Rail Car Extension System Using Bow Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

The capacity of rail cars for hauling loose flowing bulk commodities is limited by weight and volume constraints, and existing solutions for increasing capacity, such as extending the length and width, are restricted by legal and structural considerations, and may compromise the structural integrity of the vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A rail car extension system comprising main rail sections and bow structures that can be attached to the sides of rail cars to increase their volume without compromising structural integrity, allowing for removable extensions that do not impact the rail car's design, enabling the transportation of larger volumes of products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If extensions are attached to increase rail car volume, then volume capacity is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume capacityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The extension system is divided into separate modular components (main rail sections, end rail sections, bow structures) that can be independently attached and removed, allowing volume expansion without permanently compromising the rail car's structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension system adds vertical dimension to the rail car by attaching structures that extend upward from the side walls, increasing volume capacity without altering the rail car's horizontal dimensions or compromising its fundamental structural framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If rail car width and length are increased to boost capacity, then volume capacity is improved, but legal and regulatory constraints are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume capacityVSAvoidcompliance with regulations

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The extension system exploits the vertical dimension by attaching structures that extend upward from the rail car's side walls, thereby increasing volume capacity without increasing the rail car's width or length, ensuring compliance with regulatory dimensional constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If removable extensions are used to increase capacity, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveremovabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extension system is segmented into modular components (main rail sections, end rail sections, bow structures) that can be independently attached and removed, providing adaptability while keeping each individual attachment mechanism relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8141498B2Rail car extension system

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 SHUR CO LLC

AI summary

A rail car extension system including a first main rail section, a second main rail section and a plurality of bow structures. The first main rail section is mounted with respect to an upper surface of the first side wall. The first main rail section includes a first upper rail portion and a first lower rail portion that extends from the first upper rail portion. The second main rail section is mounted with respect to an upper surface of the second side wall. The second main rail section includes a second upper rail portion and a second lower rail portion that extends from the second upper rail portion. The plurality of bow structures are each attached to and extend between the first main rail section and the second main rail section.