Abstract: A variable wheel-spacing truck includes a pair of left and right bogie frames which are transversely movable relative to each other and can be fixedly connected with each other by releasable locking devices. At least one of the wheels is slidable relative to the wheel shaft in an axial direction of the shaft. When the truck moves from one railway onto a junction railway of a different track gauge, running paths push auxiliary wheels of the locking devices upwards to release the locking devices. When the truck moves through the junction railway section, a pair of guide rails or a pair of rails push the wheels of the truck, thereby laterally shifting the left and right bogie frames relative to each other. After a predetermined relative transverse movement of the bogie frames and wheels is completed, the running paths lower the auxiliary wheels of the locking devices, thereby activating the locking devices into a locking condition.

Abstract: A variable wheel-spacing truck includes a pair of left and right bogie frames which are transversely movable relative to each other and can be fixedly connected with each other by releasable locking devices. At least one of the wheels is slidable relative to the wheel shaft in an axial direction of the shaft. When the truck moves from one railway onto a junction railway of a different track gauge, running paths push auxiliary wheels of the locking devices upwards to release the locking devices. When the truck moves through the junction railway section, a pair of guide rails or a pair of rails push the wheels of the truck, thereby laterally shifting the left and right bogie frames relative to each other. After a predetermined relative transverse movement of the bogie frames and wheels is completed, the running paths lower the auxiliary wheels of the locking devices, thereby activating the locking devices into a locking condition.

Abstract: A variable wheel-spacing truck is equipped with axle boxes slidably mounted on axles extending between side beams of a bogie frame. Axle box receivers are selectively and releasably connected with the axle boxes at a plurality of predetermined positions by locking members. When the truck is moved from a first railway to a junction railway, auxiliary wheels mounted on the axle box receivers engage with running paths and raise the truck and a vehicle body except the wheel sets and release a locked condition by the locking members. When the truck is moved through a region where the track gauge of the junction railway is changing or where the spacings of inside or outside guide rails is changing, the wheels are pushed by a pair of guide rails or a pair of junction railway rails and shifted transversely together with the axle boxes relative to the axle.

Abstract: A variable wheel-spacing truck includes a pair of left and right bogie frames which are transversely movable relative to each other and can be fixedly connected with each other by releasable locking devices. At least one of the wheels is slidable relative to the wheel shaft in an axial direction of the shaft. When the truck moves from one railway onto a junction railway of a different track gauge, running paths push auxiliary wheels of the locking devices upwards to release the locking devices. When the truck moves through the junction railway section, a pair of guide rails or a pair of rails push the wheels of the truck, thereby laterally shifting the left and right bogie frames relative to each other. After a predetermined relative transverse movement of the bogie frames and wheels is completed, the running paths lower the auxiliary wheels of the locking devices, thereby activating the locking devices into a locking condition.

Abstract: In order to supply water into a water tank mounted on a train, a position detecting apparatus and method is developed for assisting connection of the tube coupler of the water tank with the tube coupler attached to the working terminal of a robot placed on the ground. Either one of the train and the working terminal of the robot is provided with a target circuit composed of a target coil and a capacitor connected in parallel while the other is provided with an excitation circuit, a sensor coil and a detector. The excitation circuit is provided with a power coil driven by an AC power source for generating magnetic field to induce current in a target coil. The magnetic flux center line of the sensor coil is orthogonal to that of the power coil so that the sensor coil does not sense the magnetic field generated by the power coil but senses only the magnetic field generated by the target coil. The output level of the sensor coil corresponds to the relative positions of the target coil and the sensor coil.