Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for monitoring locomotive wheel size. In an exemplary embodiment, a system generally includes at least one distance measurement device coupled to a locomotive and configured to measure a distance to a rail when a locomotive wheel is positioned on the rail. The system is configured to use the distance to the rail as measured by the at least one distance measurement device to determine a diameter of the locomotive wheel.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a wheel includes a cope mold portion comprising internal cope mold walls and a drag mold portion comprising internal drag mold walls. The internal walls define at least in part perimeter boundaries of a wheel cavity. The wheel cavity comprises a cavity center portion configured to form a wheel center portion of a wheel after solidification of a molten alloy in the cavity center portion, a cavity plate portion configured to form a wheel plate portion of the wheel after solidification of a molten alloy in the cavity plate portion, and a cavity flange portion configured to form a wheel flange portion of the wheel after solidification of a molten alloy in the cavity flange portion. The system includes a chill component configured to provide directional solidification from the cavity flange portion toward the cavity plate portion of molten alloy in the wheel cavity.

Abstract: A remote, non-contact system for detecting a defect in a railroad wheel as the wheel is stationary or moving along a railroad track includes; (1) a pulsed, laser light source for generating an ultrasonic wave in the wheel, the ultrasonic wave having a direct portion and reflected and transmitted portions if the direct portion encounters a defect in the wheel, (2) an optical component in the path of the light from the light source for forming the light into a specified illumination pattern so that the generated ultrasonic wave has a specified wavefront, (3) an air-coupled transducer or a group of transducers for sensing the acoustic signal emanating from the wheel that results from the ultrasonic wave traveling through the wheel, and (4) a signal processor, responsive to the sensed acoustic signal, capable of distinguishing whether the sensed signal has a component that indicates the existence of a reflected portion in the ultrasonic wave, wherein the presence of such a component in the acoustic signal indicat

Abstract: A wheel comprises a main body, a tread making a contact with a top face of the rail head of a rail, and a flange. At least at a portion of the wheel tread which is in contact with the rail, there is provided a tread-forming component formed of a ceramic-particle-dispersion reinforced aluminum composite material, which has ceramic particles mixed in an aluminum alloy. The tread-forming component is formed in a ring shape, fitted into a tread-forming component receiving portion and fixed to the main body by a fixing member.

Abstract: A railroad wheel formed from at least two metallic alloys. In one embodiment, a railroad wheel has a body formed from a first alloy and a rim formed from a second alloy initially in powder form. In an exemplary embodiment, to form the dual alloy wheel the body of the wheel is cast with a circumferential channel formed therein. The perimeter of the body is enveloped with a material, such as sheet metal, to form a cavity defined by the channel and the sheet metal. The second alloy in the form of a powder is placed in the cavity and subjected to heat and pressure to metallurgically weld the first and second alloys and form a composite railroad wheel.

Abstract: Trolley wheels and guide rollers for a monorail trolley system and a method for reducing debris originating from trolley wheels and guide rollers particularly in the production environment of producing iron-sensitive photographic materials.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful tram car wheel comprising a metallic hub section, a formed non-metallic wheel on the hub, a pair of cable flanges on the wheel, and an open reinforcing structure in the wheel anchored to the hub section.

Abstract: A lightweight wheel and axle assembly that reduces unsprung weight thereby improving the ride. The assembly also diminishes hunting and reduces tendencies towards unstable dynamic conditions. The wheel and axle assembly is easily adaptable to conventional three-piece trucks as well as to other truck designs.

Abstract: A carrier roller comprising (1) an integral roller tire subassembly comprising a cylindrical bearing, two axial inserts, and a molded resilient roller tire and (2) an inner race. In one embodiment, the carrier roller further comprises (3) a roller bushing seal and (4) a labyrinth ring and may further comprise (5) a roller collar. A second embodiment may comprise only the basic components or may further comprise a roller collar. In both embodiments, the roller tire is preferably molded to include a guiding flange, and it is preferably molded from a synthetic material such as urethane.