Abstract: A cover that extends over a fastener and methods of installing the cover over the fastener. The cover includes an open end positioned at a member from which the fastener extends. The cover also includes a closed end that extends over the fastener and shields the fastener from the exterior environment that can be combustible. A plurality of holes extend through the cover from the interior space to an exterior environment external to the cap.

Abstract: A rail car includes an elongated floor supporting a rail car body, a draft sill depending from the floor, and a crash energy management (CEM) system. The CEM system includes a coupler plate coupled to the draft sill and depending from the floor between the draft sill and a first end of the floor, a coupler support depending from the floor between the coupler plate and the first end of the floor, an elongated coupler assembly extending from the coupler plate in a direction of the first end of the floor via an opening defined by the coupler support, and at least one cable connected in tension between the coupler support and the coupler plate.

Abstract: An easy-to-maintain frame-type energy-absorption structure, including: a fixing frame, anti-climder which are arranged at the front of the bottom of the fixing frame, energy absorption block which are detachably connected with the fixing frame and the anti-climder respectively, a connecting device for hinging the anti-climder and the fixing frame, and shear pins which are respectively arranged at a junction of the connecting device and the fixing frame, and a junction of the connecting device and the anti-climder. So that changing the traditional whole welded frame type energy absorbing device into an easy-to-maintain frame-type energy-absorption structure, and when a collision occurs, protecting the fixing frame from being damaged, and the energy absorption block can be replaced to achieve reuse it.

Abstract: A collision energy absorbing device of a railcar includes: an outside plate constituting an outer tube including an axis extending in a car longitudinal direction; and at least one partition plate extending in the car longitudinal direction in an internal space surrounded by the outside plate, the at least one partition plate fixed to the outside plate and dividing the internal space. An outer shape of the outer tube is a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a virtual horizontal surface including the axis, and the at least one partition plate includes a missing portion in the internal space.

Abstract: A coupler for transit cars includes a coupler anchor, a coupler mechanism supported to the coupler anchor by a deformation tube and draft gear element, and a coupler support mechanism. The coupler support mechanism includes two support arms pivotally mounted to a lower part of a coupling connector. A tension rod is provided for each support arm to control the pivotal displacement of each support arm. Each support arm further includes a torsion spring which is loaded as the support arm is pivotally displaced in an upward direction and unloaded as the support arm is pivotally displaced in a downward direction. The position of each support arm may be adjusted independently, thereby allowing adjustment of the coupler along longitudinal and lateral planes of the transit car.

Abstract: A rail vehicle having a vehicle body (WKA) comprising on at least one vehicle end a compression zone (STA) located behind an end carrier (ETR) of the vehicle body, and having a central buffer coupling (KUP) extending from a substantially vertical pivot axis (SWA) to the vehicle end and connected to said vehicle body via a coupling carriage (KSL) wherein said coupling carriage (KSL) is attached to said end carrier (ETR) and extending from said end carrier (ETR), bridging said compression zone (STA), towards the vehicle center, and which is guided longitudinally slidable on the vehicle body (WKA).

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic central buffer coupling having a coupling head, a coupling rod and a shock absorber including a destructively-configured force-absorbing member in the form of a deformable tube. The invention provides additional functionality of extendability and retractability to the coupling rod, the and for the central buffer coupling to include a controllable linear drive for the axial displacement of the coupling rod relative the fixing plate and for the bearing block to include a first bearing block component against which adjoins the coupling head-side end of the deformable tube, and a second bearing block component to which the vehicle-side end of the coupling rod is articulated, whereby the second bearing block component is axially displaceable relative the first bearing block component by means of the linear drive.

