Positive Control Patents (Class 105/168)
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Patent number: 11691653Abstract: A running gear for a rail vehicle includes first and second independent wheel assemblies on opposite sides of a longitudinal vertical median plane of the running gear, each having an independent wheel and a bearing assembly for guiding the wheel about a revolution axis fixed relative to the bearing assembly. In a reference position of the running gear, the revolution axes of the first and second wheel assemblies are coaxial and perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical median plane. The running gear further includes one or more steering actuators for moving the bearing assembly of at least one of the two wheel assemblies away from the reference position in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal vertical median plane, a wheel flange contact detection unit for detecting a contact between a flange of the wheel with a rail, and a controller for controlling the one or more steering actuators.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbHInventors: Jani Dede, Arne Pfeil
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Patent number: 11459003Abstract: A process for detecting a derailment of a rail vehicle having two or more rail vehicle parts and one or more articulations through which adjacent rail vehicle parts are rotatably connected with one another includes determining an angle of rotation between adjacent rail vehicle parts, and/or a quantity derived from the angle of rotation. The process further includes comparing the angle of rotation or the derived quantity with at least one reference value or threshold, or with at least one reference value range or threshold range. A test criterion indicating whether or not there is a derailment is defined based on the at least one reference value or threshold, and/or an expected relationship of multiple angles of rotation, and/or an expected relationship of the multiple quantities derived from the angles of rotation, relative to one another. The method further includes determining whether or not the test criterion is met.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbHInventors: Fabrice Roche, Andreas Monarth, Guillermo Perez Gomez
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Patent number: 11230302Abstract: A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Advanced Truck Systems Corp.Inventors: John Rudibaugh, Manny Tavares, Wayne Murphy, Perry Levitt
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Patent number: 11225377Abstract: A method and a controller for controlling movements of a robot from a start to a stop position, where the robot has pairs of wheels having drivers that are controlled by local controllers. Based on a current speed and an angular position of each wheel and a position of the robot relative to the frame structure, a master controller sets up individual speed driving sequences for the pair of wheels based on the current speed and angular position of each wheel, current global position of the robot, and the start and stop positions of the robot. The speed driving sequence is transmitted to the local controllers controlling the pair of wheels, thereby controlling acceleration and deceleration of each wheel via the individual drivers. The local controllers ensure that pairs of wheels are kept synchronised.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Autostore Technology ASInventors: Ingvar Hognaland, Ivar Fjeldheim, Jørgen Djuve Heggebø
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Patent number: 10974741Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an actuator for controlling a wheelset of a rail vehicle comprising: an axle casing for fastening to an undercarriage or to a wheelset bearing housing of the rail vehicle; a synchronized cylinder that is provided in the axle casing and that comprises a piston surface that has a piston rod passing through the axle casing at each of its two areal sides; and a housing that is movable in accordance with a movement of the synchronized cylinder with respect to the axle casing, wherein a piston spring element that connects a respective piston rod to the housing is arranged at the end of the respective piston rod remote from the piston surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Liebherr-Transportation Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Richard Schneider
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Patent number: 10913470Abstract: A railcar steering bogie includes a bogie frame, a wheelset, an axle box suspension, a steering mechanism configured to steer the wheelset, a brake unit, and a brake unit support link. The brake unit includes: a main body frame; a brake shoe supported by the main body frame and pressed against a wheel tread of the wheel during braking. The brake unit support link couples the axle box suspension and the brake unit and transmits displacement of the axle box in a car longitudinal direction to the brake unit at least during steering performed by the steering mechanism. The brake unit support link restricts the brake unit from being displaced outward in a car width direction by a predetermined distance or more during the braking. At least one of a side surface of the brake unit support link and a side surface of the brake unit includes a sliding surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Yoshi Sato, Yukitaka Taga, Yousuke Tsumura, Keiichiro Kamura, Fumikazu Kounoike, Koichi Murata, Francois Olivier Uchida, Yuta Yoshimatsu
