Mk Rail Corporation

Other

Philip A Jones

A self-steering wheel truck for use with a railway locomotive or powered transit car in which tractive force is transferred from the axle to the frame through angled traction rods and steering beams connecting with the end axles. The steering beams interconnect the end axles so that the yaw of one axle induces an equal and opposite rotation of the other end axle. The traction rods are aligned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the truck. The angled traction rod arrangement induces a force tending to return a laterally displaced axle back to center, thereby minimizing hunting while at the same time permitting self steering axle yaw action.

Angled traction rods

A self-steering wheel truck for use with a railway locomotive or powered transit car in which tractive force is transferred from the axles to the frame through traction rods and steering beams connecting with the end axles. The steering beams are interconnected through upstanding shafts pivotally connected to transverse frame members, control arms and resilient curved diagonal alignment arms. The resilient curved alignment arms move the end axles to equal and opposite angulation under compression for a return to parallel operation upon release of self-steering forces.

Self steering railway truck

Lateral thrust pads mounted to stop members projecting from bearing housings of a railway truck opposite respective pedestals of the truck frame under constant, compressive, slidable contact with such pedestals to absorb lateral thrust loads upon relative movement between the bearing housings and the truck frame. Because each thrust pad is in constant compressive contact with the opposite stop member, there is no unrestricted lateral movement with attendant increased potential for hunting. The thrust pad comprises an elastomer pad having a stiffness constant which varies in proportion to the amount the pad is compressed, thus providing for absorption of higher lateral thrust loads, while at the same time permitting nominal self-centering and curve negotiation lateral motions of the axle.

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Boise, ID, United States of America

Philip A Jones