Convertible rail highway semi-trailer air controlled suspension shifting system

摘要

An air control system is provided for a vehicle convertible between highway and railway modes of travel. A main body on the vehicles includes a highway wheel-set axle unit and a rail wheel-set axle unit. The vehicle is designed so that one wheel-set axle unit is stored in an upper position while the other is in the lowered operative position. During a transfer from the highway mode of travel to the railroad mode of travel, or vice-versa, an air control system selectively allows the wheel-set axle units to be positioned in either the raised or lowered position dependent upon the mode of travel to be used. Rail suspension air springs are connected between the main body of the vehicle and the rail wheel-set axle unit and highway suspension air springs are connected between the body and the highway wheel-set axle units. A manually operated valve selectively connects a source of air pressure to either the rail suspension air springs or the highway suspension air springs while the air pressure from the other is exhausted. The rail and highway air springs perform multiple functions in addition to controlling raising and lowering operations. Various other functions found in conventional trailers and rail cars are controlled by the air control system and connected to the same source of pressure.