Positive Control Patents (Class 105/168)
  • Patent number: 11691653
    Abstract: A running gear for a rail vehicle includes first and second independent wheel assemblies on opposite sides of a longitudinal vertical median plane of the running gear, each having an independent wheel and a bearing assembly for guiding the wheel about a revolution axis fixed relative to the bearing assembly. In a reference position of the running gear, the revolution axes of the first and second wheel assemblies are coaxial and perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical median plane. The running gear further includes one or more steering actuators for moving the bearing assembly of at least one of the two wheel assemblies away from the reference position in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal vertical median plane, a wheel flange contact detection unit for detecting a contact between a flange of the wheel with a rail, and a controller for controlling the one or more steering actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Jani Dede, Arne Pfeil
  • Patent number: 11459003
    Abstract: A process for detecting a derailment of a rail vehicle having two or more rail vehicle parts and one or more articulations through which adjacent rail vehicle parts are rotatably connected with one another includes determining an angle of rotation between adjacent rail vehicle parts, and/or a quantity derived from the angle of rotation. The process further includes comparing the angle of rotation or the derived quantity with at least one reference value or threshold, or with at least one reference value range or threshold range. A test criterion indicating whether or not there is a derailment is defined based on the at least one reference value or threshold, and/or an expected relationship of multiple angles of rotation, and/or an expected relationship of the multiple quantities derived from the angles of rotation, relative to one another. The method further includes determining whether or not the test criterion is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Fabrice Roche, Andreas Monarth, Guillermo Perez Gomez
  • Patent number: 11230302
    Abstract: A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Truck Systems Corp.
    Inventors: John Rudibaugh, Manny Tavares, Wayne Murphy, Perry Levitt
  • Patent number: 11225377
    Abstract: A method and a controller for controlling movements of a robot from a start to a stop position, where the robot has pairs of wheels having drivers that are controlled by local controllers. Based on a current speed and an angular position of each wheel and a position of the robot relative to the frame structure, a master controller sets up individual speed driving sequences for the pair of wheels based on the current speed and angular position of each wheel, current global position of the robot, and the start and stop positions of the robot. The speed driving sequence is transmitted to the local controllers controlling the pair of wheels, thereby controlling acceleration and deceleration of each wheel via the individual drivers. The local controllers ensure that pairs of wheels are kept synchronised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventors: Ingvar Hognaland, Ivar Fjeldheim, Jørgen Djuve Heggebø
  • Patent number: 10974741
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuator for controlling a wheelset of a rail vehicle comprising: an axle casing for fastening to an undercarriage or to a wheelset bearing housing of the rail vehicle; a synchronized cylinder that is provided in the axle casing and that comprises a piston surface that has a piston rod passing through the axle casing at each of its two areal sides; and a housing that is movable in accordance with a movement of the synchronized cylinder with respect to the axle casing, wherein a piston spring element that connects a respective piston rod to the housing is arranged at the end of the respective piston rod remote from the piston surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Liebherr-Transportation Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Richard Schneider
  • Patent number: 10913470
    Abstract: A railcar steering bogie includes a bogie frame, a wheelset, an axle box suspension, a steering mechanism configured to steer the wheelset, a brake unit, and a brake unit support link. The brake unit includes: a main body frame; a brake shoe supported by the main body frame and pressed against a wheel tread of the wheel during braking. The brake unit support link couples the axle box suspension and the brake unit and transmits displacement of the axle box in a car longitudinal direction to the brake unit at least during steering performed by the steering mechanism. The brake unit support link restricts the brake unit from being displaced outward in a car width direction by a predetermined distance or more during the braking. At least one of a side surface of the brake unit support link and a side surface of the brake unit includes a sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Yoshi Sato, Yukitaka Taga, Yousuke Tsumura, Keiichiro Kamura, Fumikazu Kounoike, Koichi Murata, Francois Olivier Uchida, Yuta Yoshimatsu
  • Patent number: 10246107
