Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
HOURGLASS AUTORACK CAR
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure generally relates to railcars, and more particularly to an
hourglass
shaped autorack railcar.
PRIORITY
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 16/450,275
-HOURGLASS AUTORACK CAR" filed on June 24, 2019, which is a continuation of
U.S.
Application No. 15/214,827 -HOURGLASS AUTORACK CAR" filed on July 20, 2016,
which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/338,254 filed
May 18, 2016, all
of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
2
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 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 embodiments, the width of the railcar at the intermediate panel
may be
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, the
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 some 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
between the center
of the autorack railcar and either the first end or the second end comprises a
second width
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
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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. The 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
distance is
greater than 10. The center panel, the intermediate panel, and the end panel
may comprise
generally straight panels.
As a result, particular embodiments of the present 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.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 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;
FIGURE 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of manufacturing an
autorack railcar, according to some embodiments;
FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram overhead view of an articulated autorack
railcar,
according to some embodiments; and
FIGURE 8 is a schematic diagram side view of an articulated 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.
AAR Plate K permits modification of maximum railcar width under particular
conditions, such as truck center distance, car height, etc. The 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
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
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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' 11",
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 1-8 wherein like reference numbers 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.
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 then reduces to end width 24 at distance 34. As illustrated, particular
embodiments
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
6
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. 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
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
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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 roof). 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 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 10
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
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
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
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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 comprise 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 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 respect 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.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
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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 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 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. 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 the
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 second 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.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
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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 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. An example is
illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8.
FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram overhead view of an articulated autorack
railcar,
according to some embodiments. FIGURE 8 is a schematic diagram side view of an
articulated
autorack railcar, according to some embodiments.
As illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, articulated railcar 100, such as an
autorack railcar,
comprises first hourglass railcar 70 and second hourglass railcar 70 coupled
via articulated
railcar truck 62. Hourglass railcar 70 may comprise an hourglass shaped
railcar, such as railcar
10 described with respect to FIGURES 2 and 3 or railcar 60 described with
respect to FIGURES
3 and 4.
Railcars 70, each with truck center width 40, when coupled together, comprise
articulated railcar 100 with length 64. For example, two 90 foot hourglass
railcars with truck
center width of 66 feet may be coupled resulting in an approximately 156 foot
articulated
railcar.
Railcars 70, each with truck center width 40, when coupled together, comprise
articulated rail car 100 with length 64. With two 70 foot hourglass railcars
with truck center
width of 58 feet may be coupled resulting in an approximately 140 foot
articulated railcar.
Since the truck centers are closer together, the width at the center of each
railcar section may
be increased by as much as 3 inches compared to railcar sections with 66 foot
truck centers.
Method 600 of FIGURE 6 may be repeated to manufacture first hourglass railcar
70
and second hourglass railcar 70. The method may include an additional step of
coupling the
first hourglass railcar to the second hourglass railcar via an articulated
railcar truck.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
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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 the 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.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-30
