Axle Mounting Patents (Class 105/136)
  • Patent number: 11173929
    Abstract: A locomotive suited for use as a switcher for road and/or yard work is provided. The switcher comprises a mother unit having an engine for converting fuel into electricity. The mother unit includes two trucks supporting wheels on a plurality of axles, and a plurality of traction motors to provide tractive force to the mother unit's axles. The switcher also includes a slug unit operatively coupled to the mother unit in a manner to transmit electric power, signals and hauling force. The slug unit can include at least one truck, which can be removed from a retired locomotive and at least one traction motor electrically coupled to the mother unit and operatively coupled to the axle(s). Sufficient ballast can be added to equalize weight per axle. The switcher combines the power of a locomotive with more axles with the maneuverability of a locomotive with fewer axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Paul Victor
  • Patent number: 11148686
    Abstract: A railway car fitted with an induction generator comprising magnets and electrical conductors for generating electricity, comprising a chassis comprising at least one axle with two wheels, wherein the axle is mounted in two bearings located near the two sides of the railway car, wherein the wheels are located on the outer side of the bearings, and wherein the generator comprises a rotor and a substantially cylindrical stator, which stator extends concentrically around the rotor, wherein the rotor is fixedly mounted around and on the axle, wherein the stator is mounted to the inner side of one of the bearings, in axial abutment therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eeuwe Durk Kooi
  • Patent number: 10518627
    Abstract: This disclosure details electrified vehicle drive systems equipped with electric machine integrated axle assemblies. An exemplary electrified vehicle drive system includes a leaf spring assembly and an axle assembly mounted to the leaf spring assembly. The axle assembly may include a cradle and an electric machine mounted within the cradle. Shocks and stabilizer bar assemblies may extend between the cradle and a vehicle frame of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sahil Nagpal, Steven Michael Cyr, Robert Howard Saunders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9421987
    Abstract: A chassis frame for rail vehicles includes two longitudinal beams and at least one transverse beam which is disposed between the longitudinal beams and hinged thereto. The longitudinal beams are designed in a bent shape and extend through a corresponding cutout of the transverse beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AG ÖSTERREICH
    Inventors: Klemens Becher, Thilo Hoffmann, Peter Hösch, Bernhard Kittinger, Armin Schank, Michael Sumnitsch, Martin Teichmann, Gerhard Weilguni
  • Patent number: 9302685
    Abstract: A two-axle sub-truck is disclosed. The two-axle sub-truck may include a first axle and a second axle. The two-axle sub-truck may also include a first traction motor located between the first and second axles and a second traction motor located outside the first and second axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Electro Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Goding
  • Publication number: 20150027340
    Abstract: A railway transport for equipment with a blade includes: a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment; an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle; first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle, wherein the first end of the frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kyle HARMAN
  • Patent number: 8807047
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing a locomotive, in part, from serviceable used parts from one or more other locomotives. The principal part that is used in this new locomotive configuration is a single, used locomotive truck assembly. The various embodiments and configurations of the present invention are directed generally to a purpose-built locomotive that incorporates parts from other locomotives in a unique way. The present invention can be summarized as a method creating a simple locomotive that is well adapted to switching and spotting functions that shares commonality with other larger locomotives both in terms of components and design. Because this new piece equipment is built in part from a plentiful supply of under-valued surplus components, it will be economical to construct and maintain. The locomotive may also include a self-elevating system so that the truck assembly can be accessed or removed rapidly for maintenance or repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Frank Wegner Donnelly
  • Patent number: 8561545
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing a locomotive, in part, from serviceable used parts from one or more other locomotives. The principal part that is used in this new locomotive configuration is a single, used locomotive truck assembly. The various embodiments and configurations of the present invention are directed generally to a purpose-built locomotive that incorporates parts from other locomotives in a unique way. The present invention can be summarized as a method creating a simple locomotive that is well adapted to switching and spotting functions that shares commonality with other larger locomotives both in terms of components and design. Because this new piece equipment is built in part from a plentiful supply of under-valued surplus components, it will be economical to construct and maintain. The locomotive may also include a self-elevating system so that the truck assembly can be accessed or removed rapidly for maintenance or repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Wegner Donnelly
  • Publication number: 20130239846
    Abstract: An apparatus that can be affixed to a standard railcar thereby converting a standard railcar into a self-propelled railcar, such self-propelled railcar having the capacity to move independently and serve as a locomotive for moving other railcars. The apparatus includes a railcar drive assembly that can be retrofitted to a railcar in such a manner that the hydraulic motor, hoses, and connectors of the drive assembly motor mechanism are positioned below the bed of the railway car and between the drive assembly housing and the railway car's wheel-and-truck assembly. This drive assembly design ensures that the drive assembly motor mechanism's hydraulic motor, hoses, and connectors are protected from general railway track debris as well as obstructions in the railroad right of way, and helps prevent unnecessary damage or the need for untimely maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Hydramotive, LLC
    Inventor: Chipley H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8171861
    Abstract: A bogie includes two pairs of wheels (2), the wheels (2) of one pair being connected to one another by a shaft to form an axle (4), the axles (4) being connected to one another by a chassis (6) having at least two side members (10) resting on axle boxes (14, 14?) of each axle (4). The boxes (14, 14?) are arranged between the wheels (2) of the axle (4), and a motor (24) fixed to the chassis (6) extends between the wheels (2) of the axle (4) and drives the axle (4) in rotation by way of a coupling (42) and a reducing gear (28). One of the axle boxes (14) accommodates the reducing gear (28) of the motor (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventor: Alain Rodet
  • Patent number: 8122835
    Abstract: An undercarriage (1) for a rail vehicle has an undercarriage frame (2) comprising two longitudinal supports (3) and at least one transverse support (4) connected thereto. The undercarriage has at least two wheelsets (7) supported in wheelset bearings (6), each wheelset having a wheelset shaft (8) and two wheels (5). The wheelset bearings (6) are connected to the undercarriage frame (2). The undercarriage (1) has at least one drive (9) accommodated in the undercarriage frame (2) for driving one wheelset shaft (8) each. The at least one drive (9) is suspended in a movable fashion on the at least one transverse support (4). According to the invention, the at least one transverse support (4) can be connected in an articulated fashion to a locomotive or railcar body (16) via at least one tension/pressure element (41, 42) disposed in an articulated fashion on a top side (OS) and a bottom side (US) of the transverse support (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Olaf Körner
  • Patent number: 7178463
    Abstract: A contour or profile of a bore of a locomotive traction-motor support bearing structure, where such profile preserves the currently center-loading of the upper load zone but moves inboardly the lower load zone to a more general central location. The profile of the bore for the support bearing, according to the invention, takes into account not only truck-axle bending due to locomotive weight, but also that from motor tilt through bearing clearances, and couple action on the axle from heavy radial loads on PE support bearing and adjacent axle gear. The bore is configured such that the upper surface is horizontal, but the lower surface slopes downwardly in the outboard direction at an angle based on a function dependent upon the three misalignment factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Magnus Division of LV Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bien, Robert B. Foster, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7055439
    Abstract: A contour or profile of a bore of a locomotive traction-motor support bearing structure, where such profile preserves the currently center-loading of the upper load zone but moves inboardly the lower load zone to a more general central location. The profile of the bore for the support bearing, according to the invention, takes into account not only truck-axle bending due to locomotive weight, but also that from motor tilt through bearing clearances, and couple action on the axle from heavy radial loads on PE support bearing and adjacent axle gear. The bore is configured such that the upper surface is horizontal, but the lower surface slopes downwardly in the outboard direction at an angle based on a function dependent upon the three misalignment factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Magnus Division of LV Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bien, Robert B. Foster, John E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 6931997
