The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 27, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 24, 2003
Jeffrey A. Bloom, Silver Spring, MD (US);
Gary A. Carr, Fairfax, VA (US);
Georg Seyrlehner, Chesapeake, VA (US);
Ta-Lun Yang, McLean, VA (US);
Günther W. Oberlechner, Virginia Beach, VA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A railroad test vehicle extending in a longitudinal direction comprises a measurement axle comprising two flanged wheels rotatable about a measuring axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction and adapted to run on two track rails. A cross member extends transversely to the longitudinal direction, is vertically spaced from an underside of the vehicle and is affixed thereto. The connection between the measurement axle and the cross member comprises two trunnions transversely spaced from each other and mounted on the cross member, each trunnion defining a clearance with the cross member sufficient to enable the trunnion to be freely tilted to either side of the vehicle about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction, a support frame mounted on each trunnion for pivoting freely about an axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and two pairs of linkages, the pairs being transversely spaced from each other by the same distance as the transversely spaced trunnions. Each pair comprises an upper swing arm and a lower swing arm spaced from the upper swing arm in a vertical direction. A joint connects each swing arm to the measurement axle, and a hinge connects each swing arm either to a respective one of the support frames. At least one pressure cylinder having a vertically extending cylinder axis exerts a contact force pressing the measurement axle against the rails.