Abstract: An independent wheel bogie for a railway vehicle comprising a central support structure, four independent arms carrying respective axles of the wheels and articulated to the support structure by resilient bushes, a suspension device for suspending a vehicle body, a center casting fixed to the support structure with the possibility of relative rotation about its vertical axis and adapted to be rigidly fixed to the vehicle body, and a steering control device for the axles comprising a pair of screw and nut linear actuators disposed longitudinally along the sides of the support structure and connected at their ends to the articulated arms on the corresponding side of the structure, and lever mechanisms for actuation of the linear actuators, activatable by a relative rotation between the bogie and the vehicle body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway vehicle comprising two sets of two axles which are steerable relative to the body. The load of the body is applied in the vertical plane of each axle at two points adjacent to the wheels. The load of the body is applied through slide friction blocks. The invention concerns in particular railway vehicles wherein each axle is radially guided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle having steerable axles. A track guide icle comprises at least one pair of independent wheel axles, and at least two members (14, 15) for measuring the transverse position of the vehicle relative to the track, and it is characterized in that it includes at least one measuring member (20) for measuring the angle of the axles relative to references related to portions of the vehicle, and at least two actuator members (21) for correcting said angles by bearing against said axles, and a servo-control circuit receiving the signals from said measuring members and generating control signals for said actuator members.

Abstract: This invention relates to a guided vehicle such as a railway vehicle and is a development or improvement of the invention disclosed in patent specification No. 2 526 387. The vehicle has steerable axles, each of which is steered by a coupling bar connected to the axle mount at a contact point and pivoted on the body of the vehicle at a pivot point. The axle mount is mounted on the body for rotation about an axis of rotation. The distances between the pivot point, the axis of rotation and the contact point, and the length of the coupling bar d are chosen to position the axle radially of a curve, as in the earlier patent specification. The pivot point of the coupling bar on the body is arranged to be substantially on the roll axis of the vehicle. Each drive axle has independently rotatable wheels and a limited slip differential limits the relative slip to 5%. The non-driven axles may also have independently rotating wheels, and anti-skid, anti-wheel-spin electronic control of the wheel brakes.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle has two body portions which are pivotally connected and supported on a frame. First and second wheelsets are pivotally mounted to and support the frame. The third and fourth wheelsets are provided for supporting the other ends of the first and second body portions, remote from the frame. A steering arrangement comprising a detecting device and a guiding device are provided, which can be in the form of a mechanical linkage. The first detecting device detects changes in the angle between the frame and the first body portion, while a second detecting device detects changes in the angle between the frame and the second body portion. Corresponding first and second guide devices respond to the detected angles; the first guide device guides the first and third wheelsets to radial alignment, while the second guide device guides the second and fourth wheelsets to a radial alignment.

Abstract: A railway locomotive structure has a stabilized self steering bolsterless and pedestalless powered railway truck with a pivotable carbody beam connecting the truck frame with the carbody for low axle weight transfer and supplemental stabilizers in the form of rubber cushions connected with axle steering beams to aid stability in the steering action, particularly during straight ahead running. Hydraulic or friction damping of the suspensions and steering mechanism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A railroad vehicle is provided for movement on rails. The vehicle has a car body and two trucks. Each of the trucks has an outboard and an inboard axle mounted to the truck for pivotal movement about respective vertical axes such that the axles may be moved to a radial position when the vehicle is travelling on curved track. Each of the trucks has a pivotal connection, offset from center toward the outboard axle, between the truck and the car body. Each of the trucks contains a steering mechanism whereby the axles are moved to the radial position when the vehicle is travelling on curved track, with the alignment being obtained in response to the angle through which the truck swivels relative to the car body in traversing the curved track. The steerable trucks are stable provided that certain mathematical relationships set out are satisfied.

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: 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 bolster for a railway truck is supported at opposite ends on side frames. The side frames are themselves supported at spaced longitudinal points on wheelsets that are steerable to attain a radial position relative to the curve of a track. The side frames are moveable relative to one another to accommodate the steering motion of the wheelsets and a linkage is provided between the bolster and each of the side frames to locate the bolster and distribute the lateral loads between the two side frames. The linkage comprises a pair of struts each mounted at one end to a respective side frame and connected at the other end to a common link. The link is pivotally connected to the underside of the bolster intermediate the two struts.

Abstract: A powered locomotive truck is disclosed, the truck having two wheelsets, each with an axle having a driving motor mounted thereon, the wheelsets being mounted in a rigid main truck frame, with freedom for relative yaw motion of the wheelsets, and each wheelset further having a steering arm or yoke movable with its wheelset during relative yaw motion of the wheelsets with respect to each other, the steering arms having an interconnection in a region between the wheelsets providing for interchange of yawing steering forces between the wheelsets.

Abstract: A self-steering railway truck having interconnected steering arms associated with the axled wheelsets and having mechanism for yieldingly resisting yawing motion of the wheelsets including at least two devices, at least one of which provides a relatively high rate of increase of resistance per unit of deflection in the initial portion of the yaw motion and at least another of which provides a relatively low rate of increase of resistance per unit of deflection in a portion of the motion beyond the initial portion.

Abstract: A three-axle powered self-steering railway truck is disclosed having a five link steering linkage connected between the axles on either side of the truck and interconnected laterally to provide radial steering action of the end axles linked to lateral translation of the center axle during curve negotiation. The steering and traction linkage is positioned to be free of interference with the traction motors and drive gears.

Abstract: A self-steering railway truck is disclosed having a novel axle relating traction linkage connecting with the bearing housings of a separable suspension system having detachable spring seats shimable for height adjustment. The brake mechanism is mounted on the axle hung traction motors to maintain braking forces within the attached elements and avoid affecting the self-steering action of the wheel and axle assemblies.

Abstract: A frameless self-steering radial wheeled support vehicle for a railroad car body includes:(a) a pair of wheelsets,(b) a support at opposite ends of each wheelset for independently mounting a railroad car body on each end of the wheelset,(c) resilient shear pads for mounting each support upon an end of a wheelset, which pads permit both lateral and yaw movement of a wheelset relative to its supports, and(d) a linkage connecting adjacent ends of each wheelset constraining the wheelsets to yaw in opposite sense and permitting lateral movement of one wheelset relative to the other.

Abstract: A rail truck (28) includes a load-bearing element; a pair of longitudinally spaced live axle wheel sets (32) arranged to run longitudinally along a rail track (34), each wheel set including a transverse axle (36) having two transversely spaced axle boxes (38) and wheels (40) inboard of the axle boxes (38), the wheels having tapered treads (40.1) for generating steering forces on rail track curves; resilient suspension cushions (42) acting between the axle boxes (38) and the load-bearing element (30) for resiliently supporting the load-bearing element (30); and a side link lever system (44) on each side of the truck (28) interconnecting the two axle boxes (38) of the two wheel sets (32) on that side, and including a side lever (46) having pivotal support on the load-bearing element (30) at a region intermediate the axle boxes (38) on that side, and links (50,52) interconnecting opposite ends of the side lever (46) with the axle boxes on that side.

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 railway motor truck has a pair of wheeled axles, the wheels having profiled treads to effect self-steering and the axles resiliently supporting a truck frame with sufficient yaw freedom to accommodate wheel-induced steering movements, and an interconnection between the axles, comprising a transverse shaft journaled in the truck frame intermediate the axles, normally substantially vertical levers affixed to the end portions of the shaft, and a pair of links respectively connecting the opposite ends of one axle to the upper and lower ends of the respective levers, and a second pair of links respectively connecting the opposite ends of the other axle to the opposite ends of the respective levers.