    Abstract: Angular and axial offsets between the motor vehicle rotor (3) and transmission pinion (6) are intended to be compensated by a coupling which can be mounted in an easy manner. According to the invention, a curved teeth coupling (9) is mounted between the motor shaft (4) and the pinion shaft (6) and includes a first coupling section (10) with internal tooth system and a second coupling section (11) with external tooth system, whereby the first coupling section (10) is securely connected to the pinion shaft (6) and the second coupling section (11) is securely connected to the motor shaft (4). The coupling sections (10, 11) can easily be pushed into each other, when the motor (2) is mounted onto the transmission (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gernot Höhl
  • Patent number: 6868793
    Abstract: A drive for a wheel set (1) of a chassis includes two wheels (3) positioned on a wheel set shaft (2), which can be driven by at least one internal rotor motor that encompasses the wheel set shaft (2) and has a stator (10) and a rotor (19). This configuration provides a compact direct drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thilo Hoffman, Andreas Jöckel, Martin Teichmann
  • Patent number: 6662730
    Abstract: An electric motor is placed around the axle of a vehicle but includes a rotor that does not contact the axle. A drive element is fastened to the axle and extends radially from the axle. The drive element for driving the axle is coaxially fastened to the axle but located laterally with respect to the electric motor. The rotor includes a disk that directly engages elements in a peripheral region of a drive element disk, the engagement occurring at a point remote from the axis of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Jeumont S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Canini, Raymond Michaux
  • Patent number: 6363861
    Abstract: The invention is based on a bogie (1) for rail vehicles on which two interconnected wheel bearing housings, in which wheel axles (5) for rail wheels (2) are mounted, are articulated via an oscillating link (10). The rail wheels (2) are driven by means of laterally situated gears (11) which are accommodated in gear housings. In order to simplify the articulation of the rail wheels (2) on the bogie (1) and to reduce the multiplicity of parts, it is proposed that the gear housings (4) form one unit with their associated wheel bearing housings (4) for the wheel axles and the oscillating link (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Richard Strehler
  • Patent number: 6343554
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a wheel hub rotatably mounted on a stationary axle and a running tread, tire or the like connected with the wheel hub. A device for connecting structural components such as, for instance, a transmission part or a brake disk, for the purpose of transmitting a torque between the wheel hub and the structural component to be connected is provided on the external end face of the wheel hub. In order to provide a modularly designed vehicle wheel easy to mount and dismount, the device for connecting structural components is applicable facultatively and a fastening device spacially separated from the device for facultatively connecting structural components is provided on the external end face of the wheel hub. The vehicle wheel may be designed as a driven wheel or a loose wheel with or without brake. By separating torque transmission and power transmission, mounting and dismounting of the vehicle wheel is substantially facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Marek Affeldt, Andreas Brinkmann, Reinhard Pieper
  • Patent number: 6253686
    Abstract: The invention concerns a power puller motor bogie comprising at least a gear motor (6, 10) arranged inside the bogie chassis (4), said gear motor (6, 10) being suspended in said bogie chassis (4) by means of at least two elastic connecting rods (7, 8, 9). Said elastic connecting rods (7, 8, 9) are all supported by said bogie chassis (4). Said elastic connecting rods (7, 8, 9) are such that said suspended gear motor (6, 10) is transversely mobile relative to said vehicle longitudinal direction of movement acts as inertia damper. A shock absorber (12) is fixed between said bogie chassis (4) and said gear motor (6, 10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventor: Eric Koelsch
  • Patent number: 6220175
