U.S. patent application number 16/042720 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-14 for well car side assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Trinity Rail Group, LLC. Invention is credited to David C. Brabb, Anand Prabhakaran, Andrew Robitaille, Ganeshamoorthy Sivakumar.
Application Number | 20190047595 16/042720 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65274669 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190047595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sivakumar; Ganeshamoorthy ;
et al. |
February 14, 2019 |
WELL CAR SIDE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A well car includes a well floor, a first end portion, a second
end portion, and a first side assembly. The first end is portion
coupled to the well floor. The second end portion is coupled to the
well floor. The first side assembly is coupled to the well floor.
The first side assembly includes a first side portion, a second
side portion, and a first humped portion coupled between the first
and second side portions. The first side portion is coupled to the
first end portion. The second side portion is coupled to the second
end portion. The first humped portion is positioned higher than the
first and second portions on the first side assembly.
Inventors: |
Sivakumar; Ganeshamoorthy;
(Naperville, IL) ; Robitaille; Andrew; (Batavia,
IL) ; Brabb; David C.; (Westmont, IL) ;
Prabhakaran; Anand; (Oak Brook, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Trinity Rail Group, LLC |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65274669 |
Appl. No.: |
16/042720 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62545087 |
Aug 14, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61D 3/182 20130101;
B61F 1/08 20130101; B61D 3/16 20130101; B61D 17/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61D 17/08 20060101
B61D017/08; B61F 1/08 20060101 B61F001/08; B61D 3/16 20060101
B61D003/16 |
Claims
1. A well car comprising: a well floor; a first end portion coupled
to the well floor; a second end portion coupled to the well floor;
a first side assembly coupled to the well floor, the first side
assembly comprising a first side portion, a second side portion,
and a first humped portion coupled between the first and second
side portions, the first side portion coupled to the first end
portion, the second side portion coupled to the second end portion,
the first humped portion positioned higher than the first and
second portions on the first side assembly.
2. The well car of claim 1, further comprising a second side
assembly coupled to the well floor, the second side assembly
comprising a third side portion, a fourth side portion, and a
second humped portion coupled between the third and fourth side
portions, the third side portion coupled to the first end portion,
the fourth side portion coupled to the second end portion, the
second humped portion positioned higher than the third and fourth
portions on the second side assembly, the second side assembly
parallel to the first side assembly.
3. The well car of claim 1, further comprising a first casting, a
second casting, and a third casting, the first casting coupled to
the first side portion, the second casting coupled to the first
humped portion, the third casting coupled to the second side
portion, the first, second, and third castings configured to
support freight.
4. The well car of claim 1, wherein the first side assembly is
substantially orthogonal to the well floor.
5. The well car of claim 1, wherein the first side assembly further
comprises a hollow tube that forms a top surface of the first side
assembly.
6. The well car of claim 5, wherein the hollow tube forms a top
surface of the first side portion, the second side portion, and the
first humped portion.
7. The well car of claim 5, wherein the hollow tube comprises a
first tube, a second tube, and a third tube, the first and third
tubes welded to the second tube.
8. A method comprising: coupling a first side assembly to a well
floor of a well car, the first side assembly comprising a first
side portion, a second side portion, and a first humped portion
coupled between the first and second side portions, the first side
portion coupled to a first end portion coupled to the well floor,
the second side portion coupled to a second end portion coupled to
the well floor, the first humped portion positioned higher than the
first and second portions on the first side assembly.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising coupling a second side
assembly to the well floor, the second side assembly comprising a
third side portion, a fourth side portion, and a second humped
portion coupled between the third and fourth side portions, the
third side portion coupled to the first end portion, the fourth
side portion coupled to the second end portion, the second humped
portion positioned higher than the third and fourth side portions,
the second side assembly parallel to the first side assembly.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: coupling a first
casting to the first side portion; coupling a second casting to the
first humped portion; and coupling a third casting to the second
side portion, the first, second, and third castings configured to
support freight.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first side assembly is
substantially orthogonal to the well floor.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first side assembly further
comprises a hollow tube that forms a top surface of the first side
assembly.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hollow tube forms a top
surface of the first side portion, the second side portion, and the
first humped portion.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the hollow tube comprises a
first tube, a second tube, and a third tube, the first and third
tubes welded to the second tube.
15. A system comprising: a railcar; and a well car configured to
couple to the railcar, the well car comprising a well floor, a
first end portion coupled to the well floor, a second end portion
coupled to the well floor, a first side assembly coupled to the
well floor, and a second side assembly coupled to the well floor,
wherein: the first side assembly comprises a first side portion, a
second side portion, and a first humped portion coupled between the
first and second side portions; the first side portion coupled to
the first end portion; the second side portion coupled to the
second end portion; the first humped portion positioned higher than
the first and second portions on the first side assembly; the
second side assembly comprising a third side portion, a fourth side
portion, and a second humped portion coupled between the third and
fourth side portions; the third side portion coupled to the first
end portion; the fourth side portion coupled to the second end
portion; the second humped portion positioned higher than the third
and fourth portions on the second side assembly; and the second
side assembly parallel to the first side assembly.
16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a first casting, a
second casting, and a third casting, the first casting coupled to
the first side portion, the second casting coupled to the first
humped portion, the third casting coupled to the second side
portion, the first, second, and third castings configured to
support freight.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the first side assembly is
substantially orthogonal to the well floor.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first side assembly further
comprises a hollow tube that forms a top surface of the first side
assembly.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the hollow tube forms a top
surface of the first side portion, the second side portion, and the
first humped portion.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the hollow tube comprises a
first tube, a second tube, and a third tube, the first and third
tubes welded to the second tube.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/545,087, entitled "Well Car Side Assembly,"
which was filed Aug. 14, 2017, having common inventorship, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to configuring a railroad
freight car (also referred to as a "railcar").
BACKGROUND
[0003] Railcars are configured to store and transport freight
across long distances. As more freight is placed inside a railcar,
the stress placed on the structure of the railcar increases.
SUMMARY
[0004] Railcars are configured to store and transport freight
across long distances. For example, railcars may store and
transport automobiles, military equipment, livestock, construction
equipment, etc. A well car is a type of railcar. A well car
includes a well in which freight is loaded for transport.
[0005] Laws and regulations limit the weight of a well car and its
freight during transport. The heavier the well car is without
freight (also referred to as the tare weight), the less freight it
can carry before hitting the weight limit. Additionally, the
structure of the well car may limit the amount of freight it can
carry. For example, the heavier the freight that is loaded into the
well car, the more the the well car may deflect vertically towards
the tracks. Laws and regulations limit the amount of vertical
deflection that can occur during transport. Therefore, the amount
of vertical deflection allowed by the structure of the well car may
limit the amount of freight that the well car can carry.
[0006] This disclosure contemplates an improved well car design
that increases the amount of freight that the well car can
transport. The improved design includes structural side assemblies
that have an elevated or humped portion. Certain embodiments are
described below.
[0007] According to an embodiment, a well car includes a well
floor, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first side
assembly. The first end is portion coupled to the well floor. The
second end portion is coupled to the well floor. The first side
assembly is coupled to the well floor. The first side assembly
includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a first
humped portion coupled between the first and second side portions.
The first side portion is coupled to the first end portion. The
second side portion is coupled to the second end portion. The first
humped portion is positioned higher than the first and second
portions on the first side assembly.
[0008] According to another embodiment, a method includes coupling
a first side assembly to a well floor of a well car. The first side
assembly includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and
a first humped portion coupled between the first and second side
portions. The first side portion is coupled to a first end portion
coupled to the well floor. The second side portion is coupled to a
second end portion coupled to the well floor. The first humped
portion is positioned higher than the first and second portions on
the first side assembly.
