Abstract: The present invention provides novel railway wheel configurations with integrated brake drum dedicated to vehicle frictional braking, along with manufacturing method of the novel wheel and modification schemes for existing railway vehicle components. The novel wheel configurations with integrated brake drum enables increased thermal tolerances to brake shoe thermal input, enhanced resistances to varies thermal damages and reduced hot axial deflection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for efficiently cooling frictional brake components mounted on vehicle or heavy rotating machinery, including frictional lining, brake discs, vehicle wheels served as frictional brake components etc, by inducing intensive forced convective heat transfers on the surfaces of the said frictional brake components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for electroplating metallic ions onto a conductive substrate. In one embodiment, the method comprises at least partially covering a selected surface of the conductive substrate with an electrode wrap that includes a pad having an abrasive surface.The metallic ions are electrically depositing onto the selected surface through the electrode wrap while the conductive substrate is moved (e.g., rotated) relative to the electrode wrap. A substantially constant frictional force is controllably applied from the abrasive surface onto the selected surface while the metallic ions are being deposited. In this manner, a substantially constant abrasive force is applied to the selected surface as the thickness of the deposited metallic coating increases to create a relatively smooth, uniform, thick deposition that is substantially free of defects.