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CPC Subclass Not Allocatable
B61C

LOCOMOTIVES; MOTOR RAILCARS (vehicles in general B60; frames or bogies B61F; special railroad equipment for locomotives B61J, B61K)

Description

B61C covers the design, construction, and mechanical systems of locomotives and self-propelled rail vehicles used for hauling trains. This includes steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, electric locomotives, and motor railcars—whether powered by internal combustion engines, electric motors, or other propulsion systems. The classification encompasses structural components, driving mechanisms, boiler systems, fuel systems, transmission systems, and auxiliary equipment integral to locomotive operation. Related track infrastructure and coupling systems are classified elsewhere in B61, as are signaling, braking control systems addressed as separate functional domains.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass B61C recorded 10,883 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 624 in 2013 to 818 in 2023 (+31%), peaking at 1,255 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B61 are SIEMENS MOBILITY (2,967 applications), SIEMENS (2,133 applications) and ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES (1,691 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

10 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B61C 8/00 Filling stations for steam- or pneumatic-accumulator locomotives or motor railcars

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B61, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SIEMENS MOBILITY DE 2,967
  2. SIEMENS DE 2,133
  3. ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES FR 1,691
  4. CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG COMPANY 1,100
  5. BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION DE 1,085
  6. MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 880
  7. BYD COMPANY 821
  8. KRRI KR 761
  9. HITACHI JP 752
  10. CRRC ZHUZHOU LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY 721