[0009] According to yet another embodiment, a system includes a
railcar and a well car. The well car is configured to couple to the
railcar. The well car includes a well floor, a first end portion
coupled to the well floor, a second end portion coupled to the well
floor, a first side assembly coupled to the well floor, and a
second side assembly coupled to the well floor. The first side
assembly includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and
a first humped portion coupled between the first and second side
portions. The first side portion is coupled to the first end
portion. The second side portion is coupled to the second end
portion. The first humped portion is positioned higher than the
first and second portions on the first side assembly. The second
side assembly includes a third side portion, a fourth side portion,
and a second humped portion coupled between the third and fourth
side portions. The third side portion is coupled to the first end
portion. The fourth side portion is coupled to the second end
portion. The second humped portion is positioned higher than the
third and fourth portions on the second side assembly. The second
side assembly is parallel to the first side assembly.
[0010] Certain embodiments provide one or more technical
advantages. For example, an embodiment reduces the weight of a well
car. As another example, an embodiment reduces the vertical
deflection experienced by a well car when transporting freight.
Certain embodiments may include none, some, or all of the above
technical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures,
descriptions, and claims included herein
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure,
reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description,
wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example well car;
[0013] FIG. 2A illustrates an example well car;
[0014] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the well car of FIG.
2A;
[0015] FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the well car
of FIG. 2A; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forming the
well car of FIG. 2A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Railcars are configured to store and transport freight
across long distances. For example, railcars may store and
transport automobiles, military equipment, livestock, construction
equipment, etc. This disclosure contemplates a railcar that is
configured to store and transport any type of freight. A well car
is a type of railcar. A well car includes a well that is used to
carry freight. FIG. 1 illustrates an example well car 100. Freight
(e.g. shipping containers) is loaded into the well car, which
transports the freight on rails to the destination.
[0018] Well car 100 includes side assemblies 105 that form
boundaries for the well of well car 100. Side assemblies 105
include a section called a top chord 110. As seen in FIG. 1, top
chord 110 for well car 100 includes a section that runs across the
length of well car 100. This section may be a hollow tube structure
that forms the top portion of side assembly 105. Top chord 110 may
be made of metal, alloy, plastic, and/or any appropriate material.
In the example well car 100, top chord 110 is level across the
length of well car 100.
[0019] Laws and regulations limit the weight of well car 100 and
its freight during transport. The heavier well car 100 is without
freight (also referred to as the tare weight), the less freight it
can carry before hitting the weight limit. Additionally, the
structure of well car 100 may limit the amount of freight it can
carry. For example, the heavier the freight that is loaded into
well car 100, the more the well car 100 may deflect vertically
towards the tracks. Laws and regulations limit the amount of
vertical deflection that can occur during transport. Therefore, the
amount of vertical deflection allowed by the structure of well car
100 may limit the amount of freight that well car 100 can
carry.
[0020] This disclosure contemplates an improved well car design
that increases the amount of freight that the well car can
transport. The improved design includes side assemblies that have
an elevated or humped portion. The improved design will be
described using FIGS. 2A-2C and 3.
[0021] FIG. 2A illustrates an example well car 200. As shown in
FIG. 2A, well car 200 includes a well floor 205, castings 225, two
end portions 210, and two side assemblies 105. The two end portions
210 and the two side assemblies 105 are coupled to the well floor
205. Each side assembly 105 includes a top chord 110. Each side
assembly 105 includes two side portions 220 coupled to a humped
portion 215. Each side portion 220 is also coupled to an end
portion 210. Each casting 225 is coupled to a side assembly 105. In
the illustrated example of FIG. 2A, well car 200 includes six
castings 225 (not all illustrated) with three castings 225 coupled
to each side assembly 105. In particular embodiments, the design of
well car 200 allows well car 200 to transport a greater amount of
freight and/or weight than well car 100 at the same or lower tare
weight.
[0022] As described previously, the tare weight of well car 200
(e.g., the weight of well car 200 with no freight loaded) limits
the amount of freight that well car 200 can carry before reaching a
weight limit set by laws and regulations. The more that the tare
weight of well car 200 can be reduced, the more freight it can
carry before hitting the weight limit. However, reducing the tare
weight of well car 200 may affect the structural strength of well
car 200. In some instances, changing the structure of well car 200
may reduce its ability to support heavy freight thus limiting the
amount of weight that well car 200 can safely transport.
