US 5,480,042 A · Lock and coupler for a railway ramp car having fluid and electrical couplings

Abstract

A retainer is provided for retaining a catch mounted to a first portion of a split ramp car in its unlocked position as a second portion of a ramp car exits a locking area in which it is previously locked. An arm portion of the retainer extends into the locking area and controls the operation of the retainer in response to the movement of the ramp and the locking area. A fluid coupler, automatically couples a first and second portions of a main reservoir pipe and a first and second portions of a brake pipe connected to each first and second portion of the ramp car respectively, when the ramp is in its raised and travel position. Valves in each of the main reservoir passages close the main reservoir passage when the first and second housings are separated and opens the main reservoir passages when the first and second housings are joined. An electrical coupler is also automatically coupled as the two portions of the ramp car are joined. The fluid and the electrical coupler are mounted to the respective portions of the ramp car so as to be aligned and adjust themselves with respect to the ramp car during mating.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A train including a plurality of rail cars and a ramp car, a main reservoir pipe and a brake pipe running through each car, said ramp car including first and second car portions coupled in a travel condition and separated in a loading condition, said ramp car including fluid coupling means for coupling first portions of said main reservoir and brake pipes on said first car portion to second portions of said main reservoir and brake pipes on said second car portion when said car is in said travel condition, said fluid coupling means comprising:

first and second housings connected to said first and second car portions respectively;
a main reservoir pipe port and brake pipe port in each housing each connected to a respective main reservoir pipe and brake pipe portion;
a main reservoir coupling port and brake coupling port in each housing each connected by a passage to a respective main reservoir pipe port and brake pipe port;
valve means in each of said main reservoir passages for automatically closing said main reservoir passages when said first and second housings are separated and automatically opening said main reservoir passages when said first and second housings are joined.

1 more element

A train including a plurality of rail cars and a ramp car, an electric cable running through each car, said ramp car including first and second car portions coupled in a travel condition and separated in a loading condition, said ramp car including electrical coupling means for coupling a first portion of said electric cable on said first car portion to a second portion of said electric cable on said second car portion when said car is in said travel condition, said electric coupling means comprising:

first and second housings having mating electrical connectors;
alignment means for aligning said first and second housings during mating along a mating axis;
first means for mounting said first housing to said first car portion and allowing movement of said first housing along said mating axis;
and
second means for mounting said second housing to said second car portion and allowing movement of said second housing transverse to said mating axis to facilitate alignment.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lock and coupler for a railway ramp car having fluid and electrical couplings

Life of this patent

Lock and coupler for a railway ramp car having fluid and electrical couplings

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14