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Patent number: 10246107Abstract: A chassis for a rail vehicle, in particular for a locomotive. A chassis frame is supported on first and second wheel sets and one triangular link per wheel set on both sides of the chassis for horizontally guiding the axle of the wheel set. An A-arm is hinged to one of two axle bearings by a wheel set-side bearing and by two frame-side bearings. The latter have elastomer bushings with a constant longitudinal and transverse rigidity. The former have hydraulic bushings with constant transverse rigidity and variable longitudinal rigidity. The bearings of each A-arm are arranged on the corners of a horizontal isosceles triangle. The tip of the triangle forms the wheel set-side bearing and the base forms the frame-side bearings. This resolves the conflicting objectives between dynamic running behaviors of the chassis when cornering and the driving stability when traveling straight ahead at a high speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Inventors: Heiko Meyer, Hans Juergen Maerkl, Philipp Scholle
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Patent number: 10131368Abstract: A steering bogie for a railcar includes: a bogie frame supporting a carbody of the railcar; a wheelset including an axle and wheels, the axle extending in a car width direction, the wheels being provided at both respective sides of the axle; and a steering device that presses a pressing target member to steer the wheelset with respect to the bogie frame, the pressing target member being constituted by the wheelset or a member configured to be displaced integrally with the wheelset in a steering direction, the steering device including at least one steering unit, the at least one steering unit including a pressing member that separably contacts the pressing target member to press the pressing target member, and a power mechanism causes the pressing member to contact and separate from the pressing target member.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shunichi Nakao, Takeyoshi Kusunoki
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Patent number: 9688293Abstract: The object is to solve the issue of an over-steered state at an exit straight portion in addition to enhance a curve passage performance than when a steering angle of front and rear axles is set at a radial steering angle. A steering method for a steering device intentionally turns two axles (12a, 12b) of a truck (12) of a railway vehicle relative to a frame of the truck. The two axles are arranged at front and rear of the truck with respect to a direction of running of the railway vehicle. The steering method includes steering the axles such that a steering angle (?1) of the front axle (12a) is larger than a steering angle (?2) of the rear axle (12b).Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Takuya Ozaki, Kazunori Iwato, Satoshi Kikko, Satoshi Tokunaga
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Patent number: 9676240Abstract: An IFS assembly having a single lower control arm having an inboard end pivotally secured to a chassis support structure, an air spring supported by an air spring seat relative to the lower control arm, a strut having an upper end pivotally secured to the chassis support structure and a lower end coupled to the lower control arm outboard end, and a steering knuckle fixed to the strut lower end, the steering knuckle disposed below the lower air spring seat and whose rotative movement about the strut axis is unconfined by proximity between the steering knuckle and the tower air spring seat, whereby available wheel cut is maximized. Also an IFS module including right and left side IFS assemblies and adapted for installation into a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Reyco Granning, LLCInventor: John A Hinz
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Patent number: 9676400Abstract: Provided is a guide device for a rail-guided vehicle that is guided to travel along a travel track, the guide device including: guide wheels that roll in contact with guide rails arranged on both sides of the travel track; steering arms that steer the vehicle; guide wheel support members; and shock-absorbing members. One end of each guide wheel support member is supported at the tip end of a steering arm with shock-absorbing members interposed therebetween, and the other end of each guide wheel support member rollably supports a main guide wheel and a diverging guide wheel. The shock-absorbing members are disposed between each guide wheel support member and the corresponding steering arm, and mitigate the impact load transmitted from the guide wheels to the steering arms.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaru Tachibana, Akihiro Niizeki, Junji Kamatani, Akira Komoto
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Patent number: 9573604Abstract: A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam supporting a carbody; a pair of front and rear axles sandwiching and arranged in front of and behind the cross beam in a railcar longitudinal direction to extend in a railcar width direction; bearings provided at both railcar width direction sides of each and rotatably supporting the axles; axle boxes accommodating the bearings; side members extending in the railcar longitudinal direction supporting both railcar width direction end portions of the cross beam and each including both railcar longitudinal direction end portions supported by the axle boxes; contact members provided at both railcar width direction end portions and disposed on railcar longitudinal direction middle portions of the side members so as not to be fixed to the side members in an upper-lower direction; and supporting members provided at the axle boxes and supporting the railcar longitudinal direction end portions of the side members.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Shunichi Nakao, Takeyoshi Kusunoki, Yasufumi Okumura
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Patent number: 9475354Abstract: An IFS assembly having a single lower control arm having an inboard end pivotally secured to a chassis support structure, an air spring supported by an air spring seat relative to the lower control arm, a strut having an upper end pivotally secured to the chassis support structure and a lower end coupled to the lower control arm outboard end, and a steering knuckle fixed to the strut lower end, the steering knuckle disposed below the lower air spring seat and whose rotative movement about the strut axis is unconfined by proximity between the steering knuckle and the lower air spring seat, whereby available wheel cut is maximized. Also an IFS module including right and left side IFS assemblies and adapted for installation into a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Reyco Granning, LLCInventor: John A Hinz
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Patent number: 9358989Abstract: A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam supporting a carbody; a pair of front and rear axles sandwiching and arranged in front of and behind the cross beam in a railcar longitudinal direction to extend in a railcar width direction; bearings provided at both railcar width direction sides of each and rotatably supporting the axles; axle boxes accommodating the bearings; side members extending in the railcar longitudinal direction supporting both railcar width direction end portions of the cross beam and each including both railcar longitudinal direction end portions supported by the axle boxes; contact members provided at both railcar width direction end portions and disposed on railcar longitudinal direction middle portions of the side members so as not to be fixed to the side members in an upper-lower direction; and supporting members provided at the axle boxes and supporting the railcar longitudinal direction end portions of the side members.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takehiro Nishimura, Shunichi Nakao, Takeyoshi Kusunoki, Yasufumi Okumura
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Publication number: 20140261062Abstract: The object is to solve the issue of an over-steered state at an exit straight portion in addition to enhance a curve passage performance than when a steering angle of front and rear axles is set at a radial steering angle. A steering method for a steering device intentionally turns two axles (12a, 12b) of a truck (12) of a railway vehicle relative to a frame of the truck. The two axles are arranged at front and rear of the truck with respect to a direction of running of the railway vehicle. The steering method includes steering the axles such that a steering angle (?1) of the front axle (12a) is larger than a steering angle (?2) of the rear axle (12b).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Takuya Ozaki, Kazunori Iwato, Satoshi Kikko, Satoshi Tokunaga
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Publication number: 20140261063Abstract: A traction control assembly for connection between a monorail bogie frame and a monorail car. The traction control assembly comprising a first traction link pivotally connected to a first bell crank mechanism and a second traction link pivotally connected to a second bell crank mechanism. The first traction link and the second traction link are capable of absorbing traction forces applied to the monorail bogie. The traction control assembly further comprises a cross link interconnecting the first bell crank mechanism and the second bell crank mechanism and a passive steering assist device interconnecting the first bell crank mechanism and the second bell crank mechanism. The steering assist device causes the traction control assembly to insert shear forces on the monorail bogie during travel of the monorail bogie over a curved section of monorail track for facilitating rotational motion between the monorail bogie and the monorail car.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Bombardier Transportation GmbHInventors: Cesar Victor Benoist Roudiere, Christian Roy, Mario Monette, Louis Thibault
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Publication number: 20140202353Abstract: A suspension system for a train vehicle includes at least one inerter to minimize track wear. Track wear may be measured by direct measures such as wear work, or indirect measures such as yaw stiffness. “Minimizing” track wear means that such measures are reduced below values which are achievable with conventional technology while maintaining acceptable values of other performance metrics, such as ride comfort or least damping ratio. The suspension system may comprise at least one damper connected in series with the at least one inerter. The suspension system may be the primary or the secondary suspension system of a train vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicants: Loughborough University, Cambridge Enterprise LimitedInventors: Malcolm C. Smith, Zheng Jiang, Roger Morgan Goodall
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Publication number: 20140137764Abstract: In the event that a steering device is damaged, the damaged component is prevented from dropping onto a surface of a track or prevented from making contact with a surface of a track, even if a component to prevent dropping is not newly installed. A railway vehicle steering truck having a steering device 1 with a steering link 1b which is rotatably connected to an axle box 4 which supports a steering axle 2, and a connecting link 1c rotatably connected to a bolster 5, and these are each rotatably connected to a steering lever 1a which is rotatably connected to a truck frame 3. A length A1 or A2 from one center of rotation of the steering link 1b is shorter than a radius B of a wheel that has reached a wear limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshiyuki Shimokawa, Masaaki Mizuno, Toshiyo Yamano, Tomoki Teramae
