Patent ID: 8939300
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: B61G

Abstract:
1. A friction/elastomeric draft gear, comprising: a hollow metal housing open at a first end and closed toward the second end thereof, said housing defining a longitudinal axis for said draft gear and has a series of tapered longitudinally extended inner surfaces opening to and extending from the first end of said housing, and wherein said housing has two pairs of joined and generally parallel walls extending from the closed second end toward the first end such that said walls define a hollow chamber having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration for a major portion of the length thereof and which opens to the open end of said housing; a series of friction members equally spaced about the longitudinal axis of said housing at the first end of said housing, with each friction member having axially spaced first and second ends and an outer surface extending between said ends, with the outer surface on each friction member being operably associated with one of said tapered longitudinally extended inner surfaces on said housing so as to define a first angled friction sliding surface therebetween; a wedge member arranged for axial movement relative to the first end of said housing and against which an external force can be applied, said wedge member defining a series of outer tapered surfaces equally spaced about the longitudinal axis of said housing and equal in number to the number of friction members, with each outer tapered surface on said wedge member being operably associated with an inner surface on each friction member so as to define a second angled friction sliding surface therebetween and such that said wedge member produces a radially directed force against said friction members upon movement of said wedge member inwardly of the housing; a spring seat arranged within the hollow chamber, with one surface of said spring seat being arranged in operable engagement with the second end of each friction member; a spring assembly disposed in the hollow chamber between the closed end of said housing and a second surface of said spring seat for storing, dissipating and returning energy imparted to said draft gear, with said spring assembly comprising a axial stack of individual elastomeric springs, with each individual elastomeric spring including an elastomeric pad having a generally rectangular shape, in plan, approximating the cross-sectional configuration of the hollow chamber of said housing whereby optimizing the capability of said spring assembly to store, dissipate and return energy imparted to said draft gear during its operation; and with said spring assembly being configured to function in operable combination with the disposition of said first and second angled sliding surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis of said draft gear such that said draft gear consistently and repeatedly withstands 100 KJ of energy imparted to said draft gear while not exceeding a force level of two meganewtons over a range of travel of said wedge member in an inward axial direction relative to said housing greater than about 90 mm.