Abstract: An energy storage car for a locomotive includes a hydraulic energy storage system designed to capture and reuse energy normally lost in dynamic braking. The energy storage car is preferably configured to provide functions sufficient to replace one of multiple locomotives used to pull a freight train. Braking and other methods for improved efficiency of such trains are provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic energy storage system (comprising a hydraulic pump/motor, a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, a low pressure hydraulic accumulator/reservoir, and interconnecting hydraulic lines) is incorporated into a EV, HEV, or PHEV to provide hydraulic regenerative braking and propulsive assistance for the vehicle. Implementation of the low cost and long-lasting hydraulic energy storage system in the vehicle, together with the electric energy storage system (comprising a motor/generator and battery pack) of the vehicle, allows significantly reduced demands and higher operating efficiencies for the battery pack, thereby facilitating a more cost-effective, efficient and/or durable overall energy storage system for the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic energy storage system (comprising a hydraulic pump/motor, a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, a low pressure hydraulic accumulator/reservoir, and interconnecting hydraulic lines) is incorporated into a EV, HEV, or PHEV to provide hydraulic regenerative braking and propulsive assistance for the vehicle. Implementation of the low cost and long-lasting hydraulic energy storage system in the vehicle, together with the electric energy storage system (comprising a motor/generator and battery pack) of the vehicle, allows significantly reduced demands and higher operating efficiencies for the battery pack, thereby facilitating a more cost-effective, efficient and/or durable overall energy storage system for the vehicle.

Abstract: A railway vehicle includes an air intake 6 provided at a nose portion of a leading vehicle 1, an air tank (reservoir) 9 for storing intake air, and an air outlet 11, by which air is sucked in (breathed in) during entry of the leading vehicle to a tunnel and discharged within the tunnel, so as to reduce the pressure generated at the nose portion and to cut down micropressure waves. When the nose of the leading vehicle 1 enters a tunnel 3, an intake control valve 8 of the air reservoir, depressurized to below atmospheric pressure (1 atm), opens to take in air through an air inlet 6 via a path 7 into the air reservoir 9. When the whole leading vehicle enters the tunnel, the intake control valve 8 closes, and air is discharged through the outlet 11 via a pump 10.

Abstract: A vehicle system for high-speed passenger transport between metropolitan centers comprises a guideway having a pair of parallel guideway tubes; a plurality of carriages levitated and propelled by pressurized air stored within one or both tubes; and a passenger car connected to ride atop the carriages and tilt relative thereto. The passenger car and carriages cooperate to define lateral air cushion zones under the floor of the passenger car for supporting and tilting the passenger car by air pressure. The carriages have pluralities of lift cells partially surrounding each guideway tube, with active peripheral skirts for minimizing air leakage. Pressurized air stored within the guideway is used to supply the lift cells and cushion zones, and also to propel and brake the carriages. Ram air is collected during vehicle motion to help supply the lift cells and cushion zones.

Abstract: To provide a railroad car design that allows the car to travel at high speeds over current roadbeds at very low fuel costs per mile a special rail is formed. This rail has the form of a wave shaped on its top with the troughs and crests of the wave repeating themselves every several feet apart continuously down both tracks for the whole distance of the railroad. When a wheel of this multi-wheeled car comes over the crest of a wave it has encountered as it moves down this wave formed track, the wheel immediately begins supporting its computer calculated portion of the weight of the car on a cushion of air pressure forced into its supporting air cylinder at that moment and rolls down the face of the wave in its desired direction of travel.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle that is powered by compressed air instead of by gasoline; the vehicle including air tanks that are filled with compressed air, while controls on a dashboard operate valves for flowing the air into cylinders of the vehicle engine in order to run the same.

Abstract: An intermediate vehicle intercouples a tractor or the like with an ordinary railroad car for shuttling a number of railroad cars along the rails for purposes of loading, switching, and spotting of same. The intermediate vehicle is supported by rail wheels and has an ordinary railroad-type mechanical coupling on one end thereof for coupling with a railroad car, while the other end possesses a tractor-drawn-implement-type coupling for connection with an ordinary three-point hitch of the tractor. Hydraulically extendible, rail engaging wheels are fitted to the tractor for guidance thereof along the rails while the ordinary rubber driving wheels of the tractor are suitably spaced apart for traction engagement with the rails.

Abstract: A railway vehicle having pneumatic actuated devices connected to a pneumatic system including a refillable supply tank connected to the control and actuation elements of the pneumatic devices is provided with a device for coupling the supply tank to a source of pressure medium as the vehicle approaches the source. The apparatus comprises a supply funnel on the vehicle connected to the supply tank and a supply nozzle connected to a source of pressure medium at a station. The supply nozzle is provided with receiver means. On the vehicle there is provided contact means which are engageable with the receiver means as the vehicle enters the station to align coaxially the funnel and nozzle and to impart relative longitudinal movement between the funnel and nozzle to couple these elements in tight coupled position. The funnel and nozzle are each provided with check valves which are opened simultaneously upon coupling of the funnel and nozzle.