AU2005200691B2

AU2005200691B2 - An end vehicle for transporting passengers and/or freight

Info

Publication number: AU2005200691B2
Application number: AU2005200691A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tewfik Benazzouz; Guy Devulder; Remi Gregoire
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Current assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Priority date: 2004-02-20
Filing date: 2005-02-16
Publication date: 2011-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-16
Also published as: DE602005017839D1; FR2866615B1; FR2866615A1; AU2005200691A1; EP1566322A1; EP1566322B1; ATE449715T1

Abstract

The car has a body with a free end (20) and an end for connecting following passenger coaches of a train. The car runs at a speed greater than or equal to 140 kilometer per hour. A lower section (32) has a lowered roof section (34) extending from the free end towards the connection end through an upper section (36) having a raised roof section (38). The lower section extends on one fifth of the length of the car. An independent claim is also included for a train for the transport of passengers.

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Alstom Transport SA ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Nicholson Street,Melbourne, 3000, Australia INVENTION TITLE: An end vehicle for transporting passengers and/or freight The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5102 la The present invention relates to an end rail vehicle for a vehicle set for transporting passengers. Nowadays, regional and inter-city transportation 5 uses vehicle sets travelling at increasingly high speeds. Such vehicle sets are suitable for traveling at speeds in the vicinity of 200 kilometers per hour (kph) and in particular in the range 140 kph to 250 kph. Such vehicle sets are designed for transporting 10 passengers. In order to obtain as high a capacity as possible, it is known for each vehicle of the vehicle set to include two superposed floors forming two decks on which the passengers can travel. In order to reduce the cost of such a vehicle set, 15 it is made up of a set of vehicles coupled together in succession and of a single locomotive disposed at one end of the vehicle set. In general, the various vehicles for transporting passengers are not provided with their own motive power means. 20 In order to facilitate operating such vehicle sets, they are adapted to run with the locomotive at the front or at the back of the vehicle set relative to the direction in which the vehicle set advances. Thus, a driver's cab is disposed at that end of the vehicle set 25 which is opposite from the locomotive in order to enable the vehicle set to be driven with the locomotive in the rear position. Such vehicle sets are commonly said to be "push pull" vehicle sets. Such double-decker vehicle sets are tall so that the 30 vehicles making up the vehicle set are subject to high stresses from crosswinds due to the large surface area exposed to such crosswinds. In the event of high crosswinds, provision is made to limit the speed at which the vehicle sets can travel, 35 in order to prevent them from tilting (or overturning) and/or from derailing. In high side winds, the speed of C NRPonlh\DCC\AXA1559x6f_1 DOC-4/5/2011 2 the vehicle set is reduced from its nominal speed to a speed that can be as low as 80 kph. Transport operators wish to have transport vehicle sets that do not need to reduce their operating speeds in the 5 event of high winds. An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle set of the "push pull" type that offers high stability, enabling it to travel at the maximum speed even in the presence of high crosswinds. 10 To this end, the invention provides an end vehicle of a vehicle set for guided land transport, the vehicle having a body that has a free end, a roof, and a coupling end for coupling to the following carriages of the vehicle set, said vehicle being suitable for travelling at a speed greater 15 than or equal to 140 kph, in that the roof of the vehicle is stepped, and, starting from its free end, the vehicle has a low section with a low roof segment extended towards the coupling end by a high section with a raised roof segment, the low section extending over at least one fifth of the 20 length of the end vehicle, wherein the high section includes two superposed floors for transporting passengers, and the low section includes a single floor for transporting passengers. In particular embodiments, the end vehicle has one or 25 more of the following characteristics: - the low section extends over in the range one-fifth of the total length of the end vehicle to four- fifths of the total length of said end vehicle; - the low section extends over substantially one half 30 of the total length of the end vehicle; - the roof includes a ramp connecting the low segment to the raised segment; C.\NRPonbl\DCC\AXIAI559)X0nI.DOC-4/5/2 II 2a - the ramp is generally outwardly convex; - the ramp is provided with a transparent portion; - it includes ballast disposed in the low portion of the body; 5 - it is not provided with its own motive power means; 3 - the ratio between the height of the low section and the height of the high section lies in the range 0.69 to 0.98; - the difference in height between the high section S and the low section lies in the range 0.1 meters (m) to 1.6 m; and - it includes a driver's cab disposed at its free end. The invention also provides a vehicle set including, 10 at one end, an end vehicle as defined above, and, at the other end, a locomotive, the vehicle set further including, between the end vehicle and the locomotive, at least one intermediate vehicle extending the end vehicle from its coupling end, the intermediate vehicles not 15 being provided with their own motive power means. Advantageously, the or each intermediate vehicle has two superposed floors for transporting passengers. The invention will be understood more clearly on reading the following description which is given merely 20 by way of example, and with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation view of a first embodiment of a vehicle set of the invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section view on a larger 25 scale of a first embodiment of the end vehicle of the vehicle set of Figure 1; Figures 2A and 2B are longitudinal section views from above, showing the vehicle of Figure 1, the sections being taken respectively in the bottom deck level and in 30 the top deck level; Figure 3 is a view identical to the Figure 2 view, showing another embodiment of the end vehicle of the invention; and Figures 3A and 3B are longitudinal section views 35 from above, showing the vehicle of Figure 3, the sections being taken respectively in the bottom deck level and in the top deck level.

