Method and apparatus for controlling train action events

Claim 2

In a method of controlling train action phenomena, with apparatus including: impedance means provided between relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of train draft gear; said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with said draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, and at least another cushioning member connected with said traIn vehicle; and said impedance means including cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said cavity means, means operable to receive fluid displaced from at least a portion of said cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; the steps of said method comprising: providing, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, a first level of impedance in said impedance means; providing, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, a second level of impedance substantially less than said first level of impedance, in said impedance means; maintaining said second, lesser level of impedance continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events generating generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and said buff coupling forces generating generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; effecting said first level of impedance by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generated by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from said cavity means through said passage means; continuously biasing said valve means toward an open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; and effecting said second level of impedance by maintaining said valve means in said open condition in response to said relatively higher level, buff coupling forces acting on said one cushioning member.

Claim 3

In a method of controlling train action phenomena with apparatus including: first hydraulic impedance means provided between relatively movable, cushioning members, with said first impedance means being operable to impede draft movement of railway car draft gear; second hydraulic impedance means provided between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said railway car draft gear; said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with said draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, and at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; and said second impedance means including generally high pressure cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said generally high pressure cavity means, generally low pressure cavity means operable to receive fluid displaced from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; and wherein said method includes: providing, in response to draft forces acting on said draft gear and tending to provide runout train action events, a relatively high hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; and providing, in response to low level draft forces acting on said draft gear, a relatively low hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; and maintaining said low hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means continuously operable in The absence of forces acting on said draft gear; the improvement comprising the steps of: providing, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, a first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; providing, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, a second level of hydraulic impedance substantially less than said first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; and maintaining said second, lesser level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events generating generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and said buff coupling forces generating generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; effecting said first level of impedance in said second impedance means by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generated by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; continuously biasing said valve means toward an open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; and effecting said second level of impedance in said second impedance means by maintaining said valve means in said open condition in response to said relatively higher level, buff coupling forces acting on said one cushioning member.

Claim 4

In a method of controlling train action phenomena with apparatus including: first hydraulic impedance means provided between relatively movable, cushioning members, with said first impedance means being operable to impede draft movement of railway car draft gear; second hydraulic impedance means provided between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said railway car draft gear; said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with said draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, and at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; and said second impedance means including generally high pressure cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said generally high pressure cavity means, generally low pressure cavity means operable to receive fluid displaced from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; and wherein said method includes: providing, in response to draft forces acting on said draft gear and tending to provide runout train action events, a relatively high hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; and providing, in response to low level draft forces acting on said draft gear, a relatively low hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; and maintaining said low hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means continuously operable in The absence of forces acting on said draft gear; the improvement comprising the steps of: providing, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, a first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; providing, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, a second level of hydraulic impedance substantially less than said first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; and maintaining said second, lesser level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events generating generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and said buff coupling forces generating generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; effecting said first level of impedance in said second impedance means by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generated by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; continuously biasing said valve means toward an open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; and effecting said second level of impedance in said second impedance means by maintaining said valve means in said open condition in response to said relatively higher level, buff coupling forces acting on said one cushioning member.

Claim 5

Apparatus for controlling train action phenomena, said apparatus comprising: relatively movable, cushioning members; said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, and at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; impedance means disposed between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said draft gear; said impedance means including cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said cavity means, means operable to receive fluid displaced from at least a portion of said cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; first means operable, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, to provide a first level of impedance in said impedance means; second means operable, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a second level of impedance substantially less than said first level of impedance in said impedance means; third means operable to maintain said second, lesser level of impedance continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events being operable to generate generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and said buff coupling forces being operable to generate generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; said first means being operable to effect said first level of impedance by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generAted by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from at least a portion of said cavity means through said passage means; said first means including valve closing means operable, in response to fluid flowing from at least said portion of said cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively lower level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by run-in train action events, to at least partially close said valve means and at least partially restrict fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; said second means including disabling means operable, in response to fluid flowing from at least said portion of said cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively higher level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by buff coupling forces, to substantially prevent valve closing operation of said valve closing means; said third means comprising resilient means continuously biasing said valve means toward a relatively open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear.