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of mounting a standard size power generating unit (30) to any one of several different sized railroad cars utilizes different sized interface blocks (28) to mate the unit to the bearing adapter blocks (14) of the cars. The axle (32) of the car includes a projection (18) extending from an end (16) thereof and the power generating unit (30) includes a frame (50) and a rotor arranged for rotation in the frame for generating the power. A drive shaft (74) is attached to the rotor and includes a follower (78) for engaging the projection (18) so that when the axle is rotated about the axis (44), the projection engages the follower and thereby rotates the rotor. The interface block (28) is disposed between the frame (50) and the bearing adapter block (14), a first surface (54) of the interface block being attached to the bearing adapter block (14) and the frame (50) being attached to a second surface (56) of the interface block opposite the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Foster Folk, Donald James Good
  • Patent number: 6182576
    Abstract: A monorail system for passenger and light freight transportation provides a support structure with an essentially planar top surface and a stabilizer guide rail having a vertical web portion supporting a head portion. The head guides a vehicle along the top surface while conductors secured to the web portion transmit electrical current to the vehicle through a current collector secured to the vehicle. A portion of the stabilizer guide rail may be flexible providing a simple, inexpensive device for switching the vehicle between a plurality of tracks. The system operates equally well with a variety of vehicle propulsion and suspension systems including electro-mechanical, magnetic levitation or linear electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Einar Svensson
  • Patent number: 6092468
    Abstract: A bi-directional operating automated guided transit system such as a people mover including a vehicle having at least one pair of opposing axles, each axle having a wheel with its own drive system. The vehicle is capable of providing torque controlled steering to the vehicle. Sensors mounted on the vehicle detect the path of a guide track and, through a controlling system, direct the motors to provide a constant torque to both wheels, thereby directing the vehicle along a straight path or, in the alternative, direct the motors associated with each wheel to provide differing torques, thereby causing the vehicle to turn. The system also permits a vehicle operator to bypass the sensor signal and to manually steer the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Klaus-Ruediger H. Hase
  • Patent number: 5957058
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for electric rail vehicles, wherein the hub (7) of a greater wheel (6) driven by an electric traction motor (1) via a pinion shaft (4) forms a hollow shaft stub which surrounds the shaft (9) of a wheel set with a defined play. By inserting a coupling (11) which is radially rigid but allows transverse and angular movements, the motor torque is transmitted to one of the wheels (10) of the wheel set. The axial mobility of the coupling (11) should not have any disturbing restoring forces or resilient forces. Therefore, the hub-side coupling half (11b) having a curved-teeth-shaped external toothing engages the wheel-side coupling half (11a) which is provided with a straight internal toothing. The wheel-side coupling half (11a) is detachably connected via coupling supports to the inside flank of a disk wheel (10) and the hub-side coupling half (11b) to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Abb Daimler-Benz Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Dampmann, Erwin Skumawitz
  • Patent number: 5915306
    Abstract: A mounting assembly secures a generator and facilitates attachment to a railroad railcar on the end of the railcar axle. The generator produces electricity from the axle of a railroad railcar while it is traveling on a railroad track. A generator is mounted with a generator bracket and a backing plate to an existing bearing adapter on the railcar. A drive hub engages axle bolts on the railcar axle. As the railcar axle turns, the drive hub turns and with the drive hub connected to a generator the generator subsequently rotates to supply electricity to the railcar. Different types of generators can be attached with the mounting assembly to the railcar. The mounting assembly allows generators to be mounted without modification to the existing railcar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: MagneTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Langhorst, Donald E. Merz, Paul F. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5791256
    Abstract: An axle sprung motor assembly for driving a locomotive includes a motor selectively driving a rotatable drive gear. A wheelset assembly includes a pair of flanged wheels mounted on an axle with an axle bearing housing rotatably supported on the axle. A set of resilient bushings is carried between the axle bearing housing and the motor housing. The motor assembly is resiliently secured to the wheelset through the interposed resilient bushings. A resilient gear has a hub fixed to the axle and includes a ring gear that engages the drive gear and is mounted to the hub through a set of flex bushings and a set of snubber bushings. Loads transferred from the motor to the wheelset are reduced by relative rotation between the ring gear and the hub that compresses elastomeric material of the flex bushings, with movement limited by the snubber bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Dallas Johnson, Robert Thomas Scott, William Ellis Darnaby
