A coupler for coupling a railway vehicle to another railway vehicle, comprising a mounting arm for mounting the coupler to a railway vehicle, a coupling arm, and a joint, wherein the mounting arm and the coupling arm are connected to each other via the joint in such a way that the mounting arm and the coupling arm are movable relative to each other and the coupling arm can be brought into a pivoted position. The coupler further comprises a coupler deflecting device to deflect the coupler in a pivoted position when it comes into contact with another coupler.

An articulated joint connection device force-transmits the connection of two components, each extending along a common longitudinal axis in a first working position, and for pivoting one of the two components relative to the other component about a pivot axis, which is arranged perpendicularly and parallel to the longitudinal axis, into at least one other, second working position. Furthermore, a coupling device, particularly for rail vehicles, has a coupling bar with two components which are coupled together via such an articulated joint connection device. The design configuration of the coupling elements is characterized by a drawbar sleeve joint connection.

A snow protection assembly is provided for a coupling region of a rail vehicle. The rail vehicle has, on an end face, a recess which protects against snow, in which recess a coupling of the rail vehicle is arranged. A fixed housing partially extends around the recess. The housing has an opening in the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, from which opening the coupling partially protrudes to enable a process of coupling to an additional rail vehicle. The opening of the fixed housing is peripherally fixedly connected to a first sealing element. A second sealing element is rotatably connected to the coupling, and the second sealing element partially extends around the coupling. The two sealing elements partially overlap in the region of the opening. The two sealing elements are coupled to one another by pressure to protect the opening against the ingress of snow.

A snow protection assembly is provided for a coupling region of a rail vehicle. The rail vehicle has, on an end face, a recess which protects against snow, in which recess a coupling of the rail vehicle is arranged. A fixed housing partially extends around the recess. The housing has an opening in the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, from which opening the coupling partially protrudes to enable a process of coupling to an additional rail vehicle. The opening of the fixed housing is peripherally fixedly connected to a first sealing element. A second sealing element is rotatably connected to the coupling, and the second sealing element partially extends around the coupling. The two sealing elements partially overlap in the region of the opening. The two sealing elements are coupled to one another by pressure to protect the opening against the ingress of snow.

A railroad car including a plurality of penetration resistant and protective structures including a penetration resistant and protective underframe, penetration resistant and protective first end, second end, and center bulkheads, penetration resistant and protective first, second, third, and fourth side walls, and protective first and second roof hatches, all configured to protect internal cylinder assemblies, the pipes that communicate the gas from the cylinders of the cylinder assemblies, and the safety critical valves, regulators, and other equipment connected to such cylinders and pipes of the railroad car in an accident (such as a derailment, crash and/or roll-over).

A railroad car including a plurality of penetration resistant and protective structures including a penetration resistant and protective underframe, penetration resistant and protective first end, second end, and center bulkheads, penetration resistant and protective first, second, third, and fourth side walls, and protective first and second roof hatches, all configured to protect internal cylinder assemblies, the pipes that communicate the gas from the cylinders of the cylinder assemblies, and the safety critical valves, regulators, and other equipment connected to such cylinders and pipes of the railroad car in an accident (such as a derailment, crash and/or roll-over).

A system includes one or more processors and a communication device onboard a first remote vehicle of a vehicle system that includes a controlling vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to establish a communication link with the controlling vehicle, and, in a first mode of operation, to automatically control movement of the designated remote vehicle responsive to movement-control messages received from the controlling vehicle over the communication link. The one or more processors are also configured, responsive to receipt of a designated suspend message from the controlling vehicle, to switch the designated remote vehicle from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation where movement of the designated remote vehicle is controlled independently of the controlling vehicle while maintaining the communication link.

A system includes one or more processors and a communication device onboard a first remote vehicle of a vehicle system that includes a controlling vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to establish a communication link with the controlling vehicle, and, in a first mode of operation, to automatically control movement of the designated remote vehicle responsive to movement-control messages received from the controlling vehicle over the communication link. The one or more processors are also configured, responsive to receipt of a designated suspend message from the controlling vehicle, to switch the designated remote vehicle from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation where movement of the designated remote vehicle is controlled independently of the controlling vehicle while maintaining the communication link.

A connecting structure for an articulated vehicle includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle connected via a coupler along a travelling direction of the articulated vehicle. The structure includes: a pair of anchors disposed at an end of the first vehicle so as to be on both sides of the coupler in a direction perpendicular to the travelling direction in plan view, the end facing the second vehicle; a pair of supports disposed at an end of the second vehicle so as to be on both sides of the coupler in the direction perpendicular to the travelling direction in plan view, the end facing the first vehicle; and a connecting cord having both ends connected to the anchors with an intermediate portion of the connecting cord being supported by the supports. The supports support the connecting cord in a manner allowing for movement of the connecting cord.

A coupling box of a rail vehicle, including a fixed portion fixedly mounted on a vehicle body and a movable portion connecting to a coupler and draft gear; the movable portion is connected to an inner end of the fixed portion by means of a constant-force connecting member, the constant-force connecting member is broken when the coupler and draft gear pushes the movable portion to move inwardly at the time of a collision, so that the movable portion and the fixed portion are able to be separated from each other.