    Abstract: A chassis for a rail vehicle, in particular for a locomotive. A chassis frame is supported on first and second wheel sets and one triangular link per wheel set on both sides of the chassis for horizontally guiding the axle of the wheel set. An A-arm is hinged to one of two axle bearings by a wheel set-side bearing and by two frame-side bearings. The latter have elastomer bushings with a constant longitudinal and transverse rigidity. The former have hydraulic bushings with constant transverse rigidity and variable longitudinal rigidity. The bearings of each A-arm are arranged on the corners of a horizontal isosceles triangle. The tip of the triangle forms the wheel set-side bearing and the base forms the frame-side bearings. This resolves the conflicting objectives between dynamic running behaviors of the chassis when cornering and the driving stability when traveling straight ahead at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventors: Heiko Meyer, Hans Juergen Maerkl, Philipp Scholle
  • Patent number: 10131368
    Abstract: A steering bogie for a railcar includes: a bogie frame supporting a carbody of the railcar; a wheelset including an axle and wheels, the axle extending in a car width direction, the wheels being provided at both respective sides of the axle; and a steering device that presses a pressing target member to steer the wheelset with respect to the bogie frame, the pressing target member being constituted by the wheelset or a member configured to be displaced integrally with the wheelset in a steering direction, the steering device including at least one steering unit, the at least one steering unit including a pressing member that separably contacts the pressing target member to press the pressing target member, and a power mechanism causes the pressing member to contact and separate from the pressing target member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunichi Nakao, Takeyoshi Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 9688293
    Abstract: The object is to solve the issue of an over-steered state at an exit straight portion in addition to enhance a curve passage performance than when a steering angle of front and rear axles is set at a radial steering angle. A steering method for a steering device intentionally turns two axles (12a, 12b) of a truck (12) of a railway vehicle relative to a frame of the truck. The two axles are arranged at front and rear of the truck with respect to a direction of running of the railway vehicle. The steering method includes steering the axles such that a steering angle (?1) of the front axle (12a) is larger than a steering angle (?2) of the rear axle (12b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Ozaki, Kazunori Iwato, Satoshi Kikko, Satoshi Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 9676240
    Abstract: An IFS assembly having a single lower control arm having an inboard end pivotally secured to a chassis support structure, an air spring supported by an air spring seat relative to the lower control arm, a strut having an upper end pivotally secured to the chassis support structure and a lower end coupled to the lower control arm outboard end, and a steering knuckle fixed to the strut lower end, the steering knuckle disposed below the lower air spring seat and whose rotative movement about the strut axis is unconfined by proximity between the steering knuckle and the tower air spring seat, whereby available wheel cut is maximized. Also an IFS module including right and left side IFS assemblies and adapted for installation into a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Reyco Granning, LLC
    Inventor: John A Hinz
  • Patent number: 9676400
    Abstract: Provided is a guide device for a rail-guided vehicle that is guided to travel along a travel track, the guide device including: guide wheels that roll in contact with guide rails arranged on both sides of the travel track; steering arms that steer the vehicle; guide wheel support members; and shock-absorbing members. One end of each guide wheel support member is supported at the tip end of a steering arm with shock-absorbing members interposed therebetween, and the other end of each guide wheel support member rollably supports a main guide wheel and a diverging guide wheel. The shock-absorbing members are disposed between each guide wheel support member and the corresponding steering arm, and mitigate the impact load transmitted from the guide wheels to the steering arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaru Tachibana, Akihiro Niizeki, Junji Kamatani, Akira Komoto
  • Patent number: 9573604
    Abstract: A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam supporting a carbody; a pair of front and rear axles sandwiching and arranged in front of and behind the cross beam in a railcar longitudinal direction to extend in a railcar width direction; bearings provided at both railcar width direction sides of each and rotatably supporting the axles; axle boxes accommodating the bearings; side members extending in the railcar longitudinal direction supporting both railcar width direction end portions of the cross beam and each including both railcar longitudinal direction end portions supported by the axle boxes; contact members provided at both railcar width direction end portions and disposed on railcar longitudinal direction middle portions of the side members so as not to be fixed to the side members in an upper-lower direction; and supporting members provided at the axle boxes and supporting the railcar longitudinal direction end portions of the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Shunichi Nakao, Takeyoshi Kusunoki, Yasufumi Okumura
  • Patent number: 9475354
    Abstract: An IFS assembly having a single lower control arm having an inboard end pivotally secured to a chassis support structure, an air spring supported by an air spring seat relative to the lower control arm, a strut having an upper end pivotally secured to the chassis support structure and a lower end coupled to the lower control arm outboard end, and a steering knuckle fixed to the strut lower end, the steering knuckle disposed below the lower air spring seat and whose rotative movement about the strut axis is unconfined by proximity between the steering knuckle and the lower air spring seat, whereby available wheel cut is maximized. Also an IFS module including right and left side IFS assemblies and adapted for installation into a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Reyco Granning, LLC
    Inventor: John A Hinz
  • Patent number: 9358989
    Abstract: A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam supporting a carbody; a pair of front and rear axles sandwiching and arranged in front of and behind the cross beam in a railcar longitudinal direction to extend in a railcar width direction; bearings provided at both railcar width direction sides of each and rotatably supporting the axles; axle boxes accommodating the bearings; side members extending in the railcar longitudinal direction supporting both railcar width direction end portions of the cross beam and each including both railcar longitudinal direction end portions supported by the axle boxes; contact members provided at both railcar width direction end portions and disposed on railcar longitudinal direction middle portions of the side members so as not to be fixed to the side members in an upper-lower direction; and supporting members provided at the axle boxes and supporting the railcar longitudinal direction end portions of the side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Shunichi Nakao, Takeyoshi Kusunoki, Yasufumi Okumura
  • Publication number: 20140261063
    Abstract: A traction control assembly for connection between a monorail bogie frame and a monorail car. The traction control assembly comprising a first traction link pivotally connected to a first bell crank mechanism and a second traction link pivotally connected to a second bell crank mechanism. The first traction link and the second traction link are capable of absorbing traction forces applied to the monorail bogie. The traction control assembly further comprises a cross link interconnecting the first bell crank mechanism and the second bell crank mechanism and a passive steering assist device interconnecting the first bell crank mechanism and the second bell crank mechanism. The steering assist device causes the traction control assembly to insert shear forces on the monorail bogie during travel of the monorail bogie over a curved section of monorail track for facilitating rotational motion between the monorail bogie and the monorail car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Cesar Victor Benoist Roudiere, Christian Roy, Mario Monette, Louis Thibault
  • Publication number: 20140261062
    Abstract: The object is to solve the issue of an over-steered state at an exit straight portion in addition to enhance a curve passage performance than when a steering angle of front and rear axles is set at a radial steering angle. A steering method for a steering device intentionally turns two axles (12a, 12b) of a truck (12) of a railway vehicle relative to a frame of the truck. The two axles are arranged at front and rear of the truck with respect to a direction of running of the railway vehicle. The steering method includes steering the axles such that a steering angle (?1) of the front axle (12a) is larger than a steering angle (?2) of the rear axle (12b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Ozaki, Kazunori Iwato, Satoshi Kikko, Satoshi Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20140202353
    Abstract: A suspension system for a train vehicle includes at least one inerter to minimize track wear. Track wear may be measured by direct measures such as wear work, or indirect measures such as yaw stiffness. “Minimizing” track wear means that such measures are reduced below values which are achievable with conventional technology while maintaining acceptable values of other performance metrics, such as ride comfort or least damping ratio. The suspension system may comprise at least one damper connected in series with the at least one inerter. The suspension system may be the primary or the secondary suspension system of a train vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicants: Loughborough University, Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm C. Smith, Zheng Jiang, Roger Morgan Goodall
  • Publication number: 20140137764
    Abstract: In the event that a steering device is damaged, the damaged component is prevented from dropping onto a surface of a track or prevented from making contact with a surface of a track, even if a component to prevent dropping is not newly installed. A railway vehicle steering truck having a steering device 1 with a steering link 1b which is rotatably connected to an axle box 4 which supports a steering axle 2, and a connecting link 1c rotatably connected to a bolster 5, and these are each rotatably connected to a steering lever 1a which is rotatably connected to a truck frame 3. A length A1 or A2 from one center of rotation of the steering link 1b is shorter than a radius B of a wheel that has reached a wear limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shimokawa, Masaaki Mizuno, Toshiyo Yamano, Tomoki Teramae
  • Patent number: 8701564
