Topic leaderboard
Auxiliary equipment for railways
Ranked by the PatentIndex Score — a 1–99 percentile within B61K · public-visibility date · generated 2026
top 25 per window · public-visibility date
Rising· last 2 yrs
Inventors whose newest B61K patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199Matthew Dick9 patents · 27 citations
- 296James R. Bilodeau4 patents · 44 citations
- 392Michael James Brick6 patents · 12 citations
- 488Samuel Minton6 patents · 12 citations
- 583Francis Cooper4 patents · 37 citations
- 679Stephen T. Buchanan3 patents · 16 citations
- 775Eric C. Sprengle3 patents · 10 citations
- 871Jody Lutz3 patents · 10 citations
- 967John D. Ritchey3 patents · 10 citations
- 1063Andrew Michael Butor6 patents · 0 citations
- 1158Chun Wai Choi6 patents · 0 citations
- 1254David James Schwake6 patents · 0 citations
- 1350Jonathan Hale Perkins6 patents · 0 citations
- 1446John Francis Quanci6 patents · 0 citations
- 1542John Michael Richardson6 patents · 0 citations
- 1638Patrick J. Mullarkey6 patents · 0 citations
- 1733Corey D. Wills6 patents · 4 citations
- 1829Devin Scott Wagner3 patents · 7 citations
- 1925Jacob Scott Ford3 patents · 7 citations
- 2021Philip Gerald Davis3 patents · 7 citations
- 2117Ross Aaron Springer3 patents · 7 citations
- 2213Hark Braren5 patents · 2 citations
- 238Andrew Seidel3 patents · 5 citations
- 244David Heagerty3 patents · 5 citations
- 251Daniel Maraini3 patents · 5 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained B61K output across the last 5 years
- 199Zahid F. Mian18 patents · 644 citations
- 296Darel Mesher20 patents · 227 citations
- 392Timothy J. Coolman5 patents · 109 citations
- 488Troy L. Elbert5 patents · 109 citations
- 583Jeffrey Bloom7 patents · 95 citations
- 679Matthew Dick9 patents · 27 citations
- 775Samson Yilma7 patents · 27 citations
- 871James R. Bilodeau4 patents · 44 citations
- 967Dexi Zhu3 patents · 29 citations
- 1063Victor Jun Dong3 patents · 29 citations
- 1158Xinjun Dong3 patents · 29 citations
- 1254Kevin Hertel4 patents · 29 citations
- 1350Robert G. Pieper5 patents · 42 citations
- 1446Michael James Brick6 patents · 12 citations
- 1542Samuel Minton6 patents · 12 citations
- 1638Anthony Iorfino3 patents · 33 citations
- 1733Anthony Kim4 patents · 28 citations
- 1829Francis Cooper4 patents · 37 citations
- 1925Martin Buerger5 patents · 17 citations
- 2021Bernhard Lichtberger5 patents · 16 citations
- 2117Masayuki Mitsue7 patents · 28 citations
- 2213Stephen T. Buchanan3 patents · 16 citations
- 238Eric C. Sprengle3 patents · 10 citations
- 244Jody Lutz3 patents · 10 citations
- 251John D. Ritchey3 patents · 10 citations
All-time canon
Career PatentIndex Score in B61K
- 199Zahid F. Mian18 patents · 644 citations
- 296William Lefebvre9 patents · 294 citations
- 392Ronald W. Gamache8 patents · 294 citations
- 488Christopher M. Villar6 patents · 274 citations
- 583Shane Farritor7 patents · 239 citations
- 679Joseph E. Bambara5 patents · 202 citations
- 775Darel Mesher20 patents · 227 citations
- 871Leonard D. Barry10 patents · 228 citations
- 967Robin Clark4 patents · 275 citations
- 1063Andrew H. Martin5 patents · 130 citations
- 1158Gary A. Carr6 patents · 200 citations
- 1254Jeb E. Belcher6 patents · 154 citations
- 1350John W. Mospan6 patents · 147 citations
- 1446Robert Macallister6 patents · 215 citations
- 1542Josef Theurer8 patents · 236 citations
- 1638Jeremy C. Mullaney5 patents · 152 citations
- 1733Mark Joseph Bartonek7 patents · 133 citations
- 1829John Cotter9 patents · 111 citations
- 1925Frank Joseph Sonzala5 patents · 104 citations
- 2021Mark Kevin Hennig5 patents · 104 citations
- 2117W. Thomas Urmson, Jr.9 patents · 111 citations
- 2213Timothy J. Coolman5 patents · 109 citations
- 238Troy L. Elbert5 patents · 109 citations
- 244Jeffrey B. Wigh4 patents · 109 citations
- 251Richard L. Ebersold4 patents · 109 citations
Rising· last 2 yrs
The top-scoring B61K patents made public in the last 2 years
- 199US12158333B1✦ AITrack geometry inspection3 cites · 202480% earned
- 296US12168468B2✦ AIRailcar acoustic monitoring system and method of use1 cites · 202446% earned
