EP0548037A1

EP0548037A1 - An intermediate bellows for a railway wagon combination

Info

Publication number: EP0548037A1
Application number: EP92850300A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Olavi Mäenpää; Juhani Räty; Voitto Riihiaho
Original assignee: TRANSTECH Ltd Oy
Current assignee: TRANSTECH Ltd Oy
Priority date: 1991-12-17
Filing date: 1992-12-17
Publication date: 1993-06-23
Also published as: FI915939A0; FI89695C; FI89695B

Abstract

An intermediate-bellows structure for use between two covered railway wagons carrying automobiles. The intermediate bellows (1) has a rigid frame (2a, 2b) in each of its edges connecting to the different wagons (3a, 3b). The vertical sides (4a, 4b) of the wagon-body ends are shaped into guides along which the intermediate bellows can, by transmission of its rigid frame, be raised slidingly to provide passage clearance during the loading of the wagon and be lowered for the duration of the travel of the train.

Description

The invention relates to an intermediate bellows structure for use between two covered railway wagons carrying automobiles.
When automobile-carrying railway wagons are interconnected to form a continuous covered space, the gangways between the wagons are covered using an intermediate bellows with outerdimensions approximately corresponding to the cross section of the wagon. On the one hand, the outer dimensions of the intermediate bellows should thus correspond to the outer dimensions of the wagons, in order both to maintain at a low level the resistance caused by the travel of the train and to avoid excessive loading of the bellows by the flow of air. On the other hand, the intermediate bellows should, especially in combinations of automobile-carrying wagons, be spacious inside, since it should enable automobiles to be driven from one wagon to anothervia the bellows gangway. It is known that the inside height of automobile-carrying wagons can be increased in unloading and loading situations by arrangements for raising the wagon roof. However, owing to its pleats a bellows gangway between wagons, the outer dimensions of the bellows being thus determined by the largest permitted load dimensions of the wagons, is in any case more congested than the rest of the wagon. Especially the small inside clearance height of the bellows and the downward hanging of the bellows hamper the driving of automobiles from one wagon to another.
It is an object of the invention to provide an intermediate bellows structure which enables the passage clearance at the bellows gangway to be enlarged at least to the height of the rest of the inner clearance of the car-carrying wagon, at least during the loading and unloading of automobiles, whereas during the travel of the train the outer dimensions of the bellows do not exceed the permitted load dimensions. Another object of the invention is to provide an intermediate bellows of this type which at least during the travel of the train is closely connected to both of the successive automobile-carrying wagons. It is also an object of the invention to provide an intermediate bellows of this type which is structurally simple, sturdy and reliable in operation.
The above problem can be solved and the objects defined above can be achieved using an intermediate bellows according to the invention, which is characterized in what is defined in the characterizing clause of Claim 1.
The most important advantage of the invention is that, when the intermediate bellows structure according to it is used, the passage clearance within it can be made sufficiently large forthe duration of the loading and unloading of automobiles, whereas during the travel of the train the outer dimensions of the bellows can be made to correspond to the outer dimensions of the wagons. It is also an advantage of the invention that the structure is simple and economical in price.
The invention is described below in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is an axonometric representation of an intermediate bellows according to the invention, in the position in which it is during the travel of the train.
Figure 2 depicts an intermediate bellows according to the invention, raised in accordance with the invention for loading, in the same representation as Figure 1.
Figure 3 depicts a cross section, through A-A in Figure 1, of one embodiment of the upper section of the intermediate bellows according to the invention.
Figure 4 depicts a cross section, through B-B in Figure 1, of one embodiment of the edge profiles of the intermediate bellows according to the invention.

