GB921111A - Improvements in asymmetric truck for over-running monorail car - Google Patents

Abstract

921,111. Monorail railways. S. H. BINGHAM. July 22, 1960, No. 25661/60. Class 104 (2). [Also in Groups XXXI and XXXII] A monorail system comprises the combination of a channel section rail 1, supported with its upper and lower flanges 1b 1a extending horizontally, and a truck frame 2 having two sets of stabilizing wheels 6, 7 in vertically spaced planes, so arranged that the wheels of the sets 6, 7 are in pairs and bear on opposite sides of the rail 1, and a pair of running wheels 5 which bear downwardly on a face of the flange 1a. The frame of the truck 2 comprises a thin walled tube 2a from which are upstanding a pair of frame members 2b which also extend across the top of the track 1. Forwardly and rearwardly extending members 2c extend from the members 2b, where it passes over the top of the rail 1, and are joined by cross-members 2g. The frame members 2c carry the upper stabilizing wheels 6. Members 2d extending downwardly from the tube 2a are joined by a cross-member 2k which supports one of the lower stabilizing wheels 7 and a frame member 2f, which extends beneath the track 1 and supports a further stabilizing wheel 7 on the other side of the track 1. The frame members 2b are connected by inclined frame members 2e which slidably support, by means of self-lubricating blocks 11, a bolster 10. The bolster 10 extends across the top of the track 1 and supports at each end leaf springs 13 which are connected at one end by a bracket 14a and at the other end by a pivoted link 14c to a frame 14 of a vehicle body c. Shock absorbers 17 are interposed between the frame 14 and the bolster 10. Levelling air suspension members 15 are interposed between the springs 13 and the vehicle frame 14. Rubber shock absorber elements 12 are interposed between the bolster 10 and a horizontal portion of the frame members 2b so as to permit rotational movement of the bolster 10 about a vertical axis. When the truck 2 traverses a bend in the track 1 the bolster 10 pivots relative to the truck frame 2 and, due to the fact that it is supported on the inclined frame members 2e, tilts the vehicle c. The running wheels 5 are supported on the tube 2a so as to run on the lower limb la of the track 1 and one or more of the wheels 5 are driven by an electric motor, diesel, gas or turbine engine 18, through a shaft 19. A disc or dynamic brake 20 is provided on the axles of the running wheels 5. Brackets 9 are provided on the frame member 2f and wheels 8 on the frame members 2c as a safety precaution in the event of deflation of any of the tyres of the stabilizing or running wheels 6, 7 or 5.