GB2420105A

GB2420105A - Inflatable escape chute for a train

Info

Publication number: GB2420105A
Application number: GB0425128A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Mues; Heinz Klamka; Jan Prockat
Original assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
Current assignee: Alstom Transportation Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2004-11-15
Filing date: 2004-11-15
Publication date: 2006-05-17
Also published as: GB0425128D0

Abstract

A detrainment device for a railway vehicle comprising an inflatable slide, stairway, ramp or platform 16 assigned to a doorway 5 in the train. The device may have a bridging plate 13 arranged at the lower part of the door opening. The device may be used as an emergency escape or evacuation route. The device may be inflated automatically by compressed gas when the door is opened or when an operating means is actuated. The device may have several independently inflatable chambers and have a high resistance to piercing. There may be one central chamber 17 and two outer chambers 18, 19 configured such that the central chamber inflates before the outer chambers. The device may be used as a gangway between two trains and be provided with ropes or belts (25) serving as a railing or banister.

Description

Detrainment device for a railway vehicle

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a detrainment device for a railway vehicle comprising a door opening in the car body of the railway vehicle and a door for closing the door opening.

Railway vehicles for transporting passengers like urban trains are often operated in tunnel systems. If a railway vehicle for transporting passengers has a failure or in a case of emergency and if it can not be moved, the railway vehicle needs to be detrained, i.e. the railway vehicle needs to be evacuated. Not at all points of existing tunnels there is the possibility to detrain the railway vehicle at its side. Therefore, some railway operators demand also the option to detrain the railway vehicle at its front.

DE 41 08 575 C2 discloses an emergency exit door for railway vehicles which is arranged in the end wall of a railway carriage. The door consists of two parts wherein a hollow primary part contains a secondary part. The primary part is pivotably connected with a horizontal axis of rotation to the chassis of the railway carriage.

In the event of an accident, the door can be lowered and the secondary part can be extracted from the hollow primary part, such that the two parts of the door form a S.. * . * S S S * * a a S * S S * ** U S ( *5 * S S. * S S S ** ,. S I **S * ., ramp which touches the ground for enabling passengers to leave the railway carriage. A pneumatic cylinder is situated on one side of the door for ease of closing and a damper is set opposite so that the door can be lowered by itself after an accident. A secondary damper is situated inside of the hollow primary part allowing the ramp to be extracted with ease.

This known emergency exit door requires much space.

Moreover, it limits the view of the driver if it is arranged in the end wall of a driver's cab.

Another solution for enabling passengers to leave a railway vehicle in case of emergency consists of windows which are provided with pull out rubber sealings. In a case of emergency the rubber sealing of the respective window can be pulled out in order to enable passengers to take the window out of f the window frame and to leave the vehicle through the open window. However, if the window does not reach near to the floor of the railway vehicle it is difficult for passengers, in particular for elderly persons to get out of f the vehicle through the open window. Moreover, these pull out rubber sealings are single use solutions, i.e. an easy closing of the windows is not possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a detrainment device for use in a railway vehicle which in case of a failure of the rail vehicle or an emergency enables a quick, easy and safe detrainment, which requires little space and which enables a repeatable closing of a door opening.

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a * *0 -.3- According to the invention this object is achieved by the detrainment device defined in claim 1.

The detrainment device according to the invention comprises an inflatable element assigned to the door. In the inflated condition the inflatable element forms a slide, stairway, ramp or platform.

The detrainment device according to the invention requires little space and has a simple structure.

Furthermore, the detrainment device according to the invention allows a repeatable closing of an emergency exit opening. In particular, it enables a quick, easy and safe detrainment in case of an emergency or a failure of the respective railway vehicle.

The use of inflatable escape slides is already known with repect to aircraftg. However, the use of an inflatable escape slide as a part of a detrainment device of a railway vehicles is novel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the inflatable element and the assigned door are located at the front of the railway vehicle, wherein in the inflated condition the inflatable element forms a slide, stairway or ramp in order to allow a detrainment of passengers from the railway vehicle to the track.