    Abstract: A self-steering system for a radial bogie of a railroad vehicle is provided. The self-steering system includes a plurality of links which connect the leading and trailing wheelsets to the bogie frame. Each of the links is adapted to provide a smaller degree of movement between the link and the wheelset at one end and a larger degree of movement between the link and the bogie frame at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Schaller, Xiaoying Ma
  • Publication number: 20130312634
    Abstract: The invention relates to railway bogies, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a self-steering bogie for a locomotive. In accordance with the invention there is provided a self-steering railway bogie (1) comprising leading and trailing wheelset (2.4) having two ends (3,5) and a frame for limiting the movement of the wheelset ends. The bogie is provided with a number of fluid cylinders (7) attached between the wheelset ends and the frame, and fluid flow means (8) between the cylinders allowing wheelsets to yaw inversely relative to each other and restricting other relative movement of the wheelsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: RSD- A DIVISION OF DCD-DORBYL (PTY) LIMITED
    Inventor: Patrick Henri Smit
  • Patent number: 8584596
    Abstract: Vehicle suspension systems including a truck and a spring system for an axle are provided. In one example, a truck includes an unpowered axle spring system that is configured to generate an overall unpowered axle separation force between a truck frame and an unpowered axle carrier. The overall unpowered axle separation force has a rate of decrease that increases past a first separation distance between the truck frame and the unpowered axle carrier. A powered axle spring system is configured to generate a powered axle separation force between the truck frame and a powered axle carrier. The powered axle separation force has a rate of decrease that decreases past a second separation distance between the truck frame and the powered axle carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Adrian Jerzy Gorski, Jingjun Zhang, Jeremy Thomas McGarry
  • Patent number: 8505465
    Abstract: A railway truck is provided comprising first and second wheelsets, each wheelset comprising at least a left and a right wheel adjacent opposite ends of an axle. Each axle is supported for rotation about an axle axis by a respective bearing adjacent the left and right wheels. A first frame member extends between a bearing support adjacent the left wheel of the first wheelset and a bearing support adjacent the right wheel of the second wheelset. A second frame member extends between a bearing support adjacent the left wheel of the second wheelset and a bearing support adjacent the right wheel of the first wheelset. The first and second frame members are free to move without interference from each other to cause the truck to steer in response to a change in a rolling direction of either of the first and second wheelsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Lanza Projects Corporation
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Elizondo
  • Patent number: 8485109
    Abstract: A method for minimizing tread damage and profile wear of wheels of a railway vehicle is provided. The railway vehicle includes two sets of wheels, or a bogie of a railway vehicle with two sets of wheels, wherein setpoint values for parameters characterizing the position of a wheel relative to the track are determined based on measured values of a variable parameter relevant for the creation of tread damage and profile wear during the movement of the railway vehicle, on condition that the tread damage and profile wear on the wheels of the railway vehicle are minimized, wherein the position of one set of wheels is adjusted according to the setpoint values by means of actuation, control, or a combination of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens AG Österreich
    Inventors: Peter Dietmaier, Martin Rosenberger, Klaus Six
  • Patent number: 8443735
    Abstract: Truck assemblies, systems and methods are provided for transferring weight supported by various wheels, and axles. An example truck assembly may include a truck frame element, and a carrier coupled with the truck frame element. A bias may be configured to bias the carrier away from the truck frame element. An actuatable linkage arrangement may include a compliant linkage coupled with the carrier. The compliant linkage may pull the carrier against the bias in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Worden, Michael Marley, Amit Iyer, Adrian Gorski
  • Publication number: 20130098262
    Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster mounted transversely between a pair of side frames. The mounting interface between the wheelset axle ends and the sideframe pedestals includes a bearing adapter. It has an upper portion that seats in the sideframe pedestal. The underside, lower portion, of the bearing adapter defines sits on the wheelset bearing casing. The lower portion has an apex, and has a first land portion for engaging a first portion of the bearing casing, and a second land portion for engaging a second portion of the bearing casing. The apex lies circumferentially between the first and second lands portions. There is a relief formed at the apex over the bearing race, so that vertical load is split to enter the casing to either side of top dead center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventors: James Wilfred Forbes, Jamal Hematian
