An energy absorption/coupling system for a railcar including a draft assembly provided toward opposed ends of a centersill on the railcar. Each draft assembly includes a coupler and a draft gear assembly disposed in longitudinally disposed and operable relation relative to each other. The coupler is configured to allow at least 4.5 inches of travel in a single longitudinal direction during operation of the coupler. The draft gear assembly of each draft assembly is configured to consistently and repeatedly withstand up to about 110,000 ft-lbs. of energy imparted to the energy absorption/coupling system at a force level not to exceed 900,000 lbs. over a range of travel of a wedge member in an inward axial direction relative to the housing of at least 4.5 inches. With the present invention disclosure, high level impact forces between rail cars can be absorbed and dissipated while maintaining an overall length of the railcar constant and unchanged. A method for releasably coupling two railcars to each other is also disclosed.
Energy absorption/coupling system for a railcar and related method for coupling railcars to each other
06.06.2017
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B61F Untergestelle für Schienenfahrzeuge, z.B. Fahrgestellrahmen, Drehgestelle oder Anordnungen der Radsätze , RAIL VEHICLE SUSPENSIONS, e.g. UNDERFRAMES, BOGIES OR ARRANGEMENTS OF WHEEL AXLES / B61G Kupplungen besonders ausgebildet für Eisenbahnfahrzeuge , COUPLINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES |