AU2017232068A1 - A railway wagon - Google Patents

Abstract

A RAILWAY WAGON Abstract A railway wagon (1) including a substantially frustum shaped body (2) to be supported on a pair of bogies (6) having wheels (15) adapted in use to run along a set of rails (12). The body having a longitudinally extending base (14) defining a base plane and located between a pair of upwardly extending side walls (45) and end walls (3) to an opening (22). The base, side and end walls defining a hopper (23) to hold material to be transported by said wagon along said rails. At least one door (10) is located in said base and adapted in use to permit said material located in said hopper to exit said hopper. A first part of each end wall extends upwardly away from said base at an angle X from said base plane, and a second part of each said end wall extends upwardly away from said base at an angle Y from said base plane. Figure 6 Figure 7

Description

A RAILWAY WAGON

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to transport devices and in particular to railway wagons for transporting coal and other similar raw materials.

Background of the Invention [0002] Raw materials are either mined or grown usually away from business centres so need to be transported over long distances to processing plants and/or container terminals for export to other countries. Transporting such materials by road is problematic in that only a limited amount of the material can be transported at the one time and excessive use of trucks clogs the already congested road system and creates dangers to the general public. The only cost effective and safe way of transporting large quantities of raw materials is via a train network.

[0003] Such transportation is typically accomplished by using rail wagons, railcars or carriages. The wagons are generally frustum or rectangular pyramid shaped. The longer end being at the top and having an opening within which the raw materials can be loaded into the upside down pyramid which forms a chamber or hopper. The lower (smaller end) has a series of doors to release the material once the wagon is located over a designated point. At each end of the wagon typically is a pair of bogies having wheels and adapted to run on rails of a rail network. The wagons have drawgear (couplers, draw bars or the like) to connect the wagons to each other or a locomotive. Typically, these existing wagons have straight or flat sloping end walls angled from the smaller lower side to the long upper side extending above each of the bogies.

[0004] Existing sloping end walls provide a surface for the coal or raw material to slide down. The angle of the wall is dependent upon the properties of coal or raw material to be transported such that the coal or raw material slides. Typically, for coal the end wall is angled at approximately 50 degrees to the horizontal.

[0005] In existing wagons, the lower end part of the end wall (so the part adjacent to the wheels of the bogies) slopes downwards at the same angle or very close to the same angle as the main or upper part of the end wall. This means that the end wall extends a substantial distance past the wheels under the bogie which reduces the overall volume of the wagon.

[0006] Further, existing wagons have transverse structural members or “tents” due to their triangular shape. These tents provide support for doors which permit material in the hopper to be removed and protect the shaft assemblies of the doors. The doors have one end fixed at a hinge point and one free end that moves or pivots about the hinge point to open or close an opening through which material flows. The doors must not drop below the defined static outline gauge, even when the doors are open. The door hinge points are located within the upper tent. The upper and lower tents, together with the doors, work in cooperation to provide the opening to allow the doors to open and close and for the raw material to exit. The size of the door (required for coal flow), and the arc of the door, defines the minimum height above the rail of the door pivot pin, as well as the interface to the lower tent. The lower tent, therefore, always sits much higher than the static outline gauge. The slope angles of the tent are governed by the coal’s ability to slide over the surface. Due to the upper tent extending significantly into the coal wagon hopper, the volume of the hopper is reduced.

[0007] Still further, the hopper includes supports (or diaphragms) which serve two purposes. They provide a structural connection between the cant rail, side sill and the centre sill. These are structural members strengthening the wagon. They also provide the means of controlling the side wall profile. The diaphragms typically use a stiffened section that connects to the tents, and then the tents have to be connected to the centre sill. The load path between the cant rail and the centre sill is not direct. Also, the vertical plates of the diaphragm assembly inhibit the smooth flow of coal during loading and discharge. They also attract stress loads which can cause cracking reducing the reliability of the wagon structure.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a wagon with an increased volume and better performing doors.

[0009] There is also a need to provide wagon diaphragms with improved structural load paths and reduced surface areas that create additional forces and impede coal flow.

Object of the Invention [0010] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention [0011] There is disclosed herein a railway wagon including: a substantially frustum shaped body to be supported on a pair of bogies having wheels adapted in use to run along a set of rails; the body having a longitudinally extending base defining a base plane and located between a pair of upwardly extending side walls and end walls to an opening; said base, side and end walls defining a hopper to hold material to be transported by said wagon along said rails; at least one door located in said base and adapted in use to permit said material located in said hopper to exit said hopper; wherein a first part of each said end wall extends upwardly away from said base at an angle X from said base plane, and a second part of each said end wall extends upwardly away from said base at an angle Y from said base plane.

[0012] Preferably, said angle X is about 50 degrees.

[0013] Preferably, said angle Y is about 90 degrees.

[0014] Preferably, each said end wall includes one or more channels.

[0015] Preferably, said channel has a pair of side walls extending away from a floor.

[0016] Preferably, said side walls are angled outwardly away from said floor.

[0017] Preferably, the side walls are located at an angle from said floor of between about 0 to 50 degrees.

[0018] Preferably, the angle is influenced by the properties of the material being carried in the [0019] Preferably, said second part of said end wall extends vertically downwardly to be positioned adjacent to said wheels of said bogie.

[0020] Preferably, each said channel extends substantially between the wheels of said bogie.

[0021] Preferably, each said door is operatively associated with an upper and lower gate, the door being movable with respect to said gates to provide an opening through which material can exit said hopper.

[0022] Preferably, the angle between sides of the triangular shape gate is Z.

[0023] Preferably, the angle Z of the upper gate is about 80 degrees.

[0024] Preferably, the angle Z of the lower gate is about 80 degrees.

[0025] Preferably, said diaphragm panel of a generally triangular shape located within said body and adapted to provide support to said side walls.

[0026] Preferably, the diaphragm includes one or more stiffeners located within said chamber.

Brief Description of Drawings [0027] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0028] Figure 1 is a prior art coal wagon; [0029] Figure 2 is a partial view of a prior art wagon end wall; [0030] Figures 3a and 3b are partial views of an end wall of an embodiment of the present invention; [0031] Figure 4 is a side profile of end walls of wagons of an embodiment of the present invention; [0032] Figure 5 is a top view profile of end walls of an embodiment of the present invention; [0033] Figure 6 is a side view wagon door of the prior art; [0034] Figure 7 is a side view of a wagon door of an embodiment of the present invention; [0035] Figures 8a and 8b are side views of door base and panels of the prior art and an embodiment of the present invention; [0036] Figure 9 is a side view of Figures 8a, 8b in open and closed positions of the prior art and an embodiment of the present invention; [0037] Figure 10 is a partial view of stiffeners of an embodiment of the present invention; [0038] Figure 11 is a further partial view of stiffeners of an embodiment of the present invention; and [0039] Figures 12a to 12e show various end wall configurations.

Description of Embodiments [0040] There is disclosed herein a rail wagon 1 having a substantially frustum shaped body 2 to be supported on a pair of bogies 6 having wheels 15 adapted in use to run along a set of rails 12. The body 2 having a longitudinally extending base 14 defining a base plane ZZ and located between a pair of upwardly extending side walls 45 and end walls 3 to an opening 22. The base, side and end walls defining a hopper 23 to hold material to be transported by the wagon 1 along the rails 12. The wagon 1 includes at least one door 10 located in the base and adapted in use to permit the material located in the hopper 22 to exit the hopper 22. A first part 8 of the end wall 3 extends upwardly from the base at an angle X from the base plane ZZ. A second part 7 of the end wall 3 extends upwardly away from the base at an angle Y from the base plane ZZ. In a preferred form, the angles X and Y are different. In one embodiment, the angle X is about 50 degrees and angle Y is about 90 degrees. Each of the end walls 3 includes one or more channels 17. The channels 17 have a pair of side walls 17a, 17b extending away from a floor 17c. The side walls 17a, 17b are angled outwardly away from the floor 17c. Preferably, the side walls 17a, 17b are located at an angle from the floor 17c of about 0 to 50 degrees. The second part 7 of the end wall 3 extends vertically downward to be positioned adjacent the wheels 15 of the bogies 6. The channel 17 extends substantially between the wheels 15 of the bogie 6. Each of the doors 10 is operatively associated with an upper and lower gate 25, 26. The door 10 being movable with respect to the gates 25, 26 to provide an opening 50 through which material connects at the hopper. In the preferred form each of the gates 25, 26 include a generally triangular shape where the angles between the sides of the triangular shape B,C are approximately 60 to 80 degrees.

[0041] Existing coal wagons 1 (see Figures 1 and 2) use a sloping end wall 3 that provides a surface for the coal (or other raw material) to slide down. The angle A of the end wall 3 is dependent upon the properties of the coal such that the coal slides. As seen in Figure 2, from outside the wagon stiffeners 4 support the end wall. The present invention at least in a preferred embodiment includes a recessed region (or channel) 5 within the end wall 3 (see Figures 3a, 3b) thereby increasing the available hopper or chamber wagon volume.

[0042] Referring specifically to Figures 2 and 3a, 3b, normally the lower part 7 of the end wall 3 slopes downwards at the same angle (or very close to the same angle A) as the main part (upper) 8 of the end wall 3. (see 20 in Figure 4). The lower part 7 now provides a vertical face and has a bottom edge 9 of the end wall continues to provide the interface to the door 10. The sections 11 of the end wall 3 are dependent upon the position and movements of the bogies’ wheels 15 (to avoid a clash). Between the wheels 15 on the wheel set, there is a gap 16.

[0043] As seen in Figure 4, the door interface point 9 between the end slope 7 and the doors 10 is much closer to the wheel 15 in the present invention than currently achieved because of the vertical section 7 being introduced.

[0044] As seen in Figure 5, the space 16 between the wheels 15 on the wheelset is used to create additional volume. The end wall 3 located in this mid section or channel 17 interfaces with the new door interface point 9. The angle of the slope in area 17 can be retained at the same angle as the area 11. The benefits include significant increase in hopper volume, additional in-built panel rigidity resulting from the folded / bent sections.

[0045] As seen in Figures 6 to 8a, 8b and 9, the current principles for the design of wagons 1 are that the door 10 must not remain below the defined static outline gauge, even when the doors 10 are open. The door’s hinge points 21 are located within the upper tent (or upper gate) 25. The size of the door 10 (required for coal flow), and the arc of the door 10, define the minimum height of the door pivot pin 21, as well as the interface to the lower tent (lower gate) 26. The lower tent 26, therefore, always sits much higher than the static outline gauge 27. The slope angles B, C of the tent 25, 26 are governed by the coal’s ability to slide over the surface. The upper and lower tents 25, 26 consume a significant amount of the hopper’s (chamber) volume. The invention at least in a preferred embodiment provides the swing/arc 29 of the door 10 being changed/flattened such that its open and closed positions lie on (or very close to) the static outline gauge 27. The change in arc 29 requires the door’s pivot point 21 to be changed. The previous association between the hinge point 21 and the upper tent 25 has been broken; both features are now free to be designed independantly which provides significant advantages.

[0046] The doors on existing wagons are operated by a track-side ramp. A pair of doors are operated by a single door shaft. At the end of the shaft is an arm. This arm provides a cantilever - when the end of the arm hits the ramp, a moment is induced into the shaft, the shaft rotates and the doors are then free to open. The doors are kept in their closed position by their links to the shaft having an over-centre feature. This shaft design concept remains unchanged with the new door design.