According to the invention, the intermediate bellows 1 has been arranged to be capable of being raised during loading, as shown in Figure 2, and of being lowered for the duration of the travel of the train, as shown in Figure 1. This can be implemented in such a manner that the intermediate bellows 1 has rigid frames 2a and 2b at both its end edges, which adjoin different railway wagons 3a and 3b. The rigid sides 4a and 4b of the wagon-body ends, coming against the bellows, are shaped as guides 5 along which the intermediate bellows, by transmission of vertical, parallel connecting members 6 in its rigid frame 2a, 2b, can be slidingly raised and lowered. In other words, the sides of the wagon ends have parallel slide rails, and the frame constitutes corresponding parallel counter-rails or a similar structure, enabling the intermediate bellows 1 to be moved up and down. Furthermore, the inner clearance height H of the intermediate bellows 1 is by at least the bellows thickness T greater than the distance between the inner surface of the lowered roof section 11 of the railway wagon and the lower driving deck 15. In this case, the intermediate bellows in its lowered position, in which the outer surface of the intermediate bellows is at least approximately at the level of the wagon cover 7, extends by distance D below the lower driving deck 15. This distance D between the lower driving deck and the inner surface of the lower section of the bellows is thus at least the said bellows thickness T, but it may be even greater if the space available below the driving deck level between the wagons allows it.
It is advantageous to shape the connecting members 6 of the rigid frame 2a and 2b of the intermediate bellows as counter-profiles 8, which grip in the horizontal directions the parallel guide profiles 5 in the ends of the wagon body. In particular, the guide profiles 5 can be given a cross-sectional C-shape and the counter-profiles 8 respectively a T-shape, in which case the branches of the T-shape will be inside the C-shape. It is clear that the shaping may be the reverse or some other profile shape which will prevent the intermediate- bellows frame 2a, 2b from being detached from the sides 4a, 4b of the wagon-body ends, but will allow them to slide in their longitudinal direction.
In order to achieve tightness, the upper section 9 of the intermediate bellows must be, at least during the travel of the train, below the extension 10 of the roof section 11 of the wagon cover 7, as shown in Figure 3. Thus a tight connection is achieved between the frame 2a and 2b, and thereby the bellows, and the wagon cover also in the area of the roof section 11 and the upper section 9 of the bellows. When the roof section 11 is raised forthe duration of loading and unloading, as shown in Figure 3 by dot-dashed lines, this extra clearance height enables the intermediate bellows 1 to be raised without the roof section 11 preventing it.
The raising and lowering of the intermediate bellows and its frame 2a, 2b can be arranged, for example, using drive mechanisms 12 fitted to the side wall structures of the wagon. The drive mechanism 12 may be made up of, for example, wire cables orchains 13 and of pulleys 14 guiding them, and of actuating and locking mechanisms, not shown in the figures, which may be manually or electrically operated cable drums, chain wheels, or the like. Hydraulic or pneumatic raising mechanisms for the intermediate bellows 1 are also conceivable. In addition, it is possible to couple the drive mechanism 12 of the intermediate bellows to the raising and lowering mechanisms, not shown in the figures, of the wagon roof 11, in which case the raising and lowering of the roof sections and the intermediate bellows are effected simultaneously by one mechanism.

Claims

1. An intermediate-bellows structure for use between two railway wagons carrying automobiles, characterized in that the intermediate bellows (1) has a rigid frame (2a, 2b) at both of its edges connecting to different wagons (3a, 3b) when necessary, that the vertical sides (4a, 4b) of the wagon-body ends are shaped as guides (5) along which the intermediate bellows, by transmission of the connecting members (6) of its rigid frame, can be slidingly raised to provide passage clearance during the loading of the wagon and be lowered at least to the level of the wagon cover (7) for the duration of the travel of the train.

2. An intermediate-bellows structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the vertical sides (4a, 4b) of the wagon-body ends are shaped into parallel guide profiles (5), and that the corresponding parts of the intermediate-bellows frame (2a, 2b) at the wagon sides are shaped into counter-profiles (8) which are parallel and serve as connecting members which lock to the guide profiles (5) in the horizontal direction, the guide profile guiding the counter-profiles in order to produce a vertical movement during the raising and lowering.

3. An intermediate-bellows structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate bellows (1) with its frame (2a, 2b) can be raised at least over a distance approximately equal to its thickness (T), and thatthe inner clearance height (H) of the intermediate bellows is greater by at least the bellows thickness (T) than the distance between the inner surface of the lowered roof section (11) of the wagon and the lower driving deck (15).

4. An intermediate bellows according to Claim 1, characterized in thatthe upper section (9) of the intermediate-bellows (1) frame is below an extension (10) of the roof section (11) of the wagons and, during the travel of the train, against the roof section, in which case the intermediate bellows can be raised owing to the roof section (11) being raisable.

5. An intermediate bellows structure according to Claim 2, characterized in that the guide profile (5) has a C-shaped cross section and the counter-profile (8) has a T-shaped cross section, oral- ternatively vice versa, the branches of the T-shape being inside the C-shape.

6. An intermediate bellows structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the raising and lowering of the intermediate bellows (1) and its frame (2a, 2b) takes place by means of a drive mechanism (12) located in the side wall structures of the wagon, the mechanism consisting of wire cables or chains (13) and of pulleys (14) guiding them, and of an actuating and locking mechanism.

7. An intermediate bellows structure according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said drive mechanism (12) is connected to the raising and lowering mechanisms of the wagon roof.