Abstract: A self-steering running gear for rail vehicles includes at least one Bissel-type axle. Through a proper geometrical proportioning of the running gear, the Bissel-type axle is oriented in a perfectly radial condition along a constant radius curve, in a real or in a virtual mode. In both cases perfectly radial orientation along a constant radius curve of at least another steerable axle of the running gear may be operated. Expedients are further provided to reduce the effects deriving from the sum of radiality errors of the axles during the transition phases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling relative movement such as rotary movement between a railway truck and a car body supported thereby to control truck hunting through application of reaction forces resisting such rotary movement which are effective primarily to resist higher velocity relative rotational movements.

Abstract: A railway truck and steering apparatus therefor having rigid steering arms which are fixed with respect to a pair or longitudinally spaced railway truck wheelsets, and preferably the axial ends thereof, in a manner to have an essentially fixed angular relationship in the horizontal plane with respect to the respective truck wheelsets, the steering arms extending from the respective truck wheelsets with pairs of steering arms being connected together in a manner to constrain the truck wheelsets to yaw in a mutually opposed sense and remain substantially fixed in axial shear relative to each other while being free to move longitudinally with respect to each other.

Abstract: A self-steering wheel truck for use with a railway locomotive or powered transit car in which tractive force is transferred from the axle to the frame through angled traction rods and steering beams connecting with the end axles. The steering beams interconnect the end axles so that the yaw of one axle induces an equal and opposite rotation of the other end axle. The traction rods are aligned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the truck. The angled traction rod arrangement induces a force tending to return a laterally displaced axle back to center, thereby minimizing hunting while at the same time permitting self steering axle yaw action.

Abstract: A railway axle assembly with orientable wheels (8) is compensated in width when passing on a railway track curve. The assembly comprises side beams (5,5') articulated to the opposing ends of a telescoping axle (4). The side beams (5,5') are coupled to each other by at least one connecting rod device comprised of at least one broken rod (13) hinged at a breaking point to a lever-relay (15,25) carried by the axle (4) so as to entrain the breaking point in an angular displacement of an arc of a circle in a direction opposite to that of the beams (5,5') in order to compensate for the width loss of the axle when taking curves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-steering single-axle bogie for trackbound vehicles comprising one single wheel set (8) and wherein each wheel (8a, 8b) is rigidly connected to an intermediate wheel axle (14), wherein the wheel set (8) is attached rigidly or by means of springs (10) to a bogie frame (2), which is rotatably arranged around a vertical axis. Further, the bogie is joined to the car body (4) of the vehicle via at least one toggle link (16) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and preventing the bogie from tilting, or nodding, in the vertical longitudinal plane through the vehicle. The wheels (8a, 8b) exhibit conical or saddle-shaped treads (18), with an elevated conicity at least in the tread (18) nearest the wheel flange, the wheel set (8) being guided into approximate radial alignment in the track through the combined effect of the conicity of the wheels (8a, 8b) in the tread (18) and the frictional forces which act between wheels (8a, 8b) and rails (20a, 20b).

Abstract: A bogie for rail vehicles, in particular a driven bogie, with a bogie frame, includes two or more wheelset units each of which comprises at least one drive unit and/or brake unit. The wheeset units are connected with the bogie frame via a primary suspension. A secondary suspension connects a vehicle body with the bogie frame. A rigid connecting link extends from at least one of the wheelset units for connecting the bogie to the vehicle body. The rigid connecting link is coupled to the wheelset unit at its virtual center of rotation. Where practical, the center of rotation and the center of mass are coincident to minimize the moment of inertia of the wheelset units.

Abstract: A structural device is attached to each sideframe pedestal jaw of a railcar truck wherein the bearing adapter is joined to the sideframe and is prevented from rotating within the pedestal jaw opening. The bearing adapter inboard and outboard faces maintain a parallel relationship with the sideframe inboard and outboard faces during operations, including curving, thereby causing the truck axles to remain at a right angle with respect to the sideframes. Maintaining this right angular relationship substantially curtails truck wheel misalignment, which directly effects truck hunting and curving.