Claim 6

Apparatus for controlling train action phenomena, said apparatus comprising: relatively movable, cushioning members; said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, and at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; impedance means disposed between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said draft gear; said impedance means including cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said cavity means, means operable to receive fluid displaced from at least a portion of said cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; first means operable, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, to provide a first level of impedance in said impedance means; second means operable, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a second level of impedance substantially less than said first level of impedance in said impedance means; third means operable to maintain said second, lesser level of impedance continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events being operable to generate generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and said buff coupling forces being operable to generate generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; said first means being operable to effect said first level of impedance by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generAted by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from at least a portion of said cavity means through said passage means; said first means including valve closing means operable, in response to fluid flowing from at least said portion of said cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively lower level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by run-in train action events, to at least partially close said valve means and at least partially restrict fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; said second means including disabling means operable, in response to fluid flowing from at least said portion of said cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively higher level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by buff coupling forces, to substantially prevent valve closing operation of said valve closing means; said third means comprising resilient means continuously biasing said valve means toward a relatively open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear.

Claim 7

Apparatus for controlling train action phenomena, said apparatus comprising: relatively movable cushioning members said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; first impedance means acting between said relatively movable, cushioning members, with said first impedance means being operable to impede draft movement of said car draft gear; second impedance means acting between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said draft gear; said second impedance means including generally high pressure cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said generally high pressure cavity means, generally low pressure cavity means operable to receive fluid displaced from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; means operable, in response to draft forces acting on said draft gear and tending to provide runout train action events, to provide a relatively high impedance level in said first impedance means; means operable, in response to low level draft forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a relatively low impedance level in said first impedance means; first means operable, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, to provide a first level of impedance in said second impedance means; second means operable, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a second level of impedance in said second impedance means substantially less than said first level of impedance in said second impedance means; and means operable to maintain said low level of impedance in said first impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; third means operable to maintain said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events being operable to generate generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning memberS and said buff coupling forces being operable to generate generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; said first means being operable to effect said first level of impedance in said second impedance means by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generated by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least Partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; said first means including valve closing means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively lower level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by run-in train action events, to at least partially close said valve means and at least partially restrict fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; said second means including disabling means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively higher level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by buff coupling forces, to disable said valve closing means, said disabling means including means operable to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; and said third means comprising resilient means continuously biasing said valve means toward a relatively open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear.

Claim 8

Apparatus for controlling train action phenomena, said apparatus comprising: relatively movable cushioning members said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; first impedance means acting between said relatively movable, cushioning members, with said first impedance means being operable to impede draft movement of said car draft gear; second impedance means acting between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said draft gear; said second impedance means including generally high pressure cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said generally high pressure cavity means, generally low pressure cavity means operable to receive fluid displaced from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; means operable, in response to draft forces acting on said draft gear and tending to provide runout train action events, to provide a relatively high impedance level in said first impedance means; means operable, in response to low level draft forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a relatively low impedance level in said first impedance means; first means operable, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, to provide a first level of impedance in said second impedance means; second means operable, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a second level of impedance in said second impedance means substantially less than said first level of impedance in said second impedance means; and means operable to maintain said low level of impedance in said first impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; third means operable to maintain said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events being operable to generate generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning memberS and said buff coupling forces being operable to generate generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; said first means being operable to effect said first level of impedance in said second impedance means by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generated by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least Partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; said first means including valve closing means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively lower level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by run-in train action events, to at least partially close said valve means and at least partially restrict fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; said second means including disabling means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively higher level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by buff coupling forces, to disable said valve closing means, said disabling means including means operable to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; and said third means comprising resilient means continuously biasing said valve means toward a relatively open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear.

Claim 9

Apparatus for controlling train action phenomena, said apparatus comprising: relatively movable, cushioning members said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; first hydraulic impedance means between said relatively movable, cushioning members, with said first impedance means being operable to impede draft movement of said draft gear; second hydraulic impedance means acting between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said draft gear; said second impedance means including generally high pressure cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said generally high pressure cavity means, generally low pressure cavity means operable to receive fluid displaced from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; means operable, in response to draft forces acting on said draft gear and tending to provide runout train action events, to provide a relatively high, hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; means operable, in response to low level draft forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a relatively low, hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; first means operable, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, to provide a first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; second means operable, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a second level of hydraulic impedanCe in said second impedance means substantially less than said first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; means operable to maintain said low hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means continuously operable in the absence of draft forces acting on said draft gear; and third means operable to maintain said second, lesser level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of buff forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events being operable to generate generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and said buff coupling forces being operable to generate generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; said first means being operable to effect said first level of impedance in said second impedance means by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generated by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; said first means including valve closing means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively lower level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by run-in train action events, to at least partially close said valve means and at least partially restrict fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; said second means including disabling means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively higher level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by buff coupling forces, to disable said valve closing means, said disabling means including means operable to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; and said third means comprising resilient means continuously biasing said valve means toward a relatively open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear.

Claim 10

Apparatus for controlling train action phenomena, said apparatus comprising: relatively movable, cushioning members said cushioning members including at least one cushioning member connected with draft gear, with said one cushioning member being movable generally longitudinally of a train vehicle, at least another cushioning member connected with said train vehicle; first hydraulic impedance means between said relatively movable, cushioning members, with said first impedance means being operable to impede draft movement of said draft gear; second hydraulic impedance means acting between said relatively movable cushioning members and operable to impede buff movement of said draft gear; said second impedance means including generally high pressure cavity means containing fluid interposed between said one and said other cushioning members, passage means communicating with said fluid in said generally high pressure cavity means, generally low pressure cavity means operable to receive fluid displaced from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means in response to relative movement of said one and said other of said cushioning members, and valve means operable to control fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; means operable, in response to draft forces acting on said draft gear and tending to provide runout train action events, to provide a relatively high, hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; means operable, in response to low level draft forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a relatively low, hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means; first means operable, in response to buff forces acting on said draft gear and tending to produce run-in train action events, to provide a first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; second means operable, in response to buff coupling forces acting on said draft gear, to provide a second level of hydraulic impedanCe in said second impedance means substantially less than said first level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means; means operable to maintain said low hydraulic impedance level in said first impedance means continuously operable in the absence of draft forces acting on said draft gear; and third means operable to maintain said second, lesser level of hydraulic impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of buff forces acting on said draft gear; said run-in train action events being operable to generate generally lower level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and said buff coupling forces being operable to generate generally higher level buff forces acting on said one of said cushioning members; said first means being operable to effect said first level of impedance in said second impedance means by disposing said valve means in an at least partially closed condition in response to said relatively lower level buff forces generated by run-in train action events and acting on said one cushioning member, with the attainment of said at least partially closed condition of said valve means being operable to increase an impedance to flow of fluid from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; said first means including valve closing means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively lower level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by run-in train action events, to at least partially close said valve means and at least partially restrict fluid flow through at least a portion of said passage means; said second means including disabling means operable, in response to fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means as a result of said relatively higher level forces acting on said one of said cushioning members and generated by buff coupling forces, to disable said valve closing means, said disabling means including means operable to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flowing from said generally high pressure cavity means through said passage means; and said third means comprising resilient means continuously biasing said valve means toward a relatively open condition, with said continuous biasing being operable to effect said maintaining of said second, lesser level of impedance in said second impedance means continuously operable in the absence of forces acting on said draft gear.

Claim 11

A railway cushioning device comprising: cylinder means; piston means disposed within said cylinder means; one of said piston means and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a railway car and the other of said piston and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a coupling member; port means carried by said cylinder means and operable to impede an outward flow of fluid from the interior of said cylinder means in response to relative movement between said cylinder means and piston means; cavity means external of said cylinder means operable to receive a flow of fluid through said port means from the interior of said cylinder means; a valve mechanism carried by said cylinder means and operable to impede a flow of fluid moving out of the interior of said cylinder means through said port means and into said cylinder means in response to buff force induced, relative movement between said piston means and cylinder means; said valve mechanism including valve closing means operable in response to fluid flow through said port means caused by run in train action to at least restrict flow through at least a portion of said port means in response to run-in train action events; said valve mechanism additionally including disabling means operable, in response to flow through said port means caused by buff coupling forces, to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flow through said port means and maintain at least said portion of said port means substantially open; yieldable biasing means operable to maintain at least said portion of said port means continuously open in the absence of forces acting on said coupling member and during operation of said disabling means in order to provide a relatively low impedance to flow through said port means.

Claim 12

A railway cushioning device comprising: cylinder means; piston means disposed within said cylinder means; one of said piston means and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a railway car and the other of said piston and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a coupling member; port means carried by said cylinder means and operable to impede an outward flow of fluid from the interior of said cylinder means in response to relative movement between said cylinder means and piston means; cavity means external of said cylinder means operable to receive a flow of fluid through said port means from the interior of said cylinder means; a valve mechanism carried by said cylinder means and operable to impede a flow of fluid moving out of the interior of said cylinder means through said port means and into said cylinder means in response to buff force induced, relative movement between said piston means and cylinder means; said valve mechanism including valve closing means operable in response to fluid flow through said port means caused by run in train action to at least restrict flow through at least a portion of said port means in response to run-in train action events; said valve mechanism additionally including disabling means operable, in response to flow through said port means caused by buff coupling forces, to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flow through said port means and maintain at least said portion of said port means substantially open; yieldable biasing means operable to maintain at least said portion of said port means continuously open in the absence of forces acting on said coupling member and during operation of said disabling means in order to provide a relatively low impedance to flow through said port means.

Claim 13

A railway cushioning device comprising: cylinder means; piston means disposed within said cylinder means; one of said piston means and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a railway car and the other of said piston and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a coupling member; a plurality of port means intersecting a cylindrical wall of said cylinder means and operable to impede an outward flow of fluid from the interior of said cylinder means in response to relative movement between said cylinder means and piston means; cavity means external of said cylinder means and operable to receive a flow of fluid through said plurality of port means from the interior of said cylinder means; a valve mechanism carried by said cylindrical wall and operable to impede a flow of fluid moving out of the interior of said cylinder means through said port means and into said cavity means in response to buff force induced, relative movement between said piston means and cylinder means; said valve mechanism including valve closing means operable in response to fluid flow through said port means caused by run-in train action to restrict flow through at least a portion of said port means in response to run-in train action events; said valve mechanism additionally including disabling means operable, in response to flow through said port means caused by buff coupling forces, to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flow through said port means and maintain at least said portion of said port means open; and yieldable biasing means operable to maintain at least said portion of said port means continuously open in the absence of forces acting on said coupling member and during operation of said disabling means in order to provide a relatively low impedance to flow through said port means.

Claim 14

A railway cushioning device comprising: cylinder means; piston means disposed within said cylinder means; one of said piston means and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a railway car and the other of said piston and cylinder means being adapted to be connected with a coupling member; a plurality of port means intersecting a cylindrical wall of said cylinder means and operable to impede an outward flow of fluid from the interior of said cylinder means in response to relative movement between said cylinder means and piston means; cavity means external of said cylinder means and operable to receive a flow of fluid through said plurality of port means from the interior of said cylinder means; a valve mechanism carried by said cylindrical wall and operable to impede a flow of fluid moving out of the interior of said cylinder means through said port means and into said cavity means in response to buff force induced, relative movement between said piston means and cylinder means; said valve mechanism including valve closing means operable in response to fluid flow through said port means caused by run-in train action to restrict flow through at least a portion of said port means in response to run-in train action events; said valve mechanism additionally including disabling means operable, in response to flow through said port means caused by buff coupling forces, to substantially isolate said valve closing means from fluid flow through said port means and maintain at least said portion of said port means open; and yieldable biasing means operable to maintain at least said portion of said port means continuously open in the absence of forces acting on said coupling member and during operation of said disabling means in order to provide a relatively low impedance to flow through said port means.

