Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HOURGLASS AUTORACK CAR
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure generally relates to railcars, and more particularly to an
hourglass
shaped autorack railcar.
BACKGROUND
An autorack railcar (also referred to as an auto carrier or car transporter)
is a railcar
for transporting automobiles and light trucks. For example, an autorack
railcar may transport
vehicles from a manufacturing facility to a distributorship, or transport
vehicles for
passengers of a passenger train service.
An autorack railcar generally includes two or three decks for transporting
vehicles.
Some autorack railcars are convertible between two and three decks. The cars
are typically
fully enclosed with continuous side panels, end doors, and roofs to protect
the vehicles from
severe weather, theft/vandalism, or other in-transit damage.
To load an autorack railcar, a skilled driver drives the vehicle up a ramp and
onto one
of the decks. The driver or another crew member then secures the vehicle to
the deck with
tie down straps, chains, etc. The process is reversed to unload the autorack
railcar.
Conventional autorack railcars typically have limited interior width for
personnel to
maneuver between the side panels of the railcar and vehicles loaded in the
railcar. This
problem is more noticeable with wide vehicles, such as pickup trucks with sets
of dual rear
wheels, or vehicles without folding mirrors.
A conventional autorack railcar may be a constant width (e.g., 9' 11") for the
length
of the railcar. Railcar width is constrained by American Association of
Railroads (AAR)
regulations in Standard S-2030 Plate D, S-2047 Plate J, and S-2048 Plate K.
Plates J and K
describe the overall equipment diagram for railcars up to 19' 0" and 20' 3"
tall, respectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The constant width of a conventional autorack railcar provides limited
interior width
for personnel to maneuver between the side panels of the railcar and the
vehicles loaded in
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the railcar. The embodiments described herein include a variable width,
hourglass-shaped
autorack railcar.
According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first end and a second
end. A
first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side are disposed between
the first end and
the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an
intermediate
panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the
intermediate
panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the
first end or the
second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a
width of the
railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel
comprise generally
straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the
first longitudinal
side may further comprise an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel
and the first
end or the second end.
In particular cmbodiments, the width of the railcar at thc intermediate panel
may bc
approximately 10 feet 8 inches and the width of the railcar at the center
panel may vary from
approximately 9 feet 11 inches proximate the center of the railcar to
approximately 10 feet 8
inches proximate the intermediate panel. In embodiments with an end panel, thc
width of the
railcar at the end panel may vary from approximately 10 feet 8 inches
proximate the
intermediate panel to approximately 10 feet 3 inches proximate the first end
or the second
end.
In particular embodiments, the center panel is approximately 18 feet long and
the
intermediate panel is approximately 25 feet long. In embodiments with an end
panel, the end
panel is approximately 2 feet long.
In particular embodiments, the width of the railcar at the center panel is
generally
constant along a vertical dimension of the railcar.
According to somc embodiments, an autorack railcar comprises a first end and a
second end. A first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side are
disposed between the
first end and the second end. A rack for transporting vehicles is generally
enclosed by the
first end, the second end, the first longitudinal aide, and the second
longitudinal side. A first
width of the autorack railcar between the first longitudinal side and the
second longitudinal
side proximate a center of the autorack railcar comprises a first width value.
A second width
of the autorack railcar between the first longitudinal side and the second
longitudinal side
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between the center of the autorack railcar and either the first end or the
second end comprises
a second width value. The second width value is greater than the first width
value. The first
width and the second width are generally constant along a vertical dimension
of the autorack
railcar. In some embodiments, a third width of the autorack railcar between
the first
longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side proximate either the first
end or the second
end comprises a third width value. The third width value greater than or equal
to the first
width value and less than or equal to the second width value. The third width
value is
generally constant along a vertical dimension of the autorack railcar.
In particular embodiments, the first width value is approximately 9 feet 11
inches, the
second width value is approximately 10 feet 8 inches, and the third with value
is
approximately 10 feet and 3 inches.
