US3898938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual mode electric vehicle for road or rail track operation
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-20
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An electric vehicle operable on roadbeds or rail tracks being especially useful for mining application is provided. The vehicle is provided with rail trolley wheels which are movable between a raised position, when operated on a roadbed, and a lowered position, used when operating on rails. The rail wheels are connected to the same axles which support the vehicle frame from the road wheel. A leaf spring suspension system is attached to the axle for supporting the vehicle weight on the axles so that even with the rail wheels lowered and in contact with the rails the weight of the body of the vehicle is supported through the same suspension system. This keeps the suspension spring system compressed even during rail operation and does not necessitate any substantial increase in the height or head room requirement of the vehicle when operating on rails. This is advantageous when operating in tunnels with minimum head room. The rail wheels are also located close to the road wheel to result in a small wheel base when operating on the rails, enabling the vehicle to negotiate exceptionally tight bends without derailment. To further improve the tracking ability of the vehicle when operating on rails the rear trolley wheels are pivotally mounted for sharp turning.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W Poole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60F; B60F1/00; B60F1/04; B60F1/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
543 words
An eleCtric vehicle operable on roadbeds and on rail tracks comprising: a front pair of road wheels disposed toward the front of the electric vehicle; a rear pair of road wheels disposed toward the rear of the electric vehicle; a front axle supporting said front pair of road wheels; a rear axle supporting said rear pair of road wheels; a frame for supporting the body of the electric vehicle; front suspension means for resiliently supporting a portion of said frame from said front axle; a front set of rail wheels, disposed in close proximity to and longitudinally aligned with said front pair of road wheels, movable between a raised position and a lowered position and being connected to said front axle; front operation means for raising and lowering said front set of rail wheels; said front rail wheels being connected to said front axle so that when operating on rails with said front set of rail wheels lowered in contact with the rails said front set of road wheels are raised slightly above and out of engagement with the rails and a portion of the weight of the electric vehicle is supported by said front set of rail wheels through said front suspension means; a rear pair of rail wheels, disposed in close proximity to and longitudinally aligned with said rear pair of road wheels, movable between a raised position and a lowered position and being connected to said rear axle; rear suspension means for resiliently supporting a portion of said frame from said rear axle; rear operating means for raising and lowering said rear set of rail wheels; said rear set of rail wheels being connected to said rear axle so that when operating on rails with said rear set of rail wheels lowered and in contact with the rails said rear set of road wheels also contact said rails; drive motor means connected to said rear pair of road wheels for moving the electric vehicle on roadbeds and on railway tracks; a rigid front subassembly lifting frame pivotally mounted to said front axle and having said front pair of rail wheels attached thereto; a rigid rear sublifting frame pivotally attached to said rear axle and having said rear pair of rail wheels attached thereto; said front operating means for raising and lowering said first set of rail wheels comprises a single front linear operator connected to said front subassembly lifting frame to pivot said front subassembly lifting frame around the pivotal connection to said front axle thereby raising and lowering said front pair of rail wheels along an arcuate path; said second operating means comprises a single rear linear actuator connected to said rear subassembly lifting frame for pivoting said rear subassembly lifting frame about the pivotal connection to said rear axle to raise and lower said rear set of rail wheels along an arcuate path; said front suspension means comprises leaf springs with both ends connected to said frame and intermediate the ends connected to said front axle; and, said rear suspension means comprises leaf springs; and including a radial arm pivotally connected at one end to said front axle and connected at the respective opposite end to said frame in approximate alignment with one end of the leaf springs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
543 words
An eleCtric vehicle operable on roadbeds and on rail tracks comprising: a front pair of road wheels disposed toward the front of the electric vehicle; a rear pair of road wheels disposed toward the rear of the electric vehicle; a front axle supporting said front pair of road wheels; a rear axle supporting said rear pair of road wheels; a frame for supporting the body of the electric vehicle; front suspension means for resiliently supporting a portion of said frame from said front axle; a front set of rail wheels, disposed in close proximity to and longitudinally aligned with said front pair of road wheels, movable between a raised position and a lowered position and being connected to said front axle; front operation means for raising and lowering said front set of rail wheels; said front rail wheels being connected to said front axle so that when operating on rails with said front set of rail wheels lowered in contact with the rails said front set of road wheels are raised slightly above and out of engagement with the rails and a portion of the weight of the electric vehicle is supported by said front set of rail wheels through said front suspension means; a rear pair of rail wheels, disposed in close proximity to and longitudinally aligned with said rear pair of road wheels, movable between a raised position and a lowered position and being connected to said rear axle; rear suspension means for resiliently supporting a portion of said frame from said rear axle; rear operating means for raising and lowering said rear set of rail wheels; said rear set of rail wheels being connected to said rear axle so that when operating on rails with said rear set of rail wheels lowered and in contact with the rails said rear set of road wheels also contact said rails; drive motor means connected to said rear pair of road wheels for moving the electric vehicle on roadbeds and on railway tracks; a rigid front subassembly lifting frame pivotally mounted to said front axle and having said front pair of rail wheels attached thereto; a rigid rear sublifting frame pivotally attached to said rear axle and having said rear pair of rail wheels attached thereto; said front operating means for raising and lowering said first set of rail wheels comprises a single front linear operator connected to said front subassembly lifting frame to pivot said front subassembly lifting frame around the pivotal connection to said front axle thereby raising and lowering said front pair of rail wheels along an arcuate path; said second operating means comprises a single rear linear actuator connected to said rear subassembly lifting frame for pivoting said rear subassembly lifting frame about the pivotal connection to said rear axle to raise and lower said rear set of rail wheels along an arcuate path; said front suspension means comprises leaf springs with both ends connected to said frame and intermediate the ends connected to said front axle; and, said rear suspension means comprises leaf springs; and including a radial arm pivotally connected at one end to said front axle and connected at the respective opposite end to said frame in approximate alignment with one end of the leaf springs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said front linear actuator comprises a jack screw; and, said rear linear actuator comprises a jack screw.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising; connecting means for supporting said rear wheels; and, each of said rear wheels being pivotally attached to said connecting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |