Shock Absorbing Patents (Class 105/392.5)
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Publication number: 20120031299Abstract: An energy-absorbing device, particularly for a shock absorber of a track-guided vehicle, has an energy-absorbing element designed as a deformation tube and a counter element which interacts with the deformation tube such that upon a critical impact force being exceeded, the counter element and the deformation tube exhibit a relative movement toward one another while at least a portion of the impact energy introduced into the energy-absorbing device is simultaneously absorbed. For the energy absorbtion to take place according to a predictable sequence of events when force is introduced non-axially into the energy-absorbing device, the counter element is connected to the deformation tube by means of a form-fit connection circumferential to the deformation tube so as to prevent twisting of the counter element relative the deformation tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBHInventor: Arthur Kontetzki
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Patent number: 8087363Abstract: A rail car collision system is disclosed that includes a front face and an underframe having a first anticlimber. The first anticlimber protrudes from and extends across at least a portion of the front face at a first position. At least one second anticlimber extends along at least a portion of the front face at a second position that is vertically different than the first position.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Peter Clark, Chad Hewitt
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Publication number: 20110162555Abstract: A slide structure 21 of a railway vehicle includes a slide end beam 22 disposed in front of an end beam 16 that constitutes a portion of a body, and a slide center beam 23 projecting rearward of the slide end beam. An underframe 12 is provided with a guide portion 24 that guides the slide center beam in the longitudinal direction of the body. The underframe 12 is also provided with a holding member 28 that holds the slide center beam at a front position of the body with respect to the guide portion. The holding member has such a tensile strength that the holding member couples the underframe and the slide structure to each other in the longitudinal direction of the body and the holding member is broken when a tensile load in a rearward direction of the body applied from the slide structure to the holding member exceeds a preset tensile load, thereby permitting the slide structure to move in the rearward direction of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: NIPPON SHARYO, LTD.Inventor: Kentaro Hayashi
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Patent number: 7905366Abstract: The invention relates to an energy dissipation device (100) for a multi-member vehicle, a rail-mounted vehicle in particular, comprising a first end plate (10), a second end plate (20) and an energy dissipation element (30) in the form of a hollow body extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the energy dissipation device (100) and arranged between the first and the second end plate (10, 20), whereby to prescribe the formation of folds for the energy dissipation element (30) upon activation of the energy dissipation device (100), said energy dissipation element (30) comprises a response trigger in the form of a fold/bulge area (33, 33?) extending peripherally at least partly around the periphery of the hollow body.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Voith Patent GmbHInventor: Eckart Jaede
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Patent number: 7900565Abstract: A passenger rail car includes a lower passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. The passenger rail car also includes an upper passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. A control cab for a rail car operator is elevated above the floor of the lower passenger compartment, and is located forward of the passenger seats and behind the crash energy management region. The front end of the passenger rail car may be slanted to provide a greater field of view for the rail car operator.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Hyundai-Rotem CompanyInventors: Raul V. Bravo, Claudio R. Bravo, Robin Hazy, George F. Lobstein
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Publication number: 20110011302Abstract: A crash-resistant front apron for a rail vehicle is provided. The front apron includes an apron cover, a first support part supporting the apron cover, a second support part attached to a frame of the rail vehicle and a friction coupling release mechanism which connects the first support part to the second support part by a friction connection. In the event of a crash of the rail vehicle, in which a collision force acts on the front apron cover causing a torsion of the first support part relative to the second support part, the friction coupling release mechanism releases the friction connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventor: Wilhelm Mayer
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Publication number: 20100313785Abstract: The proposed invention is a rail car design intended to reduce the impact of rail accidents by having 135 degree and 45 degree alignment of the front end and back end of the cars with respect to the rail. There is also crush zone provided at these angles, which can crush as an impact of a collision, reducing the effect on the rest of the train. In severe cases, the crush zone can derail the car to deflect the damaging waves. The points of contact of the cars, and the car and engine, where the impact is high, are provided with buffer to minimize the damage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Louis Anselm D'Mello