Claim 15

A railway cushioning device comprising: cylinder means; piston means disposed within said cylinder means; one of said piston means and cylinder means being connected with a railway car and the other of said piston and cylinder means being connected with a coupling member; a plurality of ports intersecting the wall of said cylinder means, spaced in an exponential pattern extending generally longitudinally of said cylinder means, and operable to impede an outward flow of fluid from the interior of said cylinder means in response to relative movement between said cylinder means and piston means; a first plurality of said ports being continuously open; a second plurality of said ports, with each port thereof being provided with a valve mechanism operable to control a flow of fluid moving out of said cylinder means in response to buff force induced, relative movement between said piston means and cylinder means; each said valve mechanism including means operable to restrict flow through its associated port means in response to run-in train action events; each said valve mechanism additionally including disabling means operable, in response to buff coupling forces, to maintain its associated port means fully open.

Claim 16

A railway cushioning device comprising: cylinder means; piston means disposed within said cylinder means; one of said piston means and cylinder means being connected with a railway car and the other of said piston and cylinder means being connected with a coupling member; a plurality of ports intersecting the wall of said cylinder means, spaced in an exponential pattern extending generally longitudinally of said cylinder means, and operable to impede an outward flow of fluid from the interior of said cylinder means in response to relative movement between said cylinder means and piston means; a first plurality of said ports being continuously open; a second plurality of said ports, with each port thereof being provided with a valve mechanism operable to control a flow of fluid moving out of said cylinder means in response to buff force induced, relative movement between said piston means and cylinder means; each said valve mechanism including means operable to restrict flow through its associated port means in response to run-in train action events; each said valve mechanism additionally including disabling means operable, in response to buff coupling forces, to maintain its associated port means fully open.

Claim 17

A railway cushioning device comprising: housing means including connecting means operable to connect said housing means with a coupling bar, outer cylinder means, inner cylinder means contained within said outer cylinder means, said inner cylinder means containing a high pressure cavity, said inner and outer cylinder means being spaced to define a relatively low pressure cavity, port means intersecting said inner cylinder means and providing restricted fluid communication between said low and high pressure cavities; piston rod means passing axially through a first end of said outer cylinder means and an adjacent first end of said inner cylinder means; piston means mounted within said inner cylinder means; annular bearing means supporting said piston means for sliding movement relative to and within said inner cylinder means; said piston rod means terminating in fixed connection with one side of said piston means; said inner cylinder means including first cylinder head means at said one end of said inner cylinder means; said inner cylinder means including a second, aperture free, closed cylinder head disposed at a second end of said inner cylinder means and facing another side of said piston means opposite to said one side; generally annular check valve means carried by said first cylinder head means, and operable to open by moving generally away from said first cylinder head means and toward said one side of said piston means; passage means providing fluid communication between said low pressure cavity and said check valve means; third cylinder head means, spaced from said first cylinder head means, and operable to close said first end of said outer cylinder means web means supporting said first cylinder head means in axially aligned and axially spaced relation relative to said third cylinder head means; resilient restoring means tending to resiliently position said piston means at one extremity of said inner cylinder means, first port means disposed at said second end of said inner cylinder means generally adjacent said second cylinder head means; first check valve means operable to permit fluid flow through said first port means from said low pressure cavity to said high pressure cavity; a plurality of second port means formed in said inner cylinder means, spaced generally exponentially of the longitudinal axis of said inner cylinder means, and disposed between said first port means and said first cylinder head means; second control valve means controlling fluid flow through each of said second port means and operable to permit fluid flow from said high pressure cavity to said low pressure cavity; each said second control valve means being operable to substantially restrict fluid flow through its associated second port means in response to run-in train action event forces acting on said coupling bar, and operable to maintain its associated second port means substantially unobstructed in response to buff coupling forces acting on said coupling bar; third port means formed in said inner cylinder means and disposed between said second port means and said first cylinder head means; third control valve means operable to control flow through said third port means; and said third control valve means being operable, in response to runout train action event forces acting on said coupling bar to substantially restrict fluid flow through said third port means, said third control valve means being operable to maintain said third port means substantially open in response to force imposed on said coupling means by said restoring mechanism.

Claim 18

A railway cushioning device comprising: housing means including connecting means operable to connect said housing means with a coupling bar, outer cylinder means, inner cylinder means contained within said outer cylinder means, said inner cylinder means containing a high pressure cavity, said inner and outer cylinder means being spaced to define a relatively low pressure cavity, port means intersecting said inner cylinder means and providing restricted fluid communication between said low and high pressure cavities; piston rod means passing axially through a first end of said outer cylinder means and an adjacent first end of said inner cylinder means; piston means mounted within said inner cylinder means; annular bearing means supporting said piston means for sliding movement relative to and within said inner cylinder means; said piston rod means terminating in fixed connection with one side of said piston means; said inner cylinder means including first cylinder head means at said one end of said inner cylinder means; said inner cylinder means including a second, aperture free, closed cylinder head disposed at a second end of said inner cylinder means and facing another side of said piston means opposite to said one side; generally annular check valve means carried by said first cylinder head means, and operable to open by moving generally away from said first cylinder head means and toward said one side of said piston means; passage means providing fluid communication between said low pressure cavity and said check valve means; third cylinder head means, spaced from said first cylinder head means, and operable to close said first end of said outer cylinder means web means supporting said first cylinder head means in axially aligned and axially spaced relation relative to said third cylinder head means; resilient restoring means tending to resiliently position said piston means at one extremity of said inner cylinder means, first port means disposed at said second end of said inner cylinder means generally adjacent said second cylinder head means; first check valve means operable to permit fluid flow through said first port means from said low pressure cavity to said high pressure cavity; a plurality of second port means formed in said inner cylinder means, spaced generally exponentially of the longitudinal axis of said inner cylinder means, and disposed between said first port means and said first cylinder head means; second control valve means controlling fluid flow through each of said second port means and operable to permit fluid flow from said high pressure cavity to said low pressure cavity; each said second control valve means being operable to substantially restrict fluid flow through its associated second port means in response to run-in train action event forces acting on said coupling bar, and operable to maintain its associated second port means substantially unobstructed in response to buff coupling forces acting on said coupling bar; third port means formed in said inner cylinder means and disposed between said second port means and said first cylinder head means; third control valve means operable to control flow through said third port means; and said third control valve means being operable, in response to runout train action event forces acting on said coupling bar to substantially restrict fluid flow through said third port means, said third control valve means being operable to maintain said third port means substantially open in response to force imposed on said coupling means by said restoring mechanism.

Claim 19

A cushioning device as described in claim 9: wherein said device further includes anchoring means for fixedly securing one end of said piston rod means within a railway car sill, said anchoring means comprising generally rectangular housing means adapted to be fixedly secured to said sill means, said housing means having an apertured wall portion through which one end of said piston rod means passes, spherical bearing means carried at one end of said piston rod means within said housing, fixed abutment means engaging one end of said spherical bearing means, and U-shaped retaining means straddling said one end of said piston rod means and engaging another end of said spherical bearing means, said U-shaped retAining means and said fixed abutment means cooperating to fixedly position said spherical bearing means within said housing means; and said connecting means comprising a first, generally vertically extending, sidewall and a second, generally vertically extending, sidewall horizontally spaced from said first sidewall, a recess formed on the interior of said first sidewall generally facing said second sidewall, said recess being operable to abuttingly receive one end of a coupling bar retaining key, aperture means intersecting said second sidewall and operable to permit said key to pass telescopingly therethrough and abuttingly engage said recess means, said key means, when engaged with said recess means being restrained against longitudinal movement by said first and second sidewalls, and pivoted latch means carried on the interior of said second sidewall and operable to pivot downwardly to latchingly engage said key.

