Automated Coupler Positioning Device

A coupler for a railway car comprising a body and a bogie, the coupler comprising:

• a coupler anchor secured to the body of the railway car;
• a coupler mechanism for connecting to the railway car to an adjacent railway car and pivotable relative to the coupler anchor from an on-center position to an off-center position in a substantially horizontal plane;
• and
• a coupler positioning device for pivoting the coupler mechanism relative to the coupler anchor, the coupler positioning device comprising:
• a controller adapted for receiving signal information from the bogie directed to a measured angular position of the bogie relative to a body of the railway car;
• and
• a pair of pneumatic cylinders for pivoting the coupler mechanism, wherein the controller independently controls the operation of the pair of pneumatic cylinders in response to the signal information received from the bogie.

A method for the automated positioning of a railway car coupler of a railway vehicle comprising a body and a bogie, the railway car coupler comprising:

• a coupler anchor secured to the body of the railway vehicle;
• a coupler mechanism for connecting the railway car to an adjacent railway car;
• and
• a coupler positioning device for pivoting the coupler mechanism relative to the coupler anchor, the coupler positioning device comprising a pair of pneumatic cylinders;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• a) measuring an angular position of the bogie relative to the body of the railway vehicle;
• b) sending signal information directed to the measured angular position of the bogie to a controller;
• and
• c) the controller independently adjusting pressure provided to the pair of pneumatic cylinders operatively connected to the railway car coupler based on the signal information received by the controller, thereby positioning the railway car coupler in a desired position in a substantially horizontal plane.