The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 12, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 05, 2006
Thomas J Heyden, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
Thomas J Heyden, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
AAA Sales + Engineering, Inc., Oak Creek, WI (US);
Abstract
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.