US4440092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Railway steering truck linear induction motor assembly
Assignee: Bombardier Inc
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Filing: 1981-01-28
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Granted: 1984-04-03
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Expires: 2001-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A steerable truck comprises a pair of wheelsets spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the truck, each supporting a respective steering yoke. A main frame is supported by the yokes which are connected to the main frame to permit rotation of each yoke relative to the main frame about a respective vertical steering axis. A linear induction motor is located beneath the yokes for cooperation with a reaction rail to propel the truck. A suspension device suspends the motor from the yokes to maintain the motor a fixed height from the reaction rail. The thrust of the motor is transmitted to one of the yokes and a centering device is provided to inhibit lateral displacement of the motor relative to the yokes. The suspension device comprises three links each having universal connections at each end for connection to the motor and a respective one of the yokes. Two of the links are connected at spaced locations between one of the yokes and the motor and other of the links is connected between the other of the axle assemblies and the motor. The three point suspension so provided permits steering and torsional deflection between the yokes while vertically supporting the motor.
Inventors
- 👤 George Sobolewski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:05
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61F; B61F5/00; B61F5/38; B61F5/44; B60; B60L; B60L13/00; B60L13/03; B60L13/035; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A steerable truck comprising a main frame for connection to a vehicle body, a pair of axle assemblies supporting said main frame and connected thereto at locations spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said truck for steering movement about respective spaced generally vertical steering axes, a linear induction motor extending between said axle assemblies for cooperation with a reaction rail to propel said truck, and suspension means extending between said motor and said axle assemblies to locate vertically said motor, said suspension means comprising first link means connecting said motor to one of said axle assemblies to inhibit relative pivotal movement between said motor and said assembly about the longitudinal axis of said truck while permitting relative pivotal movement between said motor and said one axle assembly about its steering axis, and second link means connecting said motor to the other of said axle assemblies to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween about said longitudinal axis and about the steering axis of said other axle assembly, said suspension means thereby permitting steering motion and torsional flexibility between said axle assemblies while inhibiting the application of torsional loads to said motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A steerable truck comprising a main frame for connection to a vehicle body, a pair of axle assemblies supporting said main frame and connected thereto at locations spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said truck for steering movement about respective spaced generally vertical steering axes, a linear induction motor extending between said axle assemblies for cooperation with a reaction rail to propel said truck, and suspension means extending between said motor and said axle assemblies to locate vertically said motor, said suspension means comprising first link means connecting said motor to one of said axle assemblies to inhibit relative pivotal movement between said motor and said assembly about the longitudinal axis of said truck while permitting relative pivotal movement between said motor and said one axle assembly about its steering axis, and second link means connecting said motor to the other of said axle assemblies to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween about said longitudinal axis and about the steering axis of said other axle assembly, said suspension means thereby permitting steering motion and torsional flexibility between said axle assemblies while inhibiting the application of torsional loads to said motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A steerable truck according to claim 1 including thrust transmission means to transmit thrust from said motor to a first of said axle assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A steerable truck according to claim 2 wherein said thrust transmission means include a strut connected to said first axle assembly adjacent said steering axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A steerable truck according to claim 3 wherein a draft connection is provided on said axle assemblies to transmit draft loads from said truck to said vehicle body and said strut is connected to said axle assembly at a location above said draft connection thereby to provide a couple to said truck about a transverse horizontal axis upon application of thrust from said motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A steerable truck according to claim 1 wherein said first link means includes a pair of laterally spaced links each of which extends from said axle assembly to said motor and is connected at respective ends to said axle assembly and said motor by pivotal connections permitting relative displacement between the axle assembly and the motor along the longitudinal axis of the truck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A steerable truck according to claim 5 wherein a line connecting said laterally spaced links intersects said steering axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A steerable truck according to claim 6 wherein said links are located on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis and equidistant therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A steerable truck according to claim 5 wherein said second link means is located adjacent the steering axis of said other axle assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A steerable truck according to claim 8 wherein said second link means is pivotally connected at opposite ends to said motor and said axle assembly respectively to accommodate longitudinal displacement of said motor relative to said axle assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A steerable truck according to claim 8 wherein said first and second link means are universally connected to said motor and respective axle assemblies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steerable truck according to claim 5 wherein centering means act between said motor and said axle assemblies to inhibit lateral movement of said motor relative to said axle assemblies.