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Patent number: 8701564Abstract: A self-steering system for a radial bogie of a railroad vehicle is provided. The self-steering system includes a plurality of links which connect the leading and trailing wheelsets to the bogie frame. Each of the links is adapted to provide a smaller degree of movement between the link and the wheelset at one end and a larger degree of movement between the link and the bogie frame at the other end.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.Inventors: Hans-Dieter Schaller, Xiaoying Ma
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Publication number: 20130312634Abstract: The invention relates to railway bogies, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a self-steering bogie for a locomotive. In accordance with the invention there is provided a self-steering railway bogie (1) comprising leading and trailing wheelset (2.4) having two ends (3,5) and a frame for limiting the movement of the wheelset ends. The bogie is provided with a number of fluid cylinders (7) attached between the wheelset ends and the frame, and fluid flow means (8) between the cylinders allowing wheelsets to yaw inversely relative to each other and restricting other relative movement of the wheelsets.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2011Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: RSD- A DIVISION OF DCD-DORBYL (PTY) LIMITEDInventor: Patrick Henri Smit
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Patent number: 8584596Abstract: Vehicle suspension systems including a truck and a spring system for an axle are provided. In one example, a truck includes an unpowered axle spring system that is configured to generate an overall unpowered axle separation force between a truck frame and an unpowered axle carrier. The overall unpowered axle separation force has a rate of decrease that increases past a first separation distance between the truck frame and the unpowered axle carrier. A powered axle spring system is configured to generate a powered axle separation force between the truck frame and a powered axle carrier. The powered axle separation force has a rate of decrease that decreases past a second separation distance between the truck frame and the powered axle carrier.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Adrian Jerzy Gorski, Jingjun Zhang, Jeremy Thomas McGarry
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Patent number: 8505465Abstract: A railway truck is provided comprising first and second wheelsets, each wheelset comprising at least a left and a right wheel adjacent opposite ends of an axle. Each axle is supported for rotation about an axle axis by a respective bearing adjacent the left and right wheels. A first frame member extends between a bearing support adjacent the left wheel of the first wheelset and a bearing support adjacent the right wheel of the second wheelset. A second frame member extends between a bearing support adjacent the left wheel of the second wheelset and a bearing support adjacent the right wheel of the first wheelset. The first and second frame members are free to move without interference from each other to cause the truck to steer in response to a change in a rolling direction of either of the first and second wheelsets.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Lanza Projects CorporationInventor: Juan Carlos Elizondo
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Patent number: 8485109Abstract: A method for minimizing tread damage and profile wear of wheels of a railway vehicle is provided. The railway vehicle includes two sets of wheels, or a bogie of a railway vehicle with two sets of wheels, wherein setpoint values for parameters characterizing the position of a wheel relative to the track are determined based on measured values of a variable parameter relevant for the creation of tread damage and profile wear during the movement of the railway vehicle, on condition that the tread damage and profile wear on the wheels of the railway vehicle are minimized, wherein the position of one set of wheels is adjusted according to the setpoint values by means of actuation, control, or a combination of both.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Siemens AG ÖsterreichInventors: Peter Dietmaier, Martin Rosenberger, Klaus Six
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Patent number: 8443735Abstract: Truck assemblies, systems and methods are provided for transferring weight supported by various wheels, and axles. An example truck assembly may include a truck frame element, and a carrier coupled with the truck frame element. A bias may be configured to bias the carrier away from the truck frame element. An actuatable linkage arrangement may include a compliant linkage coupled with the carrier. The compliant linkage may pull the carrier against the bias in a first direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Worden, Michael Marley, Amit Iyer, Adrian Gorski
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Publication number: 20130098262Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster mounted transversely between a pair of side frames. The mounting interface between the wheelset axle ends and the sideframe pedestals includes a bearing adapter. It has an upper portion that seats in the sideframe pedestal. The underside, lower portion, of the bearing adapter defines sits on the wheelset bearing casing. The lower portion has an apex, and has a first land portion for engaging a first portion of the bearing casing, and a second land portion for engaging a second portion of the bearing casing. The apex lies circumferentially between the first and second lands portions. There is a relief formed at the apex over the bearing race, so that vertical load is split to enter the casing to either side of top dead center.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITEDInventors: James Wilfred Forbes, Jamal Hematian
