Patent ID: 7150368
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: B61G

Abstract:
1. A rail car cushioning device connected to a coupler, being switchable between a locked mode and a cushioning mode, comprising: a housing comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a front head, a rear head and a reservoir, the hydraulic cylinder extends between the front head and the rear head defining a chamber; a piston, comprising a piston rod extending through the front head into the chamber and a piston head carried in the piston chamber, the piston being responsive to buff and draft impacts, and the piston having a metering pin extending outwardly from the piston head towards the rear head and the rear head has an opening with an orifice disposed therein, the metering pin having a tapered cylindrical configuration adapted for engagement with the orifice; and, a valve assembly in fluid communication with the cylinder including a valve body having an inlet opening and an outlet opening defining a passageway, a valve member interposed in the passageway being movable between an open position and a closed position to control fluid flow through the passageway.