  • Patent number: 8381659
    Abstract: A railway vehicle including a plurality of bogies is provided. Each bogie includes a chassis, two front wheels and two rear wheels. For each front wheel and each rear wheel, a guidance device is provided for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis is provided on the guidance device. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels are arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie. The primary suspension devices each include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected by a first connection point to the chassis and by a second connection point to the corresponding guidance device and at least one resilient component inserted between the two connecting rods to define at least the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension device, the two connecting rods being offset longitudinally relative to one another. Each of the bogies also includes a pivot connection device for connecting the bogie to the railway vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Alain Rodet, Christophe Eche, Yves Longueville, Francis Demarquilly
  • Patent number: 8336464
    Abstract: A freight car bogie and a freight car are provided. The freight car bogie includes two wheel set assemblies, side frames, and a bolster. The freight car bogie further includes a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are crossed in an X form to pass through reserved holes at two sides of a belly of the bolster. The first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are separated from each other at a crossing portion. The first connecting rod includes a first end and a second end. The second connecting rod includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end and the third end are resiliently connected to one of the side frames and symmetrical about a center line of the bolster. The second end and the fourth end are resiliently connected to the other side frame and symmetrical about the center line of the bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuming Xing, Zhenming Liu, Shifeng Xu, Haibin Hu, Zhen Zhu, Wendong Shao, Kewei Lv
  • Publication number: 20120304886
    Abstract: A railway can have trains for generally high speed if curves have very large radius. For this to be generally possible the trains must be able to nm in steep slopes. When driving wheels are pressed against the rail head sides a double drive force from friction is achieved and controlled by a separate force independent of the weight of the train. The carrying wheels are made free from lateral forces by suspended them in cardan rings. The driving wheels running on the rail head sides also only steer if no force is applied. The switches can be free from movable pars Wheels against flank rails parallel to the outermost rails keeps the train left in the switches. Double-rotor motors give the driving. They can be attached to the wheels on the rail head side, hut also to the carrying cardules. Such motors can also be placed within the carrying wheels, in cardules and m the driving wheels on the sides. The rails can get trapeze form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Lennart Hoeglund
  • Patent number: 8276522
    Abstract: A bogie for a railway vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheelsets, and steering linkages linking the wheelsets to maintain steering alignment. The bogie has a wheelset body linkage pivotally connecting the steering linkages with the bogie body so as to position the body relative to the wheelsets, and two alignment rams to position the body relative to the frame. The bogie also has sensors for monitoring yaw angle and yaw velocity. The sensor input is processed to estimate track curvature and determine the train speed and yaw velocity of the vehicle body. The processor actuates the alignment rams to adjust the position of the body relative to the frame in response to the track curvature and current frame positions to minimize wheel contact creepage and maximize bogie stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Central Queensland University
    Inventor: Scott Simson
  • Publication number: 20110185939
    Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The mounting interface between the ends of the axles and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral rocking motion of the sideframes in the manner of a swing motion truck. The lateral swinging motion is combined with a longitudinal self steering capability. The self steering capability may be obtained by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that may tend to permit resistance to self steering that is proportional to the weight carried across the interface. The trucks may have auxiliary centering elements mounted in the pedestal seats, and those auxiliary centering elements may be made of resilient elastomeric material. The truck may also have friction dampers that have a disinclination to stick-slip behavior. The friction dampers may be provided with brake linings, or similar features, on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Jamal Hematian
  • Publication number: 20110146530
    Abstract: Lateral pressure which develops in the front wheelset when traveling along a curved track is decreased while suppressing an increase in costs as much as possible. A two-axle truck for a railway car has a front wheelset having wheels with a first tread gradient and a rear wheelset having wheels with a second tread gradient which is different from the first tread gradient. The tread gradient of the wheels of the rear wheelset is larger than the tread gradient of the wheels of the front wheelset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi KIKKO, Takuji NAKAI