- 392US12145639B2✦ AIMethod for determining anomalies associated with a railcar wheelset, or a railcar bogie as1 cites · 202450% earned
- 488US11952020B1System and method for controlling ride vehicle restraint via computer implemented process1 cites · 202467% earned
- 583US12296993B2Drone with railway driving capabilities1 cites · 202467% earned
- 679US12420335B2Low-carbon granulated metallic units0 cites · 20250% earned
- 775US12330696B2On-board thermal track misalignment detection system and method therefor0 cites · 20240% earned
- 871US12441376B2Apparatus and method for wear detection of railroad vehicle wheels0 cites · 20240% earned
- 967US12358541B2Systems and methods for auditing assets0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1063US12373932B2System and method for minimizing lost motion of an axle of a vehicle and filtering erroneo0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1158US12528523B2Systems and methods for railway equipment control0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1254US12296870B2System and method for railroad tie management0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1350US12422339B2System, method and apparatus for monitoring the health of railcar wheelsets0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1446US12409874B2System and method for detecting axle body and filet cracks in rail vehicles0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1542US12134413B2Derailment mitigation device for railroads and rail tracks0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1638US12162522B2Broken wheel detection on railroad trains0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1733US12269451B2Systems and methods for monitoring brake systems on railway assets0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1829US12097894B2System and method for docking or undocking a track-wheel based device0 cites · 20240% earned
- 1925US12597123B2Rail feature identification system0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2021US12472999B2Systems and methods for inspecting an amusement park attraction system0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2117US12441377B2Systems and methods for identifying potential deficiencies in railway environment objects0 cites · 20240% earned
- 2213US12246405B2Method for repairing rail wheels0 cites · 20240% earned
- 238US12179814B2Subway tunnel intelligent monitoring method and system0 cites · 20240% earned
- 244US12304753B1Rapid braking of shuttles powered by electromagnets0 cites · 20250% earned
- 251US12312551B2Multiphase composite lubricant0 cites · 20240% earned
Active· last 5 yrs
The top-scoring B61K patents of the last 5 years
- 199US11305796B1✦ AISystem and method for remote device monitoring15 cites · 202278% earned
- 296US11731673B1✦ AIWheel-mounted sensor ring apparatus for determining anomalies associated with a railcar wh10 cites · 202378% earned
- 392US10919546B1✦ AISystems and methods for detecting tanks in railway environments15 cites · 202180% earned
- 488US11565730B1Automated tie marking8 cites · 202373% earned
- 583US11196981B23D track assessment apparatus and method8 cites · 202167% earned
- 679US11932290B2Systems and methods for auditing assets5 cites · 202269% earned
- 775US11656156B1Axle-mounted sensor cuff apparatus for determining anomalies associated with a railcar whe5 cites · 202384% earned
- 871US11577763B2Method and controller for determining the relationship between a track-circuit transmitted5 cites · 202184% earned
- 967US12158333B1Track geometry inspection3 cites · 202480% earned
- 1063US12060092B2Loading turntable systems and methods2 cites · 202361% earned
- 1158US11479281B2Systems and methods for visualizing and analyzing a rail surface3 cites · 202167% earned
- 1254US11788910B2Rotational and linear parameter measurements using a quadrature continuous wave radar with3 cites · 202372% earned
- 1350US11774406B2Advanced highspeed system to identify and classify areas of rail anomalies3 cites · 202280% earned
- 1446US11845483B2Hyperloop continuous control3 cites · 202280% earned
- 1542US11623669B1On-board thermal track misalignment detection system and method therefor2 cites · 202358% earned