4 The vehicle set 10 shown in Figure 1 is designed for regional or inter-city services. The vehicle set or train is of the push-pull type. Its nominal running speed is substantially equal to 200 kph and more 5 generally lies in the range 140 k.p.h to 250 kph. The vehicle set 10 is constituted by a single locomotive 12 disposed at one end and by a plurality of vehicles disposed one behind another. In the example considered herein, the vehicles do not have their own 10 motive power means. Thus, the vehicle set includes an end vehicle 14 disposed at that end of the vehicle set which is opposite from the end at which the locomotive 12 is located, and intermediate vehicles 16 disposed between the locomotive 15 12 and the end vehicle 14. The number of intermediate vehicles advantageously lies in the range two vehicles to five vehicles. It is four vehicles in the example shown. For example, the locomotive 14 is an electric locomotive powered via a catenary. 20 Each vehicle for transporting passengers, be it the end vehicle 14 or one of the intermediate vehicles 16, has, at least in part, two superposed floors defining two decks for receiving passengers. Each vehicle includes a body 17 supported by two 25 bogies disposed in the vicinities of the ends of the body, or supported by "inter-body" bogies common to the other bodies. For each vehicle, the distance between the bogies lies in the range 12 m to 24 m, and is, in the example in question, 20 m. 30 The intermediate vehicles 16 are of any suitable type. They are of total height lying in the range 4.3 m to 5.2 m. For example, said height is equal to 4575 millimeters (mm). The roof of each of the intermediate vehicles is substantially semi-cylindrical 35 in shape, the generator lines extending along the length of the vehicle set. Each of the intermediate vehicles 5 has two superposed floors extending over almost its entire length. A first embodiment of the end vehicle 14 is shown in detail in Figure 2. This vehicle includes an end 18 5 equipped with coupling means for coupling to the adjacent intermediate vehicle 16. Its other end, referenced 20, constitutes a free end. However said free end is equipped with mechanical coupling means 22 for mechanically coupling to an identical vehicle set. 10 At its free end 20, the end carriage 14 has a driver's cab 24 provided with driver's controls for driving the vehicle set. As is known per se, said driver's controls are connected to the locomotive 12 in order to enable said locomotive to be controlled. 15 The free end 20 of the vehicle is of height progressively increasing towards the middle portion of the vehicle and defining a sloping front face 26 in which a transparent windscreen 28 is provided, making it possible to look out from the cab 24. 20 The end vehicle 14 has two successive sections of distinct heights. Thus, the roof 30 of the vehicle is stepped. More precisely, starting from its free end 20, the vehicle has a low section 32 with a low roof segment 34 25 extended towards the coupling end 18 via a high section 36 with a raised roof segment 38. The low and raised roof segments 34, 38 are connected together via a sloping roof segment 40 defining an intermediate section of the vehicle. Said sloping roof segment 40 rises 30 progressively from the low roof segment 34 towards the raised roof segment 38. The successive roof segments 34, 40, and 38 are generally semi-cylindrical in shape, with the generator lines extending along the length of the vehicle. Thus, 35 the sloping roof segment 40 forming a ramp is generally outwardly convex. Preferably a portion of the sloping 6 roof segment 40 is transparent to make it possible to look out from inside the vehicle. The low section 32 extends over a length greater than one fifth of the length of the end vehicle 14. 5 Advantageously, the length of the low section 32 lies in the range one fifth of the length of the end vehicle to four-fifths of said length. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the low section is substantially equal to one half of the length of the vehicle. 10 The height of the low section of the vehicle lies in the range 3.6 m to 4.2 m. For example, it is 3820 mm. The height of the high section of the vehicle lies in the range 4.3 m to 5.2 m. For example, it is 4575 mm. Advantageously, the height of the high section 36 is 15 equal to the height of the intermediate vehicles 16 of the vehicle set. Advantageously, the ratio between the height of the low section 32 and the height of the high section 36 lies in the range 0.69 to 0.98. Preferably, the ratio lies in 20 the range 0.81 to 0.85. In the example in question, said ratio is equal to 0.83. The difference in height between the high and low sections advantageously lies in the range 0.1 m to 1.6 m, and preferably in the range 0.7 m to 0.8 m. In the 25 example in question, it is 0.755 m. The length of the sloping roof segment 40 lies in the range 2 m to 4 m, and, for example, is equal to 3 m. Thus, the gradient of the sloping roof segment 40 lies in the range 0.17 to 0.38. 30 As shown in Figure 2, the high section 38 has two superposed floors 50, 52 on the surfaces of which seats are installed for the comfort of the passengers. Conversely, the low section 34 has a single floor 54. In the particular case of a vehicle with a low 35 section equivalent to four-fifths of the total length, the vehicle has only one deck having a single floor 54.

