Wheel Or Axle Drive Patents (Class 105/96)
  • Patent number: 11616418
    Abstract: A dual drive unit may include two motors, two power transfer mechanisms, and two output shafts. The output shafts are co-linear. The dual drive unit may include two single drive units, which may be similar to each other, coupled together at a joint, which may optionally include a clutch. A drive unit may be modular, and various components may be combined to provide power to an output shaft. For example, a drive unit may include a differential at a first interface, which may be removable, and two drive units may be coupled together at the first interface. A drive unit may have a Z configuration, wherein a motor on a first side of a vehicle powers a wheel on an opposite side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Mason Verbridge
  • Patent number: 11332103
    Abstract: A braking device and method utilizing gyroscopic braking to provide an improved braking device and method for obtaining desired amount of continuous braking power without directly converting kinetic energy into thermal energy which helps in reducing global warming and environmental pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ERKE ERKE ARASTIRMALARI VE MÜHENDISLIK A.S.
    Inventor: Mustafa Naci Öztürk
  • Patent number: 9352760
    Abstract: A tread surface cleaning system has a cleaning element mounted to a truck frame of a steering truck in a position facing a tread surface of a wheel. The cleaning element moves freely to come into contact with and to move away from the tread surface. A pressing-load application spring biases the cleaning element toward the tread surface and a stopper restrains the cleaning element from approaching the tread surface. A forward and backward movement of a wheel axle 2 in the travel direction caused by steering is used so that the cleaning element makes contact only on the inner rail side toward which the tread surface of the wheel approaches when passing through a curved section. The cleaning element does not make contact on the outer rail side from which the tread surface moves away when passing through a curved section and when traveling through a straight section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Shimokawa
  • Patent number: 9032881
    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 bolster assembly pivotally connected to the frame. The railway truck may also include a traction motor configured to drive the first axle. The railway truck may further include a torque reaction link connected between an end of the bolster assembly and a side of the traction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Goding
  • Publication number: 20140261061
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible direct-drive bogie and implements a flexible frame by using a flexible cross beam, so as to make it easy for left and right side-frames to nod relatively to adapt to a larger twist of a track. As the frame is flexible, a primary suspension of the present invention is simplified to a thin layer of rubber pad, so that the production cost is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Yongping Chu, Yongming Tang, Zunwei Feng, Dingxiang Hu, Rui Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140245920
    Abstract: There is provided a method of filtration for a rail vehicle or other off-highway powered system. The method includes determining a filter load of a primary filtration system to an air intake of an engine. The method also includes determining that the filter load exceeds a specified threshold. Additionally, the method includes de-activating the primary filtration system. The method further includes activating a secondary filtration system to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh Rama Reddy GOVINDAPPA, Lamar K. LEDBETTER
  • Publication number: 20140116288
    Abstract: A railway truck is disclosed for use with a locomotive. The railway truck may include a first axle, a second axle, and a plurality of wheels connected to each of the first and second axles, and an equalizer operatively supported by the first and second axles in a vertical direction. The railway truck may also include a frame having a top side configured to face a bolster assembly and a bottom side configured to face a track. The railway truck may further include a longitudinal traction link pivotally connected between the frame and the equalizer above the top side of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: David J. Goding
  • Publication number: 20140116287
    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 bolster assembly pivotally connected to the frame. The railway truck may also include a traction motor configured to drive the first axle. The railway truck may further include a torque reaction link connected between an end of the bolster assembly and a side of the traction motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Goding
  • Patent number: 8196520
    Abstract: A bogie for a locomotive comprising a bogie frame and at least one wheel set including two wheels, a wheel set gear, a wheel set shaft and a wheel set gear housing. A push/pull rod acts on one side of the bogie frame and on the other side of locomotive frame and transfers forces between the two. The gear housing of the wheel set exhibits a recess for the feeding through of the push/pull rod, the recess being bordered by walls which are integral with the remaining housing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Holzapfel, Michael Bachmann, Heike Smula, Heiko Mühlberg
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110000394
    Abstract: A railway vehicle drive unit (12) is a drive unit to rotatably drive a wheel (11) of a railway vehicle. More specifically, it includes a reducer housing (13) held on an inner diameter surface of the wheel (11), and integrally rotating with the wheel (11), an input side rotation member (14) connected to a drive source, a reducing mechanism (15) to reduce rotation speed of the input side rotation member (14) and transmit it to the reducer housing (13), a fixed member (23) arranged in the reducer housing (13) and connected and fixed to a vehicle body, axle bearings (24) and (25) to rotatably support the reducer housing 13 with respect to the fixed member (23), and lubricant oil circulating mechanisms (32) and (33) to circulate a lubricant oil between the reducing mechanism and the axle bearings (24) and (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Daisuke Miki, Yukihiro Kataoka, Takaya Adachi, Masahiro Yamada, Daisuke Goto, Kenji Tamada
  • Publication number: 20100192800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bogie for a locomotive with a bogie frame with at least one wheel set, comprising two wheels, a wheel set gear, a wheel set shaft and a wheel set gear housing; with a push/pull rod, which acts on one side on the bogie frame and on the other side on the locomotive frame and transfers forces between these two. The invention is characterized by the following features: the gear housing of the wheel set exhibits a recess for the feeding through of the push/pull rod; the recess is bordered by walls which are integral with the remaining housing walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Holzapfel, Michael Bachmann, Heike Smula, Heiko Muhlberg
  • Publication number: 20090095196
    Abstract: A system is provided for coupling two or more axles of a plurality of axles on a rail vehicle. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels and a rail track, where the plurality of wheels is received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a coupling device which is configured to couple the two or more axles to dynamically affect a force applied through the two or more axles. One or more characteristics of the force are selected to affect a traction performance of the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle travels along the rail track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: AJITH KUTTANNAIR KUMAR, BRET DWAYNE WORDEN
  • Publication number: 20090095197
    Abstract: A kit is provided for reconfiguring a rail vehicle from a first tractive effort configuration to a second tractive effort configuration. The rail vehicle travels along a rail track, and includes a plurality of axles with a plurality of wheels in contact with the rail track. The first tractive effort configuration of the rail vehicle includes a fixed respective weight of the plurality of axles on the rail track prior to the rail vehicle traveling along the rail track. The kit includes a device respectively coupled to at least one axle in the second tractive effort configuration. Upon operatively coupling the device to the respective axle, the device selectively imparts a force through the at least one axle to dynamically vary the respective weight of the at least one axle on the rail track to affect a traction performance of the rail vehicle in the second tractive effort configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: AJITH KUTTANNAIR KUMAR, BRET DWAYNE WORDEN
  • Publication number: 20090095195
    Abstract: A system is provided for dynamically affecting a force applied through at least one axle in a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of wheels, where the wheels are received by a plurality of axles. The plurality of wheels are configured to move along a respective rail of the rail track in a travel direction. The system includes a device configured to dynamically affect the force applied through the at least one axle. As the rail vehicle travels along the rail track, at least one characteristic of the force is selected to affect the traction performance of the rail vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: AJITH KUTTANNAIR KUMAR, Bret Dwayne Worden
  • Patent number: 7240622
    Abstract: In a conveying cart, a front side wheel (a front wheel) for supporting the conveying cart is provided with a travel driving unit (a front wheel inverter and a travel motor), and a rear side wheel (a rear wheel) for supporting the conveying cart is provided with a travel driving unit (a rear wheel inverter and a travel motor). When the conveying cart travels in a curve portion of a travel path, the travel driving unit for the front wheel of the conveying cart on which the center of gravity is located is subjected to speed control, and the travel driving unit for the rear wheel of the conveying cart that tends to float up is subjected to torque control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Koide
  • Patent number: 7191711
    Abstract: A shafting, particularly a cardan shaft for rail vehicles, has two cardan joints (4,5), each of which comprises two link forks (7–10) coupled to one another by a central part (6). The central part (6) comprises at least two partial elements (38.1,38.2) that are connected to one another in the peripheral direction in a rotationally fixed manner by a shaft-hub connection, and in a displaceable manner in the axial direction. The shafting further includes a rotary actuator (17) arranged in the central part for performing a torsional movement of the corresponding end areas of one of the two partial elements of the central part relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Lindenthal
  • Publication number: 20040107865
    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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Gernot Hohl
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030226470
    Abstract: A light rail unit train combination for the transport of bulk materials consisting of a plurality of connected cars open at each end except for the first and last cars, which have end plates. The train forms a long open trough and has a flexible flap attached to each car and overlapping the car in front to prevent spillage during movement. The lead car has four wheels and tapered side drive plates in the front of the car to facilitate entry into the drive stations. The cars that follow have two wheels with a clevis hitch connecting the front to the rear of the car immediately forward. Forward motion is provided by a series of appropriately placed drive motors on either side of the track which are AC electric motors with drive means to provide frictional contact with said side drive plates. An AC inverter and controller is connected to every pair of drive motors whereby said motors are synchronized and both the voltage and frequency can be modified as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Merton F. Dibble, James J. Hazen
  • Patent number: 6659015
    Abstract: The invention relates to an idler wheel arrangement for rail vehicles, consisting of a wheel (2) rotatably mounted on an axle stub (4) of an axle (6), in particular of a cranked straddle axle, and having an inside (12) facing the axle (6) and an opposite outside (16) and of holding means for three functional devices, specifically for an earth-contact arrangement (18), a transmitter arrangement (20) of an anti-slip device and a braking device (22). The holding means having a carrier element (24) fixedly connected on the end face to the axle stub (4) on the outside (16) of the wheel (2). The carrier element (24) has reception means for fixed components (18a, 20a, 22a) of all three functional devices (18, 20, 22), the wheel (2) being assigned reception means for correspondingly associated components (18b, 20b, 22b), rotating with the wheel (2), of the three functional devices (18, 20, 22), in adaptation to the arrangement of the fixed components (18a, 20a, 22a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Gutehoffnugshutte Radsatz GmbH
    Inventors: Thaddäus Kasprzyk, Thomas Timmermann, Bernd Wienkopf
  • Patent number: 6644213
    Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Muth
  • Publication number: 20020189490
    Abstract: The invention relates to an idler wheel arrangement for rail vehicles, consisting of a wheel (2) rotatably mounted on an axle stub (4) of an axle (6), in particular of a cranked straddle axle, and having an inside (12) facing the axle (6) and an opposite outside (16) and of holding means for three functional devices, specifically for an earth-contact arrangement (18), a transmitter arrangement (20) of an anti-slip device and a braking device (22). The holding means having a carrier element (24) fixedly connected on the end face to the axle stub (4) on the outside (16) of the wheel (2). The carrier element (24) has reception means for fixed components (18a, 20a, 22a) of all three functional devices (18, 20, 22), the wheel (2) being assigned reception means for correspondingly associated components (18b, 20b, 22b), rotating with the wheel (2), of the three functional devices (18, 20, 22), in adaptation to the arrangement of the fixed components (18a, 20a, 22a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Thaddaus Kasprzyk, Thomas Timmermann, Bernd Wienkopf
  • Patent number: 6457419
    Abstract: A train axle system with movable wheels, comprising an axle whose necks, where the wheels are positioned, are provided with a toothing formed with straight teeth having axial generators, the inner part of the wheel hubs having a similar toothing so that the rotating wheel is joined to the axle when it occupies positions corresponding to two track gauges, the axial blocking of the wheel being carried out by means of an outer locking bolt, there being attached to the end of the axle an external bearing (1) which supports the vertical load through a supporting part, the hub of the wheel (R) having a tubular extension with a central roller bearing (3) and two axial bearings (4), there being attached on the central bearing (3) a part (5) with protuberances (6) which assist in immobilising the wheel in each track gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Patentes Talgo, S.A.
