Control cab

• US 5,029,532 A
• Filed: 12/22/1988
• Issued: 07/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwin De S. Snead
• Original Assignee: Edwin De S. Snead
• Inventors: Snead, Edwin de S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Mark T.
• Application Number:
  US07/288,288
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 105/238.1, 105/241.1, 105/239, 105/248, 303/20, 414/527, 414/528, 414/339, 414/505, 104/27, 104/30, 104/31
• US Class Current: 105/239
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/12 Control gear; Arrangements for controlling locomotives from remote points in the train or when operating in multiple units control from points outside the train B61L3/00; fluid-actuated telemotors, servomotors F15B; control devices in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/127 for remote control of locomotives remote control of locomotives within a train consist B61C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 27/02 Placing the ballast; Making ballastway; Redistributing ballasting material; Machines or devices therefor; Levelling means

Abstract

A self-unloading train having a locomotive, a plurality of hopper cars, a discharge car and a control cab. The plurality of hopper cars have an underlying conveyer for the receipt of material from the hopper cars. The hopper cars are detachably connected to the locomotive. The discharge car is connected to the hopper cars opposite the locomotive for transferring the material from the underlying conveyer. The control cab is positioned at the end of the train opposite the locomotive. The control cab has a transmitter contained therewithin for controlling the movement of the locomotive from a remote location. The control cab is a compartment positioned at the end of the discharge car opposite the hopper cars. This compartment has a window on the wall of the compartment opposite the hopper cars. The transmitter is a radio transmitter positioned within the control cab for transmitting digitized signals to a receiver positioned within the locomotive.

Claims

1. A self-unloading train comprising:

a locomotive;

a plurality of hopper cars having an underlying conveyor for the receipt of material from said hopper cars, said hopper cars detachably connected to said locomotive, each of said hopper cars having a bottom discharge opening for effecting discharge of said material from said opening by gravity, said underlying conveyor comprising an endless belt supported on said cars underlying said hopper discharge opening to receive material discharged therefrom and extending for the length of said plurality of hopper cars, said underlying conveyor having a width greater than the width of said discharge opening;

gate means positioned at the discharge opening of said hopper cars, said gate means being operable selectively to discharge material from said hopper cars onto said underlying conveyor;

a discharge car connected to said hopper cars for transferring material from said underlying conveyor;

a control cab positioned at the end of said train opposite said locomotive, said control cab affixed to said discharge car, said control cab having a transmitter means contained therein for controlling the movement of said locomotive, said control cab comprising;

a compartment positioned at the end of said discharge car opposite said hopper cars, said compartment having a window on the wall of said compartment opposite said hopper cars.

2. The train of claim 1, said transmitter means further comprising:

a multi-channel radio transmitter for directing verbal communications to receivers external of said train.

3. The train of claim 1, said window comprised of bullet-proof glass.

4. The train of claim 1, said transmitter means comprising:

a radio transmitter positioned within said control cab for transmitting digitized signals to a receiver position within said locomotive.

5. The train of claim 4, said radio transmitter having a digital code included with each transmission of said radio transmitter, said receiver in said locomotive acknowledging and acting upon said digital code.

6. The train of claim 1, said transmitter means for remotely actuating the throttle and the brakes of said locomotive, said transmitter means including controls positioned within said control cab for selectively actuating the throttle and the brakes of said locomotive.

7. The train of claim 1, further comprising:

a headlamp affixed to the exterior of said wall opposite said hopper oars, said headlamp directed outwardly from said discharge car.

8. The train of claim 1, further comprising:

a horn affixed to the exterior of said wall opposite said hopper cars, said horn directed outwardly from said discharge car.