This system utilizes autonomous rail cars that automatically couple and uncouple to and from a primary moving train. The primary train travels along a given route but never needs to stop at intermediate stations. Instead, autonomous rail cars gather passengers or goods at designated station locations and then automatically depart in order to meet up with the primary train. When the autonomous rail cars couple to the primary train, the contents of the autonomous rail car are transferred to the primary train. Likewise, contents that are already aboard the primary train which need to depart will be loaded onto this autonomous rail car. When the primary train approaches the next station, the autonomous rail car will detach and stop at the station while the primary train continues to travel on. This process repeats for each station on the route.

This system utilizes autonomous rail cars that automatically couple and uncouple to and from a primary moving train. The primary train travels along a given route but never needs to stop at intermediate stations. Instead, autonomous rail cars gather passengers or goods at designated station locations and then automatically depart in order to meet up with the primary train. When the autonomous rail cars couple to the primary train, the contents of the autonomous rail car are transferred to the primary train. Likewise, contents that are already aboard the primary train which need to depart will be loaded onto this autonomous rail car. When the primary train approaches the next station, the autonomous rail car will detach and stop at the station while the primary train continues to travel on. This process repeats for each station on the route.

A vehicle battery exchange system includes a base, a gripper, a retrieval actuator that retractably and extensibly connects the gripper to the base, and a vehicle alignment feature sensing apparatus that is operatively connected at least with the retrieval actuator and is configured to cause extension of the retrieval actuator to a battery-engaging position of the gripper in response to registration of a vehicle alignment feature to the vehicle alignment feature sensing apparatus, and to cause retraction of the retrieval actuator to a battery-removing position of the gripper in response to latching engagement of the gripper with a battery that is mounted in a vehicle at a pre-defined location relative to the vehicle alignment feature that is in registration to the alignment feature sensing apparatus.

An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, in particular sand, comprises a storage container for the bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet, a metering device arranged beneath the storage container and a pneumatic feeding device arranged under the metering device for feeding the bulk material into the container to be filled with the aid of compressed air via a feed hose. The feeding device has an injector with a plurality of, preferably at least five, holes for the compressed air.

A hydrogen supply system comprises a hydrogen station placed near a railroad track and configured to supply hydrogen to a moving body that is driven with a fuel cell used as an electric power source; and a train provided with a hydrogen tank and configured to run along the railroad track and transport hydrogen to the hydrogen station.

A hydrogen supply system comprises a hydrogen station placed near a railroad track and configured to supply hydrogen to a moving body that is driven with a fuel cell used as an electric power source; and a train provided with a hydrogen tank and configured to run along the railroad track and transport hydrogen to the hydrogen station.

Systems, devices, and methods for passing railcar tank cleaning systems through the opening and mounted to existing manways. The invention can extend horizontally more than 25 feet and clean rail cars up to and beyond approximately 102 inches in diameter for manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable railcar tank cleaning systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable railcar cleaning system can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allow an operator to remotely operate the system. The various capabilities of this invention allow cleaning in a quicker and more efficient manner. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.

Systems, devices, and methods for passing railcar tank cleaning systems through the opening and mounted to existing manways. The invention can extend horizontally more than 25 feet and clean rail cars up to and beyond approximately 102 inches in diameter for manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable railcar tank cleaning systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable railcar cleaning system can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allow an operator to remotely operate the system. The various capabilities of this invention allow cleaning in a quicker and more efficient manner. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.

A method for reconditioning a railcar coupler is disclosed, including determining, using a gauge, an amount of wear to a coupler pulling lug; cleaning a surface of the coupler pulling lug experiencing the wear; and applying a weldment to the surface of the coupler pulling lug experiencing the wear to increase the thickness of the coupler pulling lug. The amount of weldment applied to the coupler pulling lug is preferably equal to the amount of wear experiencing by the coupler pulling lug to bring the thickness of the coupler pulling lug back to its original thickness or very close thereto.

A method for reconditioning a railcar coupler is disclosed, including determining, using a gauge, an amount of wear to a coupler pulling lug; cleaning a surface of the coupler pulling lug experiencing the wear; and applying a weldment to the surface of the coupler pulling lug experiencing the wear to increase the thickness of the coupler pulling lug. The amount of weldment applied to the coupler pulling lug is preferably equal to the amount of wear experiencing by the coupler pulling lug to bring the thickness of the coupler pulling lug back to its original thickness or very close thereto.