GB678783A - Improvements in or relating to power unit for propelling a machine along railway tracks - Google Patents

Abstract

678,783. Rail-truck movers. JACKSON VIBRATORS, Inc. Feb. 2, 1951, No. 2632/51. Class 79(i) An auxiliary power unit for propelling a rail vehicle comprises a pivoted frame hung from supporting bars fixed to the vehicle, the frame having a draft connection and driven rail-engaging wheels which can be brought into driving engagement with the rails when the frame is pivotally moved. Pivotal movement of the frame may be effected by manually controlled powerdriven means. As shown, the rail vehicle 4 to be propelled has a pair of supporting bars 6 fixed thereto. Resting on these supports is the power unit comprising a U-shaped handle 58 with lateral extensions 59, from which depends a front pair of uprights 60 and a rear pair of hangers 10, resting on the supporting bars 6 by adjustable eccentrics 11. Pivoted to the bottom of hangers 10 by transverse pivot 13 is the main frame 14, 9 which carries the power unit, transmission and rail-engaging wheels 21. The coupling member 8 on the vehicle is connected by a king-pin 17 through a draw-bar 15 to the frame membera 18. Power is transmitted from the engine 29, driving belts 30 and reduction gear 32 to sprocket 34, thence to sprocket 35 fast with axle 19 and so to rubber-faced driving wheels 21. The axle 19 is mounted in bearings 20 secured to the main frame 9. The main frame includes a stirrup member 28 having a vertical rod 27 attached to one end of a spring 25, whose other end is carried by the draft connection. Thus the main frame, power unit and transmission are resiliently suspended about the pivot 13, 18 in such a manner that the driving wheels are normally held clear of the rails, and so that depression of the frame against the action of spring 25 brings the continuously rotating driving wheels 21 into contact with the rail to propel the vehicle. This movement is power operated as follows: Attached to the output shaft 33 of the reduction gear is a pulley 42 with a V groove. Located in the groove is a length of V belting 41, one end being attached to the pivoted lever 50 and the other end to the lever 37 pivoted at 38 on the draft coupling. Integral with lever 37 is a crank 39 having a roller 40 bearing on the stirrup 28. The V belt 41 can be pressed into contact with the continuously rotating pulley 42 by a roller 47 on the end of pivoted yoke 46 when the latter is rocked by moving handle 51. This causes the lever 37 and crank arm 39 to be moved to depress the main frame and hence the driving wheels against the action of spring 25.