    Inventors: José Luis Lopez Gomez, Julio Frutos Aguado, José Borrajo Mora
  • Patent number: 6443071
    Abstract: A drive bogie includes axles, a chassis and a device for driving each axle, including a motor, a reduction gearbox and a transmission coupling between the motor and the reduction gearbox, with a support mechanism being provided to allow the vehicle to support the drive device. The support mechanism for supporting the drive device comprises a suspension for suspending the reduction gearbox from the body of the vehicle, the suspension being articulated to the reduction gearbox or to the body, a device for articulating the motor to the chassis of the bogie about a roughly horizontal axis, and a device for connecting the motor to the reduction gearbox, the connecting device being articulated both to the motor and to the reduction gearbox. Thus, most of the mass of the reduction gearbox and of the motor is suspended vertically from the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventor: Gilbert Boivin
  • Publication number: 20020104458
    Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Muth
  • Publication number: 20020069786
    Abstract: A traveling cleaner (12) for a textile manufacturing plant, the carriage of which has a carrying structure (18) supported on three running wheels (1, 2, 3). The running wheels (1, 2, 3) are suspended on wheel suspension units (20) and are arranged in a triangle in relation to one another, in such a way that the first running wheel (1) runs on a first rail (14) and the second running wheel (2) and the third running wheel (3) run one behind the other on a second rail (16). The rails (14, 16) form a runway (10) for the traveling cleaner (12) and are arranged next to one another above textile machines of the textile manufacturing plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Arnold Keller, Werner Zemp, Christian Durig
  • Patent number: 6371031
    Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventor: James C Muth
  • 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: 6305296
    Abstract: A conveyor belt structure (10) has a pair of longitudinally extending tracks or stringers (11) upon which trolleys can ride. A power pack trolley (12) also rides stringers (11). The trolley (12) has stringer-engaging wheels (14) and a power pack supported upon a frame. The power pack might be a rechargeable battery or a generator for example. The power pack trolley (12) also includes a motor or motors to drive its wheels (14). A captivation (30) is affixed to a bogie arm (31). Attached to the lower edge of the mounting plate (32) is a horizontal plate (34). A flange (36) is angularly offset with respect to the plane of the plate (35). Should one of the wheels (17) of the trolley (16) become derailed from stringer (11), one or both of plates (34 and 35) of the captivation bracket (30) will strike the stringer (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Southem Engineering PTY LTD
    Inventors: Gordon Binner Wilkinson, Keith Michael Robinson
  • Publication number: 20010007230
    Abstract: A drive bogie includes axles, a chassis and a device for driving each axle, including a motor, a reduction gearbox and a transmission coupling between the motor and the reduction gearbox, with a support mechanism being provided to allow the vehicle to support the drive device. The support mechanism for supporting the drive device comprises a suspension for suspending the reduction gearbox from the body of the vehicle, the suspension being articulated to the reduction gearbox or to the body, a device for articulating the motor to the chassis of the bogie about a roughly horizontal axis, and a device for connecting the motor to the reduction gearbox, the connecting device being articulated both to the motor and to the reduction gearbox. Thus, most of the mass of the reduction gearbox and of the motor is suspended vertically from the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: Gilbert Boivin
  • Patent number: 6161485
    Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of end rails (12a, 12c) fixed to a support surface and one or more intermediate rails (12b) located parallel to and between the pair of end rails (12a, 12c). At least one carriage (10) is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails (12a-c). The carriage (10) includes an elongated frame (17) that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels (23) and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft (35) which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft (35) and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear (33) on the shaft which has a substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of driven gears (29) on the units. An electric motor (41) is operatively connected to the drive shaft (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventor: James C Muth
  • Patent number: 5941174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an axle, or a pair of axles forming a bogie, motorized and having wheels that rotate independently, which axle is connected to a body or a corridor connection of a vehicle either via a load-bearing cross-member, or directly via the suspension systems, the wheels of the axle being mounted to rotate independently, wherein the entire set of members that transmit motion between the motor(s) and the wheels is disposed in a load-bearing axle assembly referred to as a "stepdown gear assembly" which simultaneously performs the functions of bearing the load, of driving the axle, and of transmitting the motor torque, wherein the motor or each of the motors has its axis parallel to the axis of the axle, and wherein a large amount of modularity exists between the single-motor version and the one-motor-per-wheel version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Transport SA