Abstract: Axle control mechanism for rail vehicles having two or more axles. The two journal boxes of one wheel set are interconnected with the respectively opposed journal boxes of the other wheel set by a hydraulic system. A movement of one of the wheel sets brings about a movement of the other wheel set. Each journal box housing of the two wheel sets is connected by a hydraulic cylinder, which has a double acting piston and is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the truck or undercarriage frame, to this truck or undercarriage frame. Of the two hydraulic cylinders located on the same longitudinal side of the truck or undercarriage frame, one working chamber of one of these hydraulic cylinders is interconnected with the opposed working chamber of the other hydraulic cylinder, and vice versa, via hydraulic lines.

Abstract: A self steering railway truck, especially a powered locomotive type, provides limited freedom for axle steering motion in the truck frame with a separate linkage of parallel rods and a steering beam for transmitting traction and braking forces to the truck frame. The linkages of two end axles are interconnected for equal and opposite motion to maintain stability and leave room for maintaining traction motors and brake equipment as well as separating effects from yaw and lateral axle motions.

Abstract: A railway power truck has a rigid frame resiliently supported on its axles and intermediate its axles has a bolster supported on the sides of the rigid frame by longitudinally oppositely inclined elastomeric pads whose normals converge near rail level. At the sides of the truck, the bolster mounts springs which directly support the vehicle body and are yieldable horizontally as well as vertically to accommodate swivel and lateral movements of the body with respect to the truck.

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: The bogie of a railroad vehicle, in particular for city transportation, is provided with axles which can be oriented substantially along the radius of the curves of a railroad track. The primary suspension of the bogie comprises springs and guiding link-arms of variable length constituted by hydraulic jacks for modifying the angle of the axle with respect to the bogie frame according to the radius of the curve being negotiated.

Abstract: A vehicle for transporting heavy loads on parallel tracks is disclosed. Two of the wheels of the vehicle are fixedly mounted to the vehicle frame, while the remaining wheels are mounted so that they can vertically adjust to deviations in the height of the rail track. In this manner, heavy loads can be transported on the rail tracks without any particular wheel becoming overloaded.In the preferred embodiment, the adjustable wheels are supported by bell crank levers which are themselves connected to one another by a parallelogram linkage arrangement.

Abstract: A semi-articulated railway power truck has in preferred embodiment a pair of dual axle sub-trucks semi-articulated for creep force balancing turning control while retaining freedom of rocking and relative longitudinal motion. An equalized centered bolster suspension and low traction rod linkage maintain high equalization of loads and tractive forces at the wheels to provide overall high adhesion and curving efficiency.

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 coupling assembly is provided to control the movement between two structural bodies when different forces are applied thereto. Initially, a restraint and limited movement is permitted by an elastomeric member for relatively low differential forces. With high differential forces, the restraint is overcome and the structural bodies move with respect to each other on a low friction member.

Abstract: A self-steering radial truck having steering arms with side arms, the side arms being contoured and located so that they provide visual and physical access to the trucks brake beam head and brake shoe, place said cross beam at a position clear of the brake beam and car body members and position the connecting post at a preferred location to prevent interference with one of the standard bolster brake rod openings for interconnection with the mating steering arm by a metal male member on one connecting post member slidably engaging a recess in the other connecting post member with metal to metal contact and means to provide for angling articulation of the two arms and the associated wheelsets.

Abstract: A railway truck assembly adapted to produce steering of the wheel axles radially to a curve to reduce wear and noise and characterized by a pivot connection between the bolster and the truck frame elements which; in cooperation with direct transmission of the load to the truck frame through the opposite ends of the bolster, allows to use a relatively thinner and centrally non-bulging bolster. Thus, more space is made available between the central portion of the bolster and the top of the rails; which space is advantageously used to install some equipment such as for instance a linear induction motor or LIM.

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. A method and structure is provided for adapting or "retrofitting" existing truck structures in a manner to embody the steering and stabilizing characteristics.

Abstract: An articulated truck joins and supports two adjacent railway cars. A linkage including two pairs of links is connected between the bolster of the truck and one of the railway cars. A common link is connected between the two pairs of link. The linkage and common link forces the truck to maintain a radial position with respect to curves in the track.