Abstract: A steering arm assembly for a railway truck has an undercut compound radius between the body portion and the longitudinal segment on of each side arm in order to decrease the stress intensity at this location, which resultantly provides increased flexural strength to the assembly while maintaining the clearance between the steering arm and truck components.

Abstract: A running gear unit for low-floor rail vehicles includes a running gear frame on which individual wheels are rotatably mounted through a respective rocker and the rocker is articulatingly attached and supported by primary springs. The running gear frame is connected to a car body of the low-floor rail vehicle through two articulated rods having one end being articulatingly mounted at a distance from one another on a crossmember of the running gear frame and another end being likewise articulatingly attached to the car body. The car body is supported on the running gear frame through secondary springs being mounted in pockets near transverse ends of the crossmember. Transverse stops are disposed at a distance from one another in the crossmember for limiting transverse movement of the car body relative to the running gear unit.

Abstract: A steering arm assembly for a railway truck has compound fillets between the cross-beam or body portion and each sidearm to provide increased flexural strength to the assembly while maintaining the clearance between the steering arm and truck components.

Abstract: A device for compensating the tilt of the carriage body of a rail vehicle when travelling around sharp turns at high speeds includes a tilt compensator with a four-bar mechanism, the tilt compensator being operationally connected to an energy storage device. The four-bar mechanism includes a transversely movable support that is mounted in a floating manner and which is supported on a carriage body suspension for providing vertical cushioning of the carriage body. Preferably, the four-bar mechanism is formed of a wobble stabilizer, two laterally mounted hinged supports and the aforementioned transverse support mounted in a floating manner with a central pivot extending between the energy store and the transverse support.

Abstract: An improvement in railway trucks having a flexible frame and independent drive mechanism particularly adapted to accommodate the flexing frame. The frame includes parallel first and second frame members, a first cross-member rigidly attached to the first frame member and loosely attached to the second frame member. A second cross-member is rigidly connected to the second frame member and loosely engaged by the first frame member. Hydraulic motors are pivotally connected to the second cross-member by pivotal arms and pivotally secured to a pair of rail way truck axles supporting the frame members such that flexion of the frames and cross-members will not affect the distance between the motor and the axles. Chain and sprocket assemblies are provided to operatively connect the motors and the axles. An engine and hydraulic pumps are connected to the first cross-member to drive the motors. The pumps are operatively connected to the motors with flexible conduit.

Abstract: A short wheel base bogie provides stability by using a double pivot arrangement. Wheels are mounted to walking beams on each side of the bogie. The walking beams are mounted for transverse movement relative to corresponding pivot frames. Upon the bogie getting to a curved track section, the walking beam moves transversely in order to maintain the bogie in proper gauge. The bogie is used for a rail grinder vehicle wherein rail grinders are mounted upon the pivot frames such that the rail grinders follow curves in the rails.

Abstract: A vehicle truck embodying articulated subtrucks or steering arms having a plurality of wheelsets, with steering arm interconnections establishing coordinated steering motions of the wheelsets, the truck also having elastic restraining devices for stablilizing steering and other motions of conventional rotating axle wheelsets and still further having linkage interrelating relative lateral motions of the truck and body of the vehicle, which add to the stability and steering to trucks having rotating axle wheelsets and which will provide steering for wheelsets equipped with independently rotatable wheels. A method and structure is provided for adapting or "retrofitting" existing equipped truck structures with rotating axle wheelsets in a manner to enhance the steering and stablilizing characteristics. Four-point suspension of car bodies and truck side frames adapted to function as swing hangers in truck equipped with steering is disclosed.

Abstract: A bogie for rail vehicles, particularly commuter or short-haul vehicles, has two wheel sets spaced apart in the direction of travel. One wheel set is mounted upon a wheel mounting frame which is coupled to a tranverse member of the bogie frame by way of an intermediate beam member. The arrangement is such that a lateral force applied to one wheel of the set by a curved rail will be translated into a rotational force to rotate the wheel mounting frame and therewith the wheel set, to negate the aforesaid lateral force. Such an arrangement reduces wheel flange wear and the risk of derailment.

Abstract: A bogie for a railway vehicle comprising of at least two articulated, pivotable and rotatable wheel body parts (2, 3) including wheels or a set of wheels (4, 5) mounted in bearings and the supporting body (6) of the bogie being connected to the parts by a suspension (9a, 9b) of the railway vehicle. In the bogie, two wheel body parts (2, 3) have been resiliently interconnected from their side constructions by two stabilizer constructions (16) both of which have been articulated to the supporting body (6).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a bogie for high-speed railborne vehicles, in which the wheel sets are guided on the bogie frame by double leaf spring wheel forks. Stable, quiet straight travel of the bogie over straight sections at top speeds and radial adjustment of the wheel sets in rail bends at low tracking forces is achieved by arranging a a roll stabilizer damping the horizontal longitudinal movements between the axle bearing and the bogie frame between the leaf spring wheel forks of each double leaf spring wheel fork.

Abstract: The present invention is a positioning system providing precise linear and arcuate movements of the carriage along either straight or curved sections of rail comprising a pair of pivoting bogies attached to the carriage which have a pair of oppositely-directed ball bearing assemblies rigidly mounted to journal shafts on the bogies for retention and contact of the roller bearings with opposing sides of the rail running surfaces in a preloaded condition on the rail.

Abstract: A vehicle truck embodying articulated subtrucks or steering arms having a plurality of wheelsets, with steering arm interconnections establishing coordinated steering motions of the wheelsets, the truck also having elastic restraining devices for stabilizing steering and other motions of conventional rotating axle wheelsets and still further having linkage interrelating relative lateral motions of the truck and body of the vehicle, which add to the stability and steering to trucks having rotating axle wheelsets and which will provide steering for wheelsets equipped with independently rotatable wheels. A method and structure is provided for adapting or "retrofitting" existing equipped truck structures with rotating axle wheelsets in a manner to enhance the steering and stabilizing characteristics.

Abstract: This invention applies the linkage connected between the interaxle yokes of a truck and a railroad vehicle car body so as to create radially steered alignment of wheelsets on circular curves without reference to the truck frame. Forces exchanged between the wheelsets and the car body are essentially longitudinal and no significant lateral forces are created on the truck frame or car body from the steering action. The steering linkage utilizes the longitudinal component of relative motion of a point on the car body with reference to the vehicle truck to cause relative pivotal movement of the interaxle yokes thereby guiding the wheelsets to a radial alignment. Radial alignment is achieved by suitable proportioning of the links of the mechanism.

Abstract: An undercarriage with a wheel set capable of self-steering independent of the vehicle body is disclosed. The undercarriage contains, in combination with hollow profile wheels in the wheel sets and primary elastic springs in the longitudinal direction, two lever systems which are self-adjusting, independent of each other and are arranged on the longitudinal sides of an undercarriage. The lever systems forcibly couple the axle ends of the wheel sets on the same rail in the longitudinal direction of the undercarriage and are movable only in opposite directions.

Abstract: A vehicle truck embodying articulated subtrucks or steering arms having a plurality of wheelsets, with steering arm interconnections establishing coordinated steering motions of the wheelsets, the truck also having elastic restraining devices for stabilizing steering and other motions of the wheelsets and still further having linkage interrelating relative lateral motions of the truck and body of the vehicle. A method and structure is provided for adapting or "retrofitting" existing truck structures in a manner to embody the steering and stabilizing characteristics.

Abstract: A diagonally braced railway truck comprising a pair of longitudinal side frames, a bolster extending therebetween and cast support brackets extending downwardly from lower tension members of the side frames and the pedestal jaws. The support brackets have three sides which receive a mounting plate with a precision drilled hole therein to receive the diagonal braces. The mounting plates are connected to flanges on the sides of the support brackets by welding.

Abstract: A wheelset steering apparatus and method for the truck of railway vehicles, wherein an axle box rotatably provided on the opposite ends of the wheelset is elastically supported in the longitudinal direction as well as in the lateral direction of the truck with respect to a truck frame. Vertical loadings on the truck frame are carried by the axle box. A spring constant in the longitudinal direction of the truck in a state of being elastically supported with respect to the truck frame of the axle box is varied when the vehicle runs. The self-steering property of the wheelset is enhanced, and stability in running on a straight track is secured.

Abstract: The traction bogie comprises two wheel sets each coupled with a traction motor. The bogie frame is mounted resiliently on the wheel sets with provision for movement at least lengthwise of the bogie. Each of the casings of the traction motors is carried on the associated wheel set and is connected to the bogie frame to be movable in three dimensions. Also, each casing is connected to the bogie frame by way of two links which are adapted to transmit traction and braking forces and which are articulated to the bogie frame and to the casing to be pivotable around substantially vertical axes. The links are so disposed that their longitudinal axes converge and the imaginary extensions of the longitudinal axes intersect one another at an intersection point disposed in the vicinity of the wheel set and casing. The intersection point determines the position of an imaginary vertical rotational axis around which the wheel set and the associated traction motor can pivot relatively to the bogie frame.

Abstract: A bogie with swiveling axles for pivotable mounting under the body of a rail vehicle of the metro or tram type having a bogie chassis (1) carried by two axles (2) provided with axle boxes (3) and capable of being swiveled by an articulated system moved by the rotation of the body, the chassis (1) being supported on each axle box via two resilient support elements (4, 8) at least partly constituted of elastomer and mounted above and below the box, a second articulated system (5) connecting two axle bones in such manner as to cause them to pivot about vertical axes of symmetry of the axles.

Abstract: A railway bogie or a vehicle is so suspended to axleboxes on a plurality of wheelsets that each wheelset can yaw about a center of yaw, move laterally and move vertically relatively to the frame of the bogie or vehicle. Each axle box has a pair of radially opposed arms extending vertically and links extend from the arms in opposed directions laterally to the plane containing the axis of the axle. The links are ball jointed to the arms and also at their other ends. One link is connected to the link on the other side of the frame via a mechanism transmitting motion across the frame. Such a mechanism may involve a beam pivoted to the frame, bell cranks connected by struts, a torsion bar with arms projecting from it or hydraulic conduits between links which are hydraulic piston and cylinders. The mechanism may be repeated on the other side or the links on that side may simply be jointed to the frame. The purpose of the mechanism is to inhibit longitudinal movement of the center of yaw of each wheelset.

Abstract: The truck includes two parallel damper ramp supports connected together by a transverse tie assembly. A single wheeled axle is pivotally supported from the damper ramp supports in spaced apart parallel alignment with the transverse tie assembly by two independently sprung and damped radius arms. A swivel assembly is mounted by the transverse tie assembly in overlying relation with the axle. Two yaw control assemblies respectively act between the damper ramp supports and an overhead railcar body. Each of the yaw control assemblies includes a yaw damper that provides either a damping force or both a damping force and a self-centering force in response to rotative movement of the truck. A railcar equipped with two such trucks also is disclosed.

Abstract: A railroad truck includes a pair of side frames with wheeled axles mounted there between. A roller bearing adaptor is mounted upon a roller bearing at each end of each axle with the side frames being mounted upon a shear pad mounted on the roller bearing adaptors. There is a subframe for interconnecting the wheeled axles by connecting opposite corner adaptors and there is a rigid connection between each adaptor and the subframe. Each rigid connection includes an adaptor portion and a subframe portion, with said portions being relatively vertically disposed. There are vertical fastening means connecting said vertically disposed adaptor and subframe portions. The vertically disposed portions have cooperating means thereon which substantially eliminate horizontal shear forces upon the fastening means.

Abstract: A railway truck having a suspension wherein pivotal suspension links are connected between the pedestal openings of a truck side frame and the bearing adaptor of the bearing received within the respective pedestal opening to suspend the side frame with respect to the bearing adaptor so as to permit limited relative lateral and longitudinal motion of the axle and wheel set with respect to the side frame.

