Abstract:
A direct fixation track rail fastener (10) includes a fastener body (12) having a top plate (14), a frame (16), and an overmolded jacket (18). A first and a second lateral positioner (24, 26) are positioned in positioner bores (20, 22) extending through the fastener body (12), and each includes an eccentric (28, 30). The eccentrics (28, 30) include axially extending external teeth (42, 44) interlocked with axially extending slots (38, 40) within the positioner bores (20, 22). In an aspect, the eccentrics (28, 30) are dual eccentrics each including tooth and slot interlocking arrangements with another eccentric or the frame (16).
Abstract:
A fluid tank assembly (22) is provided for use with a mobile machine (10). The fluid tank assembly may have a tank (26) with a lower surface (28), an upper surface (30) located opposite the lower surface, and at least one side surface (32) joining the lower and upper surfaces. The tank may also have a first opening (72) disposed within the upper surface at a first elevation, and a second opening (74) disposed within the upper surface at a second elevation. The fluid tank assembly may further have a float valve (60) interchangeably mountable within the first and second openings, and a plug (62) interchangeably mountable within the first and second openings. The fluid tank assembly may also have a fill port (58) mounted within one of the upper surface and the at least one side surface and fluidly connected to the float valve. Movement of the float valve may function to open and close the fill port.
Abstract:
This disclosure is directed to a traction motor drive system (200). The traction motor drive system (200) may include a field winding subsystem (202) comprising a field winding (105) associated with a traction motor (103). The traction motor drive system (200) may also include an armature subsystem (201) arranged in parallel with the field winding subsystem (202). The armature subsystem (201) may include an armature (104) having first and second armature terminals and a grid resistor (211) selectively electrically coupled in series with the armature (104). The armature subsystem (201) may also include an armature chopper (212) arranged in parallel with the grid resistor (211) and electrically coupled in series with the armature (104). The armature chopper (212) may be configured, when the grid resistor (21 1) is electrically coupled to the armature (104), to conditionally conduct current to the armature (104).
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing variable-frequency soft start of an AC load (118) are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method (1100) for starting an alternating current (AC) load (118) with a variable- frequency AC power output (107) includes receiving an indication of a duty cycle for chopping the AC power output (107) during starting of the AC load (118) (step 1110), and determining a frequency of the AC power output (107) (step 1108). The method (1100) further includes chopping the AC power output (107) at the duty cycle, based on the determined frequency of the AC power output (107) (step 1114), and providing the chopped AC power output to start the AC load (118) (step 1116).
Abstract:
A machine (100) for automatically orientating railroad tie plates (103) includes a sensing region (311) having at least one optical sensor (301 ) adapted to sense a physical feature of a tie plate (103). An electronic controller (309) is connected to the optical sensor (301) and is disposed to receive a sensor (301) signal indicative of the physical feature of the tie plate (101) when the tie plate (103) is in the sensing region (311). The electronic controller (309) further determines an orientation of the tie plate (103) based on the sensor (301) signal. compares it to one or more predetermined or possible orientations, and provides a cnmmand to at least one actuator (520) adapted to perform at least one tie plate (103) orientation operation to change the orientation of the tie plate (103) based on the comparison of the orientation of the plate (103) with the predetermined orientation.
Abstract:
A machine (100) for collecting tie plates (103) strewn along a rail bed (105) includes a frame (109) adapted for travel along a railroad (101) in a forward direction. A pickup drum (204) having magnetic properties is rotatably supported by the frame (109) and extends over a bed portion (105) of the railroad (101). A top drum (206) is mounted at a location that is higher and forward of the pickup drum (204) and rotates parallel to the pickup drum (204). An endless conveyor (202) circulates around the pickup drum (204) and the top drum (206), and a separation drum (220) is disposed between the pickup drum (204) and the top drum (206) along an ascending portion (214) of the endless conveyor (202). The separation drum (220) includes a magnetized rim (222) that can lift ferrous objects but not tie plates (103) from the endless conveyor (202).
Abstract:
A machine learning system for maintaining distributed computer control systems for a train may include a data acquisition hub (312) communicatively connected to a plurality of sensors (304, 306, 308) configured to acquire real-time configuration data from one or more of the computer control systems. The machine learning system may also include an analytics server (316) communicatively connected to the data acquisition hub (312). The analytics server (316) may include a virtual system modeling engine (324) configured to model an actual train control system (302) comprising the distributed computer control systems, a virtual system model database (326) configured to store one or more virtual system models of the distributed computer control systems, wherein each of the one or more virtual system models includes preset configuration settings for the distributed computer control systems, and a machine learning engine (318) configured to monitor the real-time configuration data and the preset configuration settings. The machine learning engine (318) may warn when there is a difference between the real-time configuration data and the preset configuration settings, the difference being indicative of at least two of the distributed computer control systems being out of synchronization by more than a threshold deviation.
Abstract:
A shuttle valve (68) for a control valve (62) coupled to an electronic fuel injector (44) is disclosed. The shuttle valve (68) may include a shuttle valve first end (74) including an armature attachment portion (75) operably coupled to an armature (66) of the control valve (62) and a shuttle valve second end (78) opposite the shuttle valve first end (74) defining a sealing portion (76) of the control valve (62) including an annular sealing surface (77). A valve guide portion (95) may extend axially along a portion of the shuttle valve (68) between the first and second ends. Furthermore, an engagement surface portion (106) may be defined along the valve guide portion (95) that is slidably engaged with a valve bore (70). Moreover, the shuttle valve (68) may include a non-engagement surface portion (110) defined along the valve guide portion (95), wherein the non-engagement surface is a non-continuous surface around a circumference of the valve guide portion (95) and wherein the non-engagement surface is interspersed between portions of the engagement surface.
Abstract:
A mechanism for coupling a track rail (18) to a substrate (100) includes a rail plate (48) and a base plate (46), where the rail plate (48) surrounds the base plate (46). An overmolded coating (50) is formed of a non-metallic material and encases the rail plate (48) and the base plate (46). Related methodology is disclosed.
Abstract:
A low maintenance rail seat has recess in the concrete tie and an abrasion plate that covers the floor of the recess and its sides parallel to the rail base. The abrasion plate includes ribs which seat in additional recesses in the tie to retard longitudinal movement. The anti-abrasion assembly preferably has four flanges which wrap around the top of concrete tie to prevent dust particles from entering and abrading the concrete rail seat. These flanges also wrap around the support shoulder for additional resistance to longitudinal movement. The components are designed to provide 8.5" of lateral support along the side of the rail base while the traditional e clip fastener provides only 3" of lateral support. The interlock feature between the anti-abrasion assembly and the concrete tie also minimizes relative movement between abrasion plate and concrete tie, which results in less concrete surface abrasion.