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Patent number: 7836831Abstract: The invention relates to a convoy comprising at least two intercoupled rail vehicles between which an adapter is arranged, said adapter including at least two interconnectable sets of bellows which are respectively provided with a plurality of frames, in addition to adapter sheets , and a support for the adapter sheets, that can be displaced on a sliding plate arranged between the rail vehicles above a coupling device . At least one anti-catching device is provided on the intercoupled end regions of the rail vehicles , said anti-catching devices extending essentially over the entire width of the vehicle, and the two rail vehicle are intercoupled by a spiral sleeve. The sliding plate is embodied as three parts, part of the sliding plate arranged on the spiral sleeve being detachably connected to the coupling device.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Siemens AG OesterreichInventors: Clemens Eger, Georg Fleischmann
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Publication number: 20100269730Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle, especially an automobile, comprising two external airbags for protecting persons who collide with the vehicle. A first airbag is arranged in the area of the bumper while a second airbag is located below the windshield. A triggering mechanism that is equipped with a person sensor deploys the two airbags. The risk of the colliding persons being injured is reduced as much as possible by the fact that two airbags are arranged in the front region of the vehicle and the airbags have a special shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2008Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: GLOBAL SAFETY TEXTILES GMBHInventor: Max Horlacher
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Patent number: 7810437Abstract: The invention relates to an energy absorption device as part of a shock absorber for the front or rear region of a railborne vehicle, in particular a streetcar vehicle, wherein the energy absorption device is designed to absorb or dissipate at least a portion of the impact energy which occurs when the vehicle impacts an obstacle. The invention includes a bumper bar which is pivotably connected to the vehicle underframe by a first bearing, a pendulum support connected to the bumper bar by a second bearing and to the vehicle underframe by a third bearing such that the bumper bar and pendulum support form a tripod. The resultant moment of force of the bumper bar pivoting about a pivot axis defined by a first bearing is introduced as linear force into the energy-absorbing mechanism and at least partly absorbed or dissipated there.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Voith Patent GmbHInventor: Volker Mattschull
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Publication number: 20100218701Abstract: A crash module for a rail vehicle is provided. The crash module includes a crash element, a frontal impact plate and a rear connecting plate, wherein a guide element is provided between the frontal impact plate and the rear connecting plate. The guide element has the form of a plate and is oriented essentially in a longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Richard Graf, Robert Nedelik, Markus Seitzberger
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Publication number: 20100199881Abstract: A rail car collision system is disclosed that includes a front face and an underframe having a first anticlimber. The first anticlimber protrudes from and extends across at least a portion of the front face at a first position. At least one second anticlimber extends along at least a portion of the front face at a second position that is vertically different than the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Peter Clark, Chad Hewitt
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Patent number: 7743714Abstract: A rail vehicle with at least two impact-absorbing posts (RS1, RS2) which are disposed in a front end region (END) and extend vertically to the floor (BOD) of the rail vehicle. A deformable area (KZO) is provided on the front side of the floor (BOD) and each impact-absorbing post (RS1, RS2) is connected to the roof section (DAB) of the rail vehicle via the upper-end region (OE1, OE2) thereof, each impact-absorbing post having, in the respective upper-end region thereof, a pre-determined collapsible region (OE1, OE2) where the buckling (SK1, SK2) of said post should occur in the event of a collision.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft OsterreichInventor: Robert Nedelik
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Patent number: 7735427Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber (100), in particular for use as an additional irreversible shock-absorbing stage together with a component for transferring force. In order to achieve the reliable dissipating of high impact energies, a shock absorber (100) comprising the following is indicated in accordance with the invention: a base plate (1); a force-transferring element (3) having a tensioning element (4); an energy-absorbing element in the form of a deformation tube (5) which is connected by a first end section to the base plate (1); and a connecting element (6) for the disengageable connecting of the force-transferring element (3) to a second end section of the deformation tube (5), wherein the connecting element (6) is pressed against the tensioning element (4) such that the deformation tube (5) is braced between the tensioning element (4) and the base plate (1) without play.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Voith Patent GmbHInventor: Michael Gansweidt
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Patent number: 7712420Abstract: Provided is a cab isolation system for a locomotive is provided including a cab having a front and a rear. The cab isolation system further includes a pivot located generally near the rear of the cab and at least one spring generally located near the front of the cab. In another embodiment, dampers may further be provided and generally located near the front of the cab. In another embodiment, lateral links may further be provided and generally located near the front of the cab. This system may include any of the above elements, alone or in combination, to provide for a cab isolation system for isolating a locomotive cab from engine generated structure borne noise and vibration, while lower frequency track induced motions are not magnified.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.Inventors: Robert Thomas Scott, Xiangling Zhang
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Patent number: 7694633Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-climbing device (2) for railway carriages, which is fixed at least at one end of the carriage at a defined height and extends over at least part of the carriage width. To co-operate with the end section of an anti-climbing device of another carriage in the event of a crash, said device is provided with a central cut-out section (5), open on the underside and delimited on the upper side by an interception surface, said section being located beneath a central protruding end section (4), in addition to two centering surfaces (8) that laterally delimit the section (5). An essentially horizontal fixing surface (9) adjoins the lower edge of each centering surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Siemens Transportation Systems GmbH & Co KGInventor: Wilhelm Mayer
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Patent number: 7690314Abstract: A rail car collision system is disclosed that includes a front face and an underframe having a first anticlimber. The first anticlimber protrudes from and extends across at least a portion of the front face at a first position. At least one second anticlimber extends along at least a portion of the front face at a second position that is vertically different than the first position.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Peter Clark, Chad Hewitt
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Publication number: 20100064931Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle front-end module having a vehicle front-end structure (100) for mounting to the front end of a rail-borne vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, wherein the vehicle front-end structure (100) is wholly composed of structural elements made from fiber composite or fiber composite sandwich material. The structural elements forming the vehicle front-end structure (100) comprise first structural elements (10, 10?, 11, 12, 12?, 14, 15, 16) which are configured and directly connected to one another so as to form a substantially deformation-resistant, self-supporting front-end structure designed to accommodate a vehicle driver's cab (101).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: Voith Patent GmbHInventors: Andreas Heinisch, Reiner Krause, Sascha Ende, Uwe Beika
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Publication number: 20090283009Abstract: A passenger rail car includes a lower passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. The passenger rail car also includes an upper passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. A control cab for a rail car operator is elevated above the floor of the lower passenger compartment, and is located forward of the passenger seats and behind the crash energy management region. The front end of the passenger rail car may be slanted to provide a greater field of view for the rail car operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Raul V. Bravo, Claudio R. Bravo, Robin Hazy, George F. Lobstein
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Patent number: 7601432Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method that can be easily applied to friction stir welding where the thickness of face plates at one welding portion is different from the thickness of face plates at another welding portion. Three shape members 10, 11, 12 having two butt joint portions are mounted on a jig 15. The face plate 14 of shape member 10 is thick and the face plate 14 of shape member 12 is thin. The protruded height of projection 18 is greater at portion B where surface plates 14 being welded are thin than the protruded height of projection A where surface plates 14 are thick. The depths for inserting rotary tools to shape members 10, 11, 12 for friction stir welding are the same. Friction stir welding is facilitated since the size and insertion depth of all the rotary tools being applied can be the same.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Masaaki Shigeyama, Tetsuya Matsunaga
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Patent number: 7597051Abstract: An integrated impact energy management system is provided for managing a wide range of impact energies exerted upon impact of a vehicle with an object. The system includes a cover structure adapted for attachment to a vehicle, the cover structure being designed to deform elastically when impact energy is exerted thereon, and having an inner surface with a preformed detent. The system also includes a folding coupler mechanism including a shank having a proximate end adapted to attach to the vehicle, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximate end to a distal end in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The shank has an energy absorption element for absorbing energy caused by compressive forces exerted along the longitudinal axis of the shank. The folding coupler mechanism also includes a coupling head pivotally attached to the distal end of the shank for pivoting between an extended position and a stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc.Inventor: Glenn Gough
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Patent number: 7597052Abstract: A rail vehicle comprising an anticlimber disposed in a vehicle end region and extending over substantially the entire width of the vehicle, wherein there is disposed, in the end region of the rail vehicle, at least one anticlimber element forming a partial vertical extension of the anticlimber, which anticlimber element is capable of engaging the anticlimber of another rail vehicle in the event of a collision.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Siemens Transportation Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Malfent, Andreas Rittenschober, Thomas Meissl, Martin Jüly
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Patent number: 7543537Abstract: A deformable element for a vehicle, particularly a rail vehicle, comprising a profiled part (CR) disposed between two end plates (AC, AP) and having the form of a tubular box, particularly of polygonal cross section for dissipating impact energy in the event of longitudinal compression by plastic deformation, and comprising a guide element (FH) disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of said profiled part (CR), which guide element is fixed to the end plate (AC) remote from the vehicle and is capable of sliding through a through opening (DL) in the end plate (AP) facing the vehicle, wherein the end plate (AP) facing the vehicle has a through opening (DL) which has a shape which permits contactless sliding of said guide element (FH) in the longitudinal direction and lateral inclination of said guide element relative to the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Siemens Transportation Systems GmbH & Co KGInventors: Markus Seitzberger, Hans-Jorg Payer, Andreas Rittenschober, Richard Graf
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Patent number: 7536958Abstract: A passenger rail car includes a lower passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. The passenger rail car also includes an upper passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. A control cab for a rail car operator is elevated above the floor of the lower passenger compartment, and is located forward of the passenger seats and behind the crash energy management region. The front end of the passenger rail car may be slanted to provide a greater field of view for the rail car operator.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Raul V. Bravo & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Raul V. Bravo, Claudio R. Bravo, Robin Hazy, George F. Lobstein
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Patent number: 7506590Abstract: Interconnected train cars (ZUV) with at least two rail vehicles (WA1, WA2) coupled to each other, between which there is a passage (UEB) with at least two gangway bellows (WB1, WB2), which can be connected to each other and which each have several bellows frams (BR1, BR2, BR3, BR4), and the passage (UEB) has additional passage plates (UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4) and a support (ABS) for the passage plates (UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4), with this support being able to move on a sliding plate (GLP) arranged between the rail vehicles (WA1, WA2) above a coupling device (KUP), wherein there is at least one pile-up prevention device (AC1, AC2) at the end regions of the rail vehicles (WA1, WA2) coupled to each other, with the pile-up prevention devices (AC1, AC2) each extending essentially over the entire vehicle width, the bottom edges of the bellows frames (BR1, BR2, BR3, BR4) being arranged over the upper edges of the pile-up prevention devices (AC1, AC2), and the sliding plate (GLP) being arranged under the bottom edge of the pilType: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Siemens Transportation Systems GmbH & Co KGInventors: Gerhard Moser, Clemens Eger, Christian Flegel, Christoph Schmidt
