Patent ID: 7540387
Filing Date: 2009-06-02
Classification: B61G

Abstract:
1. A friction clutch mechanism, for use in a friction clutch type draft gear assembly, said friction clutch mechanism comprising: (a) a pair of outer stationary plate members, each of said pair of outer stationary plate members having an inner and an outer surface, said outer surface being engageable with a respective radially opposed portion of an inner surface of a draft gear housing member adjacent an open end of such housing member, said inner surface of each of said outer stationary plate members includes a first elongated slot and a first lubricating insert member disposed within said first elongated slot to prevent detrimental sticking of said friction clutch mechanism after closure of such friction clutch type draft gear assembly and during a release cycle thereof, said first lubricating insert members are formed from a mixture of a pre-selected lubricating metal and at least 2% graphite; (b) a pair of movable plate members, each of said movable plate members having at least a predetermined portion of an outer surface thereof frictionally engageable with a respective said inner surface of said pair of outer stationary plate members for absorbing at least a first portion of heat energy generated during closure of such friction clutch type draft gear assembly; (c) a pair of inner stationary plate members, each of said inner stationary plate members having an outer surface thereof frictionally engageable with at least a portion of a respective inner surface of said pair of movable plate members for absorbing at least a second portion of such heat energy generated during closure of such friction clutch type draft gear assembly, an inner surface of said each of said inner stationary plate members being tapered at a first predetermined angle; (d) a pair of wedge shoe members, each of said wedge shoe members including (e) a center wedge member, said center wedge member including a pair of correspondingly tapered surfaces frictionally engageable with an upper tapered surface of a respective one of said pair of wedge shoe members for absorbing at least a fourth portion of such heat energy generated during closure of such friction clutch type draft gear assembly.