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

Abstract: A railway vehicle having a variable trim body, comprising two bogies with respective frameworks and swinging transverse members, articulated connection levers between each swinging transverse member and the body, and a body roll control system to perform, while the vehicle is running along a curve, rotations of the body around a longitudinal axis so as to limit the non-compensated centrifugal acceleration acting on the body. The control system employs linear double-effect actuators acting on the articulated connection levers, whereby the body rotations are operated by virtue of the rotations of these levers.

Abstract: A detecting system for rail vehicles having at least one sprung rigid structure, for instance a bogie frame, and two axles, comprises photosensor position-detecting means applied to the structure and adapted to detect typical geometrical characteristics of the track and the relative position between the axles and the rails when the vehicle is running along the track and to supply electrical signals which are indicative of such geometrical characteristics and such relative position, and displacement detecting means also applied to the structure and adapted to detect relative displacements between the structure and the axles and to supply electrical signals indicative of these displacements. Electronic acquisition and processing means of these electrical signals provide a monitoring related to the configuration of the track and to the dynamic attitude of the structure and of the two axles.

Abstract: A duct (1) for the distribution of air conditioning from an air treating apparatus (4) into the inner environment (A) of a railway vehicle (C), comprising an inner tube (2) having radial air outlet holes (5) and an outer tube (3) containing the inner tube (2) and formed with air outlet apertures (6), facing towards the inner environment (A) of the vehicle (C) and arranged in opposite positions with respect to the radial holes (5) of the inner tube (2).

Abstract: Body structure (1) for railway vehicles comprising a load bearing body-work defining the platform (2), the body sides (3) and the roof (4) of the body, constituted by an annular series of hollow structural panels (11, 12, 13), substantially continuous and having a length substantially corresponding to that of the body. Each structural panel (11, 12, 13) is formed by an inner wall (14) and by an outer wall (15) connected therebetween by intermediate baffles (17) having a substantially corrugated disposition with parallel generating lines (16). The longitudinal edges of each structural panel (11, 12, 13) are rigidly connected to the corresponding longitudinal edges of the adjacent panels by continuous welding.

Abstract: The system of the invention comprises a gyroscope having two degrees of freedom fixed to a carriage of the vehicle and having a first axis of sensitivity disposed in the longitudinal direction of the carriage and a second axis of sensitivity disposed in the vertical direction; the gyroscope is operable to generate a first signal indicative of the angular velocity .omega..sub.x about a first axis disposed in the said longitudinal direction and a second signal indicative of the angular velocity .omega..sub.z of the carriage about a second, vertical axis; the system further includes a tachometric detector operable to generate a signal indicating the speed v of the vehicle and at least one integrator operable to integrate the first said signal to generate a signal indicating the angle of rotation .phi..sub.

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.