Clear enclosure top dome for end of train device

• US 9,994,243 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Worm, Steven, Armsworthy, Frank G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cunningham, Xanthia C
• Application Number:
  US15/641,912
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0054 Train integrity supervision, e.g. end-of-train [EOT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/009 On-board display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/02 Head or tail indicators, e.g. light
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/023 Handles; Grips

Abstract

An end of train device suitable of use on a railroad vehicle includes an enclosure, and a plurality of electronic components including one or more displays positioned inside the enclosure, the one or more displays displaying information provided by the end of train device, wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein the top portion comprises a transparent dome, the information displayed by the one or more displays being visible from an outside of the enclosure through the transparent dome of the top portion.

Claims

1. An end of train device suitable of use on a railroad vehicle comprising:

an enclosure, and

a plurality of electronic components including at least one display positioned inside the enclosure, the at least one display displaying information provided by the end of train device,

wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, and

wherein the top portion comprises a transparent dome, the information displayed by the at least one display being visible from an outside of the enclosure through the transparent dome of the top portion.

2. The end of train device of claim 1, wherein the top portion is formed from transparent material.

3. The end of train device of claim 2, wherein the top portion is molded from the transparent material.

4. The end of train device of claim 1, wherein the top portion comprising the transparent dome is monolithic.

5. The end of train device of claim 2, wherein the transparent material comprises plastic material.

6. The end of train device of claim 5, wherein the plastic material comprises polycarbonate.

7. The end of train device of claim 1, further comprising a high visibility marker light, the high visibility marker light being visible from an outside of the enclosure through the transparent dome of the top portion.

8. The end of train device of claim 1, wherein the top portion is mounted to the bottom portion, and wherein the top portion and bottom portion each comprise a mounting flange.

9. The end of train device of claim 8, wherein the top portion is mounted to the bottom portion by multiple nuts and screws utilizing the mounting flanges.

10. The end of train device of claim 8, further comprising a gasket interposed between the mounting flanges of the top portion and bottom portion.

11. The end of train device of claim 10, wherein the gasket is configured as a foam gasket.

12. A railway vehicle comprising an end of train device mounted on a car of the railway vehicle, the end of train device comprising:

an enclosure, and

a plurality of electronic components including at least one display positioned inside the enclosure, the at least one display displaying information provided by the end of train device,

wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, and

wherein the top portion comprises a transparent dome, the information displayed by the at least one display being visible from an outside of the enclosure through the transparent dome of the top portion.

13. The railway vehicle of claim 12, wherein the end of train device is mounted on a last car of the railway vehicle.

14. The railway vehicle of claim 13, wherein the railway vehicle is a freight train.

15. The railway vehicle of claim 12, wherein the top portion of the end of train device is molded from transparent plastic material.