Abstract: A chassis for rail vehicles includes at least one first wheel and one second wheel, at least one first wheel bearing having a first wheel bearing housing and a second wheel bearing having a second wheel bearing housing, at least one first primary spring and one second primary spring, at least one primary spring-loaded support structure and at least one active wheel positioning device, which has an actuator unit, where a first bearing and a second bearing are provided between the at least one wheel positioning device and the at least one support structure, and a guide is provided between the at least one wheel positioning device and the first wheel bearing housing, and where the unsuspended mass of the chassis is reduced by the suspension of the wheel positioning device on the primary spring-loaded support structure in order to create advantageous design conditions.

Abstract: A steering system for a locomotive truck may include a first axle and a plurality of primary bearing adapter assemblies, each primary bearing adapter assembly may include a bearing adapter and a swiveling back plate, wherein each bearing adapter may be disposed around the first axle.

Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster mounted transversely to a side frame pair. A mounting interface between the axel ends and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral swing truck like rocking motion of the sideframes combined with a longitudinal selfsteering capability by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that permits resistance to deflection proportionally to the weight carried across the interface. The truck may have auxiliary centering elements made of resilient elastomeric material mounted in the pedestal seats and may also have friction dampers provided with brake linings or like on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, having a disinclination to stick-slip behavior and operate to yield upward and downward friction forces that are not overly unequal and may be mounted in a four-cornered arrangement at each end of the truck bolster. Spring groups may include subgroups of springs of differing heights.

Abstract: A railway car truck incorporating an interconnection between the side frame and bearing adapter is characterized by a low lateral spring constant relative to the longitudinal spring constant. The interconnection provides a proportional restoring force with minimal internal friction and hysteresis. In embodiments, the interconnection comprises compressed elastomeric members positioned between the thrust lug of the side frame and the bearing adapter in the longitudinal direction and a low friction interface between the roof of the pedestal jaw and the top of the bearing adapter.

Abstract: A railway truck is disclosed for use with a locomotive. The railway truck may have a first axle with a first end and an opposing second end, and a second axle with a first end and an opposing second end. The railway truck may also have a plurality of wheels connected to each of the first and second axles, a first bearing assembly positioned at the first end of the first axle, and a second bearing assembly positioned at the first end of the second axle. The railway truck may further have an equalizer having a first end vertically supported by the first bearing assembly and a second end vertically supported by the second bearing assembly, and at least one pin connecting the equalizer to the first and second bearing assemblies and configured to transfer tractive forces between the plurality of wheels and the equalizer.

Abstract: A railcar primary suspension is configured to couple an axle box to a truck frame by a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes: a radius arm including a tubular part which has openings at both sides thereof; a shaft inserted into the tubular part and provided with projecting portions formed at both side surfaces of the shaft; a pair of receiving seats including fitting grooves in which the respective projecting portions are fitted; cover members configured to support the respective projecting portions; and fastening members configured to fix the cover members to the respective receiving seats. A portion of each fitting groove and a portion of the corresponding projecting portion, the portions contacting each other, respectively have arc surfaces, and a portion of each projecting portion and a portion of the corresponding cover member, the portions contacting each other, respectively have flat surfaces.

Abstract: A railway car truck includes side frames each having a pedestal formed on longitudinally opposite ends thereof. Each pedestal has an upper jaw and a lower jaw surrounding a pedestal opening. The upper jaw has a roof section above the pedestal opening and the lower jaw has an inner wall and an outer wall on opposite sides of the pedestal opening. The inner and outer walls are spaced apart from one another to define a wide pedestal opening. A bearing adapter is received in each pedestal opening. Each bearing adapter includes a concave opening to receive a bearing and a generally rectangular center section having a top surface generally opposite the concave opening. The bearing adapter has steps extending outward from sides thereof that have outer surfaces separated by a distance corresponding to the width of the pedestal opening.

Abstract: A railway car truck is provided that includes two sideframes and a bolster. Each sideframe has a pedestal opening at each end to receive a bearing adapter assembly. The bearing adapter assembly includes a cast steel bearing adapter that is formed to fit on top of a bearing assembly. An adapter pad, comprised of a selected hardness elastomer, is fit on top of the bearing adapter. The adapter pad may include a recess in a top section, with the recess extending the lateral width of the adapter pad. The pedestal opening may include a recess in the roof section, with the recess extending the lateral width of the pedestal opening.

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

Abstract: A system and method for routing a carrier on a movable conveyance system having a multiplicity of switching stations and at least one carrier. Each carrier has an electronic readable tag coupled thereto, and each tag has a specific identifier that can be read. A reader is configured to read the electronic readable tag and to communicate the tag's identifier to a controller. The controller, in turn, is configured to control at least one switching station of the movable conveyance system based at least in part on the identifier.

Abstract: An elastomeric joint (100) that comprises a wing plate (102) including a base plate (104) generally extending along a first axis and generally perpendicular to a second axis is provided. The wing plate further includes a mutually opposite first and second bushing-receiving bores (120) co-axially aligned relative to a third axis perpendicular to said first and second axes. A plurality of elastomeric shear pads (106) is affixed on mutually opposite sides of the base plate. The plurality of shear pads is stacked generally perpendicular to the second axis. Top and bottom elastomeric bushings (122) are received by said respective bushing-receiving bores. Each elastomeric bushing comprises a plurality of torsion pads (124) and includes a respective pin-receiving bore(128).

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device for the end of rail vehicles is provided. In order in particular to reduce the cost of adaptation and matching between vehicle manufacturers and suppliers of the energy-absorbing device and the couplings (3) and the design and/or quality risks, the energy-absorbing device exhibits a base frame (1) which carries all the proposed elements for energy absorption in the end area and which is fastened as a compact preassembled module to the sub-frame (9) entirely in the defined interface area.

Abstract: A mount for use in the suspension system of a railway that truck limits the relative lateral movement between a side frame member and a bearing adapter. In one embodiment, the mount includes a rigid material layer having at least four sections laterally angled between a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. A first and second elastic material layer are respectively positioned between the side frame member and rigid material layer, and between the rigid material layers and bearing adapter. The first elastic material layer has least four sections abutting and conforming to at least four sections of the rigid material layer. In addition, the second elastic material layer has at least four sections abutting and conforming to at least four sections of the rigid material layer. The angled sections cooperate to increase the lateral spring rate of the mount, and improve the ride characteristics and high speed stability of the railway truck.

Abstract: A mount for use in the suspension system of a railway truck that limits the relative lateral movement between a side frame member and a bearing adapter. In one embodiment, the mount includes a rigid material layer having at least four sections laterally angled between a horizontal axis and vertical axis. A first and second elastic material layer are respectively positioned between the side frame member and rigid material layer, and between the rigid material layers and bearing adapter. The first elastic material layer has at least four sections abutting and conforming to the at least four sections of the rigid material layer. In addition, the second elastic material layer has at least four sections abutting and conforming to the at least four sections of the rigid material layer. The angled sections cooperate to increase the lateral spring rate of the mount, thereby improving the ride characteristics and high speed stability of the railway truck.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for compensating for wheel wear to maintain a constant car floor height above the railroad track where the compensating shim is at all times attached to the railway truck. The method comprises generally the steps of providing a wheel wear compensating shim that, when not being used, is removably attached to the underside of the bearing housing or other suitable location, lifting of the side frame away from the primary suspension, disposing the compensating shim between the side frame and the primary suspension, and finally lowering the side frame back onto the shim and primary suspension. The railway truck can thus be shimmed for wheel wear at any location where the side frame and accompanying car body can be lifted without the need to take the railcar to a retrofit service shop.

Abstract: A railway truck includes a frame having a pair of side frames and laterally extending transoms therebetween. A plurality of journal boxes are resiliently suspended from the side frames and support a pair of longitudinally spaced apart end axles extending laterally between the side frames. A pair of longitudinally spaced apart bellcranks are rotatably joined to each of the side frames between the end axles, with each bellcrank having a vertical crankshaft and a crank arm extending outwardly therefrom. A pair of traction links extend longitudinally along each of the side frames, with each link being pivotally joined between respective ones of the journal boxes and the crank arms for carrying tension and compression loads therebetween. A pair of adjoining reaction arms extend longitudinally along each of the side frames, with each reaction arm having a proximal end fixedly joined to a respective one of the crankshafts, and distal ends thereof adjoining each other.

Abstract: A running wheel block, including a housing having at least one connecting surface for connection to a supporting framework, and further having two opposing, detachable side walls, two inwardly directed rotary bearing holding hubs, arranged in the housing, rotary bearings mounted in the hubs, and a running wheel mounted in the rotary bearings so that a section of its running surface projects from the housing toward at least one side. Each of the holding hubs is arranged on one of the two opposing side walls of the housing. The housing further includes at least one spacing holder arranged between the opposing side walls. The spacing holder forms a connecting surface. The detachable side wall has centering members that, when the side wall is attached to the housing, determine the position of the holding hubs relative to the running wheel axis.

Abstract: A three-piece rail car truck has a pair of side frames, a pair of wheelsets and a roller bearing adapter seated on each end of each wheelset. Each side frame has pedestal jaws formed and adapted to seat upon each roller bearing adapter. The improvement comprises a stabilizer bar connected between each roller bearing adapter and adjacent portions of a side frame, with the stabilizer bars resisting unsquaring relative movement between the wheelsets and side frames.

