Railcar ant-scissoring system
OwnerRodney W. Balkeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A railcar anti-scissoring system includes a base controller positioned within a train locomotive that sends a launch initiation command to railcar-stabilizing units when detecting rapid deceleration indicative of a collision or derailment. The stabilizing units include a receiver secured to the rear end of each rail car and a coupling unit attached to the front end of each rail car. The coupling unit houses a deployable locking rod that is thrust into a mating cavity in the receiver upon receipt of the launch command. The deployed locking rod maintains the host railcar and the preceding railcar in a linear orientation during a rapid deceleration to prevent jackknifing.
Claims13
In combination with a train having a locomotive, a leading railcar and a trailing railcar, said leading railcar and said trailing railcar each having a front end and a rear end, an anti-scissoring system comprising:
- a receiver mounted on the rear end of said leading railcar, said receiver having an open rear end with a cavity formed therein;
- a coupling unit mounted on the front end of said trailing railcar, said coupling unit including a hollow cylinder having an open front end in communication with an interior chamber;
- a deployable locking rod received within said cylinder, said locking rod having a forward end that is dimensioned and configured to firmly fit within said cavity;
- means for deploying said locking rod from said cylinder and into said receiver upon deceleration of said train, wherein said means comprises a base controller positioned within said locomotive, said base controller including an accelerometer for detecting rapid train deceleration and a wireless transmitter that sends a launch command to said coupling unit.
In combination with a train having a locomotive, a leading railcar and a trailing railcar, said leading railcar and said trailing railcar each having a front end and a rear end, an anti-scissoring system comprising:
- a receiver mounted on the rear end of said leading railcar, said receiver having an open rear end with a cavity formed therein;
- a coupling unit mounted on the front end of said trailing railcar, said coupling unit including a hollow cylinder having an open front end in communication with an interior chamber;
- a deployable locking rod received within said cylinder, said locking rod having a forward end that is dimensioned and configured to firmly fit within said cavity;
- means for deploying said locking rod from said cylinder and into said receiver upon deceleration of said train;
- a latching mechanism for anchoring the locking rod in the deployed position, wherein said latching mechanism includes a casing affixed to an outer surface of said hollow cylinder;
- a spring-biased plunger received within said casing and carrying a locking plate that extends into the interior chamber of said cylinder and engages said locking rod, whereby when said locking rod is deployed, said plate extends to a position behind said locking rod to prevent said locking rod from being forced back into said cylinder by said leading railcar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.