GB1084248A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,084,248. Railway vehicle undercarriages. ENGLISH ELECTRIC CO. Ltd. Sept. 10, 1964 [Sept. 13, 1963], No. 36159/63. Heading B7L. A locomotive having two or more bogies, e.g. 10, 11, Fig. 1, with driven axles includes airoperated piston means, e.g. 16, for exerting a desired upward pulling force on the trailing end of at least that bogie, e.g. 10, which is, or will be, leading relative to the direction of travel of the locomotive whereby to obtain a desired distribution of loading of the locomotive axles 12 to 15. In the two bogie locomotive shown the main frame 20 has mounted thereon on air-operated piston means 16, 17, 18 and 19, the pistons of the means acting on the bogies. When the locomotive is moving to the left only the means 16 and 17 are operative to exert a pull on the trailing end of the bogie 10 and a downward push on the leading end of the trailing bogie 11. If the locomotive travels to the right then only the means 18 and 19 are operative. As shown, each associated pair of piston means is connected to an air reservoir 22 supplied from an air line 23 via an isolating cock 24, pressure control valve 25 and a solenoid operated valve 26. The valves are in a controller 30, associated one with each pair of piston means. The valve 26 either connects the reservoir to the air line or to atmosphere. The controller is automatically operative according to the load on the electric traction motors and is rendered inoperative when the locomotive is coasting or braking.