Claim 20

A cushioning device as described in claim 9: wherein said device further includes anchoring means for fixedly securing one end of said piston rod means within a railway car sill, said anchoring means comprising generally rectangular housing means adapted to be fixedly secured to said sill means, said housing means having an apertured wall portion through which one end of said piston rod means passes, spherical bearing means carried at one end of said piston rod means within said housing, fixed abutment means engaging one end of said spherical bearing means, and U-shaped retaining means straddling said one end of said piston rod means and engaging another end of said spherical bearing means, said U-shaped retaining means and said fixed abutment means cooperating to fixedly position said spherical bearing means within said housing means; said connecting means comprising upper wall means, and lower wall means spaced beneath said upper wall means, first, draft bar coupling, pin-receiving aperture means formed in said upper wall means, second pin-receiving aperture means formed in said lower wall means immediately beneath said upper wall means, plate means operable to prevent movement of said pin means downwardly out of said second pin-receiving means, and floor means disposed beneath said plate means and operable to prevent said plate means from moving downwardly away from said second recess means so as to allow a draft bar coupling pin received in said first and second pin-receiving means to move downwardly out of said first and second pin-receiving means.

Claim 21

A railway cushioning device comprising: housing means including connecting means operable to connect said housing means with a coupling bar, outer cylinder means, inner cylinder means contained within said outer cylinder means, said inner cylinder means containing a high pressure cavity, said inner and outer cylinder means being spaced to define a relatively low pressure cavity, port means intersecting said inner cylinder means and providing restricted fluid communication between said low and high pressure cavities; piston rod means passing axially through a first end of said outer cylinder means and an adjacent first end of said inner cylinder means; piston means mounted within said inner cylinder means; annular bearing means supporting said piston means for sliding movement relative to and within said inner cylinder means; said piston rod means terminating in fixed connection with one side of said piston rod means; said inner cylinder means further including first cylinder head means at said one end of said inner cylinder means; said inner cylinder means including a second, aperture free, closed cylinder head disposed at a second end of said inner cylinder means and facing another side of said piston means opposite to said one side; generally annular check valve means carried by said first cylinder head means, and opeRable to open to permit fluid flow into the interior of said inner cylinder means; passage means providing fluid communication between said low pressure cavity and said check valve means; third cylinder head means spaced from said first cylinder head means, and operable to close said first end of said outer cylinder means; web means supporting said first cylinder head means in axially aligned and axially spaced relation relative to said third cylinder head means; resilient restoring means tending to resiliently position said piston means at a defined position within said inner cylinder means; first port means in said inner cylinder means disposed generally adjacent said second cylinder head means; first check valve means operable to permit fluid flow through said first port means from said low pressure cavity to said high pressure cavity; a plurality of second port means formed in said inner cylinder means, spaced generally exponentially of the longitudinal axis of said inner cylinder means, and disposed between said first port means and said first cylinder head means; second control valve means controlling fluid flow through each of said second port means and operable to permit fluid flowing from said high pressure cavity to said low pressure cavity each said second control valve means being operable to substantially restrict fluid flow through its associated second port means in response to run-in train action event forces acting on said coupling bar, and operable to maintain its associated second port means substantially unobstructed in response to buff coupling forces acting on said coupling bar; third port means formed in said inner cylinder means and disposed between said second port means and said first cylinder head means; third valve means operable to control flow through said third port means; said third control valve means being operable, in response to runout train action event forces acting on said coupling bar to substantially restrict fluid flow through said third port means, said third control valve means being operable to maintain said third port means substantially open in response to force imposed on said coupling means by said restoring mechanism; and anchoring means for fixedly securing one end of said piston rod means within a railway car sill, said anchoring means comprising generally rectangular housing means fixedly secured to said sill means, said housing means having an apertured wall portion through which one end of said piston rod means passes, spherical bearing means carried at one end of said piston rod means within said housing, fixed abutment means engaging one end of said spherical bearing means, and U-shaped retaining means straddling said one end of said piston rod means and engaging another end of said spherical bearing means, said U-shaped retaining means and said fixed abutment means cooperating to fixedly position said spherical bearing means cooperating to fixedly position said spherical bearing means within said housing means; a body of piston means movement impeding fluid fully occupying said high pressure cavity of said inner cylinder means; and a body of air contained within said low pressure cavity, said body of air being in direct communication with said piston means movement impeding fluid and operable to intermix therewith.

Claim 22

A railway cushioning device comprising: housing means including connecting means operable to connect said housing means with a coupling bar, outer cylinder means, inner cylinder means contained within said outer cylinder means, said inner cylinder means containing a high pressure cavity, said inner and outer cylinder means being spaced to define a relatively low pressure cavity, port means intersecting said inner cylinder means and providing restricted fluid communication between said low and high pressure cavities; piston rod means passing axially through a first end of said outer cylinder means and an adjacent first end of said inner cylinder means; piston means mounted within said inner cylinder means; annular bearing means supporting said piston means for sliding movement relative to and within said inner cylinder means; said piston rod means terminating in fixed connection with one side of said piston rod means; said inner cylinder means further including first cylinder head means at said one end of said inner cylinder means; said inner cylinder means including a second, aperture free, closed cylinder head disposed at a second end of said inner cylinder means and facing another side of said piston means opposite to said one side; generally annular check valve means carried by said first cylinder head means, and opeRable to open to permit fluid flow into the interior of said inner cylinder means; passage means providing fluid communication between said low pressure cavity and said check valve means; third cylinder head means spaced from said first cylinder head means, and operable to close said first end of said outer cylinder means; web means supporting said first cylinder head means in axially aligned and axially spaced relation relative to said third cylinder head means; resilient restoring means tending to resiliently position said piston means at a defined position within said inner cylinder means; first port means in said inner cylinder means disposed generally adjacent said second cylinder head means; first check valve means operable to permit fluid flow through said first port means from said low pressure cavity to said high pressure cavity; a plurality of second port means formed in said inner cylinder means, spaced generally exponentially of the longitudinal axis of said inner cylinder means, and disposed between said first port means and said first cylinder head means; second control valve means controlling fluid flow through each of said second port means and operable to permit fluid flowing from said high pressure cavity to said low pressure cavity each said second control valve means being operable to substantially restrict fluid flow through its associated second port means in response to run-in train action event forces acting on said coupling bar, and operable to maintain its associated second port means substantially unobstructed in response to buff coupling forces acting on said coupling bar; third port means formed in said inner cylinder means and disposed between said second port means and said first cylinder head means; third valve means operable to control flow through said third port means; said third control valve means being operable, in response to runout train action event forces acting on said coupling bar to substantially restrict fluid flow through said third port means, said third control valve means being operable to maintain said third port means substantially open in response to force imposed on said coupling means by said restoring mechanism; and anchoring means for fixedly securing one end of said piston rod means within a railway car sill, said anchoring means comprising generally rectangular housing means fixedly secured to said sill means, said housing means having an apertured wall portion through which one end of said piston rod means passes, spherical bearing means carried at one end of said piston rod means within said housing, fixed abutment means engaging one end of said spherical bearing means, and U-shaped retaining means straddling said one end of said piston rod means and engaging another end of said spherical bearing means, said U-shaped retaining means and said fixed abutment means cooperating to fixedly position said spherical bearing means cooperating to fixedly position said spherical bearing means within said housing means; a body of piston means movement impeding fluid fully occupying said high pressure cavity of said inner cylinder means; and a body of air contained within said low pressure cavity, said body of air being in direct communication with said piston means movement impeding fluid and operable to intermix therewith.