U.S. patent application number 12/087348 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for method and device for the transport of goods by rail.
Invention is credited to Dirk Abel, Martin Baier, Arne Berger, Torsten Dellmann, Manfred Enning, Rolf Hellinger, Stefan Karch, Winfried Mahr.
Application Number | 20090074556 12/087348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38169828 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090074556 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abel; Dirk ; et al. |
March 19, 2009 |
Method and Device for the Transport of Goods by Rail
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method and device
are disclosed for the transport of goods by rail, wherein goods
wagons are used with independent propulsion means. The propulsion
means for the goods wagons are used only for short journeys from a
station to a customer and back. For long journeys the goods wagons
are assembled into a train and pulled by a tractor vehicle.
Inventors: |
Abel; Dirk; (Aachen, DE)
; Baier; Martin; (Weilheim, DE) ; Berger;
Arne; (Wurselen, DE) ; Dellmann; Torsten;
(Koln, DE) ; Enning; Manfred; (Aachen, DE)
; Hellinger; Rolf; (Hochstadt, DE) ; Karch;
Stefan; (Olten, CH) ; Mahr; Winfried;
(Nurnberg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O.BOX 8910
RESTON
VA
20195
US
|
Family ID: |
38169828 |
Appl. No.: |
12/087348 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
November 24, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/068900 |
371 Date: |
July 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/800 ;
105/456 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61D 15/00 20130101;
B61C 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/800 ;
105/456 |
International
Class: |
B61D 15/00 20060101
B61D015/00; B61D 49/00 20060101 B61D049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 4, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 000 788.3 |
Claims
1. A method for transporting goods by rail, wherein goods wagons
with their own drive devices are used, the method comprising: using
the drive devices of the goods wagons only for relatively short
distance journeys from a railroad station to a customer and back;
and assembling, for relatively long distance journeys, the goods
wagons to form a train which is pulled by a tractor vehicle for
long distance journeys.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tractor vehicle is
a customary locomotive for relatively long distance journeys, and
the drive devices of the goods wagons are switched off during the
long distance journeys.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein goods wagons with and
without their own drive device are pulled by the locomotive.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, on the goods wagons,
the drive devices are supplied by chargeable energy stores.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the chargeable energy
stores are charged from the tractor vehicle during the relatively
long distance journeys when the goods wagons are coupled to the
tractor vehicle.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tractor vehicle
controls the drive devices of the goods wagons via at least one of
a data bus or and a radio link.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive devices of
the goods wagons are remote-controlled for relatively short
distance journeys.
8. A device for transporting goods by rail, wherein goods wagons
have their own drive devices, wherein the drive devices of the
goods wagons are configured for relatively short distance journeys
from a railroad station to a customer and back, and wherein, for
relatively long distance journeys, the goods wagons are coupled to
a tractor vehicle.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tractor vehicle is
a customary locomotive for relatively long distance journeys.
10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the drive devices of
the goods wagons are switchable on and off.
11. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the drive devices of
the goods wagons are connected to chargeable energy stores.
12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the energy stores
are connected to the coupled tractor vehicle for the purpose of
charging.
13. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tractor vehicle
has only a small intrinsic drive power.
14. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tractor vehicle
has a control and safety device, connected via at least one of a
data bus and a radio link to the drive devices of the goods
wagons.
15. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the goods wagons are
remote controllable via a remote control system.
16. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, on the goods wagons,
the drive devices are supplied by chargeable energy stores.
17. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, on the goods wagons,
the drive devices are supplied by chargeable energy stores.
18. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive devices of
the goods wagons are switchable on and off.
19. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive devices of
the goods wagons are connected to chargeable energy stores.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2006/068900
which has an International filing date of Nov. 24, 2006, which
designated the United States of America, and which claims priority
on German patent publication DE 10 2006 000 788.3, filed Jan. 4,
2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] At least one embodiment of the invention generally relates
to a method for transporting goods by rail, wherein goods wagons
with their own drive devices are used.
[0003] At least one embodiment of the invention also generally
relates to a device for transporting goods by rail, wherein goods
wagons have their own drive devices.
BACKGROUND ART
[0004] For a long time customary goods trains have been composed of
a locomotive and a number of goods wagons. Frequently, only a small
number of goods wagons, and sometimes even just one goods wagon,
are/is to be placed on a specific track. This is generally a
connecting track for a customer who is receiving goods or wishes to
dispatch goods. Operating such a connecting track requires either
that the entire goods train has to drive into the connecting track
in order to deposit or collect only one goods wagon or a small
number of goods wagons, or that complicated shunting maneuvers
become necessary.
[0005] It has also already been proposed to operate track
connections of customers with what is referred to as a cargo mover.
In a cargo mover, a complete drive and control unit is accommodated
in a single wagon so that, similarly to a truck on the road, it is
an individual vehicle which travels independently. However, the
cargo mover has the disadvantage that it must be compatible with
long distance journeys. It must therefore contain all the
prescribed safety devices and also be able to reach a sufficiently
high speed. Finally, it is necessary for each cargo mover to be
steered by a vehicle driver. The cargo mover is therefore not
economical enough for long distance journeys.
SUMMARY
[0006] At least one embodiment of the invention is directed to
specifying a method and/or a device for transporting goods by rail
which can economically optimize both the collection and delivery of
relatively small quantities of goods on track connections and also
transportation over large distances.
[0007] At least one embodiment of the method includes drive devices
of the goods wagons being used only for short distance journeys
from a railroad station to a customer and back, wherein for long
distance journeys, the goods wagons are assembled to form a train
which is pulled by a tractor vehicle.