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Publication number: 20090000506Abstract: The invention relates to an energy dissipation device (100) for a multi-member vehicle, a rail-mounted vehicle in particular, comprising a first end plate (10), a second end plate (20) and an energy dissipation element (30) in the form of a hollow body extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the energy dissipation device (100) and arranged between the first and the second end plate (10, 20), whereby to prescribe the formation of folds for the energy dissipation element (30) upon activation of the energy dissipation device (100), said energy dissipation element (30) comprises a response trigger in the form of a fold/bulge area (33, 33?) extending peripherally at least partly around the periphery of the hollow body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Voith Patent GmbHInventor: Eckart Jaede
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Publication number: 20080314282Abstract: A rail vehicle comprising an anticlimber disposed in a vehicle end region and extending over substantially the entire width of the vehicle, wherein there is disposed, in the end region of the rail vehicle, at least one anticlimber element forming a partial vertical extension of the anticlimber, which anticlimber element is capable of engaging the anticlimber of another rail vehicle in the event of a collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2005Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Thomas Malfent, Andreas Rittenschober, Thomas Meissl, Martin July
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Publication number: 20080236440Abstract: The invention provides a shock absorbing structure capable of turning the function of the shock absorber on and off according to the level of shock during collision, thereby reducing the frequency of replacing shock absorbers. On a rear surface of a load operating unit 11 constituting a shock absorbing device 10A are attached a load transmitting shaft 12 and a shock absorber 13. The load transmitting shaft 12 is passed through the center of the shock absorber and is connected to a supporting unit 14 via a pin 15 that extends toward the radial direction. The rear end of the shock absorber 13 faces the supporting unit 14 with a clearance therebetween. The pin 15 has notched grooves 21 formed thereto. When small load is applied, the load is transmitted from the load operating unit 11 through the load transmitting shaft 12, the pin 15 and the supporting unit 14 to the main body, so that the load is not applied on the shock absorber 13.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Hideyuki NAKAMURA, Seiichi HAYASHI, Takeshi KAWASAKI, Toshiharu MIYAMOTO
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Publication number: 20080006173Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-climbing device (2) for railway carriages, which is fixed at least at one end of the carriage at a defined height and extends over at least part of the carriage width. To co-operate with the end section of an anti-climbing device of another carriage in the event of a crash, said device is provided with a central cut-out section (5), open on the underside and delimited on the upper side by an interception surface, said section being located beneath a central protruding end section (4), in addition to two centring surfaces (8) that laterally delimit the section (5). An essentially horizontal fixing surface (9) adjoins the lower edge of each centring surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventor: Wilhelm Mayer
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Publication number: 20070261591Abstract: A passenger rail car includes a lower passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. The passenger rail car also includes an upper passenger compartment that includes a plurality of passenger seats. A control cab for a rail car operator is elevated above the floor of the lower passenger compartment, and is located forward of the passenger seats and behind the crash energy management region. The front end of the passenger rail car may be slanted to provide a greater field of view for the rail car operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2006Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventors: Raul V. Bravo, Claudio R. Bravo, Robin Hazy, George F. Lobstein
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Publication number: 20070261592Abstract: Provided is a collision energy absorbing apparatus capable of mitigating loads to the car body proper, passengers and the like by adding a structure combining a prescribed static strength and collision energy absorption performance to an energy absorbing body of the collision energy absorbing apparatus. In a limited inner space of a car body, a cover 80 that covers energy absorbing bodies 51, 52 combines a prescribed static strength and collision energy absorption performance. The cover 80 prevents irregularities, such as the breakage of cylindrical bodies of aluminum alloy, i.e., the energy absorbing bodies 51, 52 in each of the stages of transportation, storage, assembling and the like of the collision energy absorbing apparatus 50.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventors: Toshihiko Mochida, Takashi Yamaguchi, Hideyuki Nakamura
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Patent number: 6951176Abstract: Disclosed is a collision energy absorbing structure of a vehicle capable of relieving impact by using a tubular pipe member having equally-sized rectangular cross section and equal plate thickness and including no inside ribs and by adding a suitable trigger, and being easily manufactured at a low cost. By forming a cutout portion on the left side of the front end portion of the collision energy absorbing structure, the deformation starting portion is provided. The cutout portion is formed at parts of three flat plate portions comprised of one of the four flat plate portions and corresponding opposite portions thereof. The general portion, which follows the deformation starting portion, is tubular with rectangular cross section and has a closed cross-section structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Kawaski Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Taguchi