[0023] This disclosure contemplates an unconventional humped design
for the side assemblies 105 of well car 200. The humped design
provides greater depth to each side assembly 105, which improves
the vertical support provided by the side assemblies. As a result,
the thickness of certain portions of the side assemblies 105 (e.g.,
top chords 110) may be reduced without jeopardizing the structural
integrity and support of side assemblies 105. By reducing the
thickness of certain components, such as top chord 110, the overall
weight of side assembly 105 is reduced even though the hump design
appears to increase the size of side assembly 105. Reducing the
weight of side assemblies 105 results in a reduction in the tare
weight of well car 200, which allows well car 200 to carry more
freight before reaching the weight limit set by laws and
regulations.
[0024] Freight is loaded into well car 200 to rest on castings 225.
When freight is loaded into well car 200, the weight of the freight
may cause well floor 205 to move closer to the track over which the
well car 200 is running. This movement is referred to as vertical
deflection. Laws and regulations effectively limit the amount of
vertical deflection that can occur in a well car due to a specified
minimum distance between the bottom of the car and the tops of the
track's rails. Thus, if the weight of freight causes too much
vertical deflection, the weight must be reduced or the well car
will not be allowed to transport the freight.
[0025] The humped design of side assemblies 105 offers the
additional advantage of reducing vertical deflections in well car
200. The humped design increases the cross-sectional area of side
assembly 105, like an arch on a bridge. As a result, the vertical
support that side assembly 105 provides to well car 200 and well
floor 205 is improved. The improved vertical support reduces the
amount of vertical deflection that occurs in well car 200 per unit
of weight of freight loaded in well car 200. Thus, the amount of
weight/freight that well car 200 can carry before reaching or
exceeding vertical deflection limits effectively set by laws and
regulations is also increased with the humped design.
[0026] Each side assembly 105 includes two side portions 220
coupled to a humped portion 215. The side portions 220 couple to
the end portions 210 of well car 200. The humped portion 215
couples to the side portions 220. The humped portion 215 runs
across a midline of the side assembly 105. Additionally, the humped
portion 215 is elevated or positioned higher than the side portions
220. As a result, the humped portion 215 is elevated above the side
portions 220. In some embodiments, the structure of top chord 110
and humped portion 215 in well car 200 is curved.
[0027] As a result of the structural improvement provided by the
elevated humped portion 215, the overall weight of top chord 110
may be reduced. For example, top chord 110 may be a tube that runs
along the top of side assembly 105. When side assembly 105 includes
elevated humped portion 215, the tube may be made thinner when
compared to the level top chord 110 of well car 100. The thinner
tube results in a weight reduction of side assembly 105. By
reducing the weight of side assembly 105, the weight of well car
200 is reduced. When the weight of well car 200 is reduced, more
weight can be allotted to the freight that is carried by well car
200. Thus, well car 200 is configured to transport more weight than
well car 100 with the same or less tare weight.
[0028] Elevated humped portion 215 also reduces the amount of
vertical deflection that occurs when freight is loaded into well
car 200. Elevated humped portion 215 increases the cross-sectional
area of side assembly 105. Elevated humped portion 215 also creates
an arch shape for top chord 110 and side assembly 105. As a result,
side assembly 105 provides more vertical support for well car 200
which reduces the amount of vertical deflection that occurs in well
car 200 when freight is loaded into well car 200.
[0029] Top chord 110 may be constructed in any appropriate manner.
In certain embodiments, top chord 110 is a tube that is bent to
form the humped design. In some embodiments, top chord 110 is
formed by welding multiple sections of tubes together. For example,
top chord 110 may be formed by first bending two end tubes and then
welding them to a straight, center tube to form the humped design.
Top chord 110 forms a top surface of side assembly 105. For
example, top chord 110 forms a top surface of side portions 220
and/or humped portion 215.
[0030] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the well car 200 of FIG.
2A. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, side assembly 105 includes top chord
110. Side assembly 105 includes two side portions 220 coupled to an
elevated humped portion 215. The elevated humped portion 215 is
positioned higher than each side portion 220. Additionally, as seen
in FIG. 2B, castings 225 are coupled to side assembly 105. One
casting 225 is coupled to each side portion 220. Another casting
225 is coupled to humped portion 215. Each casting 225 is
positioned near the well floor 205 of well car 200. Although shown
for clarity, it may not necessarily be the case that castings 225
are visible on the exterior surface of side assembly 105. Freight
being transported by well car 200 rests on castings 225.