Abstract: A central buffer coupling for rail-mounted vehicles has a coupling shaft (1) and a drawgear (2) comprising a bearing bracket (4), whereby the rear end (3) of the coupling shaft (1) is connected to the drawgear (2) and coupled to the car body of the rail vehicle via the bearing bracket (4) of the drawgear (2) so as to be horizontally pivotable. The drawgear (2) includes a shock absorber (5, 8), wherein the shock absorber (5, 8) is configured such that upon the exceeding of a definable critical impact force being transmitted through the coupling shaft (1) to the drawgear (2), the connection between the drawgear (2) and the coupling shaft (1) is disengaged and the coupling shaft (1) is at least partially removed from the power flow transmitted to the drawgear (2).

Abstract: A railcar draft gear housing formed from an austempered ductile iron casting having an original shape and including an open end, a closed end, and wall structure axially extending between the housing's ends. The wall structure of the housing defines an axial section between and spaced from the ends. The axial section of the wall structure is configured to withstand impact energy imparted to the housing in excess of 81,000 inch pounds while retaining and exhibiting substantially linear elasticity wherein the resultant ratio of stress to energy input remains substantially constant thereby allowing for flexible distortion of the housing in a manner promoting enhanced energy damping characteristics while allowing the casting to return to the original shape after the impact energy is released threrefrom.

Abstract: A device for elastically supporting the coupling shaft (4) of a central buffer coupling at a rail-borne vehicle with a spring apparatus is provided, which is formed by rings (9) arranged one behind another at mutually spaced locations in the longitudinal direction of the coupling shaft and vertically. The pretensioned rings (9) are held in annular rings (5, 6) of the coupling shaft (4) and of the housing (3). To improve the generation and the adjustability of the pretension of the spring apparatus of the device, the coupling shaft (4) has a collar (11), with which a pretensioning ring (12) is in contact with its rear side, on the one hand, and, and with which the ring (9) located closest to the opening of the housing (3) is in contact, on the other hand, with its front side, wherein the pretensioning ring (12) pretensions the rings (9) in the longitudinal direction of the coupling shaft (4) in the unloaded state of the device.

Abstract: A unique transit system incorporates at least one internally powered, wheeled, transport vehicle having both manual controls enabling a user to drive the vehicle on a surface street and an on-board computer (OBC) system enabling software control of at least vehicle steering and velocity. A controlled roadway system having a roadway surface upon which the transport vehicle runs on its internal power on the same wheels as on surface streets is provided as well. On surface streets off the controlled roadway the manual controls are active, and on the controlled roadway the software controls are active. Manual or computer control depends on whether the vehicle is on the controlled roadway or surface streets. The OBC communicates with a Master computer for the controlled roadway, providing a range of functions. The transport vehicles operate at a fixed and constant speed on the controlled roadway system.

Abstract: To avoid, after excessive shocks in the underframe in the forestructure and at the coupling of a traction/thrust pivoted joint or device of a vehicle, deformations of a central buffer coupling at the underframe of the vehicle is proposed. Arranged between the carrier plate for the support of the traction/thrust device and the coupling uptake at the underframe in each instance is a shock absorber which in case of excessive shocks becomes deformed elastically and/or plastically and permits a deformation path preset for the force acting at the time.

Abstract: In a rail vehicle with anticlimb equipment, the occurring normal shocks are absorbed by draw and buffer devices which are provided in tandem with the central buffer couplers. To take up excessive impacts, an excess-impact safety effective through deformation is built into the coupler bar of the central buffer coupler. The purpose of the inventive arrangement with an additional excess-impact safety is to be able, upon a collision accident, to take up further excess impacts, in addition to those which are absorbed by the excess-impact safety of the coupler bar. The additional excessive-impact safety is so disposed that it remains unaffected during the response of the excess-impact safety of the coupler bar.

Abstract: The stops of a draft gear housing of a rail car central coupler have to meet relatively large tractive and compressive forces in service. Up to now the expense involved in the fastening of such stops has been very great. In many cases, where the stops or bearings were joined to the center or stub sill, cracks formed and/or the sill became deformed. This incurs considerable expense for repairs and means a loss of service while the vehicle is being repaired. In accordance with the instant disclosure, to avoid such problems the center or stub sill of the rail car is now made such that the front stop and the rear stop are integral parts of the sill.