Patent US3861316A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3861316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Freight car classificaton system at level classification yard
Assignee: Japan National Railways
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Filing: 1974-04-25
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1994-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A freight car classificaton system at a level classification yard is disclosed which may automatically classify and reclassify the cars to make up a new train. A freight car mover is installed along a receiving track and also along each of several classification tracks for pushing or retarding the cars to a predetermined speed. A group of freight car accelerator-retarders installed along the receiving track is adapted to accelerate or retard the cars at a predetermined speed. Groups of freight car accelerator-retarders installed along the classification tracks are also adapted to accelerate or retard the cars to a higher predetermined speed. An automatic decoupling unit is installed at a suitable position near the first group of accelerator-retarders along the receiving track so that any specific coupling between the cars may be automatically decoupled or disconnected as the cars move. The cars on the receiving track are sequentially pushed to a predetermined speed to the desired classification track and coupled to other freight cars at a predetermined speed. The classified cars on the classification tracks may then be automatically reclassified onto the receiving track to make up a new train.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigezo Yamazaki
- 👤 Mitsuru Wakao
- 👤 Yoshinori Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:00
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61J; B61J3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A freight car classification system at a level classification yard comprising: a. Freight car movers installed along a receiving track and a number of classification tracks branched through switches from said receiving track and adapted to push or retard a freight car to a predetermined speed; b. Freight car accelerator-retarders installed along the receiving and classification tracks between said freight car mover installed along said receiving track on the one hand, and said freight car movers installed along said classification tracks on the other hand, and adapted to accelerate or retard the freight car or cars to more than two predetermined speeds; c. An automatic decoupling unit installed at a suitable position along said receiving track and adapted to lift a lock member out of any desired coupling between the freight cars running along said receiving track so that the cars may be disconnected from each other, and d. A control unit for automatically controlling the operations of said freight car movers, automatic decoupling unit, and switches in accordance with a predetermined freight car classification program so that the cars on the receiving track may be sorted onto the desired classification tracks or in accordance with a predetermined reclassification program so that the classified cars on the classification tracks may be reclassified to make up a new train on said receiving track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A freight car classification system at a level classification yard comprising: a. Freight car movers installed along a receiving track and a number of classification tracks branched through switches from said receiving track and adapted to push or retard a freight car to a predetermined speed; b. Freight car accelerator-retarders installed along the receiving and classification tracks between said freight car mover installed along said receiving track on the one hand, and said freight car movers installed along said classification tracks on the other hand, and adapted to accelerate or retard the freight car or cars to more than two predetermined speeds; c. An automatic decoupling unit installed at a suitable position along said receiving track and adapted to lift a lock member out of any desired coupling between the freight cars running along said receiving track so that the cars may be disconnected from each other, and d. A control unit for automatically controlling the operations of said freight car movers, automatic decoupling unit, and switches in accordance with a predetermined freight car classification program so that the cars on the receiving track may be sorted onto the desired classification tracks or in accordance with a predetermined reclassification program so that the classified cars on the classification tracks may be reclassified to make up a new train on said receiving track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
A freight car classification system as defined in claim 1 wherein: Each of said freight car movers comprises; a. An hydraulic power unit including an hydraulic pump; b. A power transmission unit adapted to drive wheels by working fluid under pressure supplied from said hydraulic power unit; c. Coupling units adapted to selectively engage the wheels of a freight car; d. An hydraulic control valve assembly adapted to control said hydraulic power unit, power transmission unit, and coupling units, and e. An electrical control unit adapted to control the control valves in said control valve assembly in response to external control signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
A freight car classification system as defined in claim 2 wherein a first group of said freight car accelerator-retarders installed along said receiving track is adapted to accelerate or retard the freight car to a predetermined speed, and each of the groups of said freight car accelerator-retarders installed along the respective classification tracks is adapted to accelerate or retard the freight car to a second predetermined speed higher than the first predetermined speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
A freight car classification system as defined in claim 3 wherein: a. Said automatic decoupling unit cooperates with said first group of freight car accelerator-retarders, and comprises a manipulator for decoupling the desired couplings between the freight cars, and b. A support mechanism for suspending said manipulator, said support mechanism comprising a tilting mechanism for placing said manipulator at a predetermined position between the freight cars and removing said manipulator from said predetermined position out of the clearance diagram lines, and a support rod including a parallel linkage coupled to be operated by a crank mechanism for moving said manipulator in parallel with the direction of movement of the freight cars.
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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |