Abstract: A powered bogie for a railway vehicle, including one or more motors mounted on the bogie chassis, the front and rear reducing gears being arranged between, on the one hand, a longitudinal plane midway between the two front wheels and midway between the two rear wheels and, on the other hand, a longitudinal plane passing through the front wheel and the rear wheel situated on the same, first transverse side of the bogie is provided.

Abstract: A frame is disclosed for use with a railway truck having a plurality of support springs. The frame may have a bottom section with a plurality of first openings configured to receive the plurality of support springs, and a middle section welded to the bottom section. The frame may also have a top section spaced apart from the bottom section and welded to the middle section. The top section may have a plurality of second openings configured to register with the plurality of first openings in the bottom section, and a plurality of protrusions extending away from the middle section at the plurality of second openings to enclose exposed ends of the plurality of support springs.

Abstract: A rail vehicle has at least one bogie and an electrical supply device with a fuse protection apparatus, a distributing apparatus, which is arranged in the rail vehicle interior and which is electrically connected to the fuse protection apparatus. A first housing is arranged in the rail vehicle under floor area and includes electrical components that are electrically connected to the distributing apparatus. The bogie, viewed in the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, is arranged between the distributing apparatus and the first housing. In order to provide a generic rail vehicle for which short cable paths are achieved and doubling of cables is avoided in a bogie area, the fuse protection apparatus is arranged in a second housing different from the first housing. The first and second housings, relative to the direction, are arranged on both sides of the bogie.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of energy storage and electrical motorization to be installed on a towed car of a convoy. The system includes an energy storage module having the capacity to receive energy, to accumulate the energy over time and to restore the energy upon request in electrical form; a motor/generator transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa. An acceleration detector is configured to generate a first signal, the first signal indicating an acceleration undergone by the car. A controller establishes for establishing commands and provides control signals to different system components according to the first signal energy storage module accumulating or restoring the energy to the electrical converter. The controller is configured to cause the motor/generator to progressively apply a tractive force in response to the first signal, the tractive force being an increasing function of the acceleration indicated by the first signal.

Abstract: In a bogie frame, a lateral beam disposed in the left-right direction which is the direction in which the rail ties extend is joined to left and right side beams arranged so as to extend in the front-rear direction which is the direction in which the rails extend. The lateral beam has a flat shape having a width in the front-rear direction greater than the thickness thereof in the top-bottom direction, and the lateral beam is provided with left and right joining sections joined to the side beams, and also with an intermediate section sandwiched between the left and right joining sections. The width of the intermediate section in the front-rear direction is greater than the width of the joining sections in the front-rear direction. A through-hole is formed in the intermediate section.

Abstract: A railway truck is disclosed for use with a locomotive. The railway truck may include a first axle, a second axle, a plurality of wheels connected to each of the first and second axles, a frame connecting the first and second axles, and a plurality of traction motors. The railway truck may also include a bolster assembly pivotally connected to the frame. The bolster assembly may include a hollow bolster having an inlet and a plurality of outlets in communication with the inlet. The plurality of outlets may generally correspond to the locations of each of the plurality of traction motors. The hollow bolster may also include a flexible bellow extending between each of the plurality of outlets and each of the plurality of traction motors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle drive apparatus configured to drive a vehicle includes a motor arranged on a bogie to drive a wheel, a cooling fan arranged to be rotatable integrally with a rotational shaft of the motor to cool the motor, a control device arranged under a floor of the body to face the bogie and configured to supply an electric power to the motor and control the motor, and a ventilation duct arranged between the motor and the control device and configured to guide a cooling wind blown by the cooling fan into the control device.

Abstract: A method for limiting the angle between the longitudinal axes of car bodies of a multi-part rail vehicle connected to each other via a joint, wherein each car body is supported on only one bogie. The angle is actively influenced by an electrically controlled activation member connected to the joint, until the angle assumes a setpoint value. The setpoint value is determined from the pivot angles (relative angles) of the bogies relative to the associated car bodies.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are assembled into trailer assemblies at an assembly area. Trailers containing freight are assembled into trailer assembles using specialized dollies. A preferred embodiment includes using a self-powered dolly having tires and mounting a fifth-wheel pickup plate and a ring coupler for engaging the kingpin of a trailer. Multiple dolly-trailer assemblies are connected together to form a trailer assembly. A self-powered movable ramp is positioned at an end of the railcar assembly and a tractor pulls the trailer assembly onto a railcar assembly by driving up a self-powered movable ramp and across the top of the railcars.

Abstract: A locomotive (or other rail vehicle) truck and method for distributing weight asymmetrically to axles of the truck includes a first axle of a truck uncoupled from a traction system of the locomotive and a first suspension assembly coupling the first axle to the truck for applying to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight. The truck also includes a second axle coupled to the traction system and a second suspension assembly coupling the second axle to the truck for applying a second portion of the locomotive weight to the second axle that is greater than the first portion so that weight is asymmetrically distributed to the first axle and the second axle so as to transmit a corresponding incremental amount of tractive effort for a given amount of a driving torque applied to the second axle via the traction system of the locomotive. The axle weight distribution involves relatively slight weight distribution compared to the nominal weights normally carried by the axles.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A bogie (1) for a railway vehicle includes a motor (4) having a casing (6) fastened to two beams (2) of the bogie, the motor shaft (12) being arranged parallel to these beams (2), secondary suspensions (14) and a weight-bearing crosspiece (16) resting on the secondary suspensions (14). The bogie (1) includes a set of end supports (24) and stops (26) arranged on the casing (6) of the motor (4) and on the weight-bearing crosspiece (16).

Abstract: A motor or generator housing for electric traction including a cast housing body with cast or welded fastening areas circumferentially spaced on the envelope surface adapted to be mounting areas for attachment lugs, safety noses, air duct channels or terminal boxes. A bogie attachment device and a safety nose device adapted to be fixed to a motor housing is also contemplated. The devices have attachment areas formed to attach and be fixable to the attachment areas of the motor housing. A motor or generator including such housing is further contemplated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle drive apparatus configured to drive a vehicle includes a motor arranged on a bogie to drive a wheel, a cooling fan arranged to be rotatable integrally with a rotational shaft of the motor to cool the motor, a control device arranged under a floor of the body to face the bogie and configured to supply an electric power to the motor and control the motor, and a ventilation duct arranged between the motor and the control device and configured to guide a cooling wind blown by the cooling fan into the control device.

Abstract: A rail vehicle has a powered bogie, wherein the powered bogie has driven wheels. Each driven wheel of the powered bogie can be driven by an electric machine, with a power converter being assigned to the electric machine. As a result, a separate power converter is assigned to each driven wheel.

Abstract: An air cushion or wheeled overhead guideway mass transit system is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for modification of a baseline ballast arrangement of a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) having an overall tractive effort rating based on symmetrical distribution of weight and driving torque applied by the locomotive to the respective axles of the locomotive. The system includes a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) truck comprising an un-powered first axle and a powered second axle. The system also includes a first suspension assembly configured to apply to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight and a second suspension assembly configured to apply to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight different from the first portion. An amount of locomotive weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle allows modification of a baseline ballast arrangement by reducing an amount of ballast in the baseline ballast arrangement corresponding to the amount of weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle.

Abstract: Quasi-autonomous system of energy storage and electrical motorization that can be installed on carrying axles or bogies of railway cars or road trailers to provide a tractive effort or electrical braking without an external power supply and assemblies, convoys and trains. The recharging energy of the energy storage system is principally obtained from regenerative braking and generated by the inertia of the convoy or by the traction of the convoy motor coach; the stored energy is returned as tractive effort when necessary. The system has a controller independent of all external control.

Abstract: A locomotive (or other rail vehicle) truck and method for distributing weight asymmetrically to axles of the truck includes a first axle of a truck uncoupled from a traction system of the locomotive and a first suspension assembly coupling the first axle to the truck for applying to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight. The truck also includes a second axle coupled to the traction system and a second suspension assembly coupling the second axle to the truck for applying to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight greater than the first portion so that weight is asymmetrically distributed to the first axle and the second axle so as to transmit a corresponding incremental amount of tractive effort for a given amount of a driving torque applied to the second axle via the traction system of the locomotive. The axle weight distribution involves relatively slight weight distribution compared to the nominal weights normally carried by the axles.

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).

Abstract: A railway vehicle including two end bogies is provided. Each end bogie includes a chassis; two front wheels and two rear wheels; for each front wheel and each rear wheel, guide for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis on the guide. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected by a first connection point to the chassis, and by a second connection point to the corresponding guide, 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 end bogie includes pivot connector suitable for connecting the end bogie to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for modification of a baseline ballast arrangement of a locomotive having an overall tractive effort rating based on symmetrical distribution of weight and driving torque applied by the locomotive to the respective axles of the locomotive. The system includes a locomotive truck comprising an un-powered first axle and a powered second axle. The system also includes a first suspension assembly configured to apply to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight and a second suspension assembly configured to apply to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight different from the first portion. An amount of locomotive weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle allows modification of a baseline ballast arrangement by reducing an amount of ballast in the baseline ballast arrangement corresponding to the amount of weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle.

