Abstract: The invention relates to a device for damping tractive and compressive forces which damps forces acting in both the tractive and compressive directions over a wide range, the device operating to be free of wear and having small overall length. The device has a damping system held in a housing and which has a resilient unit and a hydraulic damping arrangement, and a piston rod which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing of the damping system. Formed in an end region of the piston rod is a piston head which is held in a first hydraulic chamber of the hydraulic damping arrangement to be displaceable. If there is longitudinal movement of the piston head relative to the first hydraulic chamber, hydraulic fluid flows in a throttled manner, via a transfer-flow system, to a second hydraulic chamber of the hydraulic damping arrangement.

Abstract: A rail car cushioning1 device is provided for connecting to a coupler. The rail car cushioning device includes an arrangement of a hydraulic cylinder, a piston assembly, and at least a valve assembly, which are configured with cooperating features to allow the device to be switchable between a locked mode and a cushioning mode.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The gas-hydraulic shock absorber assembly comprises a sleeve member and a ram member movable relative to the sleeve member. In the interior of the ram member, a gas chamber is provided that is pressurized by means of a gas. In the interior of the sleeve member, an oil chamber is provided that is filled with a hydraulic medium and which decreases in volume the more the ram member is moved relative to the sleeve member. Between the two chambers, a gas-hydraulic control assembly is provided. Upstream of the control assembly, there is a bleeding assembly, comprising a transfer channel opening into a portion of the oil chamber remote from the control assembly. Further provided is a bleeding channel, opening into an upper portion of the oil chamber and connecting the transfer channel to the control assembly when the shock absorber assembly is at rest. The bleeding assembly comprises several channels connecting the oil chamber to the control assembly and comprising each a V-shaped valve flap to close the channels.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The gas-hydraulic shock absorber assembly comprises a sleeve member and a ram member movable relative to the sleeve member. In the interior of the ram member, a gas chamber is provided that is pressurized by means of a gas. In the interior of the sleeve member, an oil chamber is provided that is filled with a hydraulic medium and which decreases in volume the more the ram member is moved relative to the sleeve member. Between the two chambers, a gas-hydraulic control assembly is provided. Upstream of the control assembly, there is a bleeding assembly, comprising a transfer channel opening into a portion of the oil chamber remote from the control assembly. Further provided is a bleeding channel, opening into an upper portion of the oil chamber and connecting the transfer channel to the control assembly when the shock absorber assembly is at rest. The bleeding assembly comprises several channels connecting the oil chamber to the control assembly and comprising each a V-shaped valve flap to close the channels.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A railcar cushioning device with a gas charged cylinder and a piston contained in the cylinder for cushioning buff and draft impacts. A spring assembly is contained in the cylinder between the piston and an end of the cylinder to locate the piston in a neutral position.

Abstract: A rail car buffer with a capsule body and a mechanical ring spring and a hydraulic spring arranged in parallel in the body. The hydraulic spring includes an internal reservoir to receive hydraulic oil displaced during collapse of the buffer.

Abstract: A rail car buffer includes a standard capsule body and a high pressure hydraulic buffer spring only in the body. The hydraulic spring has a high compression ratio and is charged with very high pressure gas and hydraulic oil.

Abstract: A rail car buffer has a capsule body and a spring assembly with an elastomer spring and a gas filled hydraulic spring in the body. Expansion of the buffer after collapse is snubbed by the gas filled hydraulic spring to convert energy stored in the elastomer spring to heat.

Abstract: A railway buffer capsule comprising a hollow cylindrical plunger slidably mounted in a cylinder. The cylinder is closed at one end. The plunger is closed at its outer end, and in its inner end is formed a fixed area orifice of flow restricting dimensions. A floating piston slides in the bore of the plunger and separates a liquid reservoir from the remainder of the interior of the plunger which comprises a gas containing space. A stepped piston has its larger diameter exposed to pressure in the reservoir and its smaller diameter end adapted to seat and close the orifice and be exposed to compression chamber pressure. The combination of the stepped piston and the orifice is a multiplier valve which multiplies the resistance of the compressed gas to lengthwise compression of the buffer.

Abstract: A railcar cushioning device for absorbing impact between railcars is provided having a hydraulic cylinder containing hydraulic fluid. A piston locates within the cylinder and is movable relative to the cylinder between an extended position and a contracted position in response to draft and buff forces. First and second sensors are provided with the piston and cylinder for detecting movement of the piston and cylinder substantially between the contracted and extended positions. By means of a suitable logic circuit or microprocessor, the period of time that it takes for the piston and cylinder to move between the contracted and extended positions can be monitored to determine if the period of time is less than a preselected amount thus indicating that the cushioning unit has failed. A counter may also be provided to count the number of times that the cushioning unit has failed.

Abstract: A system for indicating whether a hydraulic--pneumatic cushioning unit mounted on a railway car to cushion impacts contains sufficient hydraulic fluid to cushion impacts includes a signal assembly mounted on the body of the cushioning device, the signal assembly unit including a pressure indicator and a signal unit which is removably mounted on the pressure indicator. A cable connects the signal unit to a radio mounted on the railway car. An actuator in the pressure indicator moves when sufficient hydraulic fluid is lost from the cushioning device to impair the ability of the device to cushion shocks. Movement of the actuator operates a switch or load cell in the assembly to send a signal through the cable to the radio which then broad-casts a signal indicating that the cushioning unit is inoperative.

Abstract: A buffer for railway vehicles includes a plunger telescopically received within an outer cylinder. An internal speed control valve, essentially independently of the forces acting on the buffer, causes the buffer to move inwardly at a predetermined initial velocity which is reduced by a uniform deceleration of such a level that the main portion of the plunger stroke is always used. The initial velocity corresponds to the maximum speed allowed during shunting operations, plus a safety margin determined by experience. The buffer has a leakage slot between the plunger and the cylinder to allow fluid flow around a throttling valve when the throttling valve is closed. The area of the leakage slot is dependent on the pressure within the buffer and the position of the plunger relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: A railway car hydraulic cushioning unit prevents the mixing of gas and hydraulic fluid in chambers interiorly and exteriorly of a high pressure cylinder unit by strategic placing of metering ports through the cylinder wall at positions below the level of gas in the exterior chamber. The invention is furthermore directed to a method for converting hydraulic cushioning units adapted for connection to an external spring operated restoring mechanism to a self-contained gas return unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic buffer for a vehicle, the buffer including a piston and cylinder arrangement in which the piston is displaced by the pressure of hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic fluid being contained in a chamber defined by the piston and cylinder, the chamber being in flow communication with a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, a valve being provided for permitting flow from the chamber to the reservoir, the valve comprising a perforated resilient sleeve in flow communication with the interior of the chamber and a resilient bush mounted on the periphery of the sleeve, an increase in pressure within the chamber causing deformation of the sleeve and bush, the deformation constituting the opening of the valve.

Abstract: This energy absorber has an inner cylinder telescopically mounted in an outer cylinder and carries a cylinder cap separating cylinder interspace into a pair of contractible and expandable pressure chambers filled with a hydraulic fluid. On impact, the cylinders telescope and a one-piece elastomeric valve controls the flow of fluid between chambers through an orifice in the cylinder cap. The valve is a variable rate spring having a relatively constant force/deflection characteristic to control oil flow while providing high efficiency pressure relief action. Gas spring means provides the motive force to return the unit to an extended position after removal of the impact load.

Abstract: Energy absorbing unit for vehicle bumper support having inner and outer telescoping cylinders with primary valve for metering fluid between a pair of contractible and expansible fluid chambers to dissipate impact energy. An auxiliary pressure relief valve internal of the unit in parallel with the primary valve opens in response to predetermined pressure buildup in one of the chambers to control pressure and prevent damage to the unit. A gas spring in the unit moves the two cylinders in their extended position on removal of bumper impact load.

Abstract: An end-of-car hydraulic pneumatic cushioning device for connecting to the coupler of a railway car having a piston mounted within a cylinder and a piston rod secured to the piston extending rearwardly from the cylinder. The piston divides the cylinder into a front high pressure chamber and a rear low pressure chamber, and a gaseous and liquid fluid mixture is provided in both the high and low pressure chambers. The piston carries normally closed metering valves which open in buff travel a buff flow passage between the low and high pressure chambers after around two inches or more of buff travel from neutral extended position, and open upon return draft travel after buff travel a restricted draft flow passage between the low and high pressure chambers. The gas in the fluid mixture particularly upon high velocity impact loads is dispersed throughout the liquid and thus has a large contact area with the liquid to minimize the increase in temperature of the gas upon being compressed.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic shock absorber for use between a bumper and the chassis of a motor vehicle has a cylinder and a plunger guided in the cylinder by the radially enlarged inner end portion of the plunger and by an annular sealing assembly which axially bound a gap radially defined by respective walls of the cylinder and plunger. The sealing assembly includes a rigid guide ring axially secured on the plunger, a resilient sealing ring, and a backing ring of intermediate hardness axially interposed between the guide ring and the sealing ring. The hollow interior of the plunger is partly filled with a compressed gas and partly by liquid which also occupies the cylinder chamber outwardly closed by the plunger, a throttling passage in a closing disc which is an end wall of the plunger, and the remainder of the hollow plunger interior, the liquid being separated from the compressed gas by a floating partition in the plunger.

Abstract: The bumper of a vehicle is secured to the vehicle chassis by shock absorbers having each a cylinder attached to the vehicle chassis and a hollow piston assembly attached to the bumper. Liquid in the cylinder communicates with liquid in the piston assembly through a throttling passage in the piston, and a compressed gas cushion acting on the liquid in the piston assembly biases the assembly outward of the cylinder cavity against an abutment. The initial gas pressure and dimensions of the shock absorber are so selected that the total energy absorbed by the shock absorber while the piston assembly is pushed from its normal to its innermost position by the greatest impact energy capable of being totally absorbed is consumed to at least 20% by reversible compression of the gas cushion.