Russia: The utility model has been registered by the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent). The intellectual technology rights are owned by All-Union Research and Development Centre for Transportation Technology (VNICTT, a member entity of the Russian freight car manufacturer – United Wagon Company).
The swap body is designed for bulk cargo and has a folding bottom. As indicated in the patent abstract, the new model has been improved over against the prototype, which had been patented by Rail 1520 IP Ltd. (also a member entity of UWC) in 2020. The original prototype is noted to have low levels of serviceability and usability, as it was required to turn each latch when opening the bottom.
Through the use of a linear drive unit, which has been added to a new swap body model, it is possible now to technify the opening of the bottom. Reduction gears with an electric or pneumatic motor and an actuator handle can be used as a drive. The proposed structural design makes it possible to increase serviceability of the swap body, resume VNICTT representatives.
Render of swap body for bulk cargo. Source: Abstract of patent No. 207 788
It was announced earlier by UWC, that commercial exploitation of two freight car models with swap bodies – a flatcar and a hopper wagon for mineral fertilizers – is scheduled for the first half of 2022. The technology is based on a flatcar model 10-630, where bodies can be swapped or 20-foot containers can be installed. At the same time, Russian Railways sought to approve the registration procedure and accounting, operation, maintenance and repair of such vehicle with the federal authorities and the CIS Council on Railway Transport this year.
According to RZD-Partner, Russian Railways’ CEO Oleg Belozerov has recently noted during the “Transport of Russia” forum that the term “universal park” is increasingly referring to flatcars, rather than to gondola cars. In particular, he pointed to the growing demand for coal transportation in open top containers.