In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an autorack railcar comprises
providing a first end and a second end. The method further comprises coupling
a first
longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side between the first end and the
second end to
enclose a rack for transporting vehicles. The first longitudinal side
comprises a center panel
and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of
the railcar and
the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center
panel and the
first end or the second end. The center panel and the intermediate panel
comprise generally
straight panels. In some embodiments, the first longitudinal side further
comprises an end
panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second
end. The end
panel may comprise a generally straight panel. Thc method further comprises
positioning the
center panel a first distance from the second longitudinal side and
positioning the
intermediate panel a second distance from the second longitudinal side. The
second distance
is greater than the first distance. In some embodiments, the method further
comprises
positioning the end panel a third distance from the second longitudinal side.
The third
distance is greater than or equal to the first distance and less than or equal
to the second
distance.
In particular embodiments, the first distance is less than 10 feet, the second
distancc is
greater than 10. The center panel, the intermediate panel, and the end panel
may comprise
generally straight panels.
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As a result, particular embodiments of the prescnt disclosure may provide
numerous
technical advantages. For example, the additional autorack railcar width
provides additional
room within the railcar, which improves crew ergonomics by providing more room
to
conduct normal operations and reduces the likelihood of vehicle damage caused
by close
working conditions. Particular embodiments of the present disclosure may
provide some,
none, all, or additional technical advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIIE DRAWINGS
A more complete and thorough understanding of the particular embodiments and
advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description
taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers
indicate like
features, and wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram overhead view of an autorack railcar,
according to
some embodiments;
FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram side view of an autorack railcar, according to
some
embodiments;
FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram overhead view of another autorack railcar,
according to some embodiments;
FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram side view of another autorack railcar,
according to
some embodiments;
FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram overhead view of an example autorack loaded
with
vehicles, according to a particular embodiment; and
FIGURE 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of manufacturing an
autorack railcar, according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Conventional fixed-width autorack railcars provide limited interior space for
personnel to maneuver between the side panels of the railcar and the vehicles
loaded in the
railcar. Particular embodiments obviate the problems described above and
include a variable
width, hourglass-shaped autorack railcar.
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AAR Plate K permits modification of maximum railcar width under particular
conditions, such as truck center distance, car height, etc. Thc maximum width
at any
longitudinal location along a railcar may be determined by a formula.
Particular
embodiments include a variable width railcar that complies with regulations
while also
providing additional width and interior clearance (e.g., up to 4.5" per side)
for much of the
length of the railcar. The additional interior clearance improves crew
ergonomics by
providing more room to conduct normal operations and reduces the likelihood of
vehicle
damage caused by close working conditions.
As an example, AAR Plate J restricts railcar width to a 10' 8" maximum at any
location for a railcar with truck centers spaced at 55' 1" apart. The maximum
width at the
center of a railcar with a common truck spacing of, for example, 66' is
approximately 9' 11".
Moving longitudinally outward from the center of the railcar, the maximum
width increases
to 10' 8". Using a 90' railcar as an example, the permissible width
approximately 18' from
the center of the car outward to approximately 43' is 10' 8". From 43' outward
to the end of
the railcar (i.e., 45'), the permissible width is approximately 10' 3.8".
Particular embodiments take advantage of the variable width requirements to
expand
the width of an autorack railcar at particular locations beneficial for the
crew that loads or
unloads the autorack railcar. For example, although the maximum width at the
center of an
autorack railcar with a common truck spacing of 66' is approximately 9' I I",
the width of
the autorack railcar may be wider in other locations. Particular embodiments
include an
hourglass-shaped autorack railcar where the autorack railcar is narrow at a
center point and
gets wider towards each end of the car. Particular embodiments provide extra
width at the
locations where an operator entering or exiting a vehicle during the
loading/unloading
process may benefit from extra maneuverability.
Plate K specifies requirements for taller railcars. Particular embodiments may
include hourglass-shaped autorack railcars for any suitable configuration or
combination of
truck center distances, railcar lengths, railcar heights, or other suitable
parameters.
Particular embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference
to
FIGURES 1-4 wherein like reference numbcrs indicate like features.
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram overhead view of an autorack railcar,
according to
some embodiments. Autorack railcar 10 includes ends 14 and longitudinal sides
16.
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Longitudinal sides 16 and ends 14 enclose a rack for transporting vehicles and
generally
protect the vehicles from the elements during transport.
Autorack railcar 10 includes variable widths along the longitudinal length
(i.e.,
variable width between longitudinal sides 16) of the railcar. Dashed lines 18
represent the
fixed width of a conventional autorack railcar.
In particular embodiments, the width of autorack railcar 10 approximates an
hourglass shape with a minimum width 20 at the center of autorack railcar 10
and a width
that expands over the distance 30 to a maximum width 22. The maximum width 22
continues out to distance 32 and thcn reduces to end width 24 at distance 34.
As illustrated,
particular embodiments provide additional width than a conventional autorack
railcar
(represented by dashed lines 18) at particular locations along the length of
railcar 10. The
additional width may provide additional room for crew members to operate and
may reduce
the chances of vehicle damage.
As a particular example, autorack railcar 10 may comprise a 90' railcar with
trucks
spaced at 66'. In this example, minimum width 20 is approximately 9' 11". The
width of
autorack railcar 10 may gradually increase over distance 30 (e.g.,
approximately 18' from
center) to maximum width 22. In this example, maximum width 22 is
approximately 10' 8".
The width of autorack railcar 10 may be a constant 10' 8" between distance 30
(e.g.,
approximately 18' from center) and distance 32 (e.g., approximately 43' from
center). At the
end of autorack railcar 10, its width may gradually reduce between distance 32
(e.g.,
approximately 43' from center) and 34 (e.g., approximately 45' from center) to
end width 24.
In this example, end width 24 is approximately 10' 3.8".
Accordingly, some portions of the example autorack railcar 10 (e.g., the
portion
having width 22) may be up to approximately 9" wider than a conventional fixed
width
autorack railcar (i.e., 10' 8" - 9' 11" 9"). The additional 9" may provide
extra clearance
(e.g., up to 4.5") on each side of a vehicle loaded in autorack railcar 10,
which provides
additional room for a crew to perform interior operations in autorack railcar
10. Other
embodiments may include any suitable dimensions.
FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram side view of an autorack railcar, according to
some
embodiments. FIGURE 2 illustrates a side view, for example, of autorack
railcar 10
described with respect to FIGURE 1. Autorack railcar 10 includes truck center
distance 40.
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The side panels of autorack railcar 10 include left center panel 42, right
center panel 44, left
intermediate panel 46, right intermediate panel 48, left end panel 50, and
right end panel 52.
Left center panel 42 and right center panel 44 are positioned on each side of
the
center line of autorack railcar 10. Railcar 10 has a minimum width at the
center of left center
panel 42 and right center panel 44. Moving outward longitudinally from the
center of
autorack railcar 10, autorack railcar 10 has a maximum width along the length
of left
intermediate side panel 46 and right intermediate side panel 48. The width of
autorack
railcar 10 reduces again along left end panel 50 and right end panel 52.
Although the various
panels 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 are described as a single panel, in
particular embodiments
each panel may comprise any number of panels or sub-panels.
As a particular example, autorack railcar 10 may comprise a 90' railcar and
truck
center distance 40 may be approximately 66'. The width of autorack railcar 10
at left center
panel 42 may be approximately 9' 11" at the center of the railcar. Left center
panel 42 may
be approximately 18' in length and the width of autorack railcar 10 may be
approximately
10' 8" at the leftmost side of center panel 42. Right center panel 44 may be
approximately
18' in length and the width of autorack railcar 10 may be approximately 10' 8"
at the
rightmost side of right center panel 44.
