RAIL VEHICLE COUPLER SYSTEM

Description

BACKGROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a rail vehicle coupler system. Other embodiments relate to a yoke assembly for a rail vehicle coupler system.

DISCUSSION OF ART

Couplers are used to connect rail vehicles with each other for travel along routes. The couplers can include mechanical heads with hooks that are connected to yokes by pins (e.g., clevis pins). The heads have “duck bill” flanges below the pins that contact the yokes. The yokes include guide rods that are biased by springs within the bodies of the yokes. The guide rods and springs can help to position the hooks within the heads at the proper height above a rail and with the proper alignment for coupling with the hook of another rail vehicle. The springs included in the yokes apply a biasing force to the guide rods, which in turn is applied to the heads to pivot the hooks about or around the pins.

The head that contact the yokes can include wear plates that contact ends of the guide rods in the yokes. These wear plates can wear down over time and require replacement. According to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023/0063070, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the yoke bodies also can include wear rings along internal surfaces of the yoke bodies. Spring retainers that extend around the guide rods in the yoke bodies can contact the wear rings. Articulation of the head and variation in the assembled parts can cause the yoke body, the guide rod, the wear rings, and the spring retainers to wear down over time. This wear also can result in misalignment of the guide rod within the yoke body. Such misalignment can: impede coupling of the mating coupler hooks, require more frequent repair or maintenance of the yokes and other components, and otherwise interfere with safe and reliable operation of the couplers. It may therefore be desirable to have systems that reduce the potential for wearing of components.

This background section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with supporting information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a yoke assembly includes a housing defining a front end and an opposite rear end, the housing defining an inner chamber between the front end and the rear end, a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end. The yoke assembly includes a conical spring disposed within the housing and positioned in proximity to the rear end, the conical spring extending a distance from the rear end in the direction of the front end. The yoke assembly includes a guide rod extending through the conical spring and the inner chamber of the housing and aligned axially with the longitudinal axis. The guide rod is positioned to be engaged by a mechanical head of a first coupler system of a first rail vehicle.

In another embodiment, a coupler system includes a mechanical head including a hook, and a yoke assembly connected to the mechanical head. The yoke assembly includes a housing defining a front end and an opposite rear end, the housing defining an inner chamber between the front end and the rear end, a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end. The yoke assembly includes a conical spring disposed within the housing and positioned in proximity to the rear end, the conical spring extending a distance from the rear end in the direction of the front end. The yoke assembly includes a guide rod extending through the conical spring and the inner chamber of the housing and aligned axially with the longitudinal axis. The guide rod is positioned to be engaged by the mechanical head.

In an embodiment, a yoke assembly includes a housing and a spring assembly that includes a conical spring, a spring retainer, and a guide rod. The housing defines a front end and an opposite rear end, an inner chamber between the front end and the rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end. The conical spring has a first spring end with a first diameter and a second spring end with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The conical spring is disposed within the housing with the second spring end positioned proximate the rear end of the housing and the first spring end positioned proximate the front end of the housing. The spring retainer has an opening and engages the first spring end of the conical spring. The guide rod has an elongated body and a head attached to the elongated body. The elongated body extends through the opening of the spring retainer and through the conical spring and the inner chamber of the housing and is aligned axially with the longitudinal axis. The spring assembly is positioned such that contact is minimized between the spring assembly and the front end of the housing, and the yoke assembly lacks wear components between the front end of the housing and the first spring end and spring retainer. The head of the guide rod is configured to abut the spring retainer. The guide rod is configured, when the head of the guide rod is pressed upon by a head part of a rail vehicle coupler system, to press upon the spring retainer for the spring retainer to compress the conical spring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and aspects of embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements are not necessarily depicted to scale:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a side view of one example of a coupler system of a drawbar assembly of a rail vehicle;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a perspective view of the coupler system as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a partial sectional view of the components located in circle A as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A schematically depicts a side view of one embodiment of an exemplary yoke assembly;

FIG. 4B schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of the yoke assembly shown in FIG. 4A along line A-A;

FIG. 4C schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of the yoke assembly shown in FIG. 4A mounted with respect to a partial view of the coupler system as shown in FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 schematically depicts an exploded perspective view of the yoke assembly shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a coupler system 100 of a drawbar assembly 10. FIG. 2 illustrates one example of the coupler system of FIG. 1. The coupler system is secured to a rail vehicle and includes a hook 102 that engages a similar hook of another coupler to connect one rail vehicle with another rail vehicle (also called coupling mechanism) for travel together. The hook is a component of a mechanical head 104 that contacts a yoke 106. The hook and head can move (e.g., pivot) about a pin 108 that connects the coupler system with the rail vehicle. The yoke assembly includes a spring that provides support for the head by pushing the guide rod of the yoke assembly against the head.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the coupler system shown in FIG. 1 and one example of the spring support provided on the yoke also shown in FIG. 2. The spring support of the yoke includes a housing 200 or body with a guide rod 202 disposed in the housing. The spring support of the yoke also includes a spring retainer 204 extending around the guide rod and a wear ring 206 along an interior surface of the housing. A spring 208 is disposed inside the housing of the yoke. The spring is a traditional compression spring defining a consistent diameter throughout. The “duck bill” flange of the head can include a wear plate 210 that contacts one end of the guide rod. This contact may impart a force on the guide rod, which is absorbed as the spring is compressed within the housing of the yoke. The spring applies a bias onto the spring retainer and guide rod to urge the head outward, in the direction of the hook. This helps support the hook in the position shown in FIG. 3 for coupling with another hook (e.g., by pivoting the hook about or around the pin).

As described above, however, if the hook of one coupler system is not aligned with the hook of another coupler system (e.g., one hook is higher than the other hook due to wear on wheels of the rail vehicle or other causes), the misalignment can produce a misalignment of the forces exerted on the guide rod. For example, the forces that may be misaligned may include the force produced through contact between the duckbill flange and one end of the guide rod and the biasing force produced by the spring. This can increase the wear on the housing, the wear ring, the wear plate, and other components of the yoke assembly. For example, the misalignment can cause the spring and/or spring retainer to contact and rub along the interior surfaces of the housing of the yoke, thereby causing undesirable wear along the housing.

FIG. 4A illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary yoke assembly 300 and FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary yoke assembly shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary yoke assembly mounted with respect to a partial view of the coupler system. FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary yoke assembly. The yoke assembly shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C and FIG. 5 may be used in place of the yoke shown in FIGS. 1-3. For example, the coupler system shown in FIGS. 1-3 can be manufactured to include the yoke assembly shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5 when supplied new. Optionally, the coupler system shown in FIGS. 1-3 (or another coupler system) can be retrofitted with the yoke assembly shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., by removing the yoke of the existing coupler system and replacing the removed yoke with the exemplary yoke assembly).

The yoke assembly includes a housing 302 that has a substantially cylindrical configuration and comprises a housing wall with varying longitudinal dimensions and the substantially cylindrical housing defines an inner chamber 303. In some embodiments, the housing may include a cylindrical, annular shape. The housing may define alternative shapes and configurations. A spring 304 is disposed at least partially within the chamber of the housing of the yoke assembly. The spring may be sized and shaped to prevent contact with an inner sidewall 305 of the housing. Further, in some embodiments, the housing may be partially exposed so as to prevent contact between a first end 308 (e.g., front end) of the housing and at least the spring or a spring retainer 320.

The housing defines a first opening 306 at the first end of the housing and a second opening 310 at an opposite second end 312 (e.g., rear end) of the housing. The first opening at the first end is in proximity to the “duck bill” flange of the head (FIG. 4C). The first opening may have a larger diameter than the second opening. In alternative embodiments, one or both of the openings, may have a different size diameter. Although the openings are described as circular with a corresponding diameter dimension, the openings, may comprise any suitable shape and associated dimensions. The yoke assembly defines a longitudinal axis A that extends the entirety of the housing and through the aligned first and second openings. The housing includes a neck feature 314 that extends a distance from the second end in the direction of the first end within the inner chamber. The neck feature may be axially aligned with the second opening along axis A.

A first spring end 318 (e.g., front spring end) of the spring is positioned in proximity to the first end of the housing and opposite from a second spring end 319. The second spring end (e.g., rear spring end) of the spring is positioned in proximity to the second end of the housing and in direct or indirect contact with a base surface 316 of the housing. In one or more embodiments, the second spring end is secured to the base surface or second end, thereby preventing sliding of the spring. In addition, when the second spring end is secured to the base surface or second end, the second spring end provides a self-centering, stabilizing force to the first spring end. The first spring end and/or the second spring end may be planar. For example, the first spring end and/or the second spring end may be flat and, in some cases, may be parallel with each other. The spring is aligned axially with the longitudinal axis A. The spring may be aligned axially with the neck feature. The second spring end of the spring may be positioned relative to at least a portion of the neck feature such that the neck feature extends a distance from the second spring end in the direction of the first spring end. The spring is a conical spring defining a first diameter at the first spring end and a second diameter at the second spring end that has a magnitude that is greater than the magnitude of the first diameter. In a non-limiting example, the first diameter of the spring may have a range between about 2 inches to about 3 inches. For example, the first diameter of the spring may be about 2.57 inches. In a non-limiting example, the second diameter of the spring may have a range between about 4 inches to about 6 inches. For example, the second diameter of the spring may be about 4.23 inches.