Abstract: A steerable truck comprises a pair of wheelsets spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the truck, each supporting a respective steering yoke. A main frame is supported by the yokes which are connected to the main frame to permit rotation of each yoke relative to the main frame about a respective vertical steering axis. A linear induction motor is located beneath the yokes for cooperation with a reaction rail to propel the truck. A suspension device suspends the motor from the yokes to maintain the motor a fixed height from the reaction rail. The thrust of the motor is transmitted to one of the yokes and a centering device is provided to inhibit lateral displacement of the motor relative to the yokes. The suspension device comprises three links each having universal connections at each end for connection to the motor and a respective one of the yokes.

Abstract: Leading and trailing wheel set assemblies of a railway vehicle truck are interdependently steered while traversing a curve by employing the longitudinal forces generated thereby to reposition rub plates which contact associated wheel set assembly journal boxes.

Abstract: A steerable railway truck includes a main frame structure having a bolster and a pair of side frames to be secured to a car body. A pair of "C" shaped sub-frames are interconnected. Extending arm portions of the sub-frames are slidably mounted to the end of the side frames on shear plate assemblies. Hanger elements extend from the main frame to hold the interconnected sections of the sub-frame. A steering link member is connected between the main frame and one of the sub-frames to force the two frames to steer when the car body moves over curved tracks.

Abstract: A radial axle railway truck has separate depressed center beam-type side frames mounted at their ends on journal bearing assemblies by means of elastomeric pad devices between downwardly facing surfaces on the side frames and upwardly facing surfaces on the bearing assemblies, the pad devices near the ends of the side frames being at a level higher than the axle centers and laterally inboard of the side frames and those remote from the ends of the side frames being at a level lower than the axle centers and laterally outboard of the side frames, thereby conforming with sloping end portions of the side frames and stabilizing the side frames against tipping transversely. The main frame of the truck has longitudinally extending side members and the side frames mount vertically acting resilient means for supporting the main frame on the side frames.

Abstract: A radial axle railway truck has a pair of depressed center side frames supported at their ends from the axles by horizontal elastomeric pad devices carried on the sides of outboard journal bearing adapters to permit steering movements of the axles, the horizontal pad devices nearest the ends of the side frames being elongated transversely of the truck and the horizontal pad devices remote from the ends of the sideframes being elongated longitudinally of the truck. A transverse truck frame is supported at each side above the depressed center portion of the respective side frames by a pair of generally V-shaped elastomeric pad devices supported on the inclined portions of the side frames connecting the high end portions and the depressed center portions thereof.

Abstract: Leading and trailing wheel set assemblies of a railway vehicle truck are independently steered while traversing a curve by employing the lateral and longitudinal forces generated thereby to reposition rub plates which contact associated wheel set assembly journal boxes.

Abstract: A truck for a railroad car has a front and rear wheelset with axle ends rotatively carried in a front and rear steering arm, respectively. The steering arms are carried in pedestal jaws of a right and left side frame with resilient pads interfacing between the steering arms and the side frames. The resilient pads allow each wheelset and steering arm to rotate or yaw to an out-of-square condition with respect to the side frame as the railroad car proceeds, for example, around a curve in the track on which the car is traveling. This rotational movement is selectively regulated by a joint connecting the front and rear steering arms.

Abstract: A truck for a railway vehicle including wheelsets each comprising a pair of wheels with an axle rigidly joining the wheels. A bearing assembly is provided at each end of the axle. A side frame having a pedestal jaw at each end accommodates therebetween one of the bearing assemblies, with the bearing assembly including an adapter member. The truck further includes a steering assembly operatively connected to the bearing adapter and thereby to the wheelset for radially steering the truck. The adapter member includes a main body portion underlying the pedestal jaw of the side frame, and an extension section extending axially of the axle inward from the main body portion towards the center of the truck. The adapter member extension section includes an upwardly facing, generally planar surface underlying a steering arm of the steering assembly. The arm is connected to and supported by the surface. Two spaced buttress type ribs project upward from the surface to receive the steering arm therebetween.

