End enclosure for light rail vehicles
AssigneeApplied Research Associates, Inc.
InventorsRobert T. Bocchieri, Alexander D. Zeigle, Steven W. Kirkpatrick, Travis Lowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An enclosure system attachable to a railway vehicle to protect automobiles in the event of a collision. The enclosure system having an enclosure panel that is actuatable between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. A breakaway mechanism configured to allow certain components of enclosure system to release from the railway vehicle in the event of a collision with another railway vehicle to ensure the anticlimbers engage between the railway vehicles to prevent override. The enclosure system having a coupler centering assembly for maintaining a coupler in a forward position when the enclosure is in the deployed configuration.
Claims20
A railway vehicle enclosure apparatus, comprising:
- an enclosure panel;
- one or more actuation systems, each comprising an actuating cylinder adapted to actuate the enclosure panel between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration;
- and
- a breakaway system engaging lateral sides of the enclosure panel when in the deployed configuration, the breakaway system comprising:
- at least one breakaway panel abutting the lateral sides of the enclosure panel at a first end and configured to detach from the railway vehicle enclosure apparatus upon a force being exerted on the enclosure panel;
- and
- at least one breakaway block each having a guide slot,
- wherein the guide slot and the at least one breakaway block transiently maintain a position of the at least one breakaway panel.
An enclosure system for a railway vehicle, the enclosure system comprising:
- an enclosure panel;
- and
- a breakaway system engaging lateral sides of the enclosure panel, the breakaway system comprising:
- at least one breakaway panel abutting the lateral sides of the enclosure panel at a first end;
- one or more breakaway blocks transiently maintaining a position of the at least one breakaway panel;
- and
- one or more shear blocks engaging the at least one breakaway panel at a second end,
- wherein the one or more breakaway blocks and the one or more shear blocks are configured to guide the at least one breakaway panel upon a force being exerted on the enclosure panel.
An enclosure system for a railway vehicle, the enclosure system comprising:
- an enclosure panel;
- one or more actuation mechanisms coupled to the enclosure panel, the one or more actuation mechanisms comprising:
- one or more linkage arms coupled to the enclosure panel;
- one or more linkage drive cranks coupled to the one or more linkage arms;
- and
- one or more actuating cylinders configured to drive rotation of the one or more linkage drive cranks,
- wherein rotation of the one or more linkage drive cranks actuates the one or more linkage arms, thereby actuating the enclosure panel between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration;
- and
- a coupler centering assembly, comprising at least one horizontal corral and at least one vertical corral configured to bias a coupler of the railway vehicle towards and through the coupler centering assembly and maintain the coupler therethrough when the enclosure panel is in the deployed configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.