Six-wheel Patents (Class 105/196)
  • Patent number: 6401627
    Abstract: A bogie with three wheel sets for a rail vehicle is described, in which the bogie has two end wheel sets (3) which are connected to a bogie frame (2) at their drive units by in each case at least one slanted link (1), and a center wheel set (12) is connected to the bogie frame by at least one longitudinal link (4) guided parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame (2). The end wheel sets (3), by in each case at least one transverse link (5a, b) and by a drive-unit extension arm (13) arranged in operative connection with the transverse link (5a, b), are connected to the drive unit of the center wheel set (12) in such a way that, during a transverse movement of the center wheel set (12), the end wheel sets (3) are coupled with the latter and that, during a turn-out movement of the end wheel sets (3), the latter are coupled in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Christophe Fehrenbach, Bruno Meier
  • Patent number: 6389985
    Abstract: A set of composite boss blocks for a rail car truck having equalizer arms and side frames uses a thermoset plastic resin system with a synthetic fiber reinforcement contained within the plastic matrix to handle severe loads under impact and vibration, in combination with set screw or pin extending through the mounting portion and well into the body of the boss block, a complementary wear pad also being usable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Holland Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Trent
  • Patent number: 5746135
    Abstract: A railway truck includes a frame having a pair of side frames and laterally extending transoms therebetween. A plurality of journal boxes are resiliently suspended from the side frames and support a pair of longitudinally spaced apart end axles extending laterally between the side frames. A pair of longitudinally spaced apart bellcranks are rotatably joined to each of the side frames between the end axles, with each bellcrank having a vertical crankshaft and a crank arm extending outwardly therefrom. A pair of traction links extend longitudinally along each of the side frames, with each link being pivotally joined between respective ones of the journal boxes and the crank arms for carrying tension and compression loads therebetween. A pair of adjoining reaction arms extend longitudinally along each of the side frames, with each reaction arm having a proximal end fixedly joined to a respective one of the crankshafts, and distal ends thereof adjoining each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehdi Ahmadian, Laurence William Gray, Dean Zeal McGrew, William Anthony Kurtzhals, James Harry Whitehill, Jennifer Lynn Jaramillo
  • Patent number: 5632208
    Abstract: A multi-axle railroad car truck or bogie is described as having two very important features; namely, a suspension and snubbing mechanism associated with each axle end to cushion, isolate and dampen vibrations imparted to the axles, and a device for mounting each saddle on an associated pedestal for swinging in a generally vertical plane, such that the axles held captive by the saddles, will each independently move laterally in either of a pair of opposing directions of from 1" to 11/4", measured from a center plane midway between the side frames, when the truck is horizontally disposed in a rest position. Further, the saddles are mounted such that each axle end can move independently in either of a pair of opposing directions of from 3/8" to 1/2", measured from a fixed vertical plane which includes the longitudinal axis of the axle, when the truck is horizontally disposed in the rest position. Further described is a rigid framework for distributing loads to the axles of a tri-axle truck or bogie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: National Castings Incorporated
    Inventor: Hans B. Weber
  • Patent number: 4811668
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three axle railway truck. The truck comprises three wheelsets supporting two parallel sideframes. Each sideframe comprises two sections. One wheelset is located near the longitudinal middle of the sideframes, with the two other axle wheelsets located near either end of the sideframes. Two bolsters extend laterally across between these sideframes, with each bolster located between the center axle and an end axle. The bolster ends are received in pockets in the sideframes. Each bolster has a centerplate structure receiving a pin as part of an articulated connection spanning between and connecting the bolsters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Amsted Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles Moehling
  • Patent number: 4658734
    Abstract: A bogie for use with a railway wagon, comprising a rigid horizontal frame adapted to be vertically pivoted to the underside of the wagon by a central vertical pivot, also with the interposition of a large diameter ball bearing assembly, co-axial with the pivot and positively maintaining the frame parallel to the bottom of the wagon. Rail-engaging wheels are each supported below the frame by an independent suspension assembly. Each of the latter comprises a pair of lever arms extending on both sides of the associated wheel and pivoted at one end to the frame and rigidly interconnected at their opposite ends by a cross-member. The wheel is rotatably carried by the intermediate portions of the two arms. An elastic suspension member extends vertically between the frame and the cross-member. The main parts of the bogie are of welded box-like construction formed of metal plates. The wheels can be easily dismounted for repair or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Joseph Mroz
