Special Car Bodies Patents (Class 105/238.1)
  • Patent number: 6431083
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a rail vehicle with a head module made of a composite fiber material. For this, a joining region with height-tolerance compensating means (5) is arranged on the underframe (3) and a joining edge with longitudinal and lateral tolerance compensating means (7 and 8) is arranged on the wagon body module (2). The head module has joining edges that point toward the wagon body module (2) and the underframe (3) and is provided with reinforced sections (18, 19) that are integrated into the fiber composite material. The head module is attached to the underframe (3) and at least at the head module side walls (14) of the wagon body module (2) by means of fastening means (20, 21), which build up a pre-tensioning force, in such a way that shear-resistant connections are created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Carstensen, Bernd Hoppe, Ursula Wagner, Burkhart Liesenberg, Erwin Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 6378444
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail vehicle body of the type comprising a grid structure, itself comprising longitudinal elements and cross elements interconnected at nodes, and supporting outer and inner coverings. Longitudinal and cross elements are circular section tubes. At at least some of its nodes, the grid structure comprises connections for interconnecting longitudinal and cross tubes of circular section. These connections have longitudinal and cross circular section sleeves which receive longitudinal and cross tubes respectively. Longitudinal tubes pass right through the connections made of longitudinal and cross tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Laurent Dastas, Emigliano Campus
  • Patent number: 6360672
    Abstract: A protective member positioned at the rear of the operator cab of a locomotive. The protective member provides impact protection for a passenger in the locomotive in the event of an impact between the rear panel of the locomotive and a foreign object during long hood lead (reverse) operation. The protective member may include a vertical member disposed under the outer sheet material at a rear corner of the operator cab as well as members surrounding the rear window opening. The protective member may be formed of rectangular steel tubing and is anchored directly or indirectly to the platform of the locomotive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gail Leroy Detar
  • Publication number: 20010050027
    Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. Several sub-systems to speed performance and enhance reliability, such as an electronic assisted air brake, health monitoring, trailer tie-down and locomotive interface subsystems, can be provided on each segment. A spring applied parking brake is provided for the segments and operably connected to the train pneumatic brake systems. In a preferred embodiment the brake is automatically applied when brake pipe pressure falls below 40 psi nominal. The pneumatic valving for the parking brake prevents application of the valve in an emergency braking situation, until the pressure has bled off in normal system leakage, preventing wheel damage. A handle is provided for manual application and release of the parking brake when desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas Engle
  • Patent number: 6305296
    Abstract: A conveyor belt structure (10) has a pair of longitudinally extending tracks or stringers (11) upon which trolleys can ride. A power pack trolley (12) also rides stringers (11). The trolley (12) has stringer-engaging wheels (14) and a power pack supported upon a frame. The power pack might be a rechargeable battery or a generator for example. The power pack trolley (12) also includes a motor or motors to drive its wheels (14). A captivation (30) is affixed to a bogie arm (31). Attached to the lower edge of the mounting plate (32) is a horizontal plate (34). A flange (36) is angularly offset with respect to the plane of the plate (35). Should one of the wheels (17) of the trolley (16) become derailed from stringer (11), one or both of plates (34 and 35) of the captivation bracket (30) will strike the stringer (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Southem Engineering PTY LTD
    Inventors: Gordon Binner Wilkinson, Keith Michael Robinson
  • Patent number: 6293415
    Abstract: A railborne mobile crane mounted on a chassis with a superstructure, a counterweight and a boom which are arranged so as to be swivelable about a vertical axis of the superstructure. The superstructure is contoured so as to be within a prescribed clearance gauge of a section of track. The superstructure is outfitted with a device to compensate for superelevations of curved track sections. Longitudinal sides and a rear side of the superstructure are arranged so that, in every swiveling position, all contours of the superstructure lie within a defined safety area. The safety area is bounded on each of two sides of a longitudinal axis of the crane by an inclined plane which is inclined inward from the vertical, proceeding from a lower edge of the superstructure, by an angle of inclination at least corresponding to a maximum allowable angle of superelevation of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventor: Urban Franzke
  • Patent number: 6273341
    Abstract: A non-derailable train system including a movable crossing platform for preventing train derailments. The non-derailable train system including a movable crossing platform includes spaced tracks having a rounded upper surface, train wheels having a concave outer perimeter wall complimentary to the rounded upper surface of the tracks for preventing lateral removal of the wheels from the tracks. Also included is a movable platform system for facilitating crossing of the tracks by other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Ahmed Debabi
  • Patent number: 6257150
    Abstract: A rapid discharge railcar door consisted of a plastic main body reinforced by an aluminum frame, and which provides sufficient strength against load-bearing forces and withstands changes in temperature. The main body of the door is made from a polymer in a reaction injection molding process. The door reduces the overall weight of the railway car, thus allowing more coal to be shipped per car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Zeftek, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Burke
  • Patent number: 6213028
    Abstract: A railway car includes a first end, a second end, and a first side disposed longitudinally between the first end and the second end. The first side includes a concave portion in a generally horizontal plane of the railway car. The concave portion provides a railway car with increased cargo-carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: TRN Business Trust
    Inventors: Donald B. Fetterman, Stephen W. Smith