Trn Business Trust

Allen E Norton

Stephen W Smith

Alex K Hoover

Robert J Barry

Ronald J Zupancich

William A Knapp

Gary W Kirk, Jr

Joseph A Seiter

Albert A Beers

James J Sommer

Dustin L Troutman

A composite box structure assembled on and securely attached to a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car or on insulated boxcar. The composite box structure defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes and at least one layer of fiber reinforced plastic attached to the side stakes. Foam insulation may be disposed between the side stakes, the exterior metal surface and the at least one layer of fiber reinforced plastic. The foam insulation provides improved resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. An airflow management system may be incorporated into the composite box structure.

Temperature controlled railway car

A roof assembly mounted on a composite box structure with an air plenum assembly attached to and extending from an interior surface of the roof assembly. The composite box structure includes a pair of end wall assemblies, a pair of side wall assemblies, a floor assembly and the roof assembly. An opening may be formed in one end of the end wall assemblies to allow installing a temperature control system. An airflow management system may be incorporated into the composite box structure. The composite box structure may be assembled on a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car or an insulated box car.

Roof assembly and airflow management system for a temperature controlled railway car

A manufacturing facility and method for assembling a composite box structure on a railway car underframe are provided. The composite box structure may be defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes attached to the exterior metal surface, foam insulation disposed between the side stakes and attached to the metal surface and at least one layer of reinforced plastic material forming an interior surface. The composite box structure preferably includes a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, a floor assembly and a roof assembly. The composite box structure may be assembled on a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled boxcar or on insulated boxcar.

Manufacturing method of assembling temperature controlled railway car

Pultruded panels having a first longitudinal edge profile and a second longitudinal edge profile may be used to form a floor assembly mounted on a railway car underframe. The pultruded panels may also be used to form walkways, bridges, piers and other structures. A bead may be placed on at least one of the longitudinal edge profiles to form a gap between an adjacent pultruded panel. An adhesive may be placed within the gap to couple or bond adjacent pultruded panels with each other. Void spaces may be formed within the pultruded panel and filled with foam to provide improved resistance to heat transfer through the respective panel. Respective coverings may be placed on opposite ends of each panel to block access to the associated void spaces.

Pultruded panel

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

Allen E Norton