  • Patent number: 5775229
    Abstract: Invention relates to an on-board electrical generator system that may be retrofitted to existing railroad vehicles, such as freight cars, box cars, and the like, where rotation of the vehicle's axle powers the system. A preferred use thereof is to charge the battery for the electrically controlled brakes on the vehicle. Such vehicles typically include a chassis, having plural axles mounted thereon, and a journal box or adaptor block having a projection generally aligned parallel with the axles. Each axle contains a pair of wheels, which are inwardly mounted from the respective axle ends and rotatable with the axle. The generator includes a rotor fixed for rotative movement relative to a stationary stator, whereby such relative movement causes electric currents to be generated in the stator containing the generator in a non-rotatable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Foster Folk, Frank Mario Mastrog
  • Patent number: 5345878
    Abstract: A railcar moving device for localized moving of railcars in railyards and the like comprises two hydraulic motors which operatively attach to the railcar, each motor being attached to the end of an axle of the car. A rotatable shaft extends from each motor and is securely attached to a hub which in turn is attached to an endcap secured to the end of the axle. The rotation of the rotable shaft under the power of the motor thus rotates the axle and moves the railcar. An elongate torsion arm is secured at its ends to the motors for minimizing intrinsic movement of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Charles Jacob
  • Patent number: 5304848
    Abstract: A drive unit for vehicles driven on rails includes an electric drive motor having a rotor shaft with first and second ends. A rotor is disposed on the rotor shaft. A pinion is secured to the rotor shaft toward the first end. A transmission is connected to and acted upon by the drive motor for driving a wheel set. A common housing is provided for the drive motor and the transmission. First and second step bearings support the rotor shaft. The first step bearing is disposed in the housing at the first end of the rotor shaft, for supporting the rotor shaft toward the pinion with the pinion being secured on the rotor shaft between the rotor and the first step bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Schwendt
  • Patent number: 5205220
    Abstract: An improvement in railway trucks having a flexible frame and independent drive mechanism particularly adapted to accommodate the flexing frame. The frame includes parallel first and second frame members, a first cross-member rigidly attached to the first frame member and loosely attached to the second frame member. A second cross-member is rigidly connected to the second frame member and loosely engaged by the first frame member. Hydraulic motors are pivotally connected to the second cross-member by pivotal arms and pivotally secured to a pair of rail way truck axles supporting the frame members such that flexion of the frames and cross-members will not affect the distance between the motor and the axles. Chain and sprocket assemblies are provided to operatively connect the motors and the axles. An engine and hydraulic pumps are connected to the first cross-member to drive the motors. The pumps are operatively connected to the motors with flexible conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Brooks Wallace
  • Patent number: 4940002
    Abstract: A railway locomotive truck provides improved mountings and/or configurations for traction motor axle support bearings to improve their wear life. These include tilting, or sloping, of the support bearing bores to more closely match the orientations of the bearing journal surfaces on the axles which slope as a result of bending of the axles under the weight of the locomotive. An added feature is forming the bearing bores with a slight conicity to accommodate slight tilting of the traction motor under heavy loads due to taking up of the clearances in the motor support axle bearings. Other features include various ways of mountings or altering the construction of the axle bearings to provide the desired positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Bien
  • Patent number: 4787318
    Abstract: The traction bogie comprises two wheel sets each coupled with a traction motor. The bogie frame is mounted resiliently on the wheel sets with provision for movement at least lengthwise of the bogie. Each of the casings of the traction motors is carried on the associated wheel set and is connected to the bogie frame to be movable in three dimensions. Also, each casing is connected to the bogie frame by way of two links which are adapted to transmit traction and braking forces and which are articulated to the bogie frame and to the casing to be pivotable around substantially vertical axes. The links are so disposed that their longitudinal axes converge and the imaginary extensions of the longitudinal axes intersect one another at an intersection point disposed in the vicinity of the wheel set and casing. The intersection point determines the position of an imaginary vertical rotational axis around which the wheel set and the associated traction motor can pivot relatively to the bogie frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Schweizerische Lokomotiv-und Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Hans H. Vogel
  • Patent number: 4679506
    Abstract: A self-steering railway truck is disclosed having a novel axle relating traction linkage connecting with the bearing housings of a separable suspension system having detachable spring seats shimable for height adjustment. The brake mechanism is mounted on the axle hung traction motors to maintain braking forces within the attached elements and avoid affecting the self-steering action of the wheel and axle assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Goding, Remigio R. Ramos
  • Patent number: 4679507
    Abstract: A three-axle powered self-steering railway truck is disclosed having a five link steering linkage connected between the axles on either side of the truck and interconnected laterally to provide radial steering action of the end axles linked to lateral translation of the center axle during curve negotiation. The steering and traction linkage is positioned to be free of interference with the traction motors and drive gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Mostafa Rassaian
  • Patent number: 4520734
    Abstract: An axle assembly has a longitudinal pivotal connection to a vehicle frame enabling it to rock about a longitudinal axis extending generally longitudinally of the direction of movement of the vehicle. One of the fore-and-aft ends of the axle assembly is hinged to the frame by a universal joint connection consisting of a ball and socket enabling completely unrestricted tilting, swinging and rocking movement of the axle assembly in all directions relative to the frame. At the opposite end, the axle assembly is freely tiltable up and down about a connection to the frame enabling free vertical movement of the tiltable end of the axle assembly while restraining horizontal movement. Springs support the vehicle frame at opposite sides of the axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Baker International Corp.
    Inventor: Charles R. Herron
  • Patent number: 4510395
    Abstract: A longitudinal double-axle drive for an electric, track-bound, self-propelled vehicle is disclosed in which the electric propulsion motor is disposed longitudinally between two driving axles of the vehicle. The motor drives both driving axles via a respective angle transmission. In order to provide flexiblity for operating under different conditions, the electric propulsion motor is a double motor with two electrically independent rotors of equal length and a common stator comprised of two separate stator lamination stacks and a continuous stator winding. The side of each rotor facing its associated transmission is supported by an overhung arrangement from the transmission housing. Thereby, the two driving axles can rotate at different speeds without compulsion forces being generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Sohrt
  • Patent number: 4498562
    Abstract: A brake arrangement is disclosed for rail vehicles which include two track wheel sets having two wheels connected by a shaft. A multi-stage reduction gear is connected to each track wheel shaft. The two multi-stage reduction gears are connected to an electric motor which has an armature shaft extending in the direction of movement of the rail vehicle. Each multi-stage reduction gear has at least one intermediate power transmission shaft which extends out of a housing of the reduction gear. At least one disc brake is connected to each intermediate shaft at a position outside the reduction gear housing. A caliper arrangement with calipers and caliper actuators is rigidly connected to the housing and engages the disc so that there is no relative movement between the disc and the housing during operation of the rail vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
    Inventor: Ernst Piepenbreier
  • Patent number: 4461217
    Abstract: A bogie for a rail vehicle comprises a hollow jacket having opposite open end faces forming an electric motor housing. A stator winding assembly is press fit into the hollow jacket and receives a rotatably mounted motor shaft which has an axis extending parallel to the direction of travel of the rail vehicle. A cross-beam having side parts is connected directly, for example, by welding to the hollow jacket. A motor bearing bracket is connected and closes the opposite end faces of the hollow jacket and carries a bearing through which the motor shaft is mounted. The motor shaft is connected to a miter gear, a differential gear, Cardan shafts and couplings, to bogie wheels. Double linkages may be connected to axles of the wheels with wheels on opposite sides of the bogie and at either end of the bogie having linkages which are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
    Inventors: Hanjochen Girod, Gerhard Korn
  • Patent number: 4459919
    Abstract: A supporting and guiding device for railway vehicles has at least four wheels 1, 2 mounted on a support intended to be fixed to the body 3 of a vehicle near one end thereof. The device includes a cross bar 8 maintained perpendicular to the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and two longitudinal beams 5 which each carry at least two wheels. In use the beams extend longitudinally of the body on both sides of the vertical plane, and they are connected to each other by a rod 12 mounted on ball and socket joints 13.The longitudinal beams are hinged (9) to the common cross bar such that the wheels carried by the beams may become oriented in order to follow the curves of the track rails 6 and to be moved in order to pass over inequalities or unevennesses of said track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: S.A. Constructions Ferroviaires et Metalliques
    Inventors: Emmanuel Lemaire, Michel De Ro, Jacques Cuylits
  • Patent number: 4444120
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving arrangement for an electric motor vehicle in which each of the two wheels of an axle is supported on separate shaft sections. Each motor or each rotor of a dual rotor motor drives only one driving wheel of an axle in order to mechanically decouple the driving wheels. One of the separate shaft sections of the axles includes a tapered portion which forms a shaft stub and the other shaft section includes a hollow shaft stub. The tapered shaft stub is supported in the hollow shaft stub by a slide bearing disposed inside the hollow shaft stub. Speed differences at the slide bearing between the axle sections can result only from slippage when negotiating a turn or from uneven wear of, for example, the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gunter Bille
  • Patent number: 4440094
    Abstract: Leading and trailing wheel set assemblies of a railway vehicle truck are interdependently steered while traversing a curve by employing the longitudinal forces generated thereby to reposition rub plates which contact associated wheel set assembly journal boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Samuel Levy
  • Patent number: 4434719
    Abstract: A steerable railway truck includes a main frame structure having a bolster and a pair of side frames to be secured to a car body. A pair of "C" shaped sub-frames are interconnected. Extending arm portions of the sub-frames are slidably mounted to the end of the side frames on shear plate assemblies. Hanger elements extend from the main frame to hold the interconnected sections of the sub-frame. A steering link member is connected between the main frame and one of the sub-frames to force the two frames to steer when the car body moves over curved tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: George Mekosh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4417525
    Abstract: Leading and trailing wheel set assemblies of a railway vehicle truck are independently steered while traversing a curve by employing the lateral and longitudinal forces generated thereby to reposition rub plates which contact associated wheel set assembly journal boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Samuel Levy
  • Patent number: 4411202
    Abstract: The rail vehicle has two bogies each connected to the vehicle body by way of a single rod adapted to transmit traction and braking forces. The rods are disposed in the longitudinal center-plane of the body and are articulated to the body at one end and to the particular bogie at the opposite end. The rods are at an inclination such that the imaginary extension of the longitudinal axis of each rod intersects the transverse center-plane of the particular bogie concerned at a distance below the plane of the rail-top surfaces. To an extent corresponding to the distance, the axle loading of the leading wheel set of the leading bogie becomes greater than the axle loading of the second wheel set, thus compensating for the effect of reduced friction between the leading wheel set and the rails in bad weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Schweizerische Lokomitiv-und Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Ernst F. Kreissig
  • Patent number: 4409904
    Abstract: A double-axle drive for trucks of a railway vehicle has a drive motor with a drive shaft extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a respective gearing mechanism engaged with each end of the drive shaft. Each gearing mechanism is drivingly coupled to a hollow shaft which concentrically surrounds a respective wheel-set axle. The wheel-set axle and hollw shaft are coupled by elastic couplings provided at each end of the hollow shaft. Each elastic coupling includes a coupling half mounted on the hollow shaft and a coupling half axially aligned therewith mounted on the axle. One coupling half has a plurality of radially extending pins and the other has a plurality of radially extending arms, the pins and arms being positioned alternately in a rotational direction. Elastically yieldable elements are provided between the pins and arms, are initially tensioned, and engage surfaces on the pins and arms which are not parallel to the wheel-set axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Carl Hurth Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Johann Eichinger, Franz Parzl, Wolfgang Schulz
