IP Library Granted Patent US 12709310
Granted Patent B2
US 12709310 · App. 18/252,272 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Articulated vehicle arrangement for a rail freight train

Inventor: Beat Wegmüller (Huttwil, CH)
Assignee: SWS PS POWER SOLUTIONS GMBH
B61D3/20B61C3/02B61G5/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12709310
App. No.
18/252,272
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An articulated vehicle arrangement for a rail freight train is disclosed including an articulated vehicle for the transporting of containers having a first vehicle part and a second vehicle part. The first and the second vehicle parts are coupled together by an articulated coupling about a vertical articulation axis. The first vehicle part includes on its top side a first container parking place for one or more containers and the second vehicle part includes on its top side a second container parking place for one or more containers, and further including a power supply unit for the power supply of containers loaded on the articulated vehicle.

Claims (29)

1 . An articulated vehicle arrangement for a rail freight train, comprising:

an articulated vehicle for the transporting of containers having a first vehicle part and a second vehicle part,

an articulating coupling,

wherein the first and the second vehicle part are coupled together by the articulated coupling about a vertical articulation axis,

wherein the first vehicle part comprises a first container parking place on a top side for one or more containers and wherein the second vehicle part comprises a second container parking place on a top side for one or more containers,

a power supply unit for supplying power to the containers loaded on the articulated vehicle,

wherein the power supply unit is situated in the region of the articulated coupling of the first and the second vehicle part between the first and the second container parking place,

wherein the power supply unit is supported on a supporting structure and fastened by an adapter device to the articulated vehicle,

wherein the adapter device comprises a plurality of mounting pins, and

wherein the supporting structure comprising a plurality of pin receptacles for engaging with the corresponding mounting pin of the plurality of mounting pins.

2 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply unit comprises multiple power supply components fastened to the supporting structure.

3 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein the power supply components comprise at least one energy storage.

4 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the energy storage comprises at least one chargeable battery.

5 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the power supply components comprise at least one electric generator for charging the battery.

6 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 5 , wherein the generator is operated with hydraulic pressure.

7 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 6 , wherein the articulated vehicle arrangement comprises a hydraulic pump for providing the hydraulic pressure, being mounted in a wheel set and driven by the latter.

8 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the power supply components comprise at least one network charger for charging the battery with external grid current and at least one corresponding charging port for connecting to an external network connection.

9 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the power supply components comprise at least one load connection for connecting to a corresponding terminal on a container.

10 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter device comprises at least one adapter plate, which is or are mounted at the end of the first vehicle part and protrudes or protrude toward the second vehicle part.

11 . The articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting pins are container pins according to standard UIC 571-4.

12 . An articulated vehicle for an articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 , comprising

a first vehicle part and a second vehicle part,

wherein the first and the second vehicle parts are coupled together by an articulated coupling about a vertical articulation axis,

wherein the first vehicle part comprises on its top side a first container parking place for one or more containers,

wherein the second vehicle part comprises on its top side a second container parking place for one or more containers,

wherein the articulated vehicle comprises an adapter device for mounting a power supply unit for the autonomous power supply of containers loaded on the articulated vehicle, and

wherein the adapter device is situated in the area of the articulated coupling between the first and the second container parking place.

13 . A power supply unit for an articulated vehicle arrangement according to claim 1 , comprising a supporting structure and multiple power supply components fastened to the supporting structure,

wherein the supporting structure is adapted to be fastened by an adapter device to an articulated vehicle of the articulated vehicle arrangement.