Abstract: The flanged type guide wheel (1) or (2) has a peripheral edge (27) which has within its profile a recess (30), for example, a notch, the shape and position of which maintain the surface cover (28) of the guide wheel at a distance from the travel surface (8) or (9) that exists opposite it on the guide rail (4) when there is lateral force on the guide wheel. This invention has applications for guide assemblies for road vehicles used on guide rails.

Abstract: The flanged type guide wheel (1) or (2) has a peripheral edge (27) which has within its profile a recess (30), for example, a notch, the shape and position of which maintain the surface cover (28) of the guide wheel at a distance from the travel surface (8) or (9) that exists opposite it on the guide rail (4) when there is lateral force on the guide wheel. This invention has applications for guide assemblies for road vehicles used on guide rails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method and control apparatus for controlling actuator apparatus implemented in active suspension apparatus for vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, said control method and said control apparatus being characterized in that they use the articulated architecture of the train to derive the local curvature of the track in real time, in which control method and control apparatus the control signal transmitted by said control apparatus to the actuator apparatus of the bogie of order n in the articulated train is a function of measurements of at least one deflection angle &agr;i at an articulation center situated between adjacent carriages and of the position offset hj of said articulation center relative to the track.

Abstract: A vertically reciprocating and substantially constant power drive unit, including pumping equipment situated at the bottom of a string of drive rods is provided. The drive unit comprises a linear electric motor whose field inductor and whose armature are constituted by two coaxial cylindrical parts, one of which is coupled to the top end of the drive rods and is movable relative to a stationary structure. A balancing device exerts a force on the moving equipment constituted by the pumping equipment, the rods, and the motor coupled thereto, which force is equal and opposite to the sum of the weight of the moving equipment plus one-half the weight (H/2) of the load.

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: A position sensor for measuring the separation, in a givne direction (Oy), between a first part such as a datum element of a railway vehicle axle and a fixed second part such as a rail on which said axles runs, includes magnets (11, 12) for producing a magnetic field above the second part (10) and Hall effect probes (15) for measuring the value of the component of the field in said given direction (Oy) with variation in that value being proportional to the separation.

Abstract: An orientable axle with independent wheels comprises a beam perpendicular the axis of the wheels. It also comprises sensors (16, 20) for measuring the position of the beam with respect to the track; a reference position with respect to the track is predetermined. Electromagnets (22) carried by the axle cooperate with the track for exerting on the axle a force for orientating it. A control circuit delivers a current to the electromagnets for moving the axle in an angular direction which tends to cancel out the difference between the measured position and the reference position. The axle can be used on railroad vehicles having to negociate curves at high speeds.

Abstract: Apparatus including a magnet (10) having at least one degree of freedom w respect to a first member, tangent to the direction of measurement and cooperating with a magnetic portion associated with a second member, and a sensor (11) for picking up the position of the magnet relative to the first member. Such apparatus is employed in steerable railway vehicles.