  • Patent number: 7926425
    Abstract: A tram has a lead vehicle and one or more trailing vehicles coupled to it. Each vehicle has sets of front and rear wheels, both sets being steerable independently of the other. A manual controller provides signals to a processor in the lead vehicle, which in turn steers the front and rear wheels along a desired path. A processor on the first trailing vehicle controls front and rear servos to steer its wheels according to the path of the rear wheels of the leading vehicle. The second trailing vehicle has a processor that steers its front and rear wheels according to information provided by the first leading vehicle. Steering sensors on the vehicles sense distance to a steering rail while the vehicles are on a guideway and provide signals to the processors for automatic steering. While on a guideway, the tram uses power collectors to transfer power from the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Joy Kirston Henderson
  • Publication number: 20100326317
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a railway bogie with a mounted vehicle body including a frame; a plurality of wheelsets and steering linkages linking the wheelsets so that the wheelsets can cooperate to be in steering alignment. The bogie has a wheelset body linkage pivotally connecting the steering linkages with the bogie body so to position the body relative to the wheelsets and two alignment rams to position the body relative to the frame. The bogie also has sensors for monitoring the yaw angle and yaw velocity. The sensor input is then processed to estimate track curvature and determine the train speed and yaw velocity of the vehicle body. The processor then actuates the alignment rams to adjust the position of the body relative to the frame in response to the track curvature and current frame positions to minimize wheel contact creepage and maximize bogie stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Scott Simson
  • Patent number: 7845287
    Abstract: A railway truck has a frame, and two wheel-sets operatively connected to the frame. Each wheel-set includes a corresponding axle, and two wheels disposed on the axle. A first steering lever is pivotally connected to the first end portion of the first axle about a first pivot axis and to the frame about a second pivot axis. A second steering lever is pivotally connected to the second end portion of the first axle about a third pivot axis and to the frame about a fourth pivot axis. A first line passing through the first and second pivot axes crosses a second line passing through the third and fourth pivot axes at less than a predetermined distance from a vertical centerline of the truck when the first and second axles are parallel. A railcar including the truck is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Restruck Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Edward Smith
  • Publication number: 20100294163
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail vehicle comprising a chassis provided with individual wheels which are respectively mounted on axle carriers in such a way that they can pivot in the horizontal direction about a vertical steering axis. Said rail vehicle also comprises a steering actuator associated with each wheel, for adjusting a pre-determined steering angle about the vertical steering axis, the wheels (1) of the axles being respectively mounted in such a way that they can be pivoted in the vertical direction about a horizontal camber axis (S) and can be acted upon by means of a camber actuator (7) in order to adjust a pre-determined camber angle (?S).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Walter, Phillip Schlautmann, Joerg Wallaschek
  • Publication number: 20100236446
    Abstract: Lateral pressure which develops in the front wheelset when traveling along a curved track is decreased while suppressing an increase in costs as much as possible. A two-axle truck for a railway car has a front wheelset having wheels with a first tread gradient and a rear wheelset having wheels with a second tread gradient which is different from the first tread gradient. The tread gradient of the wheels of the rear wheelset is larger than the tread gradient of the wheels of the front wheelset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Satoshi Kikko, Takuji Nakai
  • Publication number: 20100229753
    Abstract: A steerable truck for a railway car is provided with a truck frame that is steered so as to be aligned with the tangential direction of a curved track by controlling only the steering angle of a rear wheelset. During travel along a curved track, the steering angle, which is the angle in a horizontal plane of the centerline of the rear wheelset with respect to an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the truck frame and the center of the curved track, is larger than the steering angle which is the angle formed between the imaginary straight line and the centerline of the front wheelset. As a result, a steerable truck for a railway car which has excellent ability to travel along a curve and which can be actually realized simply and at a low cost is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Satoshi Kikko, Takuji Nakai, Yujin Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20100154672
    Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The mounting interface between the ends of the axles and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral rocking motion of the sideframes in the manner of a swing motion truck. The lateral swinging motion is combined with a longitudinal self steering capability. The self steering capability may be obtained by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that may tend to permit resistance to deflection that is proportional to the weight carried across the interface. The truck may have auxiliary centering elements mounted in the pedestal seats, and those auxiliary centering elements may be made of resilient elastomeric material. The truck may also have friction dampers that have a disinclination to stick-slip behavior. The friction dampers may be provided with brake linings, or similar features, on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Jamal Hematian, Tomasz Bis
  • Publication number: 20100132585
    Abstract: A railway vehicle including a plurality of bogies is provided. Each bogie includes a chassis, two front wheels and two rear wheels. For each front wheel and each rear wheel, a guidance device is provided for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis is provided on the guidance device. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels are arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie. The primary suspension devices each include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected by a first connection point to the chassis and by a second connection point to the corresponding guidance device and at least one resilient component inserted between the two connecting rods to define at least the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension device, the two connecting rods being offset longitudinally relative to one another. Each of the bogies also includes a pivot connection device for connecting the bogie to the railway vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA
    Inventors: Alain Rodet, Christope Eche, Yves Longueville, Francis Demarquilly
  • Publication number: 20100011984
    Abstract: A self-steering system for a radial bogie of a railroad vehicle is provided. The self-steering system includes a plurality of links which connect the leading and trailing wheelsets to the bogie frame. Each of the links is adapted to provide a smaller degree of movement between the link and the wheelset at one end and a larger degree of movement between the link and the bogie frame at the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Schaller, Xiaoying Ma
  • Publication number: 20090276107
    Abstract: A method for controlling an active running gear of a rail vehicle including at least one first wheel unit with two wheels, wherein by means of at least one first actuator, which acts between the first wheel unit and a vehicle structure supported thereon by means of a first primary spring mechanisms, the turning angle of the first wheel unit about a vertical running gear axis relative to the vehicle structure is adjusted, in a first frequency range, as a function of the actual curvature of the track and/or the turning angle of the first wheel unit about a vertical running gear axis relative to the vehicle structure is adjusted, in a second frequency range, such that transversal movements at least of the first wheel unit, caused by track outlay disturbances or by a sinusoidal course, are counteracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Reimann, Alfred Lohmann, Jani Dede
  • Patent number: 7603221
    Abstract: An automatic slowing down system for a vehicle taking a bend includes a computer that integrates a series of instructions to process at least one of first, second and third signals according to kinematic control laws of vehicle displacement to deliver signals for a forward motion actuator and a steering actuator, a forward control and a steering control that supply the first signal representative of a forward motion data and a steering data to the computer based on an operator's requirement, a linear speed sensor and a yaw speed sensor that supply the second signal to the computer, and a unit that supplies the third signal relating to road grip to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nexter Systems
    Inventors: Emile Urvoy, Olivier Pape, Stephane Leveque
  • Patent number: 7540242
    Abstract: This invention comprises a running gear for rail vehicles with at least three wheel sets housed in a bogey frame and at least one steering device that makes possible a transverse displacement of an end wheel set, wherein the bogey frame, seen in longitudinal direction, has several sections, wherein at least the frontmost section, seen in the direction of travel, in which the leading wheel set is arranged, is connected horizontally pivotable to a second, rigid section, characterized in that at least the frontmost section, seen in the direction of travel, of the bogey frame in which the leading wheel set is arranged is formed as a parallelogram that can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bogey frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Evoinvent AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Sommerer
  • Publication number: 20090133599
