Lightweight yoke for railway coupling

US9580089B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Pennsy Corporation · US

Inventors

• Perry Levitt · West Chester, US
• Zachary Ryan Brook · Leola, US
• Manuel Tavares · West Chester, US
• Wayne H. Murphy · Pottstown, US
• Aaron Stern · West Chester, US
• Michael J. Schmidt · Queen Creek, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 11, 2014
• Grant date: Feb 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Aug 20, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B61G9/20
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Lightweight yokes are provided. According to some embodiments, the basic overall appearance of the yoke may be maintained, but the actual material of which it is constructed is changed. According to other embodiments, the yoke is provided with an improved lightweight construction, and, yet other embodiments the yoke may be provided with an improved construction and formed from a preferred material. Yokes may be constructed from cast austempered ductile iron; whereas cast iron has a density, 0.26 lbs/in^3, which is approximately 8% less than steel, 0.283 lbs/in^3, thereby allowing for a reduction in weight over steel. A suitable austempering process is used to produce the austempered metal yoke. Yokes have improved configurations which may require less metal to produce the yoke. Both, the lightweight material and improvements in configuration of the yoke structure may combine to provide a lighter weight yoke.