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A steerable truck according to claim 11 wherein said centering means includes a pair of lateral struts, each lateral strut extending between said motor and a respective one of said axle assemblies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A steerable truck according to claim 12 wherein said lateral struts lie on a line passing through the steering axis of its respective axle assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A steerable truck according to claim 13 wherein said lateral struts are inclined to the longitudinal axis of said truck and attached to said axle assemblies at a point displaced laterally and longitudinally.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A steerable truck according to claim 14 wherein said struts are disposed on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A steerable truck according to claim 14 wherein when measured along the longitudinal axis, the distance between the connections of said struts to said respective axle assemblies is greater than the distance between said steering axes so that a lateral force on said motor induces equal and opposite steering motion of said axle assemblies.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
198 words
A steerable truck comprising a pair of wheelsets spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said truck, a pair of yokes each associated with a respective one of said wheelsets, a main frame supported by said yokes and connected thereto to permit rotation of said yokes relative to said main frame about respective spaced vertical steering axes, a linear induction motor located beneath said yokes for cooperation with a reaction rail, suspension means to suspend said motor from said yokes to maintain said motor in a fixed vertical orientation relative to said truck, thrust means to transmit longitudinal forces from said motor to said yokes and centering means to inhibit lateral displacement of said motor relative to said yokes, said suspension means comprising three links each having universal connections at each end for connection to said motor and a respective one of said axle assemblies, two of said links being connected at spaced locations between one of said axle assemblies and said motor and the other of said links being connected between the other of said axle assemblies and said motor, said links thereby permitting steering and torsional deflection between said axle assemblies while being vertically supported thereby.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
198 words
A steerable truck comprising a pair of wheelsets spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said truck, a pair of yokes each associated with a respective one of said wheelsets, a main frame supported by said yokes and connected thereto to permit rotation of said yokes relative to said main frame about respective spaced vertical steering axes, a linear induction motor located beneath said yokes for cooperation with a reaction rail, suspension means to suspend said motor from said yokes to maintain said motor in a fixed vertical orientation relative to said truck, thrust means to transmit longitudinal forces from said motor to said yokes and centering means to inhibit lateral displacement of said motor relative to said yokes, said suspension means comprising three links each having universal connections at each end for connection to said motor and a respective one of said axle assemblies, two of said links being connected at spaced locations between one of said axle assemblies and said motor and the other of said links being connected between the other of said axle assemblies and said motor, said links thereby permitting steering and torsional deflection between said axle assemblies while being vertically supported thereby.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A steerable truck according to claim 17 wherein said centering means includes a pair of lateral struts each connected to said motor and a respective one of said yokes by pivotal connections to accommodate steering motion of said yoke relative to said motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
A steerable truck according to claim 18 wherein said lateral struts are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said truck and are connected to said yokes at locations displaced from said steering axes along said longitudinal axis, whereby lateral forces applied to said motor are transmitted to said yokes to induce equal and opposite steering action of said yokes about their axes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
A steerable truck according to claim 19 wherein said lateral struts are located on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis and are each connected to said yokes outboard of their respective steering axes, thereby to prevent steering action of said yokes upon yaw of said motor relative to said truck.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
71 words
A steerable truck according to claim 20 wherein said thrust means includes a longitudinal link connected between said motor and one of said yokes and connected to said one yoke by a pivotal connection adjacent the steering axis of said one yoke to accommodate steering motion of said yoke and minimize the steering force couple generated by the thrust of said motor upon movement of said yokes to a steering position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-03 | 1987-10-03 | 1988-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-03 | 1991-10-03 | 1992-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-03 | 1995-10-03 | 1996-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |