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US 5,222,438 AGranted
Aerodynamic fairing/brake for high-speed trains
AssigneeGrumman Aerospace Corporation
InventorRobert E. Ende
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A series of adjacent flaps is hinge-mounted to the end of a high-speed train car. The actuatable flaps normally assume a fairing mode to close the gap between adjacent train cars and reduce aerodynamic drag. The flaps may be rotated to an inclined position so as to create drag braking when this becomes necessary.
Claims1
A dual aerodynamic function assembly for high speed MAGLEV trains having adjacent in-line cars and comprising:
- a series of flaps pivotally mounted by means of a hinge to a circumferential segment of a car end, each flap displaceable to
- a first position covering a gap existing between the car end and a confronting end of an adjacent car thereby serving as a fairing;
- a second position at an oblique angle to the path of travel thereby creating drag on the train resulting in braking;
- and
- means for actuating the flaps to one or the other position;
- wherein the flaps have rectangular shapes along those lengths of the circumferential segment which are linear;
- and further wherein
- the flaps have contoured edges along those lengths of the circumferential segment which are curved so as to create a close edgewise fit to create a more continuous drag braking surface.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.