GB589699A - Improvements in or relating to return devices for the bogies of rail vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

589,699. Centring devices for bogies of rail vehicles. SCHWEIZERISCHE LOKOMOTIVUND MASCHINENFABRIK. Aug. 22, -1944, Nos. 16015 and 16016. Convention dates, July 10, 1943, and June 27, 1944. [Class 103 (vi)] A device for returning the longitudinal axis of a rail-vehicle bogie into alignment with the longitudinal axis of the body exerts a centring force decreasing substantially to zero beyond a predetermined angular movement of the bogie. The Y-lever 12 is pressed against two studs 13 fixed to a box-girder 2 on the truck frame by the spring 14 through a cap piece 23 and a block 25 sliding between jaws 22 and pivoted at 24 to the lever 12. On slight deviation of the bogie from alignment the lever 12 pivots on one of the studs 13 and the restoring pressure of the spring 14 is transmitted through a rod 16 to the bogie frame to which the rod is pivoted at 17. On further deviation, such as occurs when the vehicle enters a curve, the rollers 27 on the cap piece 23 engage guide tracks 28 fixed to the girder 2, so preventing or reducing the action of the spring 14 on the rocking lever 12 which is then retained on one of the studs 13 by a spring 33 which provides a slight centring force. In a further embodiment the lever 12 is replaced by a pivotal arm whose forked end slides on a block pivoted to the girder 2, while the outer portions of the guide track 28 form circular arcs about the pivot. 21 as centre, so that when the roller 27 is on these portions no centring force is applied to the bogie. A central depression, against the flanks of which the roller 27 bears in its median position, is formed in the guide track 28 and is of such a shape that as the bogey moves out of alignment the restoring force first increases and then decreases to zero. The device is preferably applied at each side of the truck, and the studs 13, guide track 28 and pivot 21 may be on the bogie while the pivot 17 is on the truck frame. Slide blocks pivoted to the lever 12 at 15 and engaging transverse slot guides on the bogie frame may replace the links 16. The invention may be applied to a bogie as described in Specification 587,321.