Abstract: A railcar truck, bearing-adapter assembly for an axle end has vertically extending arms to securely capture and maintain a roller bearing and axle end assembly at about an as-assembled reference position within the adapter assembly and sideframe pedestal jaw, where the as-assembled reference position has the railcar truck side frames about parallel and the axles about normal to the side frames, and which adapter assemblies in the opposed sideframe pedestal jaw are secured within a cross-passage at the ends of the truck side frames to capture and retain the axle ends in opposing side-frame pedestal jaws at about the reference as-assembled position to inhibit both horizontal and vertical axle displacement truck and thus minimize railcar truck warping.

Abstract: An overhead crane adapted to be supported on a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel first and second rails, the crane having a frame having opposite first and second ends, a first wheel rotatably mounted on the first end of the frame, the first wheel being adapted to roll along the first rail, a second wheel rotatably mounted on the second end of the frame, the second wheel being adapted to roll along the second rail, a first bearing assembly supporting the first wheel, a second bearing assembly supporting the second wheel, each of the first and second bearing assemblies including a bearing supporting the associated wheel for rotation relative to the frame about a rotation axis, the rotation axis having a position relative to the frame, and a mechanism connecting the bearing to the frame and allowing the bearing to be fixed in various positions relative to the frame, a hoist supported by the frame, and a load engaging mechanism which is raised and lowered by the hoist.

Abstract: A railtruck apparatus is provided for supporting a railcar body on two longitudinally spaced wheel and axle sets. The railtruck includes a frame having two side frame members, each defining a pair of longitudinally spaced cradles. A bearing housing is received in each cradle and includes a top wall, two longitudinally spaced side walls depending from the top wall, and an open bottom sized for receipt over a journal bearing of one of the wheel and axle sets. A removable bottom cap closes off each bearing housing to permit assembly and disassembly of the wheel and axle sets. A primary suspension is positioned between each bearing housing and the frame for supporting the frame on the bearing housing, and is retained in position on the frame when the frame is raised relative to the bearing housing. Thus, when the wheel and axle sets are removed from the apparatus, the bearing housings and the primary suspension assemblies are retained on the frame.

Abstract: In a railway car truck assembly, a bearing adapter assembly includes an adapter and an adapter pad positioned between the adapter and a corresponding side frame end. The adapter is provided at each longitudinal end thereof an adapter opening having a lateral dimension greater than the lateral width of a corresponding thrust lug in a corresponding pedestal opening at the corresponding side frame end. The adapter pad is provided with longitudinal end portions depending down into respective ones of the adapter openings and including thrust lug openings each having with a lateral dimension approximately equal to the lateral width of the corresponding thrust lug to prevent significant relative lateral movement between the corresponding side frame end and the adapter pad.

Abstract: A railway vehicle truck having side frames which are supported with respect to the journals of spaced apart wheelsets with the respective pair of wheelset axle ends supporting each side frame being constrained to move simultaneously in opposite directions toward and away from each other in response to truck steering impulses.

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 movable platform or dolly for supporting heavy equipment in which the dolly rolls on tracks. Track sections are located under the dolly and additional sections can be attached to extend the track.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel casing with a housing formed of two shells with bearings for a wheel. According to the invention, the shells (6, 7) of the housing (5) are injection molded parts, and they are connected to each other in a force-locked and/or a form-locked manner.

Abstract: A wheel mounting assembly for a rail-supported storage/retrieval machine. The drive and idler wheels are each mounted on a removable module which includes a fixed plate having a concave spherical surface formed in it and movable plate to which the wheel is mounted having a convex spherical surface interfitting with the concave surface on the fixed plate to define a spherical joint. The plates are interconnected by bolts fitting loosely in oversize holes formed in the fixed plate and threaded into the movable plate to provide limited relative movement of the plates about a plurality of axes. Four jackscrews arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the movable plate are threaded through a frame holding the first plate and bear against the sides of the second plate. Simultaneous tightening and loosening among combinations of the four jackscrews provides horizontal and vertical alignment of the wheel relative to the rail on which the machine is supported.

Abstract: A pedestal liner for a railway truck or the like is generally U-shaped in horizontal section with a central web portion of anti-friction material which fits between the wear face of the pedestal and a side of a journal box positioned therein, and a flange or leg on each side bearing on the inner or outer face respectively of the pedestal leg. The flanges are not integral with the web portion but fit into the web and have holes in their outer ends which correspond with the bolt holes in the pedestal. Separate flanges may be provided for different bolt hole locations.

Abstract: A primary suspension system includes a pair of spaced vertical springs connected between a journal bearing retainer and a side frame of a railway truck. Pairs of angularly disposed elastomeric springs are also connected between a lower support housing and opposite angular ends of the journal bearing retainer to provide lateral and longitudinal stiffness.