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Patent number: 8381659Abstract: A railway vehicle including a plurality of bogies is provided. Each bogie includes a chassis, two front wheels and two rear wheels. For each front wheel and each rear wheel, a guidance device is provided for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis is provided on the guidance device. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels are arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie. The primary suspension devices each include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected by a first connection point to the chassis and by a second connection point to the corresponding guidance device and at least one resilient component inserted between the two connecting rods to define at least the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension device, the two connecting rods being offset longitudinally relative to one another. Each of the bogies also includes a pivot connection device for connecting the bogie to the railway vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Alstom Transport SAInventors: Alain Rodet, Christophe Eche, Yves Longueville, Francis Demarquilly
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Patent number: 8336464Abstract: A freight car bogie and a freight car are provided. The freight car bogie includes two wheel set assemblies, side frames, and a bolster. The freight car bogie further includes a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are crossed in an X form to pass through reserved holes at two sides of a belly of the bolster. The first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are separated from each other at a crossing portion. The first connecting rod includes a first end and a second end. The second connecting rod includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end and the third end are resiliently connected to one of the side frames and symmetrical about a center line of the bolster. The second end and the fourth end are resiliently connected to the other side frame and symmetrical about the center line of the bolster.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuming Xing, Zhenming Liu, Shifeng Xu, Haibin Hu, Zhen Zhu, Wendong Shao, Kewei Lv
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Publication number: 20120304886Abstract: A railway can have trains for generally high speed if curves have very large radius. For this to be generally possible the trains must be able to nm in steep slopes. When driving wheels are pressed against the rail head sides a double drive force from friction is achieved and controlled by a separate force independent of the weight of the train. The carrying wheels are made free from lateral forces by suspended them in cardan rings. The driving wheels running on the rail head sides also only steer if no force is applied. The switches can be free from movable pars Wheels against flank rails parallel to the outermost rails keeps the train left in the switches. Double-rotor motors give the driving. They can be attached to the wheels on the rail head side, hut also to the carrying cardules. Such motors can also be placed within the carrying wheels, in cardules and m the driving wheels on the sides. The rails can get trapeze form.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventor: Lennart Hoeglund
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Patent number: 8276522Abstract: A bogie for a railway vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheelsets, and steering linkages linking the wheelsets to maintain steering alignment. The bogie has a wheelset body linkage pivotally connecting the steering linkages with the bogie body so as to position the body relative to the wheelsets, and two alignment rams to position the body relative to the frame. The bogie also has sensors for monitoring yaw angle and yaw velocity. The sensor input is processed to estimate track curvature and determine the train speed and yaw velocity of the vehicle body. The processor actuates the alignment rams to adjust the position of the body relative to the frame in response to the track curvature and current frame positions to minimize wheel contact creepage and maximize bogie stability.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Central Queensland UniversityInventor: Scott Simson
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Publication number: 20110185939Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The mounting interface between the ends of the axles and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral rocking motion of the sideframes in the manner of a swing motion truck. The lateral swinging motion is combined with a longitudinal self steering capability. The self steering capability may be obtained by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that may tend to permit resistance to self steering that is proportional to the weight carried across the interface. The trucks may have auxiliary centering elements mounted in the pedestal seats, and those auxiliary centering elements may be made of resilient elastomeric material. The truck may also have friction dampers that have a disinclination to stick-slip behavior. The friction dampers may be provided with brake linings, or similar features, on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITEDInventors: James W. Forbes, Jamal Hematian
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Publication number: 20110146530Abstract: Lateral pressure which develops in the front wheelset when traveling along a curved track is decreased while suppressing an increase in costs as much as possible. A two-axle truck for a railway car has a front wheelset having wheels with a first tread gradient and a rear wheelset having wheels with a second tread gradient which is different from the first tread gradient. The tread gradient of the wheels of the rear wheelset is larger than the tread gradient of the wheels of the front wheelset.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Satoshi KIKKO, Takuji NAKAI