The width of autorack railcar 10 for the length of left intermediate side
panel 46 and
right intermediate side panel 48 may be approximately 10' 8". Left
intermediate side panel
46 and right intermediate side panel 48 may be approximately 25' in length.
Left end panel 50 and right end panel 52 may be approximately 2' in length.
The
width of autorack railcar 10 is approximately 10' 8" at the rightmost side of
left end panel 50
and approximately 10' 3.8" at the leftmost side of left end panel 50. The
width of autorack
railcar 10 is approximately 10' 8" at the leftmost side of right end panel 52
and
approximately 10' 3.8" at the rightmost side of right end panel 52.
In particular embodiments, the width of autorack railcar 10 is generally
constant over
a vertical dimension of autorack railcar 10. For example, the width of
autorack railcar 10 at
any particular location along longitudinal sides 16 is the same width from the
bottom of
longitudinal side 16 (e.g., near the railcar floor) to the top of longitudinal
side 16 (e.g., near
the railcar root). As a particular example, the width of autorack railcar 10
at left intermediate
side panel 46 may be 10' 8". The width of autorack railcar 10 at left
intermediate side panel
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46 is generally a constant 10' 8" across the vertical dimension of left
intermediate side panel
46 (e.g., generally constant from floor to roof).
Other embodiments may include any suitable dimensions or any suitable number
of
side panels. For example, particular embodiments may not include left end
panel 50 or right
end panel 52. In such embodiments, left intermediate side panel 46 and/or
right intermediate
side panel 48 may extend to the end of autorack railcar 10, and the width of
autorack railcar
may be constant (e.g., approximately 10' 3.8" in some embodiments) along the
length of
left intermediate side panel 46 and/or right intermediate side panel 48.
The example autorack railcar illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 includes generally
10
straight side panels that may be connected at various angles to transition
between the various
widths at the various locations along the length of the railcar. For example
left end panel 50,
left intermediate side panel 46, and left center panel 42 may all comprise
panels that are
straight along their horizontal dimension. Left end panel 50 is coupled to
left intermediate
side panel 46 at a first angle, and left intermediate side panel 46 is coupled
to left center
panel 42 at a second angle to vary the width along the longitudinal direction
of autorack
railcar 10. In particular embodiments, generally straight side panels may be
relatively easy
and inexpensive to manufacture compared to other configurations. Other
embodiments may
include other types of side panels, such as curved side panels, or a
combination of straight
and curved side panels.
FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram overhead view of another autorack railcar,
according to some embodiments. Autorack railcar 60 is similar to autorack
railcar 10
illustrated in FIGURE 1, except autorack railcar 60 includes curved side
panels.
For example, each longitudinal side 16 may include curved side panels that
curve
between the centerline and distance 30 on either side of the center line. In
particular
embodiments, the curved side panel may comprisc a single curved side panel or
a
combination of several curved sub-panels. In particular embodiments, the
curved side panels
may be curved for the vertical length of the panel (e.g., the side panel may
be curved from
floor to roof).
As another example, each longitudinal side 16 may include curved side panels
near
each end 14 of autorack railcar 60, such as between distances 32 and 34.
Although each
curve is illustrated with a particular radius, other embodiments may include
any suitable
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radius to maximize the interior space of an autorack railcar without exceeding
width
regulations at any particular point along the length of the railcar.
FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram side view of another autorack railcar,
according to
some embodiments. FIGURE 4 illustrates a side view, for example, of autorack
railcar 60
described with rcspect to FIGURE 3. Longitudinal side 16 of the autorack
railcar includes
curved side panels 54, 56, and 58.
In particular embodiments, the racks for transporting vehicles within an
autorack
railcar may be positioned or configured with the respect to the autorack
railcar width
dimensions to optimize crew access to the vehicles for transport. For example,
the rack may
be configured such that the hood or trunk portion of the vehicle is located in
the narrower
width portion of the autorack railcar, and vehicle openings, such as the
driver side window
and door, are located in the wider portion of the autorack railcar.
FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram overhead view of an example autorack loaded
with
vehicles, according to a particular embodiment. The example autorack railcar,
such as
autorack railcar 10 described with respect to FIGURES 1 and 2 or autorack
railcar 60
described with respect to FIGURES 3 and 4, includes vehicles 52. Although 4
vehicles are
illustrated, particular embodiments may include any suitable number of
vehicles on one or
more decks.
As illustrated, the varying width of longitudinal sides 16 provides extra room
for
maneuvering around vehicles 52. The extra room is particularly advantageous
when vehicles
52 comprise wide vehicles, such as pickup trucks with sets of dual rear
wheels, or when
vehicles 52 comprise vehicles without folding mirrors.
FIGURE 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of manufacturing an
autorack railcar, according to some embodiments. In particular embodiments,
one or more
steps of method 600 may be performed to manufacture a railcar, such as the
autorack railcars
described with respect to FIGURES 1-5.
The method begins at step 610 by providing a first end and a second end. For
example, the first end and second end may comprise any of ends 14 described
with respect to
FIGURES 1-5.
At step 612, a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side are
coupled
between the first end and the second end to enclose a rack for transporting
vehicles. For
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example, any of longitudinal sides 16 described with respect to FIGURES 1-5
may be
coupled to any of ends 14.
In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side comprises a center
panel and an
intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a ccnter of the
railcar and the
intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center
panel and the first
end or the second end. For example, the center panel may comprise any of left
center panel
42, right center panel 44, or curved side panel 54, and the intermediate panel
may comprise
any of left intermediate panel 46 or right intermediate panel 48 described
with respect to
FIGURES 1-5.
At step 614, a center panel is positioned a first distance from the second
longitudinal
side. For example, any of left center panel 42, right center panel 44, or
curved side panel 54
may be positioned such that a portion of the panel is approximately 9' 11"
from second
longitudinal side 16.
At step 616, an intermediate panel is positioned a second distance from thc
second
longitudinal side. For example, any of left intermediate panel 46 or right
intermediate panel
48 may be positioned approximately 10' 8" from second longitudinal side 16.
At optional step 618, an end panel may be positioned a third distance from the
second
longitudinal side. In particular embodiments, the end panel is disposed
between the
intermediate panel and the first end or the sccond end.
For example, the end panel may comprise any of left end panel 50, right end
panel 52,
and curved side panels 56 and 58 as described with respect to FIGURES 1-5. In
particular
embodiments, a portion of any of left end panel 50, right end panel 52, and
curved side
panels 56 and 58 may be positioned approximately 10' 3" from second
longitudinal side 16.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the method of FIGURE 6.
Additionally, one or more steps in method 600 of FIGURE 6 may be performed in
parallel or
in any suitable order.
In particular embodiments, an autorack railcar may be constructed by adding a
rack
for transporting vehicles to a flatcar. Particular embodiments may include
adding side
panels, end panels or end doors, and a roof. Conventional flatcars generally
have a constant
width. In particular embodiments, a flatcar may be constructed with a varying
width, such as
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any of the varying widths described in the embodiments above, for further
constructing a
variable width autorack railcar.
Although the example embodiments illustrated are symmetrical around a
centerline of
the autorack railcar, other embodiments may not be symmetrical. Particular
embodiments
may include articulated autorack railcars or sets of articulated autorack
railcars.
Some embodiments of the disclosure may provide one or more technical
advantages.
As an example, some embodiments provide interior clearance that improves crew
ergonomics by providing more room to conduct normal operations and reduces the
likelihood
of vehicle damage caused by close working conditions.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to thc systems and
apparatuses
disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The
components of the
systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the
operations of the
systems and apparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods disclosed
herein
without departing from the scope of the invention. The methods may include
more, fewer, or
other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order.
Although embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and
alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention
as defined by the claims below.
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