Abstract: A locomotive truck and method for distributing weight asymmetrically to axles of the truck includes a first axle of a locomotive truck uncoupled from a traction system of the locomotive and a first suspension assembly coupling the first axle to the truck for applying to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight. The truck also includes a second axle coupled to the traction system and a second suspension assembly coupling the second axle to the truck for applying to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight greater than the first portion so that weight is asymmetrically distributed to the first axle and the second axle so as to transmit a corresponding incremental amount of tractive effort for a given amount of a driving torque applied to the second axle via the traction system of the locomotive.

Abstract: To provide an electric rolling stock driving apparatus allowing for an enhanced reliability of rolling stock system, a main motor 14 for driving an electric rolling stock, a VVVF inverter 13 for driving the main motor, and a brake controller 12 for controlling braking forces of wheels 16 are provided within a driving truck 9, allowing for an improvement in reliability of a rolling stock system that otherwise might have deficiencies such as an increased rolling stock manufacture term or an increased trouble restoration time by a complicated implementation of wiring due to an arrangement according to a relevant art in which, for driving a rolling stock, associated apparatuses are separately mounted to a car body and a truck.

Abstract: A traction drive, in particular for rail cars, includes a permanent-excited synchronous motor, a traction converter with a pulsed inverter for powering the motor, and ohmic brake resistors. Cross-over switches are connected with a corresponding input terminal of the motor and can switch the input terminal between a corresponding output terminal of the pulsed inverter (for travel) and a terminal of a corresponding brake resistor (for braking). The brake resistors are electrically connected in a star configuration. The traction drive can operate with different supply voltages. There is no longer a need for a mechanical brake, and flat spots on the wheels can be prevented.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An arrangement for self-steering, radial bogie, truck or vehicle frame for locomotives and other railroad vehicles, which mount unitized brakes to steering beams located either ahead and/or behind their respective leading and trailing wheelsets.

Abstract: A motor bogie for a rail vehicle having an integral low-slung floor, the motor bogie having a frame resting on four wheels via a primary suspension, the frame supporting at least one motor disposed on one side of the frame and connected to at least one wheel via transmission, wherein each wheel has an individual wheel shaft supported by an axle box, and wherein the transmission comprise a gear unit coupled directly to the shaft of the wheel and a telescopic transmission of the type having a double universal joint and disposed between the gear unit and the motor, the gear unit being placed outside the wheel, and having a casing incorporating the axle box of the shaft of the wheel, the casing of the gear unit serving as a support element for supporting a primary suspension member on which the frame bears.

Abstract: A railroad drive system for transporting, along a railroad track, a vehicle trailer having a front king pin and a rear king pin downwardly projecting from a lower surface thereof in vertically spaced relation above the railroad track includes a drive assembly having motorized wheels including a pair of differential axles. The drive assembly is carried on a support frame and operatively engages the railroad track and a front fifth wheel and a rear fifth wheel carried by said support frame and having a first position vertically below the lower surface of the trailer. A lifting assembly operatively selectively raises the front fifth wheel and the rear fifth wheel into coupled relationship with the king pins. An operator control station extends laterally outward of said support frame between said axles for operating the drive and lifting assemblies.

Abstract: A truck for a railway vehicle has a truck frame with four individual wheels, which are mounted so that they can rotate around horizontal axles, and whereby one wheel pair is driven. To be able to negotiate tight curves with minimal wear, maximum safety and low construction costs, and to be able to achieve higher speeds on straight segments of track, the driven wheel pair can be steered radially with respect to the curve around a common vertical axis as a function of a setpoint determined by a sensor system, while the non-driven individual wheels are combined into a self-steering individual wheel module so that they can each pivot around their own vertical axes, and can be coupled together so that they are synchronized by means of a steering device.

Abstract: The rake is made up of at least two vehicles with two levels and includes on-board equipment items including at least one traction motor power supply unit, motive power supply units, auxiliary power supply units and a device adapted to be connected to a power supply network. At least one vehicle includes at least one motor bogie and at least one carrying bogie; at least one carrying bogie of the rake is associated with at least one of said on-board equipment items disposed approximately over it; the ratio between the respective motive power factors of any two groups of two vehicles of the rake is not less than ⅓ and not more than 3. The rake is for carrying passengers.

Abstract: The two axle locomotive of this invention includes a diesel engine directly coupled to a generator for generating power to a single electrical traction motor. Preferably, the drive motor is an AC traction motor which drives both axles of the locomotive using a single drive shaft assembly with a drive shaft affixed to an armature of the AC traction motor. Power to the AC traction motor is controlled by using a variable frequency alternating current control system. Auxiliary equipment power is also provided by the AC generator. In addition, by reversing the current in the AC traction motor the motor becomes an AC braking motor. Changes in the traction ability of each axle resulting from weight transfer between the two axles is automatically compensated for by the single drive shaft assembly. The suspension system includes a locomotive frame supported by the pair of axles using elastomeric springs, which also provides dynamic damping to limit the motion of the locomotive.