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Patent number: 7926425Abstract: A tram has a lead vehicle and one or more trailing vehicles coupled to it. Each vehicle has sets of front and rear wheels, both sets being steerable independently of the other. A manual controller provides signals to a processor in the lead vehicle, which in turn steers the front and rear wheels along a desired path. A processor on the first trailing vehicle controls front and rear servos to steer its wheels according to the path of the rear wheels of the leading vehicle. The second trailing vehicle has a processor that steers its front and rear wheels according to information provided by the first leading vehicle. Steering sensors on the vehicles sense distance to a steering rail while the vehicles are on a guideway and provide signals to the processors for automatic steering. While on a guideway, the tram uses power collectors to transfer power from the guideway.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Inventor: Joy Kirston Henderson
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Publication number: 20100326317Abstract: The present invention is directed to a railway bogie with a mounted vehicle body including a frame; a plurality of wheelsets and steering linkages linking the wheelsets so that the wheelsets can cooperate to be in steering alignment. The bogie has a wheelset body linkage pivotally connecting the steering linkages with the bogie body so to position the body relative to the wheelsets and two alignment rams to position the body relative to the frame. The bogie also has sensors for monitoring the yaw angle and yaw velocity. The sensor input is then processed to estimate track curvature and determine the train speed and yaw velocity of the vehicle body. The processor then actuates the alignment rams to adjust the position of the body relative to the frame in response to the track curvature and current frame positions to minimize wheel contact creepage and maximize bogie stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2008Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITYInventor: Scott Simson
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Patent number: 7845287Abstract: A railway truck has a frame, and two wheel-sets operatively connected to the frame. Each wheel-set includes a corresponding axle, and two wheels disposed on the axle. A first steering lever is pivotally connected to the first end portion of the first axle about a first pivot axis and to the frame about a second pivot axis. A second steering lever is pivotally connected to the second end portion of the first axle about a third pivot axis and to the frame about a fourth pivot axis. A first line passing through the first and second pivot axes crosses a second line passing through the third and fourth pivot axes at less than a predetermined distance from a vertical centerline of the truck when the first and second axles are parallel. A railcar including the truck is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Restruck Technologies Inc.Inventor: Roy Edward Smith
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Publication number: 20100294163Abstract: The invention relates to a rail vehicle comprising a chassis provided with individual wheels which are respectively mounted on axle carriers in such a way that they can pivot in the horizontal direction about a vertical steering axis. Said rail vehicle also comprises a steering actuator associated with each wheel, for adjusting a pre-determined steering angle about the vertical steering axis, the wheels (1) of the axles being respectively mounted in such a way that they can be pivoted in the vertical direction about a horizontal camber axis (S) and can be acted upon by means of a camber actuator (7) in order to adjust a pre-determined camber angle (?S).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Michael Walter, Phillip Schlautmann, Joerg Wallaschek
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Publication number: 20100236446Abstract: Lateral pressure which develops in the front wheelset when traveling along a curved track is decreased while suppressing an increase in costs as much as possible. A two-axle truck for a railway car has a front wheelset having wheels with a first tread gradient and a rear wheelset having wheels with a second tread gradient which is different from the first tread gradient. The tread gradient of the wheels of the rear wheelset is larger than the tread gradient of the wheels of the front wheelset.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Satoshi Kikko, Takuji Nakai
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Publication number: 20100229753Abstract: A steerable truck for a railway car is provided with a truck frame that is steered so as to be aligned with the tangential direction of a curved track by controlling only the steering angle of a rear wheelset. During travel along a curved track, the steering angle, which is the angle in a horizontal plane of the centerline of the rear wheelset with respect to an imaginary straight line connecting the center of the truck frame and the center of the curved track, is larger than the steering angle which is the angle formed between the imaginary straight line and the centerline of the front wheelset. As a result, a steerable truck for a railway car which has excellent ability to travel along a curve and which can be actually realized simply and at a low cost is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Satoshi Kikko, Takuji Nakai, Yujin Tsutsui
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Publication number: 20100154672Abstract: A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The mounting interface between the ends of the axles and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral rocking motion of the sideframes in the manner of a swing motion truck. The lateral swinging motion is combined with a longitudinal self steering capability. The self steering capability may be obtained by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that may tend to permit resistance to deflection that is proportional to the weight carried across the interface. The truck may have auxiliary centering elements mounted in the pedestal seats, and those auxiliary centering elements may be made of resilient elastomeric material. The truck may also have friction dampers that have a disinclination to stick-slip behavior. The friction dampers may be provided with brake linings, or similar features, on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITEDInventors: James W. Forbes, Jamal Hematian, Tomasz Bis
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Publication number: 20100132585Abstract: A railway vehicle including a plurality of bogies is provided. Each bogie includes a chassis, two front wheels and two rear wheels. For each front wheel and each rear wheel, a guidance device is provided for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis is provided on the guidance device. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels are arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie. The primary suspension devices each include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected by a first connection point to the chassis and by a second connection point to the corresponding guidance device and at least one resilient component inserted between the two connecting rods to define at least the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension device, the two connecting rods being offset longitudinally relative to one another. Each of the bogies also includes a pivot connection device for connecting the bogie to the railway vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: ALSTOM TRANSPORT SAInventors: Alain Rodet, Christope Eche, Yves Longueville, Francis Demarquilly
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Publication number: 20100011984Abstract: A self-steering system for a radial bogie of a railroad vehicle is provided. The self-steering system includes a plurality of links which connect the leading and trailing wheelsets to the bogie frame. Each of the links is adapted to provide a smaller degree of movement between the link and the wheelset at one end and a larger degree of movement between the link and the bogie frame at the other end.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Hans-Dieter Schaller, Xiaoying Ma
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Publication number: 20090276107Abstract: A method for controlling an active running gear of a rail vehicle including at least one first wheel unit with two wheels, wherein by means of at least one first actuator, which acts between the first wheel unit and a vehicle structure supported thereon by means of a first primary spring mechanisms, the turning angle of the first wheel unit about a vertical running gear axis relative to the vehicle structure is adjusted, in a first frequency range, as a function of the actual curvature of the track and/or the turning angle of the first wheel unit about a vertical running gear axis relative to the vehicle structure is adjusted, in a second frequency range, such that transversal movements at least of the first wheel unit, caused by track outlay disturbances or by a sinusoidal course, are counteracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2007Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBHInventors: Uwe Reimann, Alfred Lohmann, Jani Dede
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Patent number: 7603221Abstract: An automatic slowing down system for a vehicle taking a bend includes a computer that integrates a series of instructions to process at least one of first, second and third signals according to kinematic control laws of vehicle displacement to deliver signals for a forward motion actuator and a steering actuator, a forward control and a steering control that supply the first signal representative of a forward motion data and a steering data to the computer based on an operator's requirement, a linear speed sensor and a yaw speed sensor that supply the second signal to the computer, and a unit that supplies the third signal relating to road grip to the computer.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Nexter SystemsInventors: Emile Urvoy, Olivier Pape, Stephane Leveque
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Patent number: 7540242Abstract: This invention comprises a running gear for rail vehicles with at least three wheel sets housed in a bogey frame and at least one steering device that makes possible a transverse displacement of an end wheel set, wherein the bogey frame, seen in longitudinal direction, has several sections, wherein at least the frontmost section, seen in the direction of travel, in which the leading wheel set is arranged, is connected horizontally pivotable to a second, rigid section, characterized in that at least the frontmost section, seen in the direction of travel, of the bogey frame in which the leading wheel set is arranged is formed as a parallelogram that can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bogey frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Evoinvent AGInventor: Rudolf Sommerer