The spring extends in the direction of the first end from the base surface of the housing. The spring defines a first axial length when the spring is in an uncompressed state and a second axial length when the spring is in a compressed state. The first and second spring ends, respectively, are separated by a longitudinal distance. In the uncompressed state, the longitudinal distance separating the ends is greater than the longitudinal distance separating the ends in the compressed state. In a non-limiting example, the first axial length of the spring may have a range between about 5 inches to about 8 inches.

The yoke assembly includes a spring retainer. The spring retainer is in direct or indirect contact with the first spring end of the spring. The spring retainer is sized and shaped to have a diameter that is at least equal to the first diameter of the spring. The spring retainer may define a protrusion 321 that is positioned within the spring relative to the first spring end. The body of the spring retainer may have a diameter that is greater than the protrusion such that the protrusion is positioned within the spring and the body of the spring retainer is positioned with respect to the first spring end of the spring.

A guide rod 322 includes an elongated body (e.g., a shaft) and extends longitudinally in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. The guide rod extends through axially aligned openings of the spring retainer and the spring, e.g., the spring retainer may define a central opening that is dimensioned to receive the guide rod therethrough. The guide rod defines a first rod end 324 (e.g., front rod end) and an opposed second rod end 326 (e.g., rear rod end). The first rod end of the guide rod may be positioned closer to the first end of the housing than the second rod end of the guide rod. The second rod end of the guide rod may be positioned closer to the second end of the housing than the first rod end of the guide rod. The guide rod extends at least partially through and is axially aligned with the first and second openings. The guide rod defines a diameter that is equal to or less than the magnitudes of the diameters of the first and the second openings, respectively of the housing.

The guide rod defines or includes a head 328 or coupling relative to the first rod end that is axially aligned with the elongated body of the guide rod. The rod head defines a diameter that is greater than the magnitude of the diameter of the elongated body of the guide rod. The rod head is in contact with the spring retainer at a position opposite from the protrusion. In other instances, the guide rod may be in direct contact with the first spring end of the spring. Movement of the guide rod in the direction of the second end causes movement of the spring retainer in the same direction. The movement of the spring retainer in the direction of the second end causes the spring to compress to a distance that is less than the first distance and equal to or greater than the second distance. The rod head is in direct or indirect contact with the “duck bill” flange of the head (FIG. 4C). The rod head of the guide rod is in contact with a wear plate 330 that is positioned in contact with the “duck bill” flange of the head. However, in one or more embodiments, the guide rod is not in direct contact with the housing, thereby further minimizing or preventing undesirable wear along the housing. Accordingly, contact and wear may be minimized between guide rod and the housing.

One or more annular bodies (e.g., a flexible ring (not shown), washers 332, and/or a nut 334, such as a Hong Kong nut) and a yoke pin 336 can be located between the second end of the housing and the second rod end of the guide rod. The yoke pin can be inserted through an opening or channel 337 radially extending through the guide rod. The guide rod can be positioned through openings in the annular bodies, with the yoke pin holding the annular bodies, against the housing. The flexible ring may be formed from one or more elastomers, such as rubber.

The distance that the guide rod (e.g., rod head) protrudes from the housing can be controlled by adding or removing washers between the second end of the housing and the yoke pin. For example, as more washers are added between the housing and the yoke pin, the first rod end of the guide rod moves in the direction of the second end of the housing and the spring may be slightly compressed. For example, the rod head of the guide rod moves in the direction of the second end of the housing such that the rod head protrudes less from the first end of the housing. Conversely, as fewer washers are between the housing and the yoke pin, the guide rod moves less in the direction of the second end of the housing and the spring may be less compressed or not compressed. For example, the rod head of the guide rod moves less in the direction of the second end of the housing such that the rod head protrudes more from the first end of the housing.

In operation, the “duck bill” flange of the head of the coupler system engages or abuts the rod head of the guide rod of the yoke assembly. When the coupler system is connected with another coupler system, this engagement compresses the spring inside the housing of the yoke assembly. For example, the pressure exerted on the rod head of the guide rod by the mechanical head can urge the guide rod and the spring retainer in a direction toward the second end of the housing of the yoke assembly. As a result, the spring is compressed between the base surface of the housing and the spring retainer by the guide rod.

