Abstract: A friction stir welding (FSW) tool includes a pin, a housing, and a shoulder. The pin is configured to extend through a joint line between edges of two work pieces. The pin rotates to perform a FSW process that welds the two work pieces together at the joint line. The housing is coupled to a distal end of the pin to enable rotation of the pin relative to the housing. The pin extends through a support surface of the housing. The support surface contacts respective inner surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process. The shoulder surrounds the pin and is configured to be rotated during the FSW process. The shoulder contacts respective outer surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process such that the work pieces are sandwiched between the shoulder and the support surface of the housing.

Abstract: A track idler includes a body of revolution defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation. A first axial extremity and a second axial extremity are disposed along the axis of rotation. The body of revolution further includes an outboard track contact surface that is disposed axially proximate to the first axial extremity, and an inboard slot is disposed axially proximate to the second axial extremity.

Abstract: A cast steel railway wheel includes a hub that has an axial bore. A rim is concentric with the bore. A plate extends substantially radially from the hub to the rim. The plate has a front face and a rear face. The plate has a plurality of spokes that extend between the hub and the rim. Adjacent spokes have different thicknesses defined between the front face and the rear face.

Abstract: An axle spindle and wheel end assembly includes a precision-formed axle spindle, wheel hub, and axle spindle nut. The axle spindle is formed with parallel inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, a shoulder that is perpendicular to the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, and threads for a spindle nut that are aligned with the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces. The wheel hub is formed with inboard and outboard bearing surfaces that are in parallel alignment with one another, and bearing axial stop surfaces that are perpendicular to the wheel hub bearing surfaces. The spindle nut is formed with threads on its inner periphery and a flat inboard surface that is perpendicular to the threads. The axle spindle, wheel hub, and spindle nut cooperate to enable an axle spindle nut assembly to consistently provide a light preload on a bearing cone and spacer group of the wheel end assembly.

Abstract: An axle spindle and wheel end assembly includes a precision-formed axle spindle, wheel hub, and axle spindle nut. The axle spindle is formed with parallel inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, a shoulder that is perpendicular to the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, and threads for a spindle nut that are aligned with the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces. The wheel hub is formed with inboard and outboard bearing surfaces that are in parallel alignment with one another, and bearing axial stop surfaces that are perpendicular to the wheel hub bearing surfaces. The spindle nut is formed with threads on its inner periphery and a flat inboard surface that is perpendicular to the threads. The axle spindle, wheel hub, and spindle nut cooperate to enable an axle spindle nut assembly to consistently provide a light preload on a bearing cone and spacer group of the wheel end assembly.

Abstract: A brake support plate secures a caliper for disk brakes or the components of a drum brake to a wheel suspension or to a wheel axle. The brake support plate includes an axle opening with a snug-fit section for receiving an axle element, wherein the snug-fit section is slightly smaller than a corresponding section of the axle element. A circumference of the axle opening includes at least one discontinuation, such as, for example, a slot where the snug-fit section can be expanded for assembly. A securing element is disposed in such a manner as to decrease the discontinuation so that the snug-fit section returns to substantially its original size.

Abstract: A spindle body defining a central axis and having a hydraulic motor assembly operably mounted thereon. At least a portion of the hydraulic motor assembly is rotatable relative to the spindle body about the central axis. A plurality of hydraulic passages extend within the spindle body. Each of the passages includes axial and lateral sections. The axial sections are in fluid communication with the hydraulic motor assembly and define a first centerline extending substantially parallel with the central axis. Each of the lateral sections are in fluid communication with one of the axial sections and form a port on an outer surface of the spindle body. The lateral sections also each define a second centerline wherein the second centerlines are positioned in mutually parallel planes and each of the first centerlines and the central axis are substantially parallel with each of the mutually parallel planes. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for mounting a wheel on an axle housing in the form of an axle tube for vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles. The wheel is fixed with, for example, wheel bolts to a wheel hub, pivoting on the axle stub of the axle tube, and the axle stub is clamped on to an end section of the axle tube as a separate component. For simplicity of manufacture and assembly combined with functional durability, it is proposed that the end section of the axle tube is cylindrical on the inside and has at least one longitudinal slit, that the axle stub fits into the end section of the axle tube with an externally corresponding cylindrical connecting section, and that the end section of the axle tube is radially clamped on to the connecting section of the axle stub by means of at least one longitudinally continuously split clamping ring positioned on the end section of the axle tube.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for mounting a wheel on an axle housing in the form of an axle tube (1) for vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, whereby the wheel is fixed e.g. with wheel bolts to a wheel hub, pivoting on the axle stub (2) of the axle tube (1) and the axle stub (2) is clamped on to an end section (3) of the axle tube (1) as a separate component. For simplicity of manufacture and assembly combined with functional durability it is proposed that the end section (3) of the axle tube (1) is cylindrical on the inside and has at least one longitudinal slit (4), that the axle stub (2) fits into the end section (3) of the axle tube (1) with an externally corresponding cylindrical connecting section (5) and that the end section (3) of the axle tube (1) is radially clamped on to the connecting section (5) of the axle stub (2) by means of at least one longitudinally continuously split clamping ring (6) positioned on the end section (3) of the axle tube (1).

Abstract: A structure for standardizing at least one kind of part of a roller assembly for a construction vehicle so that the part can be used for a same size of construction vehicles having different structural specifications of a plurality of construction vehicle makers. The at least one kind of part includes at least one of a shell, a shaft, a floating seal, a bushing and a collar. Structural specifications including the configuration and dimension, the kind of steel or material, and the heat treatment specification or the mechanical property for the at least one kind of part are unified as much as possible over the same size of the construction vehicles of a plurality of construction vehicle makers.