  • Patent number: 4542700
    Abstract: A truck for use on a railway vehicle has three axles, one located at each end of the truck and a third located generally centrally between the other two axles. The two outboard axles are pivotable about respective vertical axes so as to be free to move to a radial alignment when the truck is travelling on curved track. The axle located generally centrally between the other two axles is free to move laterally but is constrained to eliminate movement about a substantially vertical axis. An interconnecting member is provided so that the lateral movement of the central axle is used to guide the outboard axles to the radial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Urban Transportation Development Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Roy E. Smith
  • Patent number: 4289075
    Abstract: An articulated railroad vehicle having two or more body portions is supported on three or more single wheel set trucks. Each truck is pivotally attached to a vehicle body portion. Sensing elements detect the angle between the articulated body portions. The output from the angle of articulated sensing element means is used to guide each of the wheel sets to a radial configuration when the vehicle negotiates a curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Urban Transportation Development Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Roy E. Smith
  • 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
  • Patent number: 4088080
    Abstract: A six-wheel railway motor truck for swivelly supporting a locomotive body is connected to the same for the effective transmission thereto of draft and braking forces at a level at or near that of the rail whereby the vertical moment arm through which traction forces might act to tip the truck frame and thereby cause load transference from axle to axle is minimized, with corresponding minimization of such load transference. The truck comprises a rigid frame resiliently supported on the three axles, a body support bolster supported on the sides of the truck frame by upright springs and held against swivelling movements or longitudinal movements with respect to the truck frame while being free for limited vertical and transverse movements with respect to the truck frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: General Steel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4043272
    Abstract: Railway three-axle, three-motor locomotive trucks are provided with a bolster spring-supported on the truck frame for lateral and vertical movement and having a central opening to accommodate the middle axle motor while minimizing the over-all height of the truck, a plurality of vertically nonyielding body-support bearing elements on the bolster spaced apart transversely and longitudinally of the truck to prevent tipping of the bolster relative to the body, a swivel connection between the body on the bolster, and a draft connection between the bolster and truck frame at a level at least as low as the axles to provide low-level transmission of traction forces between the truck frame and bolster and thereby reduce axle-to-axle load transference and thereby improve adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: General Steel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William Clifford Jones, Jr., Robert E. Long
  • Patent number: 4040360
    Abstract: A six-wheel railway motor truck for swivelly supporting a locomotive body is connected to the same for the effective transmission thereto of draft and braking forces at a level at or near that of the rail whereby the vertical moment arm through which traction forces might act to tip the truck frame and thereby cause load transference from axle to axle is minimized, with corresponding minimization of such load transference. The truck comprises a rigid frame resiliently supported on the three axles, a body support bolster supported on the frame fore and aft of the middle axle for swivel about a point on the longitudinal center line of the truck, the central portion of the bolster above the middle axle being open to provide unobstructed access to the middle axle motor and to provide vertical clearance therefor while maintaining the bolster and overall truck height relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: General Steel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4040361
    Abstract: A six-wheel railway motor truck for swivelly supporting a locomotive body is connected to the same for the effective transmission thereto of draft and braking forces at a level at or near that of the rail whereby the vertical moment arm through which traction forces might act to tip the truck frame and thereby cause load transference from axle to axle is minimized, with corresponding minimization of such load transference. The truck comprises a rigid frame resiliently supported on the three axles, a body support bolster comprising longitudinally spaced transversely extending end members and transversely spaced longitudinally extending side members defining an open central portion above the middle axle for providing unobstructed access to the middle axle motor and sufficient vertical clearance therefor while maintaining the bolster and overall truck height relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: General Steel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith L. Jackson