    Abstract: This invention relates to steering links for bogies and to wagons incorporating such bogies, a variable length steering link assembly for a bogie including an elongate link having a generally T-shaped head at each end and an anchor for each end, wherein each anchor defines an axially extending chamber for slidably receiving a respective head an a compression spring wherein in one chamber the spring acts on the end fact of its associated head and in the other chamber the spring acts on the back face of its associated head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Alan Aitken, David Taylor, Wayne Jamieson
  • Publication number: 20090025599
    Abstract: A railway truck has a frame, and two wheel-sets operatively connected to the frame. Each wheel-set includes a corresponding axle, and two wheels disposed on the axle. A first steering lever is pivotally connected to the first end portion of the first axle about a first pivot axis and to the frame about a second pivot axis. A second steering lever is pivotally connected to the second end portion of the first axle about a third pivot axis and to the frame about a fourth pivot axis. A first line passing through the first and second pivot axes crosses a second line passing through the third and fourth pivot axes at less than a predetermined distance from a vertical centerline of the truck when the first and second axles are parallel. A railcar including the truck is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: RESTRUCK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Roy Edward SMITH
  • Patent number: 7458324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for active radial control of the wheels (11, 53, 103, 108, 115) of at last one wheel unit (8, 9, 10, 51, 52) on a chassis, in particular a bogie on a tracked vehicle, whereby control movements are applied to the wheel unit (8, 9, 10, 51, 52) and an integrated regulation with control movements in at least two non-identical frequency ranges are carried out. First control movements in a first frequency range and second control movements in a second frequency range, different form the first frequency range are superimposed and applied to the wheel unit (8, 9, 10, 51, 52). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation
    Inventors: Richard Schneider, Wolfgang Auer, Günther Himmelstein
  • Patent number: 7096795
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a linear steering truck apparatus comprising a bolster member having two ends, the bolster being located along the transverse axis extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, generally located between and parallel to the transversely extending axles, a linear steering truck attachable to the car body, a plurality of pedestals, a pedestal engaged to an axle bearing, the axle bearing being rotationally engaged to one end of a transversely extending axle, and at least one pedestal being movably attached to at least one other pedestal situated in the same plane along the longitudinal axis, and rack and pinion steering components, where the geometry of pivot points from one axle to the bolster form a trapezoid and the geometry of pivot points from another axle to the bolster form a parallelogram, the pedestals being pivotably connected so that a lateral force at one axle is reacted by the other axle, wherein the car body mass acts as a pendulum mass restor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Active Steering, LLC
    Inventor: Paul S. Wike
  • Patent number: 6966266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the radial control of a rail vehicle. According to the invention, at least one wheel set (1) is mounted in a bogie or chassis and the ends of said wheel set(s) can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, using actuating devices (12, 19, 21, 26). The ends of the wheel set are adjusted in a longitudinal direction by a foldable wheel-set driving rod (8/9, 15/16), the actuating device engaging with the joint (11, 18) of said foldable wheel-set driving rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Lutz Schwendt
  • Patent number: 6871598
    Abstract: An arrangement for self-steering, radial bogie, truck or vehicle frame for locomotives and other railroad vehicles, which includes steering beams for and located behind their respective leading and trailing wheelsets, and whose rotary motions are coupled by an inter-axle link to provide opposite transverse movement of the first and third wheelsets upon traversing curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Schaller, Xiaoying Ma, David Jason Goding
  • Publication number: 20040149162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-steering, three-axle bogie, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising wheel sets (8, 9, 10) and wheel set bearing housings (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) allocated to said sets. According to the invention, the outer wheel sets (8, 10) are counter-coupled and can be displaced in a longitudinal direction and the central wheel set (9) can be displaced in a transverse direction and is included in the control system. The wheel set bearing housings (2, 4, 6) on one side of the running gear and/or the wheel set bearing housings (3, 5, 7) on the other side of the running gear are coupled exclusively to the wheel set bearing housings (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) lying on the same side and neighbouring wheel set bearing housings (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are coupled to a first rotary lever (14, 26) that is connected so that it can rotate to the corresponding wheel set bearing housing (4, 5) of the central wheel set (9), by means of a steering linkage-rotary lever configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Wolfgang Auer