Abstract: The coupler system of a railway car truck is constructed such that basic overall appearance may be maintained, but the actual material of which it is constructed is changed. According to one embodiment, the coupler is constructed from cast austempered ductile iron; whereas cast iron has a density, 0.26 lbs/in{circumflex over (?)}3, which is approximately 8% less than steel, 0.283 lbs/in{circumflex over (?)}3, thereby allowing for a reduction in weight over steel. A suitable austempering process is used to produce the austempered metal coupler and components thereof. A second benefit of embodiments of the present invention provides for a more efficient use of materials, meaning less metal is used to make the same final shape, as a way of reducing the coupler weight. Both factures combined allow for a lighter weight coupler, while utilizing the standard designs. Alternate coupler configurations are disclosed for further reducing coupler weight.

Abstract: An improved method of production of a coupler knuckle, a core assembly for production of a coupler knuckle, and coupler knuckle having an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission. The knuckle interior has a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section thereof.

Abstract: An improved method of production of a coupler knuckle, a core assembly for production of a coupler knuckle, and coupler knuckle having an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission. The knuckle interior has a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section thereof.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus which can perform actions and operations according to the final stage of blood-return.

Abstract: An improved lock for a railroad coupler, said improvement comprising a chamfer on a knuckle shelf seat.

Abstract: A lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly includes a lower lockpin rotation shaft body, an outer end portion thereof having a first coupler lifting bar hole, an intermediate portion thereof having a connecting key; and a lower lockpin rotation shaft bush, an outer end portion of the lower lockpin rotation shaft bush having a second coupler lifting bar hole, and an inner end portion of the lower lockpin rotation shaft bush being operatively connected to an inner end portion of the lower lockpin rotation shaft body. Further, the present invention further provides a double-side operating coupler and a coupler draft gear having the above lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly. The coupler draft gear further includes two coupler lifting bars and two coupler lifting bar seats.

Abstract: A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation cover. The rear draft stop extends longitudinally inboard past the truck center. The couple arrangement includes an AAR Type E shank with an AAR Type F coupler There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: In combination with a railway freight car coupler. A coupler has a knuckle side, and includes a knuckle, knuckle pin, and an apparatus for automatically pivoting and maintaining the knuckle full open position. The improvement comprises a coiled torsion spring which is capable of continuously exerting a predetermined force. A sleeve in combination with a flange is secured to the bottom end of the knuckle pin for attaching the torsion spring onto the coupler head. A support member is attached to the knuckle and cages one arm of the torsion spring which exerts a continuous force on the knuckle to rotate and maintain the knuckle full open position. A compression spring may be employed in place of the torsion spring in combination with a locking mechanism which, rigidly secures the knuckle and knuckle pin therebetween to prevent independent movement.

Abstract: An articulated coupling apparatus utilized in connecting together, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway cars includes male and female connection members. A front and rear followers, each having a spherical cavity, are positioned within the female connection member. First and second lubricating liners are positioned within such spherical cavities and a spherical member is operably caged between such lubricating liners. A shaft is attached to the spherical member and extends outwardly from the female connection member for secure connection to the male connection member. A pair of wedges are mounted adjacent the rear surface of the rear follower and exert a force onto such rear follower moving it toward the spherical member and further toward the front follower to compensate for wear of the mating spherical surfaces during service and to prevent formation of a gap between the mating surfaces.

Abstract: An improved lightweight knuckle is described for use in an AAR Standard E or F type railroad car coupler. The outer contouring and inner voids of the improved lightweight knuckle are radically changed without compromising the integrity or operability of the knuckle during conventional coupling and uncoupling operations with, and from, an existing AAR Standard knuckle. The nose of the improved lightweight knuckle is provided with a pair of parallel, coplanar flat surfaces between which is a projection which extend outwardly from the flat surfaces and terminates at an outer curved surface which has the same curvature as the corresponding curvature of an existing AAR Standard knuckle. Also, twin sets of reinforcement ribs are provided within the improved lightweight knuckle to strengthen the knuckle and make it more durable.

Abstract: A railway car coupler includes a knuckle that is rotatable about a pivot pin. The knuckle is comprised of a tail section, a hub and a nose section. The knuckle is usually made of steel in a casting operation. The pivot pin opening in the knuckle is cylindrical with generally straight walls with a reduced diameter centrally located cylindrical relief area. The nose has a blunt end, and a thicker internal reinforcing section is made by having an end of the face core extend a lesser distance toward the pivot pin opening. The transition area between the tail and the nose is formed by parabolic shaped upper and lower sections.

Abstract: A railway coupler is provided having a coupler head comprising pulling lugs, behind which compound fillets of variable increasing radii have been inserted. The compound fillets reduce the stress concentration behind the lugs by distributing load over a greater curved surface area in order to decrease the possibility of fatigue cracking and failure of the pulling lugs.

Abstract: A coupler knuckle made from cast metal and having cored sections providing exterior walls adjacent the location subject to stress in use. These wall sections are formed in such a manner as to withstand the stresses.

Abstract: A railway coupler having a coupler head and a support shelf extending from the lower portion and in some couplers, from the upper portion as well, of the coupler head is provided. A chamfer is provided on the front and side edges of the support shelf and also on the front and side edges of the auxiliary interlocking lug to decrease the possibility of the raising of one coupler during an adverse vertical angling coupling operation.

Abstract: A knuckle railway car coupler includes latching means for maintaining the coupler locked when the coupler is placed in an inverted position. The latching means includes a latching member connected to the lever of the rotary lock-lift assembly of the coupler and is supported thereon in an inoperative position when the coupler is in its normal, upright working position. An abutment member extends into the chamber defined by the coupler head. The latching member is spaced from the abutment member in the inoperative position and moves into engagement therewith when the coupler is inverted to prevent rotation of the lock-lift assembly and subsequent movement of the coupler lock between locking and unlocking positions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a safety interlock for rail car couplers wherein a detent positioned by the rail car compressed air braking system prevents the rail car couplers from being unlocked as long as the rail car brake system is supplied with compressed air. An expansible motor operated detent functions to selectively permit or prevent translation of the coupler pin controlling pivoting of the coupler knuckle.

Abstract: A railroad car coupler having a knuckle in an open position further includes a lock which rests on a tail portion of the knuckle. By providing a continuous clearance between a leg portion of the lock and an end wall of the knuckle tail portion, lock drop reliability is increased substantially upon the knuckle being swung from the open position to a closed position.