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Publication number: 20090133599Abstract: This invention relates to steering links for bogies and to wagons incorporating such bogies, a variable length steering link assembly for a bogie including an elongate link having a generally T-shaped head at each end and an anchor for each end, wherein each anchor defines an axially extending chamber for slidably receiving a respective head an a compression spring wherein in one chamber the spring acts on the end fact of its associated head and in the other chamber the spring acts on the back face of its associated head.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: Alan Aitken, David Taylor, Wayne Jamieson
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Publication number: 20090025599Abstract: A railway truck has a frame, and two wheel-sets operatively connected to the frame. Each wheel-set includes a corresponding axle, and two wheels disposed on the axle. A first steering lever is pivotally connected to the first end portion of the first axle about a first pivot axis and to the frame about a second pivot axis. A second steering lever is pivotally connected to the second end portion of the first axle about a third pivot axis and to the frame about a fourth pivot axis. A first line passing through the first and second pivot axes crosses a second line passing through the third and fourth pivot axes at less than a predetermined distance from a vertical centerline of the truck when the first and second axles are parallel. A railcar including the truck is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: RESTRUCK TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Roy Edward SMITH
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Patent number: 7458324Abstract: The invention relates to a method for active radial control of the wheels (11, 53, 103, 108, 115) of at last one wheel unit (8, 9, 10, 51, 52) on a chassis, in particular a bogie on a tracked vehicle, whereby control movements are applied to the wheel unit (8, 9, 10, 51, 52) and an integrated regulation with control movements in at least two non-identical frequency ranges are carried out. First control movements in a first frequency range and second control movements in a second frequency range, different form the first frequency range are superimposed and applied to the wheel unit (8, 9, 10, 51, 52). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Bombardier TransportationInventors: Richard Schneider, Wolfgang Auer, Günther Himmelstein
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Patent number: 7096795Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a linear steering truck apparatus comprising a bolster member having two ends, the bolster being located along the transverse axis extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, generally located between and parallel to the transversely extending axles, a linear steering truck attachable to the car body, a plurality of pedestals, a pedestal engaged to an axle bearing, the axle bearing being rotationally engaged to one end of a transversely extending axle, and at least one pedestal being movably attached to at least one other pedestal situated in the same plane along the longitudinal axis, and rack and pinion steering components, where the geometry of pivot points from one axle to the bolster form a trapezoid and the geometry of pivot points from another axle to the bolster form a parallelogram, the pedestals being pivotably connected so that a lateral force at one axle is reacted by the other axle, wherein the car body mass acts as a pendulum mass restorType: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Active Steering, LLCInventor: Paul S. Wike
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Patent number: 6966266Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the radial control of a rail vehicle. According to the invention, at least one wheel set (1) is mounted in a bogie or chassis and the ends of said wheel set(s) can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, using actuating devices (12, 19, 21, 26). The ends of the wheel set are adjusted in a longitudinal direction by a foldable wheel-set driving rod (8/9, 15/16), the actuating device engaging with the joint (11, 18) of said foldable wheel-set driving rod.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Inventor: Lutz Schwendt
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Patent number: 6871598Abstract: An arrangement for self-steering, radial bogie, truck or vehicle frame for locomotives and other railroad vehicles, which includes steering beams for and located behind their respective leading and trailing wheelsets, and whose rotary motions are coupled by an inter-axle link to provide opposite transverse movement of the first and third wheelsets upon traversing curves.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Hans-Dieter Schaller, Xiaoying Ma, David Jason Goding
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Publication number: 20040149162Abstract: The invention relates to a self-steering, three-axle bogie, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising wheel sets (8, 9, 10) and wheel set bearing housings (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) allocated to said sets. According to the invention, the outer wheel sets (8, 10) are counter-coupled and can be displaced in a longitudinal direction and the central wheel set (9) can be displaced in a transverse direction and is included in the control system. The wheel set bearing housings (2, 4, 6) on one side of the running gear and/or the wheel set bearing housings (3, 5, 7) on the other side of the running gear are coupled exclusively to the wheel set bearing housings (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) lying on the same side and neighbouring wheel set bearing housings (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are coupled to a first rotary lever (14, 26) that is connected so that it can rotate to the corresponding wheel set bearing housing (4, 5) of the central wheel set (9), by means of a steering linkage-rotary lever configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventor: Wolfgang Auer