Abstract: A modular railway crossing element is described having a slab member with a pair of open channels formed in its upper surface. The channels are substantially parallel and dimensioned to receive a pair of rails. Also described is a railway crossing utilizing the slab member and a method of forming a railway crossing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is designed to run on natural gas and utilize the diesel cycle. To promote combustion, a mixing chamber is dispersed within a combustion chamber formed between the piston and cylinder. The chamber includes a pair of concentric housings, the innermost of which receives fuel from the injector and provides a rich mixture in the volume between the housings.

Abstract: A rail vehicle is disclosed to travel down a track formed from a pair of rails. The rail vehicle is propelled by a drive assembly having a longitudinal axis in line with the rails and a pair of wheel sets, each of which includes an axle with a wheel rotatably mounted on each end thereof. The drive assembly is further adapted to provide a positive angle of attack between the rotational plane of at least one wheel and the respective rail, so as to improve the stability of the vehicle. A method is also disclosed for improving the stability of a rail vehicle.

Abstract: An axle for a rail vehicle is pivotally connected to two equal length swinging arms, each of which is pivotally connected to the rail vehicle. The axle rotates about a virtual vertical axis away from the axle and nearer to the center of the rail vehicle. The axle is then radial for all curves over which a rail vehicle would usually traverse. In addition, the overhang of the rail vehicle while traversing a curve is reduced since the rail vehicle chords between virtual axes.

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: The invention provides a wheel assembly consisting of first and second spaced apart coaxial wheels. The wheel are mounted on a support structure such that they can rotate relative to one another. A first brake rotor is non-rotatably connected to the first wheel, and a second brake rotor is non-rotatably connected to the second wheel. A brake stator is operable on each rotor to oppose rotation of the two brake rotors simultaneously.

Abstract: A slackless draw bar coupler arrangement in which the car has a draw bar pocket with an open top, a slotted draft plate and a buff plate and the draw bar has a bar body with a spherical head connected to the body by a neck. Located about the neck is a thrust ring for disposition between the draft plate and the head and at that side of the head remote from the neck, there is a thrust disc insert for disposition between the buff plate and the head. The thrust disc insert and thrust ring are carried in holders. Between the buff plate and the thrust disc insert is a removable wedge which is spring loaded to urge the thrust disc insert firmly towards the head of the draw bar.

Abstract: A brake disc for mounting to a railroad wheel or the like comprises a plurality of segments. Each segment is of part annular configuration and has two mounting tangs at a radially inner edge. Bolts pass through the mounting tangs to affix the segment to the wheel. The wheel is provided with an inwardly directed flange at its rim in order that retention tangs at the radially outer edge of the segment are captured between the flange and the web of the wheel. Under heat generated during braking the segment can expand radially outwardly. The segment is prevented from curling or warping in the axial direction by the flange of the wheel and the retention tangs. Preferably the mounting tangs have a part curved configuration so as to accommodate expansion of the segment by bending of the mounting tangs. The mounting tangs can be fitted with an axially extending lip so as to locate the segments and resist centrifugal forces during rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle supported for rolling movement on a track by a first set of wheels driven by an electric motor and a second unpowered set of wheels is provided with an improved braking system. The braking system includes a brake pedal which can be depressed to generate a brake demand signal, a regenerative braking system associated with the electric motor, and a friction braking system attached to the unpowered wheels. Control circuitry which regulates the operation of the two brake systems serves normally to actuate the regenerative braking system in response to the brake demand signal and to actuate the friction braking system only when the brake demand signal exceeds a predetermined level which corresponds normally to the maximum regenerative braking available. Under slippery rail conditions, a detector indicates slippage of the wheels relative to the rails during regenerative braking, and immediately actuates the friction braking system to produce additional braking in proportion to the brake demand signal.

Abstract: A primary member for a linear induction motor is disclosed comprising a frame having a pair of spaced parallel frame members, a core located between and supported by the frame members, and a motor winding carried by the core. The winding includes a plurality of turns each of which includes a pair of parallel portions supported located in slots in the core and which are interconnected by end windings projecting beyond opposite sides of the core. Each end winding has direction-reversing knuckle portion. Side cover assemblies extend along either side of the core to cover the end winding. Cooling means are provided, a first set of which are located between the frame members and a second set of which are located laterally outboard of and to either side of the frame members.

Abstract: In a transportation system involving a track-side linear induction motor (LIM) primary and a vehicle carrying a LIM secondary, slip power in the secondary is recovered and used to power the on-board electrical system of the vehicle. The LIM secondary has a three-phase secondary winding rather than a conventional reaction plate. The winding is connected to a rectifier which converts slip current in the windings into electrical power for the on-board electrical system. This eliminates the necessity for any sliding contacts for power transfer, while simultaneously enabling at least part of the slip power, which is normally dissipated as heat in the secondary, to be recovered.

Abstract: A truck for use on a railway vehicle has three axles, one located at each end of the truck and a third located generally centrally between the other two axles. The two outboard axles are pivotable about respective vertical axes so as to be free to move to a radial alignment when the truck is travelling on curved track. The axle located generally centrally between the other two axles is free to move laterally but is constrained to eliminate movement about a substantially vertical axis. An interconnecting member is provided so that the lateral movement of the central axle is used to guide the outboard axles to the radial alignment.

Abstract: In a powered truck or bogie for a railway vehicle having steerable wheelsets which pivot with respect to the truck or bogie frame, the motor for each wheelset is mounted to the truck or bogie frame and coupled to the drive transmitting means by a flexible coupling having a substantially vertical pivotal axis which axis is coincident with the real or virtual pivotal axis of the wheelset with respect to the truck or bogie.

Abstract: A tunnel structure for interconnecting passenger compartments on an articulated vehicle includes pairs of cylindrical walls which overlap during steering movement of the vehicle. To seal between the cylindrical walls, a pair of inner walls is provided which include hinged flaps lying against the cylindrical wall. The flaps are hinged on an inclined axis to reduce clearance between the cylindrical walls and the side walls upon the vehicle negotiating vertical curves.

Abstract: A jacking device for an articulated vehicle includes a support member secured to the vehicle and a jacking member slidable relative to the support member to lift the vehicle. A motor is detachably secured to the support member through a reaction member to cause relative movement between the jacking member and the support member. The motor and reaction member may be removed when not in use to allow storage at a remote location.

Abstract: A centering mechanism for maintaining a tunnel structure equidistant from the two parts of an articulated vehicle. The mechanism includes a base plate pivoted to the tunnel structure and having a pair of vertical pins spaced apart on the base plate. Each of the pins accommodates a pair of levers which have toothed portions meshing with tooth portions on aligned levers on the other pin. The levers are connected in pairs to the adjacent chassis member by links so that upon movement of the chassis members about a horizontal axis, equal and opposite rotation of the links occurs to keep the tunnel centered.

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: An articulated vehicle includes a pivotal connection to permit movement between the chassis portions about a vertical and a horizontal axis. To reduce lateral deflection between the chassis portions a torque transmitting linkage is mounted at roof level and comprises a pivoted link mounted on a vertical pin on one of the chassis members. A pair of lateral links extend from the pivoted link to the other of the chassis members. The lateral links are generally parallel and prevent pivotal movement of the pivoted link upon a lateral force being applied to one of the chassis members.

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: 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.