When the coupler system is not connected with another coupler system, the spring inside the housing of the yoke assembly pushes the “duck bill” flange of the head of the coupler system in the direction away from the first end of the yoke assembly. For example, the spring pushes against the spring retainer in the direction towards the first end of the housing. The spring retainer pushes against the rod head of the guide rod and the rod head pushes against the “duck bill” flange of the head of the coupler system. When the coupler system is not connected with another coupler system, the “duck bill” flange of the head of the coupler system remains in a position such that the hook (FIGS. 2 and 3) is positioned to receive another coupler system.

During movement, the spring remains substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis A. Thus, during compression and tension, the spring remains substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis A. As such, the spring remains aligned within the housing. The conical spring defining the larger magnitude second diameter at the second spring end provides, in part, stability during compression and tension to maintain conical spring alignment with the longitudinal axis A. To this end, the second spring end may be secured to the base surface or the second end. It should be understood that the conical spring may become misaligned during movement without repeatedly contacting or rubbing the housing, such as the inner sidewall.

The components of the yoke assembly may be more easily removed and repaired or replaced when compared to some known yoke assemblies. For example, the yoke pin can be pulled from the guide rod (e.g., in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis) to allow for annular bodies (e.g., a flexible ring (not shown), washers, and/or a nut) to be removed from the guide rod. The guide rod, the spring, and the spring retainer may then be removed through the opening in the front end of the housing. One or more of these components can then be inspected, repaired, or replaced without removing the housing of the yoke assembly from the coupler system.

In one or more embodiments, the yoke assembly includes attachment hardware 338 (FIGS. 4A and 4C) that fixes the housing of the yoke assembly to a coupler system. In this way, the yoke assembly may be removable from the coupler system in order to inspect, repair, or replace components of the yoke assembly. The attachment hardware may include nuts, bolts, pins, plates, or any other attachment means known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In one or more embodiments, the yoke assembly includes a flange 340 (FIGS. 4A and 4C) that protrudes from an exterior surface of the housing. The flange may be removably secured to a surface of the coupler system by the attachment hardware, thereby fixing the housing to the surface of the coupler system. In one or more embodiments, the flange and the surface of the coupler system include a plurality of apertures to accommodate the attachment hardware of the yoke assembly.

According to one aspect, the diameter of the first spring end and the diameter of the spring retainer (engaging the first spring end) may be both smaller than a diameter of the first opening of the housing at the front end of the housing, with neither the conical spring nor the spring retainer contacting the housing at its front end, and with there being no supporting components contacting or interposed between the front end of the housing and the first spring end or spring retainer. Thus, the end of spring assembly (the portion of the yoke assembly that includes the conical spring, spring retainer, and guide rod) located at the front end of the housing is free-floating relative to the housing at that end, and thereby the yoke assembly lacks wear components between the housing and spring assembly at that location. According to another aspect, the spring assembly only contacts the housing at the rear end of the housing, that is, the second spring end of the conical spring contacts the rear end of the housing and no other portion of the spring assembly contacts the housing. The conical spring may have a relatively high degree of off-axis spring stiffness (i.e., the spring is configured to compress along the longitudinal axis of the housing but not to substantially deflect off-axis vertically or horizontally) so that the spring supports the spring retainer and guide rod both longitudinally aligned with the housing longitudinal axis.

This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the subject matter herein, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. As used herein, “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like and is meant to include variations of +/- 15% or less, preferably variations of +/- 10% or less, more preferably variations of +/- 5% or less, even more preferably variations of +/- 1% or less, and still more preferably variations of +/- 0.1% or less of and from the particularly recited value, in so far as such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosure described herein. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself specifically disclosed herein.

As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “front”, “back”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, and the like, are used for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s). It is further understood that the terms “front”, “back”, “left”, and “right” are not intended to be limiting and are intended to be interchangeable, where appropriate. Further, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or relative importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Unless otherwise stated, the terms “body” and “housing” are synonymous for any structure that can support components of a device.

As used herein, the terms “comprise(s)”, “comprising”, and the like, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the terms “configure(s)”, “configuring”, and the like, refer to the capability of a component and/or assembly, but do not preclude the presence or addition of other capabilities, features, components, elements, operations, and any combinations thereof.

All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. Each range disclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or sub-range lying within the disclosed range.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure or any embodiments unless otherwise claimed.