Abstract: A railroad freight car truck designed for the installation of steering arms for radial tracking in curves and high speed stability, and truck mounted air brake rigging of the standard type utilizing dual push-rods through the bolster to eliminate the truck biasing forces developed by conventional brake rigging with holes for accommodating the push-rods through the bolster and lugs for allowing the steering arms to engage and guide the brake beams in the lateral direction.

Abstract: The cross-coupling arrangement for coupling the end trucks to each other has a longitudinal shaft which is mounted via universal bearings at opposite ends on journal pins which are fixedly mounted relative to the vehicle. The shaft is articulated to the trucks via levers which are disposed at least approximately in the proximity of the transverse plane of the universal bearings.

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: A railway truck with a load-bearing structure resiliently supported on two live-axle, self-steering wheelsets, axle bearings being provided on the wheelsets and damping elements being connected longitudinally between axle bearings on the same side of the longitudinal axis of the truck. The damping elements change length with constantly applied forces and transmit rapidly changing forces between the wheelsets with the attenuation of energy. Thus, the damping elements do not interfere with the self-steering ability of the wheelsets and act to counteract wheelset hunting. The wheelsets may be connected to couple any yawing movement of each wheelset in opposite sense to the other wheelset.

Abstract: A forced steering mechanism is connected to a truck to steer an axle and associated wheels. Coupling means are provided for loosely connecting the car body of a vehicle to the truck and the forced steering mechanism. The coupling means permits relative lateral movement between the car body and truck while maintaining the forced steering mechanism in a position so as to permit self steering, but no forced steering when the vehicle is moving over tangent or rectilinear tracks. At the same time the degree of such lateral movement and amount of self steering is limited. The coupling means causes the forced steering mechanism to become operative when the vehicle is moving over sharply curved tracks.

Abstract: An articulated railroad vehicle having two or more body portions is supported on three or more single wheel set trucks. Each truck is pivotally attached to a vehicle body portion. Sensing elements detect the angle between the articulated body portions. The output from the angle of articulated sensing element means is used to guide each of the wheel sets to a radial configuration when the vehicle negotiates a curve.

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 short wheelbase railroad truck having two axles intended to assume a radial configuration when the railroad vehicle rounds curves comprises a frame having two side members and axles mounted in bearing means. The bearing means are pivotally attached to the frame members with at least two of the bearing means being attached to the frame members by means of steering levers which are pivotally attached to the associated bearing means and the frame members for independent pivotal movement. Steering rods connect each steering lever to the vehicle body such that the chording of the vehicle as it rounds a curve will guide each axle to the radial alignment. In one embodiment each axle is guided by such steering rods and levers. In another embodiment one axle is guided by steering rods and levers and the side members move relatively longitudinally to guide the other axle.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a radially steerable articulated railway car truck has a pair of steering arms that are operably joined to the truck axles and connected together by a linkage passing over the truck bolster adjacent the side frames. The steering arms can be retrofitted to an existing conventional (non-radially steerable) three piece railway truck regardless of the type of brake rigging the truck employs. The linkage structure includes a pivotable link located at each end of the bolster and joining the steering arms for articulated movement.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in vehicles and particularly rail vehicles which utilizes the spacing variation between two trucks or undercarriages of the vehicle progressing through a curve to cause a tilting movement of the vehicle chassis in the curve to accommodate the centrifugal forces generated by the vehicle in the curve. This is achieved by transposing the generally horizontal forces of the above mentioned spacing variation into opposing vertical forces on each side of the chassis through various mechanical linkages. This avoids provision for elevations of the roadway in curves.

Abstract: An articulated railway truck assembly is provided with a pair of side frames, a transverse center support structure and a pair of wheelset swiveling assemblies. An inward portion of each of the wheelset swiveling assemblies is supported by either the side frames or the center support structure, permitting both substantially universal pivotal movement of the respective wheelset swiveling assembly and lateral movement of the respective inward portion thereof relative to the center support structure. The wheelset swiveling assemblies are resiliently interconnected by a pivot point type connection near the center of the truck for pivoting each wheelset swiveling assembly against the other within the truck framework.