[0047] Figures 8a, 8b and 9 show the difference in volume achieved at the upper tent 25 by changing the door pivots 21. At the lower tent position, the tent 26 can be significantly lowered such that it sits very close to the static outline gauge. This provides a significant volume gain. The existing upper tent is at 25 a and the new upper tent is 25b. The existing lower tent is at 26a and the new lower tend is at 26b. Other benefits include the ability to make the door 10 much larger thus increasing coal flow (or reducing the risk of bridging) significantly. In other embodiments the new door hinge pivot bracket (not shown) has been moved to the outside of the wagon 1 and is now mounted to the underside of the side sill.

[0048] Referring to Figure 10 the diaphragms or stiffeners 40 are shown. They provide a structural connection between the cant rail 41, side sill 42 and the centre sill 43. They provide the means of controlling the side wall profile 45. The diaphragms 40 typically use a stiffened section that connects to the tent 25, 26, and then the tent 25, 26 has to be connected to the centre sill 43. The load path is not direct as in the prior art. The invention at least in a preferred embodiment separates the functions of the diaphragm 40 into three key parts. A structural member connects the cant rail 41 directly to the centre sill 43. Side wall profile is achieved by incorporating stiffeners along the length of the side wall. The opportunity exists to provide a structural member between the side sill 42 and the centre sill 43 in lieu of the upper tent 25. The upper tent 25 then no longer has to be the structural member, freeing up the ability to position it wherever it is needed, and to use a non-structural material. In Figure 11 is shown the cant rail 41 to centre sill 43 members. Side sill 42 to centre sill 43 member. The benefits include that the stiffeners 40 connect the key structural members together directly, rather than relying on using the hopper sheeting 45. The pressure loads seen on the diaphragm’s flat surface during loading and unloading are reduced. The much flatter side wall profiles 45 have much better profile support thus reducing the buckling effects caused by product loads.

[0049] Figures 12a to 12e show various end wall 3 configurations of embodiments of the present invention. As can be seen the volume of the hopper is increased.

[0050] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A railway wagon including: a substantially frustum shaped body to be supported on a pair of bogies having wheels adapted in use to run along a set of rails; the body having a longitudinally extending base defining a base plane and located between a pair of upwardly extending side walls and end walls to an opening; said base, side and end walls defining a hopper to hold material to be transported by said wagon along said rails; at least one door located in said base and adapted in use to permit said material located in said hopper to exit said hopper; wherein a first part of each said end wall extends upwardly away from said base at an angle X from said base plane, and a second part of each said end wall extends upwardly away from said base at an angle Y from said base plane.
2. 2. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein said angle X is about 50 degrees.
3. 3. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein said angle Y is about 90 degrees.
4. 4. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein each said end wall includes one or more channels.
5. 5. The railway wagon according to claim 4, wherein each said channel has a pair of side walls extending away from a floor.
6. 6. The railway wagon according to claim 5, wherein said side walls are angled outwardly away from said floor.
7. 7. The railway wagon according to claim 5, wherein the side walls are located at an angle from said floor of between about 0 to 50 degrees.
8. 8. The railway wagon according to claim 7, wherein the angle is influenced by the properties of the material being carried in the wagon.
9. 9. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein said second part of said end wall extends vertically downwardly to be positioned adjacent to said wheels of said bogie.
10. 10. The railway wagon according to claim 4, wherein each said channel extends substantially between the wheels of said bogie.
11. 11. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein each said door is operatively associated with an upper and lower gate, the door being movable with respect to said gates to provide an opening through which material can exit said hopper.
12. 12. The railway wagon according to claim 11, wherein an angle between sides of a triangular shape gate is Z.
13. 13. The railway wagon according to claim 12, wherein the angle Z of the upper gate is about 80 degrees.
14. 14. The railway wagon according to claim 12, wherein the angle Z of the lower gate is about 80 degrees.
15. 15. The railway wagon according to claim 1, including at least one diaphragm panel of a generally triangular shape located within said body and adapted to provide support to said side walls.
16. 16. The railway wagon according to claim 15, wherein the diaphragm includes one or more stiffeners located within said chamber.