  • Patent number: 4398468
    Abstract: A propulsion system suspension is provided for a railway truck of the type which includes a pair of wheels associated with the propulsion system which are secured to the ends of an axle which is mounted to extend transversely between the ends of first and second side frames of the truck. The propulsion system suspension includes a gear box having an output end supported by the axle extending therethrough and an input end which is resiliently supported by a strut from the first side frame. A motor has a rear end which is resiliently secured to the second side frame as the motor extends transversely toward the first side frame. A universal coupling device is provided between the input end of the gear box and a front end of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Bell, Michael A. O'Truk
  • Patent number: 4353309
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle truck having a pair of wheel sets each with a live axle and a motor mounted on each axle with its axis parallel to the associated axle. Each motor is secured to prevent its rotation about the respective axle, but since this permits substantially unrestrained horizontal movement of the motors relative to the truck, braces are employed in the form of at least one link which is connected between the respective motor casings and pivotally, resiliently mounted for rotation about a vertical axis positioned between the motor casings. In this way, a stiffness is provided through the motor casing to restrain parallel shear movement of one wheel set horizontally relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: British Railways Board
    Inventors: Maurice G. Pollard, Robert Illingworth
  • Patent number: 4337706
    Abstract: The devices for transmitting a traction force to the middle truck apply the force at a theoretical point of attack at a height (h) above the rails so as to have a moment exerted on the middle truck during traction which relieves the load on the leading axle of the middle truck by an amount equal to the relief force on each axle of the leading truck. Likewise, a load is added to the trailing axle of the middle truck equal to the force added to each axle of the trailing truck. This height is defined as ##EQU1## where a and b are the spacings between the axles and H is the height of the draw hook above the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Schweizerische Lokomotiv und Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Hugo Loosli
  • Patent number: 4278027
    Abstract: A double axle drive for railway trucks of rail vehicles. The axis of rotation of the drive motor extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and extends between the wheel-set axles. The drive motor drives the wheel sets through a bevel gear arrangement. Each bevel gear arrangement has, on the driven side thereof, a hollow shaft which encircles the respective wheel-set axle. The hollow shaft is connected at its two ends through an elastic coupling to the wheel-set axles. The entire drive system is supported on the two axles through four couplings. Each of the four couplings is composed of rotation-symmetrical members, one being connected to the hollow shaft and the other to the axle, and an interconnecting flexible joint sleeve circumferentially spaced around the periphery of the two coupling halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: Carl Hurth Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik
    Inventors: Johann Eichinger, Julius Huebl
  • Patent number: 4278028
    Abstract: A parallel drive shaft arrangement for rail vehicles wherein the output shaft of the electric motor is arranged parallel to the axle. The electric motor effects a driving of the axle through a gear arrangement and a toothed coupling. One side of the gear arrangement is supported on the axle and both the gear arrangement and the motor are connected through pivot levers to the vehicle frame. The electric motor is secured to the gear housing through a rubber-ring spring device surrounding the toothed coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: Carl Hurth Maschinen- und Zahnradfabrik
    Inventors: Hans Eichinger, Julius Huebl
  • Patent number: 4231296
    Abstract: A railway locomotive has three power trucks with the end trucks each having a bolster resiliently supported on the truck frame and connected to the underframe by cooperating vertical axis pivot-forming means, the middle truck bolster being connected to the underframe by a Watts linkage arranged to directly transmit longitudinal forces from the bolster to the underframe while accommodating substantial excursions of the bolster and middle truck frame transversely of the locomotive underframe for operation of the locomotive on the curved track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: General Steel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith L. Jackson