Abstract: Wheels for goods wagons with small and large diameters, in addition to wheel sets equipped with wheels of this type for running gear, which are dependent on a highly passive radial positioning when negotiating curves and must remain stable at high speed. The inventive wheel profile is characterized as a result of the relatively large entry radius into the transition area from the running surface to the wheel flange by a low equivalent conicity. This enables a quieter running of the wheel set when the latter is travelling in a straight line. In curves, there is a sufficient rolling circle differential, permitting less wear and tear.

Abstract: A section of a train wheel tread is formed into a continuous hyperbolic curve to respond asymptotically to changes in the path of a rail, thus, dampening lateral oscillation of the train wheels back and forth across rail. The hyperbolic curve at a minimum extends from a taping line to a wheel lift point. However, for further dampening effects the hyperbolic curve is extended from a fillet section across the taping line toward the field side of the wheel. Two tires having the same hyperbolic profile work in conjunction as a feedback system to dampen lateral oscillation while at the same time saving energy, reducing tire and rail wear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-steering single-axle bogie for trackbound vehicles comprising one single wheel set (8) and wherein each wheel (8a, 8b) is rigidly connected to an intermediate wheel axle (14), wherein the wheel set (8) is attached rigidly or by means of springs (10) to a bogie frame (2), which is rotatably arranged around a vertical axis. Further, the bogie is joined to the car body (4) of the vehicle via at least one toggle link (16) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and preventing the bogie from tilting, or nodding, in the vertical longitudinal plane through the vehicle. The wheels (8a, 8b) exhibit conical or saddle-shaped treads (18), with an elevated conicity at least in the tread (18) nearest the wheel flange, the wheel set (8) being guided into approximate radial alignment in the track through the combined effect of the conicity of the wheels (8a, 8b) in the tread (18) and the frictional forces which act between wheels (8a, 8b) and rails (20a, 20b).

Abstract: To achieve low wear and hence a greater shape durability of track parts, it is proposed that the contact surface of a track part have a curvature having a constant difference .DELTA.K in relation to the curvature of the corresponding current contact surface of the wheel supported on it, or that successive contact surfaces of the track part and the wheel have a continually changing curvature difference .DELTA.K with the curvature difference between the contact surfaces of the track part and wheel lessening as the angle of contact tangent increases.

Abstract: A mobile storage system includes mobile carriages that roll on rails embedded in a building floor. The carriages are driven along the rails by at least two flanged wheels that engage a grooved rail. The flanged wheels are preferably mounted in parallel channels located at the center of the carriages. The flanged wheels are driven in synchronization by a sprocket and chain drive. Either electric or manual power may be provided. In both cases, the sproket and chain drive is adjustable to provide proper chain tension to the wheels to improve tracking. Chain adjustment may be accomplished by an idler sprocket movably mounted to a carriage channel.

Abstract: An improved railway vehicle wheel profile and method for controlling the distribution of lubricant applied to the wheel flange in a manner to minimize contamination of the rail running surface with lubricant.

Abstract: A robot carrier structure constituted by a portal wagon movable on rails and laterially supported by a pair of carriages each comprising a pair of wheels longitudinally coupled by motion transmission means actuated in synchronism by an electric motor. Further the two electric motors of the pair of carriages are so connected as to constitute an electric axis. Each wheel has a structure adapted to ensure a high adherence to the rail, particularly due to the provision of a pair of rings of elastomeric material engaging the rolling surface of the rail.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle has an inverted U-shaped body with the bight being a horizontal load supporting surface. A pair of wheels is supported by each leg of the body. A friction drive wheel for contact with a drive shaft is supported by the body. An accumulation bumper is provided adjacent a front end of the body and a cam is supported adjacent the rear end of the body.

Abstract: A profiled wheel tread for use with self-steering wheelsets, the tread having a running surface, a wheel flange, a taping line passing through the running surface, and a running zone between the taping line and the wheel flange. The invention provides that the effective conicity across the running zone being the rate of increase of rolling diameter decreases from the taping line towards the wheel flange. In another form the effective conicity initially increases from the taping line, reaches a maximum at a lateral deflection of between 1.5 and 4 mm, and then decreases towards the wheel flange. The wheel flange is thinner than normal to increase the gauge clearance. Improvements are thereby obtained in wheel tread wear and rail wear by minimizing creep forces; in hunting stability, because the effective conicity at maximum lateral deflection is low; and in steering ability, because of a high average conicity and increased gauge clearance.

Abstract: An improved railway car wheelset having a novel wheel configuration that permits greatly improved performance on existing and improved track. This means that substantially higher rolling speeds can be achieved without loss of stability and while maintaining the ability of the wheelset to self center and self steer. The improved performance is enabled primarily by forming the track engaging surface of each wheel of the wheelset with an outward arcuate projection also referred to herein as the convex annular portion of the wheel. This wheel configuration operates to reduce the magnitude of the effects that occur when disturbances cause the wheelset to deviate from centered position on the track.

Abstract: An axle and wheel assembly particularly adapted for railcar usage is disclosed as having a metal-foam construction that is light in weight but of a relatively high strength. The axle includes an elongated hollow steel outer axle member and an elongated hollow steel inner axle member received within the outer axle member with the foam injected therebetween so as to cure and bond to the members and function as a load bearing element therebetween. Adhesion between the axle members and the foam is increased by applying an adhesive to the members prior to the injection of the foam. An intermediate portion of the outer axle member between ends of the axle includes outwardly deformed ribs that increase the cross-sectional area thereof without increasing the weight to enhance the lightweight and high strength characteristics of the axle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rail intended to constitute a tread for heavy duty rolling stock, such as gantry cranes, mounted on wheels or rollers and concerns more specifically a guide rail on which both center-flange wheels or rollers, and lateral-flange wheels, as used on railway lines roll, comprising, in section, two integrally formed spaced heads running parallel to each other, the two heads having vertical inner side walls and being separated by a horizontal intermediate channel whose bottom constitutes a horizontal connecting strip.

Abstract: A railcar running gear or a wheel unit for railcars with at least two essentially parallel axles with two wheels on each axle is provided for, of which the front two wheels have a roll surface touching the rail that is slightly tapered so that the smaller diameter of the roll surface is located at the outside and the larger diameter of the roll surface is located at the inside of the wheel, and the rear two wheels have a roll surface touching the rail that is slightly tapered so that the smaller diameter of the roll surface is located at the inside and the larger diameter of the roll surface is located at the outside of the wheel.

Abstract: A damping suspension for a railway truck having load-bearing members supported on at least two live wheelsets which are self-steering and which are directly interconnected to couple their yawing movements in opposite senses. The wheelsets are self-steering in that they each have profiled treads of high effective conicity and each is suspended by resilient elements having a low elastic yaw constraint to the load-bearing members. The yaw constraints imposed by the resilient elements are lower than the steering forces generated on the wheelsets on curved track as a result of the tread profile. The coupling between the wheelsets takes the form of diagonally connected resilient members for ensuring that the wheelsets do not oscillate in phase with the load-bearing members to thereby damp any hunting oscillations that may tend to occur.

Abstract: The under surface of an adapter journal box rests upon an assembly composed of semi-annular semi-spherical members consisting of a lower one resting on the outer race of the axle bearing complex, an upper one meeting the top inner face of the adapter journal box, and an intermediate one which is resilient and which may be of thick elastomer. The said assembly lies above and is endwise centered on two opposed and relatively strong resilient abutments, each between one side wall of the adapter journal box and the outer race of the axle bearing complex and which may be of the chevron type in which V-formed elastomer elements are spaced by coacting elements of metal.