Abstract: A bogie for a railroad vehicle comprises a pair of wheel sets mounted in a frame which is pivotally connected to the vehicle so that it can rotate about a substantially upright axis. The wheel sets are connected to the frame resiliently and by links which, upon the application of unbalanced force, axially to one of the wheel sets shifts the force-receiving end toward the other wheel set. The links can also be disposed so that any tendency for one of the wheel sets to move downwardly relative to the frame will result in a tendency for it also to move closer to the other wheel set. This has been found to increase high speed stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multiple axle railway truck having side frames with pedestals, roller bearings for the axles received in the pedestal jaws with clearance in a direction fore-and-aft of the vehicle to permit relative yawing motion of the axles. A yielding pad is provided between the bearing and the base of each pedestal jaw, and a transverse plank extends between the side frames to restrain fore-and-aft motion of the side frames and is torsionally flexible thereby permitting relative angular motion of the side frames in vertical planes.

Abstract: A railway bogie is disclosed with wheels of high effective conicity and supported on the wheels through pads with low yaw constraint so that they are self-steering. Cross-members connecting diagonally opposed wheels interconnect yawing movements of the wheelset in opposite senses to counteract the tendency to hunt. Wheels on the same side of the bogie are connected by links pivoted on a lever pivoted on the bogie frame at one end and on the bearings of the wheelsets at the other end. This interconnection inhibits the bogies frame from moving longitudinally when braking or traction forces are present and ensures that yawing movements of the frame are effectively transmitted through the wheelsets and then to the wheel/rail contact area.

Abstract: A truck or double bogie having forward and rear elemental bogies (1, 2). The vehicle body is carried at the middle by a spanner bolster or two longitudinal coupling beams (8, 9) which are supported, at each end and on each elemental bogie, on the ends of a transverse swingle bar (12, 13), resilient blocks (15) being inserted between the swingle bar and the bolsters (3, 4) of the elemental bogie. The buffer and coupling bodies (34) are arranged at the end of a guide shaft (32) which is freely articulated on a vertical central pivot (30) rigidly fixed to the vehicle body and on the vertical pivot (5) of the forward elemental bogie (1). The device is intended for use with bogies for railroad vehicles intended to run on poor quality track.

Abstract: The cross-coupling connects the two trucks of the vehicle together and employs a torsion shaft which is mounted on the vehicle body with torsionally stiff levers. The cross-coupling also has a shaft mounted on each truck with a pair of torsionally stiff arms. The innermost arms of the shafts are articulated via a hinged rod to an associated lever of the torsion shaft while the outermost arms are articulated through a rod to the vehicle body. In addition, piston cylinder units are provided for damping the rotational movements of the trucks relative to the body as well as independent damping means for damping the transverse movements of the vehicle body relative to the trucks.

Abstract: Railway vehicle trucks having at least two wheel-sets, each with a live axle mounted in a respective pair of bearings, at least one axle bearing of one wheel-set being elastically interconnected with at least one axle bearing of the other wheelset through bracing structure providing bracing between the wheel-sets. Side frames are connected to respective axle boxes via a primary spring mounting and each side frame is of fabricated construction constituting a bridge member of I-section form which a sub-frame depends, the bridge member and sub-frame defining a space therebetween into which respective side flanges of a bolster project, each said side flange being supported by the respective sub-frame via a secondary spring mountings.

Abstract: The transverse coupling assembly for the end trucks utilizes a hollow shaft which is mounted via a bearing to a middle truck or vehicle body and connected via linkages to the two end trucks. In one embodiment, the shaft houses a torsion spring element which is pretensioned and which connects the shaft to a linkage. In another embodiment, the shaft can be provided with partitions to form a storage space for a fluid operating medium, diesel oil or the like.

Abstract: A radial axle railway truck of the rigid frame type has an improved primary suspension for resiliently supporting the truck frame from the axles while permitting arcuate movements of the ends of the axles required to allow the axles to assume radial positions on curved track and an improved disc brake system arranged to minimize interference with wheel-induced steering movements of the axles. The primary suspension comprises journal bearing structures with fore and aft wings, a yoke supported on the wings by flat elastomeric pads yieldable horizontally to accommodate steering movements of the axles and chevron-shaped elastomeric springs carried on the yokes fore and aft of the respective journal boxes and acting in parallel with metal coil springs carried by the yokes.

Abstract: A railway locomotive has three power trucks with the end trucks each having a bolster resiliently supported on the truck frame and connected to the underframe by cooperating vertical axis pivot-forming means, the middle truck bolster being connected to the underframe by a Watts linkage arranged to directly transmit longitudinal forces from the bolster to the underframe while accommodating substantial excursions of the bolster and middle truck frame transversely of the locomotive underframe for operation of the locomotive on the curved track.

