The switch machine disclosed uses electro-hydraulic power to move the throw rod against the resistance of redundant mechanical springs and the switch point, for half of its stroke. Once the switch points have moved past mid-stroke the spring force in the machine is released and assists in the closure of the switch points against the stock rail. All hydraulic force is removed when the power unit is turned off. The redundant spring assembly holds the switch points firmly against the stock rail with 2000 lbs of holding force. This machine can be described as a power operated spring switch.

The switch machine disclosed uses electro-hydraulic power to move the throw rod against the resistance of redundant mechanical springs and the switch point, for half of its stroke. Once the switch points have moved past mid-stroke the spring force in the machine is released and assists in the closure of the switch points against the stock rail. All hydraulic force is removed when the power unit is turned off. The redundant spring assembly holds the switch points firmly against the stock rail with 2000 lbs of holding force. This machine can be described as a power operated spring switch.

A method of repairing a defect in a damaged rail of a railroad track comprises positioning a rail profiling device on the rails of the railroad track proximate a defect; securing the rail profiling device to the railroad; adjusting its grinder according to a selected value of wheel cone angle to create a profiled running surface over a portion of the damaged rail; creating a median zone using the grinder to remove material from the damaged rail adjacent the defect at a depth corresponding to at least a maximum depth of the defect; creating an incline from the top of the rail and leading to the median zone and one incline leaving the median zone to the top of the rail by using the grinder to grinding material off the damaged rail.

A method of repairing a defect in a damaged rail of a railroad track comprises positioning a rail profiling device on the rails of the railroad track proximate a defect; securing the rail profiling device to the railroad; adjusting its grinder according to a selected value of wheel cone angle to create a profiled running surface over a portion of the damaged rail; creating a median zone using the grinder to remove material from the damaged rail adjacent the defect at a depth corresponding to at least a maximum depth of the defect; creating an incline from the top of the rail and leading to the median zone and one incline leaving the median zone to the top of the rail by using the grinder to grinding material off the damaged rail.

A railroad switch device for moving railroad switch points is provided. The device includes a hydraulic unit comprising a hydraulic manifold, a hydraulic cylinder to provide constant forward movement and reverse movement, and a hydraulic circuit unit. The railroad switch device also includes a mechanical target to automatically indicate the position of a point rod, where the hydraulic unit is coupled to the point rod. Additionally, the railroad switch device includes a plurality of spring units to produce a continuous thrust force for holding the railroad switch points closed in forward position and reverse position, where the plurality of spring units control the target rotation to approximately 90 degrees. A plurality of proximity sensors detect the point rod position, and a power unit supplies hydraulic power to the hydraulic unit for moving the hydraulic cylinder.

A railroad switch device for moving railroad switch points is provided. The device includes a hydraulic unit comprising a hydraulic manifold, a hydraulic cylinder to provide constant forward movement and reverse movement, and a hydraulic circuit unit. The railroad switch device also includes a mechanical target to automatically indicate the position of a point rod, where the hydraulic unit is coupled to the point rod. Additionally, the railroad switch device includes a plurality of spring units to produce a continuous thrust force for holding the railroad switch points closed in forward position and reverse position, where the plurality of spring units control the target rotation to approximately 90 degrees. A plurality of proximity sensors detect the point rod position, and a power unit supplies hydraulic power to the hydraulic unit for moving the hydraulic cylinder.

An anomaly determination device includes a changeover force measurement unit that measures a changeover force output by a driving device, the driving device outputting a changeover force for switching a direction of a branch rail whose direction is variable, a voltage measurement unit that measures a voltage supplied to the driving device, a current measurement unit that measures a current flowing through the driving device, and an anomaly determination unit that determines whether or not there is an anomaly in the branch rail, there is an anomaly in the driving device, and there is an anomaly in power supplied to the driving device on the basis of the magnitude of the changeover force, the magnitude of the voltage, and the magnitude of the current.

An anomaly determination device includes a changeover force measurement unit that measures a changeover force output by a driving device, the driving device outputting a changeover force for switching a direction of a branch rail whose direction is variable, a voltage measurement unit that measures a voltage supplied to the driving device, a current measurement unit that measures a current flowing through the driving device, and an anomaly determination unit that determines whether or not there is an anomaly in the branch rail, there is an anomaly in the driving device, and there is an anomaly in power supplied to the driving device on the basis of the magnitude of the changeover force, the magnitude of the voltage, and the magnitude of the current.

The compressible sealing element (1) comprises at least one piece made of a resilient foam (17). This foam has an open-cell content of at least 50% and has such a hardness that it requires a force of less than 2000 N to compress the sealing element (1) per meter length thereof to such an extent that the volume of a rectangular cuboid circumscribing the sealing element is reduced by 40%. The sealing element comprises a water-impermeable cover layer (18) which extends at least over its top surface. The sealing element is intended for filling at least partially the gaps between the stock rails (13) and the switch rails (12) in a railway switch to prevent the switch from being blocked in particular by snow. Advantages of the new sealing element is that it can easier be inserted in these gaps and that it has a smaller effect on the force required to close the switch so that it can also be applied closer to the free extremity of the switch rail (12).

A rail-changing system for air transport systems that comprises a bearing assembly and an arrangement of beams for changing direction, in which the bearing assembly is of the type that is linked to a carriage of an air transport system on beams, and comprises a frame linked to a pair of extensions defining a configuration similar to a yoke, each extension comprising a pair of main wheels with a common rotational axis arranged horizontally, and the main wheels being able to circulate on a beam; the bearing assembly also comprises at least one cam arranged on a rotating basis between the extensions, such that the rotational axis of the cam is arranged vertically, the arrangement of the beams for changing direction of a carriage with a bearing assembly and the beams being rails of the passive type.