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Patent number: 6889617Abstract: Disclosed is a collision energy absorbing structure of a vehicle capable of relieving impact by using a tubular pipe member having equally-sized rectangular cross section and equal plate thickness and including no inside ribs and by adding a suitable trigger, and being easily manufactured at a low cost. By forming a cutout portion on the left side of the front end portion of the collision energy absorbing structure, the deformation starting portion is provided. The cutout portion is formed at parts of three flat plate portions comprised of one of the four flat plate portions and corresponding opposite portions thereof. The general portion, which follows the deformation starting portion, is tubular with rectangular cross section and has a closed cross-section structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Taguchi
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Patent number: 6845874Abstract: A collision attenuator for a vehicle including an energy absorbing cylinder, a mounting assembly adapted to secure the energy absorbing cylinder to an end of the vehicle, a contact plate mounted to the energy absorbing cylinder, a control valve for extending and retracting the energy absorbing cylinder in order to move the contact plate with respect to the end of the vehicle. A comparator is operably coupled with the control valve, wherein the comparator is configured to adjust the energy absorbing cylinder based upon a speed signal indicative of the speed of the moving vehicle. A coupler detector is operably coupled with the control valve, wherein the coupler detector inhibits the extension of the energy absorbing cylinder unless the coupler detector determines that the coupler is open. A pivot assembly pivotally secures the contact plate to the energy absorbing cylinder allowing the contact plate to pivot laterally about an upright axis with respect to the energy absorbing cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Inventors: Thomas S. Payne, James M. Payne
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Patent number: 6814246Abstract: A collision attenuating system for a moving vehicle including an energy-absorbing airbag assembly dimensioned and configured for attenuating the impact between the moving vehicle and a pedestrian or an impacted vehicle located in or crossing the path of the moving vehicle as the pedestrian or impacted vehicle impacts against the airbag assembly, a mounting bracket dimensioned and configured for being affixed to the moving vehicle, an engagement bracket affixed to the airbag assembly and engagable with the mounting bracket, and a quick-release fastener for removably engaging the engagement bracket to the mounting bracket for removably mounting the airbag assembly to the moving vehicle. The airbag assembly includes an airbag and an assembly frame supporting the airbag, a speed sensor for determining the speed of the vehicle, and a pressure regulator for controlling a pressure function of the airbag responsive to the speed sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Inventors: Thomas S. Payne, James M. Payne
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Publication number: 20040159263Abstract: A front end portion 100 is disposed on the front end of a car body. The floor thereof consists of extruded hollow members 210 that constitute a shock absorber 200. The shock absorber 200 is divided into an upper shock absorber 200 and a lower shock absorber 200. Annealed extruded hollow members are used to form the hollow member 210. The hollow members 210 are disposed so that their direction of extrusion corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the car body. The hollow members 210 are divided longitudinally into two portions by a plate 220. At the width-direction ends of member 210, the face plates 211 and 212 are welded onto plates 223-226. Upon receiving impact load, members 210 fold up into concertinas, absorbing the impact force. Since members 210 are separated by a plate, they deform evenly and continuously into concertinas instead of being bent in half, capable of absorbing a large energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Takahisa Yamamoto, Sumio Okuno, Toshiaki Makino, Yoshihiko Ina
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Publication number: 20040089193Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Erik D. Jensen, Donald E. Wilt, Michael S. Dillon
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Patent number: 6722285Abstract: Upon forming a railway car composed of plural hollow shape members 40, annealed hollow shape members are used to form the ends of an underframe 30. The hollow shape members 40 are disposed so that their longitudinal orientation equals the longitudinal direction of the car body. The underframe 30 is formed by disposing plural hollow shape members 40 adjacent one another in the width direction and welding them together by friction stir welding. When the hollow shape members receive impact load, the ends of the members deform into concertinas, thereby absorbing the impact force. At this time, the friction stir welded portions also receive the impact force, but cracks are not created at the friction-stir-weld joints, and the weld joints do not prevent the hollow shape members from deforming into concertinas.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hideyuki Nakamura, Sumio Okuno, Toshiaki Makino, Toshiaki Sagawa
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Patent number: 6712007Abstract: A front end portion 100 is disposed on the front end of a car body. The floor thereof consists of extruded hollow members 210 that constitute a shock absorber 200. The shock absorber 200 is divided into an upper shock absorber 200 and a lower shock absorber 200. Annealed extruded hollow members are used to form the hollow member 210. The hollow members 210 are disposed so that their direction of extrusion corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the car body. The hollow members 210 are divided longitudinally into two portions by a plate 220. At the width-direction ends of member 210, the face plates 211 and 212 are welded onto plates 223-226. Upon receiving impact load, members 210 fold up into concertinas, absorbing the impact force. Since members 210 are separated by a plate, they deform evenly and continuously into concertinas instead of being bent in half, capable of absorbing a large energy.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takahisa Yamamoto, Sumio Okuno, Toshiaki Makino, Yoshihiko Ina
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Patent number: 6688237Abstract: The deformation element (1) of a rail-borne vehicle is disposed in the region of at least one deformation zone located on the end side of the vehicle and comprises at least one tubular hollow space, wherein a structure is attached in a replaceable manner in the rail-borne vehicle and is formed of two metal sheets (2a, 2b), of which at least one is designed as a profiled metal sheet (2a′, 2b′) and which are connected together on mutually facing cross-pieces (3a, 3b) which lie against each other thus forming hollow boxes (4a, 4b) extending in parallel with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Siemens SGP Verkehrstechnik GmbHInventors: Gunter Bäck, Werner Gödl, Johann P. Schmid, Ewald Brückler, Christian Fellner, Roman Brossschädl
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Patent number: 6685040Abstract: An energy-absorbing device for the end of rail vehicles is provided. In order in particular to reduce the cost of adaptation and matching between vehicle manufacturers and suppliers of the energy-absorbing device and the couplings (3) and the design and/or quality risks, the energy-absorbing device exhibits a base frame (1) which carries all the proposed elements for energy absorption in the end area and which is fastened as a compact preassembled module to the sub-frame (9) entirely in the defined interface area.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Voith Turbo Scharfenberg GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Heinisch, Eckart J{haeck over (a)}de, Frank Reineck
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Patent number: 6619491Abstract: A train collision attenuator mounted on a leading end of a train for attenuating the force of impact between a moving train and a pedestrian or motor vehicle. The train collision attenuator includes an energy absorbing assembly and a mounting assembly. The energy absorbing assembly includes a leading surface and the energy absorbing assembly is dimensioned and configured for attenuating the force of impact between the moving train and the pedestrian located in the path of the moving train as the pedestrian impacts against the leading surface. The mounting assembly secures the energy absorbing assembly to the leading end of the train. A lifting mechanism for moving the energy absorbing assembly between a deployed position to a retracted position is also provided. A selectively-inflatable, externally-mounted airbag including an upper pedestrian cushioning portion and a lower pedestrian support portion is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Inventors: Thomas S. Payne, James M. Payne
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Publication number: 20030089268Abstract: Apparatus for performing mechanical tests on structures, in particular on energy absorber elements in the field of railways, wherein a pyrotechnics launcher comprising a launch tube slidably receiving a thrust rod is disposed at one end of a segment of rail track, said pyrotechnics launcher being supported in its central portion by a support element and being prevented from moving backwards by a buffer stop element disposed behind the pyrotechnics launcher, said support element and said buffer stop element including fixing means making it possible to hold said pyrotechnics launcher at various heights relative to the rails of the rail track.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: ALSTOMInventors: Pierre Huss, Francois Calvignac, Claude Schmitt, Jean-Marie Pognon, Jean-Charles Muller
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Patent number: 6561105Abstract: A rail vehicle having an end provided with a driver's cab, said vehicle having a rigid frame extending under said driver's cab, said rail vehicle having a protective shield disposed in front of said driver's cab and provided with a rigid structure, said protective shield resting on said frame and being connected to said frame via at least one energy-absorbing element interposed locally between the shield and the frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: AlstomInventors: Marcel Godin, Gérard Gielczinski, Jean-Marc Langlet, Christian Boneill, Isabelle Guilloteau