Abstract: A truck for a railroad car includes two spaced side frames which resiliently support ends of a transversely positioned bolster in a window formed in each side frame. On each side of the bolster is a vertical recess formed having opposing convex-shaped sides which engage with end walls of vertical ribs formed on the inner and outer side of spaced sidewalls of the side frame window. In downwardly projecting pedestal jaws formed at each end of each side frame and having selectively spaced sidewalls are journaled axle ends of a front and a rear wheelset. Interposed between each axle end and a roof of the pedestal jaw is a bearing adapter having a convex top surface to engage with a concave surface of the roof of the side frame pedestal jaw.

Abstract: A railway vehicle or a truck thereof having at least three wheelsets, diagonal elastic bracing being provided between each pair of adjacent wheelsets and additional diagonal elastic bracing being provided between non-adjacent wheelsets.

Abstract: A radial axle railway truck has a pair of wheel and axle assemblies with profiled wheel treads of greater than conventional conicity to steer the assemblies by means of the differential effect of the inner and outer wheel diameters on curved track, the axle bearings are located inboard of the wheels, and the truck frame side members are correspondingly located inboard of the wheels and there supported on the axle bearings such that longitudinally acting resilient restraint means between the axle bearings and the truck frame resist substantial movements of the axles longitudinally of the truck frame while offering only limited resistance as a couple to steering movements of the axles with respect to the truck frame because of the relatively short transverse moment arm between the longitudinally acting resilient means.

Abstract: A railroad car truck has a pair of wheelsets and means for providing relative restraint between wheelsets. A pair of side frames are supported on the wheelsets through resilient pads with the resilient pads providing greater shear resistance in a lateral direction than in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: There is provided an articulated four wheel truck for a railway freight car and the like, having independently rotatable wheels mounted at opposite ends of longitudinally spaced apart axle bolsters. A span bolster connects and mounts the axle bolsters for yawing movement about a vertical axis relative to the span bolster.

Abstract: An articulated railway truck assembly is provided with two wheelset assemblies, each of which is attached for pivotal movement about a pivot near the center of the truck frame assembly and each of which extends beneath the respective adjacent ends of the side frames, with resilient support connectors between and joined to the adjacent portions of each wheel frame and side frame for permitting pivotal movement of each wheelset assembly about the respective pivot by resilient deformation of the connectors, whereby the connectors provide restoring forces for returning the wheelsets to the "square" position.

Abstract: A railcar unit includes a pair of railcars, each having a car body supported by single-axle, forward and rearward trucks which are pivotally mounted to the car bodies. Conventional drawbars couple the car bodies and independent, interconnectable members connect the trucks of the adjacent railcars for rotational and longitudinal relative movement while maintaining the truck axles in parallel alignment.

Abstract: A truck for a vehicle, especially a railway car, comprising a plurality of pairs of wheels for running on rails, a plurality of axles respectively interconnecting the wheels of a pair of wheels, a cross-beam extending substantially parallel to the axles, a plurality of rocker arms, and a plurality of ball joint-type means connecting the rocker arms to the cross-beam and to the plurality of axles, respectively, whereby the axles may carry out pendulum movements in substantially vertical and horizontal directions relative to the rails, and spring means interposed between the cross-beam and the rocker arms permitting movement of the latter in the mentioned directions.

Abstract: A railway vehicle bogie comprising a main transverse beam and two axles each carrying a pair of wheels, each axle being linked to the beam by two radius arms, one on each side of the bogie, each radius arm being pivoted to the respective axle and to the beam in a manner permitting vertical and lateral swinging of each arm relative to the beam, and a leaf spring at each side of the bogie, each leaf spring being fixed at its center to the transverse beam and having each of its two ends linked to a respective radius arm by a respective unit, each unit comprising a wire cable which is secured to the radius arm and to the leaf spring, and abutments which are attached to the radius arm and which engage the cable between the radius arm and the leaf spring when the radius arm is swung laterally relatively to the transverse beam of the bogie.