Patent US3921945A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3921945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Train resonant car-body rocking detector system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-07-25
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulic sensor detects and registers the resonant rocking motion of a train car and activates the brake system to stop the train prior to possible derailment due to wheel ''''rock-off'''' from the track. A hydraulic input arm attached to the sideframe pressurizes fluid within the sensor mounted on the bolster. Pressure build-up within a specific time interval due to rock-off resonant oscillation causes a ram to extend from the sensor and crush a piezoelectric element. The resultant signal activates an electroexplosive brake line venting mechanism, puncturing and venting the brake line to decelerate the train and dissipate the resonant oscillation-mode energy to immediately stabilize the rock-off situation and then gradually reduce train speed to a stop.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank H Swaim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:43
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L15/00; B61L15/0081; B61F; B61F9/00; B61F9/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A motion sensor for detecting and registering motion to produce an output signal only for certain types of periodic motion comprising: hydraulic fluid containment means; a displaceable input means responsive to motion for applying pressure to the fluid in a first chamber of said containment means; a displaceable extensible member in a second chamber of said containment means, said first and said second chambers in fluid communication; flow control means to regulate fluid flow between said first and said second chambers; and pressure relief means in said second chamber to regulate fluid flow from said second chamber, whereby displacement of said input means pressurizes the fluid in said first chamber to displace said extensible member only when the input pressure exceeds the pressure relief from said second chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A motion sensor for detecting and registering motion to produce an output signal only for certain types of periodic motion comprising: hydraulic fluid containment means; a displaceable input means responsive to motion for applying pressure to the fluid in a first chamber of said containment means; a displaceable extensible member in a second chamber of said containment means, said first and said second chambers in fluid communication; flow control means to regulate fluid flow between said first and said second chambers; and pressure relief means in said second chamber to regulate fluid flow from said second chamber, whereby displacement of said input means pressurizes the fluid in said first chamber to displace said extensible member only when the input pressure exceeds the pressure relief from said second chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The motion sensor of claim 1 further comprising a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with said first and said second chambers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The motion sensor of claim 2 wherein said flow control means comprises a one-way valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The motion sensor of claim 3 wherein said one-way valve comprises a spring-loaded ball valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The motion sensor of claim 3 wherein said pressure relief means comprises an adjustable flow control valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The motion sensor of claim 5 wherein said displaceable input means comprises: an elongated actuating arm connectable to the source of motion; and a piston attached to said actuating arm and reciprocable in said first chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The motion sensor of claim 6 wherein said extensible member comprises: an elongated arm extendable from said containment means; a ram piston connected to said elongated arm and reciprocable in said second chamber; and a spring biasing said ram piston downwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The motion sensor of claim 7 further comprising an electrical signal producing means cooperating with said elongated arm to produce an output signal upon a predetermined displacement of said elongated arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The motion sensor of claim 8 wherein said electrical producing means comprises a piezoelectric element positioned on the source of motion and is crushed by the predetermined displacement of said elongated arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The motion sensor of claim 5 further comprising an electrical signal producing means cooperating with said extensible member to produce an output signal upon a predetermined displacement of said extensible member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The motion sensor of claim 10 wherein said electrical signal producing means comprises a piezoelectric element crushed by the predetermined displacement of said extensible member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
In combination with a train car a motion sensor and actuator system for detecting and registering critical periodic motion and actuating the train brake system comprising: a hydraulic motion sensor responsive to periodic motion of the train; signal producing means cooperating with said motion sensor to produce an output signal; and electroexplosive means responsive to said output signal to vent the brake lines on said train car to stop said train car.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
In combination with a train car a motion sensor and actuator system for detecting and registering critical periodic motion and actuating the train brake system comprising: a hydraulic motion sensor responsive to periodic motion of the train; signal producing means cooperating with said motion sensor to produce an output signal; and electroexplosive means responsive to said output signal to vent the brake lines on said train car to stop said train car.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein said electroexplosive means comprises a explosively-activated diaphragm cutter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein said signal producing means comprises a piezoelectric element crushed by said motion sensor to produce an electric signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 14 further comprising conductor means connecting said piezoelectric element and said diaphragm cutter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein said hydraulic motion sensor comprises: a displaceable input means coupled to said train car for applyinG pressure to fluid in said sensor; flow control means to relieve the pressure in said sensor; and a displaceable extensible member responsive to the pressurized fluid and displaced from said sensor only when the input pressure exceeds the pressure relief.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination of claim 16 wherein said motion sensor comprises: containment means for hydraulic fluid; a first chamber in said containment means to receive said displaceable input means: a second chamber in fluid communication with said first chamber to receive said displaceable extensible member; and fluid flow control means between said first and said second chamber to regulate the flow between said first and said second chambers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 17 wherein said fluid flow control means comprises a one-way flow valve and said pressure relief means comprises an adjustable flow valve to regulate fluid flow from said second chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 18 wherein said motion sensor further comprises a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with said first and said second chambers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 19 wherein said displaceable input means comprises: an elongated actuating arm attached to said train car; and a piston attached to said actuating arm and reciprocable in said first chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 20 wherein said extensible member comprises: an elongated arm extendable from said containment means; a ram piston connected to said elongated arm and reciprocable in said second chamber; and a spring biasing said ram piston downwardly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 21 wherein said signal producing means comprises a piezoelectric element mounted on said train car and crushed by said extendable elongated arm to produce an electric signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 22 wherein said electro-explosive means comprises an explosively-actuated diaphragm cutter to puncture and vent the train brake line.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein said diaphragm cutter is actuated by an explosively-extended bellows motor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 24 further comprising a calibrated venting means connected to said diaphragm cutter capable of producing an audible signal upon brake line venting.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |