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.

The present invention discloses a train coupler structural health monitoring system. The system includes one or more sensors mounted to or integrated with the train coupler, a data acquisition unit for receiving signal or data from the sensors, and a processing unit for determining the train coupler's structural health based on the received signal or data. Inspections via the system can be performed in real time continuously or periodically while a train is in service. It can also be performed offline while a train is not in service. Inspection method can be either passive, where sensors collect signals without generating excitation signals to the structure, or active, where some sensors are used as actuators to actively send excitation signals to the structure and other sensors or the actuators themselves collect the structural response signals. The data acquisition unit receives signals or data from sensors. The processing unit processes sensor data acquired by the data acquisition unit and determines if there are structural changes or damages.

The present invention discloses a train coupler structural health monitoring system. The system includes one or more sensors mounted to or integrated with the train coupler, a data acquisition unit for receiving signal or data from the sensors, and a processing unit for determining the train coupler's structural health based on the received signal or data. Inspections via the system can be performed in real time continuously or periodically while a train is in service. It can also be performed offline while a train is not in service. Inspection method can be either passive, where sensors collect signals without generating excitation signals to the structure, or active, where some sensors are used as actuators to actively send excitation signals to the structure and other sensors or the actuators themselves collect the structural response signals. The data acquisition unit receives signals or data from sensors. The processing unit processes sensor data acquired by the data acquisition unit and determines if there are structural changes or damages.

A coupler pivot. A coupler (10) comprises at least a first gimbal (31; 32) defining a pivot that is secured to a mounting (41) for securing to a frame member of a vehicle, the pivot also being secured to a buffer column (39) part of which protrudes on an opposite side of the pivot to the mounting (41) such that the buffer column (39) is moveable relative to the mounting (41) with at least two degrees of freedom. The buffer column (39) defines a free (42) end that is remote from the mounting (41) and that is securable to a further member. The buffer column (39) also includes both a reversible buffer that attenuates buff and draft forces acting between the free end (42) and the mounting (41) and also a non-reversible buffer that attenuates buff forces acting between the free end (42) and the mounting (41) and attaining or exceeding a predetermined energy threshold, the reversible and non-reversible buffers overlapping over at least part of their lengths in the buffer column (39) which in turn overlaps at least one of the pivots.

A coupler pivot. A coupler (10) comprises at least a first gimbal (31; 32) defining a pivot that is secured to a mounting (41) for securing to a frame member of a vehicle, the pivot also being secured to a buffer column (39) part of which protrudes on an opposite side of the pivot to the mounting (41) such that the buffer column (39) is moveable relative to the mounting (41) with at least two degrees of freedom. The buffer column (39) defines a free (42) end that is remote from the mounting (41) and that is securable to a further member. The buffer column (39) also includes both a reversible buffer that attenuates buff and draft forces acting between the free end (42) and the mounting (41) and also a non-reversible buffer that attenuates buff forces acting between the free end (42) and the mounting (41) and attaining or exceeding a predetermined energy threshold, the reversible and non-reversible buffers overlapping over at least part of their lengths in the buffer column (39) which in turn overlaps at least one of the pivots.

An intermediate car electric coupler control circuit for a subway vehicle includes a coupling state relay, a power supply circuit for a decoupling electromagnetic valve, a first power supply circuit for an electric coupler control relay, a second power supply circuit for an air path and electric coupler module control electromagnetic valve, and a third power supply circuit for a bus control contactor. A coupler coupling operation is performed exactly according to a sequence of a mechanical coupling, an air path conduction, an electric coupler extension, and a medium- and low-voltage bus closing, wherein contacts of electric couplers are prevented from being damaged. A coupler decoupling operation is performed exactly according to a sequence of a contact heavy-current removal, an electric coupler withdrawal, an air path disconnection and a mechanical decoupling, wherein the contacts are prevented from being damaged by a heavy current arcing and a discharge.

An intermediate car electric coupler control circuit for a subway vehicle includes a coupling state relay, a power supply circuit for a decoupling electromagnetic valve, a first power supply circuit for an electric coupler control relay, a second power supply circuit for an air path and electric coupler module control electromagnetic valve, and a third power supply circuit for a bus control contactor. A coupler coupling operation is performed exactly according to a sequence of a mechanical coupling, an air path conduction, an electric coupler extension, and a medium- and low-voltage bus closing, wherein contacts of electric couplers are prevented from being damaged. A coupler decoupling operation is performed exactly according to a sequence of a contact heavy-current removal, an electric coupler withdrawal, an air path disconnection and a mechanical decoupling, wherein the contacts are prevented from being damaged by a heavy current arcing and a discharge.

A system and method for identifying at least two transport units in coupled relationship forming a consist including determining via the presence of an electrical signal whether one end of a coupling unit at an end of a first transport unit is coupled to a second end of said coupling unit at an end of a second transport unit; determining by computer executable instructions executed by a computer processor a transport unit in closest proximity to said first transport unit; upon a condition in which said one end of said coupling unit is determined to be coupled to a second end of said coupling unit, identifying by said computer processor said second transport unit as said transport unit in closest proximity to said first transport unit.

A system and method for identifying at least two transport units in coupled relationship forming a consist including determining via the presence of an electrical signal whether one end of a coupling unit at an end of a first transport unit is coupled to a second end of said coupling unit at an end of a second transport unit; determining by computer executable instructions executed by a computer processor a transport unit in closest proximity to said first transport unit; upon a condition in which said one end of said coupling unit is determined to be coupled to a second end of said coupling unit, identifying by said computer processor said second transport unit as said transport unit in closest proximity to said first transport unit.

A system includes a bearing bracket, for connecting a coupler rod or a connection rod to a car, and a coupler rod or a connection rod connected to the bearing bracket. The bearing bracket has an adapter and a joint that allows the adapter to swivel relative to the bracket. The rod has a stabilizing element having a surface that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod and is spaced apart from a surface of the bearing bracket. Upon application of a force of a predetermined first strength in one direction, the adapter moves relative to the bracket in the one direction until the surface of the stabilizing element contacts the surface of the bearing bracket. Upon application of a force of a second strength to the rod, the stabilizing element detaches from the rod, so that the rod can move relative to the stabilizing element.