US3602151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy dissipating construction for trains
Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems Inc
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Filing: 1968-11-20
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1988-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An energy dissipating construction for absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy of moving trains is disclosed which comprises a backstop fixedly secured with respect to the rails which support the train, a plurality of telescoping diaphragm members each consisting of a vertical diaphragm plate and a horizontal support plate and an energy dissipating assembly comprising a plurality of vertical liquid containing resilient cylinders between the backstop and the first diaphragm plate and between succeeding diaphragm plates, each of the cylinders having one or more openings adapted and constructed to permit escape of the liquid therefrom at a rate commensurate with the energy of impact on the construction. Upon impact each of the diaphragm assemblies telescopes with the adjacent diaphragm assembly thereby crushing the resilient liquid filled cylinders and forcing the liquid therefrom to thereby dissipate the kinetic energy of the train and bring the train to a stop.
Inventors
- 👤 Grant W Walker
- 👤 Bruce O Young
- 👤 Duane B Ford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:37
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/14; E01F15/145; E01F15/146; B; B61; B61K; B61K7/00; B61K7/16; B61K7/18; F; F16; F16F; F16F5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
An energy absorbing construction for absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy of trains and the like without storing said energy which in combination comprises: a backstop means fixedly secured relative to rail means, said rail means being adapted to support a train or the like; a plurality of relatively rigid diaphragm means supported for movement along said rail means toward said backstop means, said diaphragm means in normally spaced disposition along said rail means and being spaced from said backstop means; a plurality of nonenergy storing normally noncompressible fluid containing energy dissipating means in the space between the diaphragm means and the backstop means and separating said diaphragm means, said energy dissipating means including container means for said fluid, said container means including collapsible portions and being adapted and constructed for being collapsed by relative movement of the diaphragm means toward the backstop means, said container means including at least one orifice adapted and constructed for permitting escape of said fluid at a rate commensurate with the kinetic energy transmitted to the diaphragm means; said diaphragm means and energy absorbing means being so constructed and arranged that a series of energy absorbing subconstructions is formed by adjacent pairs of diaphragm means, energy being dissipated by energy dissipating means between the respective diaphragm means as said diaphragm means move relatively close upon impact of a train or the like.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
An energy absorbing construction for absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy of trains and the like without storing said energy which in combination comprises: a backstop means fixedly secured relative to rail means, said rail means being adapted to support a train or the like; a plurality of relatively rigid diaphragm means supported for movement along said rail means toward said backstop means, said diaphragm means in normally spaced disposition along said rail means and being spaced from said backstop means; a plurality of nonenergy storing normally noncompressible fluid containing energy dissipating means in the space between the diaphragm means and the backstop means and separating said diaphragm means, said energy dissipating means including container means for said fluid, said container means including collapsible portions and being adapted and constructed for being collapsed by relative movement of the diaphragm means toward the backstop means, said container means including at least one orifice adapted and constructed for permitting escape of said fluid at a rate commensurate with the kinetic energy transmitted to the diaphragm means; said diaphragm means and energy absorbing means being so constructed and arranged that a series of energy absorbing subconstructions is formed by adjacent pairs of diaphragm means, energy being dissipated by energy dissipating means between the respective diaphragm means as said diaphragm means move relatively close upon impact of a train or the like.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm means are conStructed and adapted to telescope into each other upon impact by a train or the like.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm means are adapted and constructed to support said energy dissipating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The construction of claim 3 wherein said diaphragm means are constructed and adapted to telescope into each other upon impact by a train or the like.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The construction of claim 4 wherein the backstop means comprises: a fixed support stop; a movable backing member; and resilient means separating the backing member from the support stop for temporarily storing energy for transmittal into said energy dissipating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein the backstop means comprises: a fixed support stop; a movable backing member; and resilient means separating the backing member from the support stop for temporarily storing energy for transmittal into said energy dissipating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm means are constructed and adapted to support said energy dissipating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
169 words
A nonenergy storing construction for dissipating kinetic energy of trains and the like comprising: a support stop fixed relative to train supporting rail means; a backing member constructed and adapted to be restrained from movement by said support stop; a plurality of diaphragm means supported for movement on said rail means, each of said diaphragm means including a generally vertical diaphragm plate and a generally horizontal platform plate and being constructed and adapted to telescope with one another and with the backing member; a plurality of nonenergy storing dissipating means separating said diaphragm means and supported on said platform plates between said diaphragm plates, each of said dissipating means comprising at least one semiresilient container normally at least partially filled with a noncompressible fluid, said container including at least one orifice constructed and adapted to expel fluid commensurate with a train impact energy when the diaphragms move toward the backing member collapsing said container; and additional dissipating means disposed between one of said diaphragm means and said backing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
169 words
A nonenergy storing construction for dissipating kinetic energy of trains and the like comprising: a support stop fixed relative to train supporting rail means; a backing member constructed and adapted to be restrained from movement by said support stop; a plurality of diaphragm means supported for movement on said rail means, each of said diaphragm means including a generally vertical diaphragm plate and a generally horizontal platform plate and being constructed and adapted to telescope with one another and with the backing member; a plurality of nonenergy storing dissipating means separating said diaphragm means and supported on said platform plates between said diaphragm plates, each of said dissipating means comprising at least one semiresilient container normally at least partially filled with a noncompressible fluid, said container including at least one orifice constructed and adapted to expel fluid commensurate with a train impact energy when the diaphragms move toward the backing member collapsing said container; and additional dissipating means disposed between one of said diaphragm means and said backing member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The construction of claim 8 wherein said additional dissipating means comprises: resilient means for permitting limited relative movement for temporary storage of energy and retransmittal of said energy to dissipating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |