The invention is directed to a draft and buffer apparatus for a track-guided vehicle. The apparatus includes a coupling rod and a draft yoke for connecting the coupling rod to the vehicle body. An energy-dissipating device is arranged between the vehicle and the coupling rod for receiving draft and buffer forces. The energy-dissipating device includes a reversible energy-dissipating unit and is configured so as to cause the force flow of the buffer loads transmitted thereto from the coupling rod and of the draft loads transmitted via the draft yoke thereto to be conducted through the energy-dissipating device and to be transmitted to the vehicle body. The energy-dissipating device further includes an irreversible energy-dissipating unit providing irreversible energy dissipation. The energy-dissipation device is mounted within the axial extent of the draft yoke when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The invention is directed to a draft and buffer apparatus for a track-guided vehicle. The apparatus includes a coupling rod and a draft yoke for connecting the coupling rod to the vehicle body. An energy-dissipating device is arranged between the vehicle and the coupling rod for receiving draft and buffer forces. The energy-dissipating device includes a reversible energy-dissipating unit and is configured so as to cause the force flow of the buffer loads transmitted thereto from the coupling rod and of the draft loads transmitted via the draft yoke thereto to be conducted through the energy-dissipating device and to be transmitted to the vehicle body. The energy-dissipating device further includes an irreversible energy-dissipating unit providing irreversible energy dissipation. The energy-dissipation device is mounted within the axial extent of the draft yoke when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

An energy absorption/coupling system for a railcar including a draft assembly provided toward opposed ends of a centersill on the railcar. Each draft assembly includes a coupler and a draft gear assembly disposed in longitudinally disposed and operable relation relative to each other. The coupler is configured to allow at least 4.5 inches of travel in a single longitudinal direction during operation of the coupler. The draft gear assembly of each draft assembly is configured to consistently and repeatedly withstand up to about 110,000 ft-lbs. of energy imparted to the energy absorption/coupling system at a force level not to exceed 900,000 lbs. over a range of travel of a wedge member in an inward axial direction relative to the housing of at least 4.5 inches. With the present invention disclosure, high level impact forces between rail cars can be absorbed and dissipated while maintaining an overall length of the railcar constant and unchanged. A method for releasably coupling two railcars to each other is also disclosed.

An energy absorption/coupling system for a railcar including a draft assembly provided toward opposed ends of a centersill on the railcar. Each draft assembly includes a coupler and a draft gear assembly disposed in longitudinally disposed and operable relation relative to each other. The coupler is configured to allow at least 4.5 inches of travel in a single longitudinal direction during operation of the coupler. The draft gear assembly of each draft assembly is configured to consistently and repeatedly withstand up to about 110,000 ft-lbs. of energy imparted to the energy absorption/coupling system at a force level not to exceed 900,000 lbs. over a range of travel of a wedge member in an inward axial direction relative to the housing of at least 4.5 inches. With the present invention disclosure, high level impact forces between rail cars can be absorbed and dissipated while maintaining an overall length of the railcar constant and unchanged. A method for releasably coupling two railcars to each other is also disclosed.

A railcar yoke for a railcar energy absorption/coupling system. The yoke includes a rigid and elongated top wall joined to and axially extending from a back wall toward an open forward end of the yoke along with a rigid and elongated bottom wall joined to and axially extending from said back wall toward the open forward end of the yoke. The top and bottom walls of the yoke are separated by a distance whereby allowing an energy management system to be disposed therebetween. Each of the top and bottom walls of the yoke have two forward-facing stops thereon and which extend in opposed lateral directions from each other. The forward-facing stops on the top wall of the yoke are arranged in a generally coplanar relationship with the two forward-facing stops on the bottom wall of the yoke.

A railcar energy absorption/coupling system including a cushioning assembly arranged in operable combination with a coupler and a yoke. The cushioning assembly is positioned in a draft pocket defined by a draft sill on a railcar between the front and rear stops. The yoke consists of a back wall along with top and bottom walls which are joined to and axially extending from the back wall toward a forward end of the cushioning assembly. The back wall of the yoke is disposed to contact the rear end of the cushioning assembly. The top and bottom walls of the yoke are operably coupled to a shank portion of the coupler toward a forward end of the yoke. The top and bottom walls of the yoke each include stop members which extend in opposed lateral directions from each other and limit draft travel while maximizing buff travel and limit total combined travel of the energy absorption/coupling system. The energy absorption/coupling system has a neutral position, a full buff position disposed a first predetermined distance from the neutral position, and a full draft position disposed a second predetermined distance from the neutral position, with the full buff and full draft positions for the energy absorption coupling system being disposed in opposite directions from the neutral position.

A railcar energy absorption/coupling system including a cushioning assembly arranged in operable combination with a coupler and a yoke. The cushioning assembly is positioned in a draft pocket defined by a draft sill on a railcar between the front and rear stops. The yoke consists of a back wall along with top and bottom walls which are joined to and axially extending from the back wall toward a forward end of the cushioning assembly. The back wall of the yoke is disposed to contact the rear end of the cushioning assembly. The top and bottom walls of the yoke are operably coupled to a shank portion of the coupler toward a forward end of the yoke. The top and bottom walls of the yoke each include stop members which extend in opposed lateral directions from each other and limit draft travel while maximizing buff travel and limit total combined travel of the energy absorption/coupling system. The energy absorption/coupling system has a neutral position, a full buff position disposed a first predetermined distance from the neutral position, and a full draft position disposed a second predetermined distance from the neutral position, with the full buff and full draft positions for the energy absorption coupling system being disposed in opposite directions from the neutral position.

The present invention relates to an elastic coupling (1) between rail vehicle wagons, comprising: an end support (2) or curved head (8) in turn comprising a screwed straight area (5), an intermediate deformation area (6) and an end coupling area (7), the end (8) of the coupling area (7) being curved, an end support (3) or straight head (8) in turn comprising a screwed straight area (5), an intermediate deformation area (6) and an end coupling area (7), the end (8) of the coupling area (7) being straight, and an enclosing case (4) covering the end coupling area (7) of the support (2) and the end coupling area (7) of the support (3),
such that the supports (2) and (3) are attached to one another by draw connection means and by elastic elements. The walls of the intermediate area 6 of the support 2 are curved inwards, and the walls of the intermediate area 6 of the support 3 are curved outwards.

The present invention relates to an elastic coupling (1) between rail vehicle wagons, comprising: an end support (2) or curved head (8) in turn comprising a screwed straight area (5), an intermediate deformation area (6) and an end coupling area (7), the end (8) of the coupling area (7) being curved, an end support (3) or straight head (8) in turn comprising a screwed straight area (5), an intermediate deformation area (6) and an end coupling area (7), the end (8) of the coupling area (7) being straight, and an enclosing case (4) covering the end coupling area (7) of the support (2) and the end coupling area (7) of the support (3),
such that the supports (2) and (3) are attached to one another by draw connection means and by elastic elements. The walls of the intermediate area 6 of the support 2 are curved inwards, and the walls of the intermediate area 6 of the support 3 are curved outwards.

A cushioning device includes a first housing with a first wall, a first extremity, a first open end and a first hollow interior. A second housing includes a second wall, a second extremity, a second open end and a second hollow interior, the second hollow interior sized to receive the first wall therewithin. A spring is disposed within each of the first and second hollow interiors between the first extremity and the second extremity. The first and the second housings are designed for a reciprocal linear movement relative to each other between a first position where the first open end being disposed at a distance from the second extremity and a second position where the first open end being disposed in a direct contact with the second extremity. The cushioning device may be installed within a sill of a railcar to cushion buff or draft forces from a coupler.