder - An air bladder actuated railroad car retarder is designed to simplify installation, operate in a manner imposing minimal stress on the bladder, improve preventive maintenance, and simplify access to the main fulcrum bearings. The air bladder actuator is made with lightweight aluminum end plates and utilizes a unique stud assembly for attaching the actuator to the retarder pivot arms. Rigid mounting of the air bladder with a unique pivot geometry exposes the bladder to minimal lateral deflection which is balanced in both directions. A simple stroke limiter assembly, external to the air bladder, is also used to measure and monitor wear of the main fulcrum bearings. The stroke limiter assembly is easily demountable and removable to enhance access to the main fulcrum pivot for replacement of the fulcrum bearings. | 02-19-2009 |
20100083865 | Devices and Systems for Controlling Travel of a Railcar - A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails. | 04-08-2010 |
20100252372 | Securing Brake Shoes to Brake Beams in a Railroad Car Retarder - Several embodiments of a system for connecting brake shoes to brake beams in a railroad car retarder all provide enhanced connecting joint tightness that reduces premature connecting joint loosening, reduces maintenance, and reduces failure of connecting bolts or equivalent connecting pins. | 10-07-2010 |
20100258389 | Air Bladder Actuator for Railroad Car Retarder - An air bladder actuator for a railroad car retarder utilizes a simplified stroke limiting arrangement that can be used in new actuator construction or applied as a retrofit assembly to an existing air cylinder actuated retarder. | 10-14-2010 |
20110232521 | Devices and Systems for Stopping Travel of a Railcar - Devices and systems for stopping travel of a railcar along rails is provided, the railcar having wheel treads that ride on the rails. A railcar stop is configured to engage at least one wheel tread of the railcar to stop travel of the railcar along the rails. The railcar stop extends above the rails at a first height prior to engagement with a wheel tread and extends above the rails at a second, greater height after engagement with the wheel tread. | 09-29-2011 |
20120055368 | Devices and Systems for Controlling Travel of a Railcar - A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails. | 03-08-2012 |