However, the inflatable element allows also a detrainment of passengers from a rail vehicle to another rail vehicle, i.e. a train to train detrainment. In this case the inflatable element and the door assigned to the inflatable element are arranged also at the front of the * S *** S * * * * * S S * * 5 * S S S *** 5 5 5 S S. S S 5 5 *. S S S * S 55 5 5 S S.. S 5 5* * train or at the front of the driver's cab, respectively.

A second train will be positioned with its end or driver's cab on the same track and in front of the train which is to be evacuated. After the doors in the front sides of both trains facing each other are opened the inflatable element is blown up such that it forms a platform or ramp extending from the train through the door opening to the inside of the second train. Due to its flexibility the inflatable element will adapt itself to the position of the door opening of the second train.

In this context another advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the inflatable element has at least three longish chambers including a centre chamber and two outer chambers, wherein the centre chamber is connected to the outer chambers in such a way that when blowing up the inflatable element the centre chamber is blown up before the outer chambers are blown up.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the inflatable element is provided with loops, ribbons, cords and/or ropes for fastening the inflatable element to another railway vehicle. Also, the inflatable element may be provided with tightening means for tightening the inflatable element when fastened to another railway vehicle. In particular, the inflatable element may be provided with ropes and/or belts serving as a railing or banister.

According to another preferred embodiment the door assigned to the inflatable element has at least one window. Thus, if the detrainment device according to the invention is integrated in the front of a driver's cab * * *. S * * S S S S * S S * a S * S 555 5 5 5 S S. S * 5 5 *5 S * 5 5 S. 5 * S S.. S * S. S and if the window of the door has a sufficient size the latter does not lessen the view of the driver.

Preferably, the complete door can be transparent.

In order to ensure a quick and easy detrainment of passengers the door opening has a height of at least 1.300 mm, preferably of at least 1.700 mm, and a width of at least 600 mm.

Further preferred and advantageous embodiments of the detrainment device according to the invention are defined in the subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried out reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a driver's cab of a rail vehicle provided with a detrainment device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an emergency exit door used in connection with a detrainment device according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a section of a driver's cab, wherein an emergency exit door has been opened and an inflatable element forming a slide for a train-to-track detrainment has been blown up; S.55 S S * S S S * S S S S * S * S *** S * 5 5S * * I S ** * * * S 55. S S I.. S S *S S Fig. 4 is a front view showing another driver's cab of a railway vehicle provided with an emergency exit door integrated into the front of the driver's cab, wherein the emergency exit door has been opened and an inflatable element forming a slide for a train-to- track detrainment has been blown Up; Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line A-A in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a schematic top view showing a driver's cab of a first train which is to be evacuated, wherein a second train has been arranged for a train-to- train detrainment in front of the driver's cab of the first train on the same track; and Fig. 7 is a schematic side view showing a driver's cab of a first train which is to be evacuated and a driver's cab of a second train, wherein an inflatable element is used as a ramp or platform for a train-to-train detrairìrnent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figs. 1 and 3 show a driver's cab 1 of a railway vehicle.

The railway vehicle may be, for example, a railway vehicle of a metro or subway train. The front side of the driver's cab 1 is provided with two windows 2 and 3. The left hand window 2 is equipped with a windscreen wiper.

Behind the left hand window 2 there is installed a control console (cf. Fig. 3). The railway vehicle is provided with a detrainment device in order to allow, if * S *55 * * * S * S * * * S S * . * * 55S S * S * S. S 5 * * 55 5 * * * S *s 5 * . S.. * 5 SS * necessary, an evacuation of passengers from the railway vehicle and from further carriages (not shown) coupled thereto.

The detrainment device comprises an emergency exit door 5 which is arranged in the centre of the front of the driver's cab 1 between the windows 2 and 3. The emergency exit door 5 has a window 6 having the same or approximately the same height as the windows 2 and 3. The emergency exit door 5 and the corresponding door opening are approximately 1800 mm in height and approximately 650 mm in width. The door opening reaches down to the floor 7 of the railway vehicle (cf. Fig. 3) . The height of the window 6 is more than half of the height of the emergency exit door 5.

The emergency exit door 5 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is a swing door which can be opened laterally and parallel to the outside of the railway vehicle. The door 5 is provided with L-shaped swing arms 8 having a long section 9 and a short section 10. The end at the long section 9 of each swing arm 8 is pivotably connected to an upper or lower traverse 11 of the door 5. The other end of the respective swing arm 8 is pivotably connected to a post 12 of the vehicle structure. The post 12 is arranged in an essentially vertical plane. In its opened position the door 5 is arranged in front of the right hand side window 3 (considered from outside of the driver's cab) . Thus, the door 5 will never be positioned in front of the window 2 arranged in front of the control console 4.

At the floor area adjacent the emergency exit door 5 there is mounted a small bridging plate 13 which can be hinged down from a storage position into a utility * * S.. S * * . S S S S S S * * . . . *S. * S * S * * S * 5.. S S S S S S. 5 * S *. S 5 55 5 position. Fig. 3 shows the bridging plate 13 in its utility position. The bridging plate 13 is made of a bottom part member and two webs 14 and 15. The webs 14, run essentially parallel to each other and protrude upwards from the bottom part member. The webs 13, 14 are pivotably connected to bearing elements. The bearing elements are formed of tongue-like plates which protrude upwards from the plane of the vehicle floor 7.

The bridging plate 13 is provided with an inflatable element 16. In this embodiment the inflatable element 16 forms a slide. The ignition of the inflatable element 16 can be started either by opening the door 5 or by actuating an operating means, e.g. by pulling a handle (not shown) . The inflatable element 16 will than automatically start to inflate by using a compressed air reservoir (not shown) The inflatable element 16 is made of at least one layer of a rubber-coated flexible fabric. Preferably it is provided with a top layer or several top layer sections made of a material having a high resistance against piercing. Furthermore, it has several separated chambers which are inflatable independently from each other.

As indicated in Fig. 3, the inflatable element 16 has at least three longish chambers including a centre chamber 17 and two outer chambers 18 and 19, wherein the centre chamber 17 is connected to the outer chambers 18 and 19 in such a way that when blowing up the inflatable element 16 the centre chamber is 17 blown up first while the outer chambers 18 and 19 are blown up subsequently.

* a a.. * * * . . a * * S S S S S a a **. * * * a S * * * SS S S * a a a. a a a *s. a * .* * Figs. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of a detrainment device according to the invention. In this embodiment the emergency exit door 5' consists of a window which is connected by means of one or two top hinges 20 to a front structure part of the railway vehicle. The emergency exit door 5' is integrated into the centre of a front window of the driver's cab 1' . The emergency exit door or window 5' is provided with two gas pressure springs 21. Thus, it is easily to open from inside of the driver's cab 1' The emergency exit door or window 5' is approximately 1400 mm in height and approximately 660 mm in width.

In the lower part of the door opening an inflatable element 16 in the form of a slide is installed on a small bridging plate 13. If the bridging plate 13 is hinged down the total door opening reaches down to the floor 7 of the railway vehicle. The hinged down plate 13 bridges a coupler 22 of the railway vehicle.

The detrainment device according to the invention offers two possibilities for evacuating passengers from a railway vehicle or a train including the railway vehicle.

The first possibility is a train-to-track detrainment using an inflatable element 16 as an escape slide as shown in Figs. 3 to 5. The second possibility is a train- to-track detrainment by using the inflatable element 16 as a ramp or platform as will be now explained with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

If a second train is available for evacuating the passengers present in a first damaged or broken-down train, the second train is arranged adjacent and on the same track as the first train.

* S.55 S * S S * S S S S S S * S S S 555 * 5 5 5 5* S S S * SI * S S S S S. 5 * S 55S 5 5 ** * - 10 - Figs. 6 and 7 show a situation where a first train is to be evacuated and a second train has been arranged in front of the driver's cab 1 of the first train in order to allow a train-to-train detrainment. The trains may be coupled in order to minimize the distance between the adjacent rail vehicles of the trains. Also, the trains may be coupled in order to drag off the broken-down train.

The emergency exit doors 5 of both trains are opened. The door 5 of the driver's cab 1 may be opened independent of the motion of the bridging plate 13. Both doors 5 are swing doors which can be opened to the left hand side essentially parallel to the front of the respective railway vehicle.

A cover (not shown) covering the bridging plate 13 and the inflatable element 16 attached thereto in the storage position is removed from the bridging plate 13. The cover is provided with quick release means and may be laid down in the co-driver's area or behind the driver's seat 23.

Thereafter, the bridging plate 13 is hinged down thus exposing the inflatable element 16 attached thereto. The ignition of the inflatable element 16 is started by actuating a handle (not shown) or another operating means. After activation the inflatable element 16 is self inflating.

Again, the inflatable element 16 has a longish centre chamber 17 and two longish outer chambers 18 and 19. The centre chamber 17 is connected to the outer chambers 18 and 19 in such a way that the centre chamber 17 is blown * S *SS * * S S S S S S * S * S S S 555 S S S S ** S S * 5 50 S S a * S ** S * * S.. S S ** S - 11 - up first while the outer chambers 18 and 19 are blown up subsequently. When the element 16 is entirely inflated it extends from the small bridging plate 13 through the door opening into the driver's cab 1'' of the second railway vehicle. The flexibility of the inflatable element 16 ensures that it will adapt itself to the position of the door opening of the the driver's cab 1'' of the second railway vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 7, the the inflatable element 16 may be provided with loops 24 and at least one rope 25 for fastening the inflatable element 16 to another railway vehicle. The rope or ropes 25 also serve as a railing or banister. Additionally, the inflatable element 16 may be provided with tightening means for tightening the inflatable element 16 to the second railway vehicle.

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration

and description. It is not intended to limit the

invention to the embodiments disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in

light of the above disclosure. In particular, the

inflateable detrainment device according to the present invention is not limited to the use with a door of a drivers cab of a railway vehicle but may be realized with any side-door of a railway vehicle car body in order to allow a quick, easy and safe detrainment if necessary in case of emergency.

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Claims

IL

Claims 1. A detrainment device for a railway vehicle comprising a door opening arranged in the car body of the railway vehicle and a door (5, 5') for closing the door opening, characterized in that an inflatable element (16) is assigned to the door (5, 5'), wherein the inflatable element (16) forms in its inflated condition a slide, stairway, ramp or platform.
2. A detrainment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable element (16) is installed on a bridging plate (13) arranged at the lower part of the door opening.
3. A detrainment device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bridging plate (13) can be hinged down from a storage position into a utility position.
4. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inflatable element (16) is blown up by using a compressed air reservoir.
5. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inflatable element (16) is blown up automatically when the door is opened.
6. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inflatable element (16) is blown up when an operating means is actuated.

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7. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inflatable element (16) comprises at least one layer of a rubber-coated flexible fabric.
8. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inflatable element (16) is provided with a top layer or several top layer sections made of a material having a high resistance against piercing.
9. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inflatable element (16) has several separated chambers which are inflatable independently from each other.
10. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inflatable element (16) has at least three longish chambers (17, 18, 19) including a centre chamber (17) and two outer chambers (18, 19), wherein the centre chamber is connected to the outer chambers in such a way that when blowing up the inflatable element the centre chamber (17) is blown up before the outer chambers (18, 19) are blown up.
11. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inflatable element (16) is provided with loops (24), ribbons, cords and/or ropes (25) for fastening the inflatable element (16) to another railway vehicle.
12. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inflatable element (16) is provided with tightening means for tightening the inflatable * S *SS a S * . S S S S S * S * * S S 555 5 S S S S. S S S 5 ** S S * S S *5 S S S 5S5 S S ** .

- I -

element (16) when fastened to another railway vehicle.
13. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the inflatable element (16) is provided with ropes (25) and/or belts serving as a railing or banister.
14. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the door (5, 5') is an emergency exit door located in the front of a driver's cab (1, 1') of the railway vehicle.
15. A detrainment device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the door (5, 5') is located in the centre of the front of a driver's cab (1, 1')
16. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the door (5) is a swing door which can be opened laterally and parallel to the outside of the railway vehicle.
17. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the door (5') is a swing door which is connected by means of at least one top hinge (20) to a front structure part of the railway vehicle.
18. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the door (5, 5') is provided with at least one window (6).
19. A detrainment device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the door (5') is transparent.
20. A railway vehicle comprising a detrainment device according to one of claims 1 to 19.

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