7 The floor 54 is disposed at an intermediate height between the heights of the bottom floor 50 and of the top floor 52 in the high section 36. A flight of stairs 56 is provided between the bottom floor 50 and the single 5 floor 54 so as to provide access for passengers. A second flight of stairs 58 is disposed between the single floor 54 and the top floor 52 so as to provide access for passengers. The flight of stairs 58 is disposed in the intermediate section of the vehicle that is covered with 10 the sloping roof segment 40. Seats are provided on a portion of the single floor 54 that is adjacent to the high section 36 of the vehicle, in order to form a passenger area 60 for transporting passengers. Converters 61 are installed 15 under the body of the vehicle below the single floor 54 of the low section. Doors 6 are provided in the sides of the vehicles behind the cab 24, between the driver's cab 20 and the passenger area 60. The doors are provided over the 20 bogies. Toilets 64 and a corridor are also provided on the single floor 54 between the access doors 62 and the passenger compartment 60 equipped with seats. In addition, the end vehicle advantageously has 25 ballast 66, 68 mounted in the low portion of the body. It can be observed that such a vehicle set can withstand very high crosswinds, while maintaining its nominal operating speed without any problems of stability occurring, in particular in the end vehicle, when said 30 end vehicle is situated at the front of the vehicle set relative to the direction in which the vehicle set is advancing. It can be understood that the presence along the length of the end vehicle of two sections of different 35 heights makes it possible to reduce the area exposed to crosswinds, while maintaining a high passenger-carrying capacity for the vehicle, the high section making it 8 possible to provide two levels of seats enabling a large number of passengers to be carried. In addition, the low portion makes it possible to reduce the height of the point at which the transverse 5 aerodynamic forces are applied, and thus to reduce the aerodynamic tilting moment. In addition, by installing ballast in the low portion of the end vehicle, it is possible to improve its stability further, in particular as empty when said 10 vehicle is at the head of the vehicle relative to its direction of advance. Figure 3 shows a variant end embodiment of an end vehicle. Only the differences are described below. On the single floor 54, between the driver's cab 24 15 and the passenger area 60, the following are disposed in succession: a set of converters and of batteries 70, two opposite access doors 72 provided in the sides of the vehicle, and a toilet cubicle 74. Thus, the doors 72 are disposed behind the end bogie. 20 Reservoirs 80 are disposed under the floor 54. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. The reference numerals in the following claims do not in any way limit the scope of the respective claims.

Claims

1. An end vehicle of a vehicle set for guided land transport, the vehicle having a body that has a free end, a 5 roof, and a coupling end for coupling to the following carriages of the vehicle set, said vehicle being suitable for travelling at a speed greater than or equal to 140 kph, in that the roof of the vehicle is stepped, and, starting from its free end, the vehicle has a low section with a low 10 roof segment extended towards the coupling end by a high section with a raised roof segment, the low section extending over at least one fifth of the length of the end vehicle, wherein the high section includes two superposed floors for transporting passengers, and the low section 15 includes a single floor for transporting passengers.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the low section extends over in the range one-fifth of the total length of the end vehicle to four-fifths of the total length of said 20 end vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the low section extends over substantially one half of the total length of the end vehicle. 25

4. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof includes a ramp connecting the low segment to the raised segment. 30

5. A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the ramp is generally outwardly convex. C NR PorihDCC\AN1255%(. _ I.DOC-1/5/2fl 1 10

6. A vehicle according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the ramp is provided with a transparent portion.

7. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein it 5 includes ballast disposed in the low portion of the body.

8. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein it is not provided with its own motive power means. 10

9. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio between the height of the low section and the height of the high section lies in the range 0.69 to 0.98.

10. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the difference 15 in height between the high section and the low section lies in the range 0.1 m to 1.6 m.

11. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein it includes a driver's cab disposed at its free end. 20

12. A vehicle set including, at one end, an end vehicle according to any preceding claim, and, at the other end, a locomotive, the vehicle set further including, between the end vehicle and the locomotive, at least one intermediate 25 vehicle extending the end vehicle from its coupling end, the intermediate vehicles not being provided with their own motive power means.

13. A vehicle set according to claim 12, wherein each 30 intermediate vehicle has two superposed floors for transporting passengers. C \NRPonbDCC\AXIA3559X(4I DOC-4/5/2011 11

14. Vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples.

15. A vehicle set substantially as hereinbefore described 5 with reference to the drawings and/or Examples.