[0031] As seen in FIG. 2B, humped portion 215 increases the
cross-sectional area of side assembly 105 by creating an
arched-shaped structure. This structure provides additional support
for the structure of well car 200 such that well car 200
experiences less vertical deflection when transporting freight.
Additionally, the structure may reduce the weight of side assembly
105 and well car 200 so that well car 200 can transport additional
weight.
[0032] FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of well car 200
of FIG. 2A. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, well floor 205 is coupled to
side assemblies 105. Each side assembly 105 includes a top chord
110 at the top of side assembly 105. Top chord 110 is a hollow
tube. Although FIG. 2C shows side assembly 105 being orthogonal to
well floor 205, this disclosure contemplates side assembly 105
being slightly angled relative to well floor 205 such that it is
substantially orthogonal to well floor 205 (e.g., within five
degrees of being orthogonal). This disclosure contemplates the top
chord 110 being curved or bent. Castings 225 are coupled to side
assemblies 105 near well floor 205. Freight being transported by
well car 200 rests on castings 225.
[0033] When freight is loaded into well car 200, the freight will
rest on castings 225 and be supported laterally by side assemblies
105. The humped design of side assemblies 105 allow for the freight
to be of a greater weight before well car 200 reaches weight limits
and/or vertical deflection limits set by laws and regulations. By
being able to transport a greater weight of freight, well car 200
is more economically efficient and produces a greater economic
return per use.
[0034] In some embodiments, well car 200 can couple via end
portions 210 to other railcars (such as other well cars). In this
manner, well car 200 can pull or be pulled by other railcars to
transport freight.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 of forming
the well car 200 of FIG. 2A. In step 305, a side assembly is
coupled to a well car. The first side assembly includes a first
side portion, a second side portion, and a first humped portion
coupled between the first side portion and the second side portion.
The first humped portion crosses a midline of the first side
assembly. The first humped portion is also positioned higher than
the first and second side portions. The first side portion is
coupled to a first end portion coupled to the well floor. The
second side portion is coupled to a second end portion coupled to
the well floor.
[0036] In step 310, a second side assembly is attached to the same
well car. The second side assembly includes a third side portion, a
fourth side portion, and a second humped portion coupled between
the third and fourth side portions. The second humped portion
crosses a midline of the second top chord. The second humped
portion is also positioned higher than the third and fourth side
portions. The third side portion is coupled to the first end
portion. The fourth side portion is coupled to the second end
portion. The second side assembly is parallel to the first side
assembly.
[0037] Each top chord may be formed in any appropriate manner. For
example, a top chord may be a tube that is bent to form a humped
design. As another example, a top chord may be formed by welding
multiple tubes together. Each top chord may be attached to the well
car assembly in any appropriate manner. For example, each top chord
may be coupled to the side assembly by welding or mechanically
fastening (hucks, bolts etc.).
[0038] In particular embodiments, by performing method 300, the
resulting well car can transport an increased amount of weight or
freight before reaching structural and/or weight limits set by laws
and regulations. Additionally, the amount of vertical deflection
for any given amount of weight of freight is reduced per tare
weight of the car, thus allowing the resulting well car to
transport an increased amount of weight or freight before reaching
vertical deflection limits set by laws and regulations.
[0039] Although several embodiments have been provided in the
present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed
systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be
limited to the details given herein. For example, the various
elements or components may be combined or integrated in another
system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.
[0040] In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods
described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or
separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules,
techniques, or methods without departing from the spirit or scope
of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as
coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be
indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device,
or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or
otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and
alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could
be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed
herein.
[0041] To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent
issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended
hereto, applicants note that they do not intend any of the appended
claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f) as it exists on the date
of filing hereof unless the words "means for" or "step for" are
explicitly used in the particular claim.
* * * * *