Abstract:
Tie-arrangement system includes a conveyor assembly configured to receive ties for placement in a track for rail vehicles. The conveyor assembly is configured to receive the ties in a common plane relative to each other. The tie-arrangement system includes an accumulator assembly configured to receive the ties in the common plane from the conveyor assembly. The accumulator assembly is configured to arrange the ties in a same orientation in groups and to move the groups of the ties out of the accumulator assembly. The tie-arrangement system includes a delivery assembly configured to receive the groups of the ties arranged by the accumulator assembly into the same orientation. The delivery assembly is configured to place the groups of the ties onto a surface off the tie-arrangement system for placement of the ties in the track for the rail vehicles.
Abstract:
An Urban Intermodal Freight System is capable of transporting large volumes and tonnage of freight by containerized or other means on a mass transit rail system. It captures excess capacity in the existing mass transit rail infrastructure to move packages, parcels, and freight by using miniaturized intermodal cargo containers that are designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing transit infrastructure, while displacing delivery trucks from increasingly crowded city streets. By enabling inbound trucks to transfer their cargo to the Urban Intermodal Freight System at a city's outskirts, freight is delivered without trucks entering congested downtown areas, greatly alleviating traffic congestion, delays, greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts. The Linear Loading Dock and Conveyor System may have other useful applications, for example to access a facility, building or vehicle, or in other circumstances where off street truck parking or loading docks are not available.
Abstract:
A system for improved intermodal freight transportation is described herein. Improved carriages and support trusses are provided that beneficially move the load-bearing structure to interconnected support trusses forming a top-end spine of the train with freight containers equipped with wheels hanging underneath. Upon entering a terminal, the floor adjacent to the rails may be configured to gradually rise until the container's wheels are supporting the container's weight. When properly aligned with a container exchange station, the container's connections to the train may be configured to release the container from the train, and the container's wheels may be configured to pivot, allowing the container to be rolled to the side of the train and replaced by another. This may allow the container to be replaced without having to lift the container or disconnect any of the rolling stock components.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an energy supply (11) for supplying an energy consumer with electrical energy. The energy supply (11) comprises a mounting device (20) as well as a battery (29), a charger device (30) and a load connection (33). The energy supply (11) also comprises an energy connection for connecting an energy source, and an energy converter (31) for converting the energy received at the energy connection into a form of electrical energy which is suitable for charging the battery (29). The energy which is stored in the battery (29) can then be made available at the load connection (33) for supplying one or more energy consumers which are connected thereto. The mounting device (20) is provided here with connecting devices (23, 24) which are compatible with those attachment devices with which corresponding transportation containers can usually be connected to a transportation vehicle. It is therefore possible to arrange such an energy supply (11) for transporting a transportation container between the latter and the appropriate transportation vehicle, wherein for example the kinetic energy of the moved transportation vehicle can be utilised for the charging of the battery (29) in that e.g. the rotation of the wheel axle of the vehicle is converted into electrical energy with a hydraulic generator.
Abstract:
A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to an autonomous rail transport system with the aid of a rail network. The rail transport system according to the disclosure comprises at least one autonomous goods-carrying rail vehicle and at least two autonomous goods terminals. The goods-carrying rail vehicle is designed to transport at least one item of goods while the goods terminals are each designed to receive and/or release at least one item of goods. The item of goods is transported autonomously from a first goods terminal to a second goods terminal with the aid of the goods-carrying rail vehicle on the rail network. The rail network of the rail transport system according to the disclosure is a streetcar-line network.
Abstract:
An intermodal transport container comprising a rectangular frame having enclosed sides, a floor, a top-access roof cover including a retractable roof panel assembly, a first end closure, and an opposing end closure collectively forming an enclosed interior volume for transporting bulk material. The top-access hinged roof cover includes a robust roof panel hinge system that engages with the roof panel assembly. The roof panel opens in accordance with a two stage process: initially having a linear motion where a member of the roof panel hinge system engages with a support beam of the roof panel assembly and a second stage where the roof panel rotates in accordance with the pivotal motion of the hinge of the roof panel hinge system.
Abstract:
A connector system for connecting stacked containers includes a frame and a locating lever coupled to the frame. The locating lever is configured to detect when a lower container is placed into a containment cavity. The system further includes a coupler plate tucked along the frame in a starting position. The coupler plate is deployed to a deployed position distal to the frame in response to the locating lever detecting when the lower container is placed into the containment cavity. The connector system further includes a plurality of connecting pins such that the coupler plate and the connecting pins are configured to connect an upper container to the lower container. A return lever is coupled to the frame, and a return mechanism returns the coupler plate to the starting position in response to the upper container being lifted off of the lower container.
Abstract:
A method of transporting containers on a rail car is described. The method includes the steps of, first, providing a frame having at least two longitudinal beams and at least two cross beams. The at least two cross beams extend substantially perpendicular to, and interconnect, the at least two longitudinal beams. The two longitudinal beams may be cambered along the length of the beams. Next, the method includes the step of attaching a first container to a first end of the frame. Then, the first container and the frame are loaded into the rail car. Finally, the method includes the step of loading a second container into the rail car and onto a second end of the frame.
Abstract:
A railroad well car includes a spaced trucks grouped in pairs, and a railcar body supported on a pair of the trucks, the body comprising a pair of spaced end structures, each end structure supported on one truck, and a well structure extending between the end structures. The well structure comprises a pair of top chord members extending between the end structures; a pair of side sills extending between the end structures. The rail car includes safety platform and handbrake wherein operator walkway platforms are included with co-planer end walkways and running boards, wherein the running boards are above the top chords of the sidewalls of the well car; and a handbrake operated with a hand wheel is mounted on one side of the railroad well car, which hand wheel extends below the top chords of the side walls of the well car whereby the hand wheel is accessible from the side of the railcar via an operator on the ground.