    Inventor: Alain Rodet
  • Patent number: 5904102
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a driven loose wheel axle with individually mounted wheels for single-axle or double-axle chassis for rail-borne vehicles, especially for chassis or bogies on low-platform vehicles, wherein a drive is fastened to the chassis frame on the outside on each longitudinal side of the chassis and the drive is connected to the corresponding loose wheel via a cardanic double coupling. According to the present invention, a wheel-carrying frame (1) with contact surfaces (14) for the primary spring system surrounds the two wheels (2) from the outside; the driven interface (3) of the cardanic double coupling is arranged on the inner side of the wheel and the drive interface of the cardanic double coupling is arranged outside the wheel-carrying frame. The cardan shaft (5) provides a connection between the drive interface and the driven interface (3) and is led through a central opening of the wheel (2) and of the wheel-carrying frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Gutehoffnungshutte Radsatz GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Brinkmann, Thaddaus Kasprzyk
  • 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: 5596937
    Abstract: It is frequently observed that when a real locomotive starts up, the front set of drive wheels commences to turn before the rear set of drive wheels begins to turn. The present invention is a simple device that permits this effect to be simulated in a model locomotive. The electric motor of the model locomotive drives a worm which turns a first gear. A second gear is mounted on the same shaft as the first gear but is not otherwise connected to the first gear. From the side of the first gear that faces the second gear, a pin extends at a particular radius. Similarly, two pins extend at the particular radius from the side of the second gear that faces the first gear. When the motor starts, the first gear turns immediately, but rotation of the second gear is delayed until the pin on the first gear strikes one of the pins on the second gear. In this way a delayed rotary motion is imparted to the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: William J. McKown
  • Patent number: 5562043
    Abstract: A system for moving a work element along a work surface for performing work thereon includes an elongated track of flexible plastic material formed with gear teeth along one edge thereof. A carriage having a drive motor and a drive wheel driven thereby, is moved along the track by the drive wheel engaging the gear teeth. The drive wheel is connected to the drive motor by an eccentric cam mechanism. The work element is carried by the carriage and preferably is a high-pressure fluid cutting device. The track is formed of a flexible plastic material such as a linear high density polyethylene, enabling it to bend and conform to the work surface, and has a second elongated strip of plastic material movably secured to the track and extending longitudinally therealong. A series of magnets are mounted on the track for adhering the track to the work surface. The magnets are attached to the track by fasteners extending through slotted openings in the second strip of the track when conforming to the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Valley Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry D. Gromes
  • Patent number: 5448952
    Abstract: A driving mechanism is disposed in the bottom of a door for driving the door and includes a reduction gearing and a motor fixed to the door, and a gear coupled to the reduction gearing and engaged with two shafts for rotatably supporting the wheels of the door so as to apply a downward force to the pinions in order to prevent the wheels moving upward away from the tracks. A retaining device is fixed to one of the tracks or fixed to the ground and has an opening for engaging with one of the pinions so as to maintain the door in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Gin-Shan Hung
  • Patent number: 5220847
    Abstract: In a drive with twin helical drive gears on an axle driven by a motor with pinions at either end wherein the moto housing and axle housing are axially located by a key in mating keyways, an offset key is used to obtain axial housing adjustment by the amount of the key offset. The pinions are mounted to the motor with their teeth substantially aligned and the gears are mounted to the axle with their teeth substantially aligned, and the housings are axially positioned by an offset key to compensate for errors in tooth alignment to assure that gear backlash is centralized on both ends of the motor when the rotor is substantially centered in its range of end play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Bien
  • Patent number: 5148754
    Abstract: A carriage lock selectively enables and prevents a mobile carriage from moving along rails embedded in a building floor. The mobile carriage includes a shaft on which are rotatably mounted a driver sprocket, a hub, and a handwheel. The hub mates with the driver sprocket. A chain and sprocket mechanism connects the driver sprocket with the carriage wheels such that rotation of the handwheel and hub causes the carriage to move along the rails. A locking knob is loosely captured between the hub and handwheel for being manually rotated through a predetermined angle relative to the hub and handwheel. A pin is translatable within the hub parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis. The pin has a head that is received within a selected one of two angularly spaced depressions in a cam formed on the locking knob. The depressions are also spaced apart in the direction of the shaft longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Tab Products Company
    Inventors: Richard Lahti, Kent Thomas
  • Patent number: 5133265
    Abstract: A mobile carriage is movable along rails by manual rotation of a handwheel. The mobile carriage comprises a visual indicator that instantly informs a person of the locked or unlocked status of the mobile carriage. The visual indicator comprises at least one ridge on the handwheel and another ridge on a locking knob. The locking knob is loosely captured between the handwheel and a hub for selective rotation relative thereto between first and second end positions. The locking knob has a cam that slides a pin within the hub between first and second positions whereat the pin disengages and engages a stationary lock plate. When the locking knob is manually rotated to the first end position thereof, the pin disengages from the lock plate to enable handwheel rotation and carriage movement. Manually rotating the locking knob to the second end position thereof causes the pin to engage the lock plate and prevent handwheel rotation and carriage movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Tab Products Company
    Inventors: Richard Lahti, Kent Thomas
  • Patent number: 4913060
    Abstract: A running gear for an electric rolling stock has coupling devices for coupling the output shafts of traction motors to the input shafts of reduction devices which are provided with electrically resistive elements so as to prevent return current from flowing therethrough. Therefore, the coupling devices possess a higher level of resistance than the grounding resistance of the grounding devices, thereby enabling any return current to be prevented from flowing through the coupling devices. Thus, the running device can be kept free from electrolytic corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sekine, Haruhisa Fujita, Sadafumi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4799431
    Abstract: An improved truck mounting mechanism for a model railroad locomotive includes a gimbal body fixed to a wheel-bearing truck frame. A gimbal mount is provided for receiving the gimbal body. The gimbal mount is flexibly secured to the locomotive chassis and the gimbal mount and gimbal body are constructed and arranged to provide three-axis movement of the truck frame relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Kadee Metal Products Co.
    Inventors: Clarence K. Edwards, Lawrence D. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4545303
    Abstract: A monorail conveyor system in which an automotive cart comprising a drive wheel, a drive motor for driving the drive wheel, a gear case where output of the driving motor is reduced, and centering rollers rotatable on vertical axes, receives electric currents and control signals from a hollow rail and travels along the hollow rail. The driving motor has an output shaft extending in the forward-rearward direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Fujita, Naoyuki Kiuchi, Tomoyuki Sasaki, Kazuyoshi Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 4388872
    Abstract: A bogie for rail cars comprises a traverse which has a portion at each side which extends forwardly and rearwardly and includes a central pin which is engaged in a support box of a half bogie. Each side of the traverse carries a pin which engages in the support box of an associated bogie and the bogie is capable of some vertical and horizontal rotation in respect to the pin. The traverse is supported on springs which extend between the overlying traverse and the underlying bogie at a longitudinally spaced location from the pin. Forward and rear wheel sets are supported in the associated bogies at respective ends thereof and they carry a driving motor therebetween having a planetary gearing which is connected to drive the associated wheels of each set. The bogies are advantageously interconnected by transversely extending tie rods arranged at spaced longitudinal locations in respect to the support pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
    Inventors: Hansjochen Girod, Gerhard Korn
  • Patent number: 4222694
    Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a self-propelled industrial car for use in transporting hot or cold rolled steel coils having two pair of non-flanged wheels engageable with a track or flat surface, the guiding thereof being affected by a pair of guide rollers for each pair of wheels received in a guiding slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Wean United, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick W. A. Ward