- 1638US11787454B2Railcar acoustic monitoring system and method of use3 cites · 202163% earned
- 1733US11423527B2System and method for minimizing lost vehicle axel motion and filtering erroneous electric2 cites · 202261% earned
- 1829US11358617B2Systems and methods for analyzing thermal properties of a railroad3 cites · 202167% earned
- 1925US11338832B1System and method for railroad tie management3 cites · 202267% earned
- 2021US11713064B1System and method for detecting axle body and filet cracks in rail vehicles2 cites · 202361% earned
- 2117US11407599B2Apparatus for filling a container with bulk material3 cites · 202180% earned
- 2213US11673590B2Inspection system for amusement rides having tracks2 cites · 202167% earned
- 238US11359945B2Inspection device and method for subway tunnels based on three-dimensional laser scanning2 cites · 202176% earned
- 244US12116030B2Methods and systems for monitoring a transportation path with acoustic or vibration sensin2 cites · 202176% earned
- 251US11433931B2Image-based monitoring and detection of track/rail faults2 cites · 202161% earned
All-time canon
The defining B61K patents of the whole record
- 199US6161962A✦ AIBearing with sensor module187 cites · 200094% earned
- 296US5636026A✦ AIMethod and system for contactless measurement of railroad wheel characteristics173 cites · 199794% earned
- 392US5867404A✦ AIMethod and apparatus for monitoring railway defects160 cites · 199994% earned
- 488US5433111AApparatus and method for detecting defective conditions in railway vehicle wheels and rail156 cites · 199594% earned
- 583US6064428AAutomated track inspection vehicle and method153 cites · 200090% earned
- 679US6535135B1Bearing with wireless self-powered sensor unit150 cites · 200394% earned
- 775US4040738ARailroad track profile spacing and alignment apparatus137 cites · 197793% earned
- 871US6216985B1Railway hazard acoustic sensing, locating, and alarm system133 cites · 200193% earned
- 967US6768551B2Contactless wheel measurement system and method126 cites · 200393% earned
- 1063US5579013AMobile tracking unit capable of detecting defective conditions in railway vehicle wheels a120 cites · 199693% earned
- 1158US4179216AApparatus for measuring the profile of a railroad tunnel108 cites · 197993% earned
- 1254US6604421B1Method, transducer wheel and flaw detection system for ultrasonic detecting railroad rails105 cites · 200393% earned
- 1350US4602335AFuel efficient control of multiple unit locomotive consists102 cites · 198693% earned
- 1446US5970438AMethod and apparatus for testing rails for structural defects100 cites · 199993% earned
- 1542US7755660B2Video inspection system for inspection of rail components and method thereof99 cites · 200493% earned
- 1638US9049433B1High-speed railroad inspection using coordinated 3D cameras98 cites · 201593% earned
- 1733US7164975B2Geometric track and track/vehicle analyzers and methods for controlling railroad systems97 cites · 200493% earned
- 1829US5677533AApparatus for detecting abnormally high temperature conditions in the wheels and bearings 97 cites · 199793% earned
- 1925US5446452ATemperature monitoring system95 cites · 199593% earned
- 2021US6600999B2Hi-rail vehicle-based rail inspection system91 cites · 200287% earned
- 2117US7213789B1System for detection of defects in railroad car wheels91 cites · 200793% earned
- 2213US4198164AProximity sensor and method and apparatus for continuously measuring rail gauge91 cites · 198093% earned
- 238US6262573B1Electromagnetic system for railroad track crack detection and traction enhancement91 cites · 200193% earned
- 244US7688218B2Railroad train monitoring system90 cites · 200785% earned
- 251US6681160B2Geometric track and track/vehicle analyzers and methods for controlling railroad systems90 cites · 200293% earned
Rising· last 2 yrs
Assignees whose newest B61K patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199AMSTED RAIL CO INC14 patents · 248 citations
- 296ENSCO INC18 patents · 282 citations
- 392BNSF RAILWAY CO31 patents · 59 citations
- 488VOESTALPINE SIGNALING USA INC4 patents · 44 citations
- 583UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC6 patents · 11 citations
- 679BALANCED ENG SOLUTION LLC3 patents · 16 citations
- 775SUNCOKE TECH & DEVELOPMENT LLC6 patents · 0 citations
- 871HERZOG SERVICES INC4 patents · 26 citations
- 967TRANSP IP HOLDINGS LLC8 patents · 3 citations
- 1063RAILWAY METRICS AND DYNAMICS SWEDEN AB2 patents · 9 citations
- 1158MOW EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS INC2 patents · 1 citations
- 1254NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP1 patents · 3 citations
- 1350RAILWAY ROBOTICS AS2 patents · 1 citations
- 1446MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP4 patents · 0 citations
- 1542PB INNOVATIONS LLC2 patents · 0 citations
- 1638NEW YORK AIR BRAKE LLC3 patents · 0 citations
- 1733UNIV SOUTHWEST JIAOTONG2 patents · 0 citations
- 1829HARSCO TECH LLC1 patents · 0 citations
- 1925NOMADD DESERT SOLAR SOLUTIONS PTE LTD1 patents · 0 citations
- 2021AMAZON TECH INC1 patents · 0 citations
- 2117CACIOPPO PETER1 patents · 0 citations
- 2213CHENG PAUL PO1 patents · 0 citations
- 238CHINA ACADEMY OF MACHINERY WUHAN RES INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS PROTECTION CO LTD1 patents · 0 citations
- 244DELTA THERMAL INC1 patents · 0 citations
- 251G C F GENERALE COSTR FERROVIARIE S P A1 patents · 0 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained B61K output across the last 5 years
- 199AMSTED RAIL CO INC14 patents · 248 citations
- 296ENSCO INC18 patents · 282 citations
- 392TETRA TECH20 patents · 227 citations
- 488SPERRY RAIL INC6 patents · 203 citations
- 583WESTERN CULLEN HAYES12 patents · 128 citations
- 679PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORP13 patents · 108 citations
- 775BNSF RAILWAY CO31 patents · 59 citations
- 871VOESTALPINE SIGNALING USA INC4 patents · 44 citations
- 967WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECH CORP8 patents · 32 citations
- 1063MATISA MATERIEL IND SA5 patents · 52 citations
- 1158BOMBARDIER TRANSP GMBH7 patents · 19 citations
- 1254UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC6 patents · 11 citations
- 1350PLASSER & THEURER EXPORT VON BAHNBAUMASCHINEN GMBH9 patents · 16 citations
- 1446SKF AB9 patents · 11 citations
- 1542BALANCED ENG SOLUTION LLC3 patents · 16 citations
- 1638MIAN ZAHID F2 patents · 70 citations
- 1733SUNCOKE TECH & DEVELOPMENT LLC6 patents · 0 citations
- 1829Harsco Technologies LLC5 patents · 6 citations
- 1925Siemens Mobility GmbH7 patents · 8 citations
- 2021HITACHI INT ELECTRIC INC4 patents · 8 citations
- 2117HERZOG SERVICES INC4 patents · 26 citations
- 2213AVANTE INTERNATIONAL TECH INC2 patents · 11 citations
- 238WHITMORE MFG LLC5 patents · 3 citations
- 244PAGANO DOMINICK A2 patents · 11 citations
- 251ALSTOM TRANSP TECH7 patents · 6 citations
All-time canon
All-time PatentIndex Score in B61K
- 199GEN ELECTRIC48 patents · 1,120 citations
- 296SERVO CORP OF AMERICA15 patents · 564 citations
- 392INT ELECTRONIC MACHINES CORP8 patents · 320 citations
- 488TRANERGY CORP9 patents · 312 citations
- 583AMSTED RAIL CO INC14 patents · 248 citations
- 679UNIV NEBRASKA6 patents · 213 citations
- 775SPENO INTERNATIONAL5 patents · 207 citations
- 871ENSCO INC18 patents · 282 citations
- 967TETRA TECH20 patents · 227 citations
- 1063PLASSER BAHNBAUMASCH FRANZ10 patents · 289 citations
- 1158SPERRY RAIL INC6 patents · 203 citations
- 1254INTERNAT ELECTRONIC MACHINES C5 patents · 213 citations
- 1350BARRY LEONARD D9 patents · 188 citations
- 1446KELSAN TECHNOLOGIES CORP9 patents · 122 citations
- 1542PORTEC RAIL PRODUCTS INC6 patents · 115 citations
- 1638IBM9 patents · 66 citations
- 1733WESTERN CULLEN HAYES12 patents · 128 citations
- 1829ABEX CORP5 patents · 81 citations
- 1925WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE CO5 patents · 122 citations
- 2021PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORP13 patents · 108 citations
- 2117AAA SALES & ENG8 patents · 90 citations
- 2213CAIRO SYSTEMS INC3 patents · 322 citations
- 238GEORGETOWN RAIL EQUIP CO5 patents · 133 citations
- 244BNSF RAILWAY CO31 patents · 59 citations
- 251ANDIAN TECHNOLOGIES LTD3 patents · 274 citations
90–99 field-defining50–89 strong<50 emergingearned by citationsfrom family breadth