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Publication number: 20030056684Abstract: Upon forming a railway car composed of plural hollow shape members 40, annealed hollow shape members are used to form the ends of an underframe 30. The hollow shape members 40 are disposed so that their longitudinal orientation equals the longitudinal direction of the car body. The underframe 30 is formed by disposing plural hollow shape members 40 adjacent one another in the width direction and welding them together by friction stir welding. When the hollow shape members receive impact load, the ends of the members deform into concertinas, thereby absorbing the impact force. At this time, the friction stir welded portions also receive the impact force, but cracks are not created at the friction-stir-weld joints, and the weld joints do not prevent the hollow shape members from deforming into concertinas.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Hideyuki Nakamura, Sumio Okuno, Toshiaki Makino, Toshiaki Sagawa
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Patent number: 6497183Abstract: A release device for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle against impact, which element, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected, said inflatable element being held, in a folded state, in a compartment that includes a wall that is connected in sealed manner to an edge of an opening of said inflatable element, wherein, facing said opening, said wall includes gas release means that are protected during inflation of the inflatable element by a closure flap controlled by actuator means that remove said closure flap once the inflatable element is deployed.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: AlstomInventors: Francis Demarquilly, Jean-Jacques Laporte
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Patent number: 6474489Abstract: A train collision attenuator mounted on a leading end of a train for attenuating the force of impact between a moving train and a pedestrian or motor vehicle. The train collision attenuator includes an energy absorbing assembly and a mounting assembly. The energy absorbing assembly includes a leading surface and the energy absorbing assembly is dimensioned and configured for attenuating the force of impact between the moving train and the pedestrian located in the path of the moving train as the pedestrian impacts against the leading surface. The mounting assembly secures the energy absorbing assembly to the leading end of the train. A lifting mechanism for moving the energy absorbing assembly between a deployed position to a retracted position is also provided. A selectively-inflatable, externally-mounted airbag including an upper pedestrian cushioning portion and a lower pedestrian support portion is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Inventors: Thomas S. Payne, James M. Payne
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Patent number: 6454326Abstract: A device for protecting a vehicle against impact, the device comprising an inflatable element presenting, once inflated, a bearing surface in contact with the region of the vehicle to be protected, and an impact surface designed to receive the impact directly, wherein said inflatable element includes localized flexible connection elements connecting holding points of the impact surface with fastening points of the bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: AlstomInventors: Francis Demarquilly, Jean-Jacques Laporte
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Patent number: 6393999Abstract: The invention relates to an impact protection device for rail vehicles, comprising one or more energy absorbing elements (25) mounted on the main frame of the rail vehicle and having a box-like structure. The invention is characterized in that from the box end in the direction of the main frame (29) a reverse-drawn recess (20) and a buffer rod (21) are provided and the buffer rod can be displaced along the interior wall of the reverse-drawn recess (20). Elastically deformable energy absorbing elements (32) such as a friction spring (33) or a hydraulic capsule (34) are mounted in the hollow space formed by the buffer rod (21) and the reverse-drawn recess (20). The invention provides a greater active length for energy absorption in case of impact than a sequential box arrangement and a standard sleeve buffer.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Siemens Krauss-Maffei Lokomotiven GmbHInventor: Sieghard Schneider
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Publication number: 20020005142Abstract: A release device for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle against impact, which element, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected, said inflatable element being held, in a folded state, in a compartment that includes a wall that is connected in sealed manner to an edge of an opening of said inflatable element, wherein, facing said opening, said wall includes gas release means that are protected during inflation of the inflatable element by a closure flap controlled by actuator means that remove said closure flap once the inflatable element is deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Applicant: ALSTOMInventors: Francis Demarquilly, Jean-Jacques Laporte