[0008] This method of at least one embodiment provides the
advantage that even though the goods wagons can be constructed with
their own drive devices, they can still be constructed simply and
cost effectively because they are used only for short distance
journeys, specifically between a connecting track and the next
railroad station. These short distance journeys require neither
complex safety devices nor drive devices which permit relatively
high speeds. However, on the other hand, the advantage is provided
that individual goods wagons can travel from a connection track to
a railroad station without complicated shunting maneuvers or can be
distributed among connecting tracks from a railroad station. Since
the goods wagons are driven independently only over short distances
and with their own drive, a minimum degree of equipment is
sufficient for them. The method according to the invention permits
a cost effective and at the same time fast transport method for
goods.
[0009] For example, the tractor vehicle is a customary locomotive
for long distance journeys, and the drive devices of the goods
wagons are switched off during the long journeys. An additional
drive of the goods wagons is then in fact generally not necessary.
However, in exceptional cases the drive power of the train can be
assisted by the drive devices of the goods wagons.
[0010] For example, goods wagons with and without their own drive
device are pulled by the locomotive. A mixed travel mode is then
possible, in which customary goods wagons and the goods wagons
which then travel individually from the railroad station to the
connecting tracks can be set in a goods train.
[0011] For example, on the goods wagons the drive devices are
supplied by chargeable energy stores. This may involve accumulators
or what are referred to as supercapacitors. Such chargeable energy
stores are sufficient for the short and relatively slow journeys
which the wagons have to carry out independently.
[0012] For example, the chargeable energy stores are charged from
the tractor vehicle during long distance journeys when the goods
vehicles are coupled to the tractor vehicle. This provides a simple
method of charging the energy stores during the long distance
journey, so that the goods wagons can then travel immediately from
the railroad station to individual connecting tracks independently
under their own drive. The charging can be carried out particularly
advantageously if the traction motors of the tractor vehicle supply
electrical energy, for example, in the generator mode during
braking.
[0013] For example, the tractor vehicle controls the drive devices
of the goods wagons via a data bus or via a radio link. If the
drive power of the goods wagons of a train is sufficient for long
distance transportation, the tractor vehicle does not need to have
a powerful motor. However, open-loop and closed-loop control
devices and a driver's cab are provided.
[0014] The drive devices of the goods wagons are, for example,
remote-controlled for the short distance journeys. This provides
the advantage that only one person is sufficient to move a
plurality of goods wagons from, for example, a location next to the
track.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In one embodiment, a suitable device is specified for
transporting goods by rail by virtue of the fact that the drive
devices of the goods wagons are configured for short distance
journeys from a railroad station to a customer and back, and that
for long distance journeys the goods wagons can be coupled to a
tractor vehicle.
[0016] This provides the advantage that the goods wagons which move
under their own drive can be equipped simply and cost effectively
since they only have to travel relatively slowly over short
distances. Both the drive power and the safety equipment can be
minimized. For long distance journeys, use is then in fact made of
a tractor vehicle which pulls the wagons.
[0017] For example, the tractor vehicle is a customary locomotive
for long distance journeys. A special tractor vehicle does not
necessarily have to be made available.
[0018] The drive devices of the goods wagons can, for example, be
switched off. In particular if the tractor vehicle is a customary
locomotive, the goods wagons do not have to be driven themselves.
However, in order to provide assistance on up hill journeys the
drive devices of the goods wagons can assist the locomotive.
[0019] The drive devices of the goods wagons are connected, for
example, to chargeable energy stores. These may be accumulators or
what are referred to as supercapacitors. The stored energy is
advantageously sufficient to move a goods wagon by means of its own
drive device over the relatively short distance which it has to
cover. Thus, there is no need for complicated power supply devices
in the goods wagons.
[0020] The energy stores are connected, for example, to the coupled
tractor vehicle for the purpose of charging. This provides the
advantage that the energy stores are charged in the goods wagons
via the tractor vehicle during the long distance journey so that
the goods wagons with a drive device can immediately again
independently reach the connecting tracks from a railroad
station.
[0021] For example, the tractor vehicle has only a small intrinsic
drive power. This drive power is sufficient to move the tractor
vehicle alone. In order to pull a train, the drive devices of the
goods wagons must then be added. A simple, cost effective tractor
vehicle is sufficient to move a heavy train. A known, customary and
expensive main line locomotive is not required.
[0022] For example, the tractor vehicle has a control and safety
device which is connected via a data bus or a radio link to the
drive devices of the goods wagon. This provides the advantage that
the drive devices of the goods wagons can, when necessary, be
actuated directly from the tractor vehicle. The tractor vehicle
requires, in addition to the control and safety device, a driver's
cab, a current collector (pantograph) and a power feed converter.
It is also possible to provide a diesel assembly or a fuel
cell.
[0023] In addition to the pantograph, the tractor vehicle mainly
requires only electronic components for actuating the drive devices
and brakes of the individual goods wagons, as well as other devices
which are necessary for long distance transportation.
[0024] For example, the goods wagons can be remote-controlled by
way of a remote control system. It is then not necessary for a
vehicle driver to be present on each goods wagon for the journey
from the railroad station to the connecting tracks. Instead, the
remote control system can then be used to move the driven goods
wagons under the control of a railroad control center or the person
standing at the track.
[0025] The method and the device according to at least one
embodiment of the invention provide in particular the advantage
that the advantages of the goods wagon which is equipped with its
own drive device (cargo mover) and the advantages of the customary
goods train are combined in one transportation system for
transporting goods by rail.
[0026] Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious
that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not
to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious
to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *