Sudhir Kumar

US Patent:

6585085, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/583308

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Bensenville IL

International Classification:

B61K 300

US Classification:

184 32

Abstract:

A wayside lubricator for railroad cars has a number of sensors mounted adjacent the track which detect the approach and passage rail cars. A lubricant supply and a pressurizing system are mounted adjacent the track and in fluid communication with a control valve and spray nozzle. The spray nozzle is aimed to shoot lubricant into a target zone when the control valve is opened. The spray nozzle is turned on for a defined duration of time so that the quantity of the lubricant is kept under control. Application of the lubricant to the wheels of the locomotive is avoided by detecting locomotive wheels and leaving the valve closed until they pass. This invention reduces the friction between the wheel tread and rail on curves for the trailing cars and thus reduces the friction and the force that is experienced by the wheel flanges on curves.

US Patent:

7216558, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Oct 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/679009

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL, US
Venkat Dyavanapalli - Glendale Heights IL, US

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Bensenville IL

International Classification:

G01D 21/00

US Classification:

738665

Abstract:

A rail-mounted, wheel-sensing system is shown having a wheel sensor and a rail mounting platform. The system includes a rugged steel rail clamp including two blocks mounted on the base of the rail by a pair of bolt extending under the rail. One block is connected to a vertically adjustable mounting bracket for carrying a sensor or other device. The mounting bracket includes a platform for the sensor. Two shields on the platform protecting a sensor mounted between them. An adapter plate may be added between the mounting bracket and the clamp for installation on lighter or heavier rails.

US Patent:

7513335, Apr 7, 2009

Filed:

May 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/447635

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL, US

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Bensenville IL

International Classification:

B61K 3/00

US Classification:

184 32, 184 31, 246415 R, 246435 R

Abstract:

This invention is an electro-hydraulic system to automatically lubricate railroad switches and enhance their performance. The lubrication covers switch plates, switch rods, switch points, the base of stock rail adjacent to switch rail and the top of both switch and stock rails. Wear and tear of the switch rail and lateral creep force impact are thus reduced and the switch operates smoothly. Switch related derailments, rail fractures and maintenance labor will be reduced significantly. A pressurized tank with a microprocessor controller, placed on the wayside, supplies an environmentally acceptable smooth-flowing lubricant via hoses or pipes to two nozzle holders with check valves mounted with special brackets a short distance from the switch point on both rails. Lubricant is sprayed with one or more nozzles on each rail switch to cover all or part of the switch length. One or two solenoid valves in the flow lines control the quantity of lubricant applied in each shot and the frequency of application.

US Patent:

7694833, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

May 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/744058

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL, US

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Bensenville IL

International Classification:

B60B 39/06

US Classification:

212271, 291 2

Abstract:

A friction management system for a traveling crane applies a liquid or solid friction modifier (FM) in precisely controlled quantities to the crane wheels or rail to improve performance and safety during movement of the crane. The friction modifier is applied by a nozzle mounted on a crane truck, which nozzle is opened and closed by a valve. The duration of the valve opening per second, which controls the friction modifier application rate, is approximately proportional to the average current draw, which is detected by current sensors connected to the truck motors.

US Patent:

7717004, May 18, 2010

Filed:

May 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/744567

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL, US
Venkat Dyavanapalli - Glendale Heights IL, US

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Bensenville IL

International Classification:

G01D 21/00

US Classification:

738665

Abstract:

A rail-mounted, wheel-sensing system is shown having a wheel sensor and a rail mounting platform. The system includes a rugged steel rail clamp including two blocks mounted on the base of the rail by a pair of bolt extending under the rail. One block is connected to a vertically adjustable mounting bracket for carrying a sensor or other device. The mounting bracket includes a platform for the sensor. Two shields on the platform protecting a sensor mounted between them. An adapter plate may be added between the mounting bracket and the clamp for installation on lighter or heavier rails.

US Patent:

7735607, Jun 15, 2010

Filed:

Jan 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/042302

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL, US

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Bensenville IL

International Classification:

B61K 3/001

US Classification:

184 31, 184 153, 184 26, 291 1, 291 2, 291 3

Abstract:

A rail lubricator for a railroad rail has a nozzle adjacent to the rail and attached thereto. The nozzle has a discharge orifice disposed beneath the top surface of the rail. The orifice is aimed generally longitudinally of the rail with the aiming including an upward component and a lateral component toward the centerline of the rail. Jets of lubricant project upwardly from the nozzle, arch above the top surface of the rail, and then fall onto the top surface and gage corner of the rail. This lubricates the top of a rail using an optimum amount of lubricant on the optimum area of the railhead. The lubricant is applied when the nozzles are spanned by a car.

US Patent:

61996610, Mar 13, 2001

Filed:

Jun 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/595261

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Bensenville IL

International Classification:

B61K 302

US Classification:

184 32

Abstract:

A lubrication system for a railroad locomotive applies a lubricant with great accuracy in computer-controlled, precise quantities behind the last axle of the last locomotive such that the lubricant is consumed by the time the entire train has passed under all track, speed, temperature and train size conditions. Hydraulic pulse-width modulation (PWM or %PWM) controls the quantity of lubricant delivered. Time is divided into a series of windows each consisting of a few seconds. Lubricant delivered from a pressurized tank through long hoses to a solenoid controlled valve is then metered by the duration within this time window for which the computer computes and opens the valve. Compensation is provided for train tonnage and lubricant temperature as well as track curvature and train speed.

US Patent:

54779413, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

Mar 15, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/212768

Inventors:

Sudhir Kumar - Darien IL
Shiv R. Kumar - Vienna VA

Assignee:

Tranergy Corporation - Darien IL

International Classification:

B61K 300

US Classification:

184 32

Abstract:

In railroad applications, an improved method and apparatus for optimizing on-board rail lubrication for both curved and tangent track. The lubricants are applied by an apparatus directly to the rails behind the last axle of the last locomotive of a locomotive consist. The system uses lubricant delivery nozzles which are integrated with the sand pipe and nozzle for each rail. The lubricant nozzles are aimed toward the wheel rail contact at a distance of several inches behind the contact for accurate application of one lubricant on the top of the rail (TOR) and another on the rail gage side (RAGS). The lubricant quantities sprayed on the rail are controlled by a miroprocessor with the use of a flow injection pulse, system or flow control valves. Furthermore, the microprocessor triggers sand application when emergency brakes are applied. A new method of determination of trailing tons in the train is used by averaging the total power used by the locomotives at a certain speed.