US3602149A

US3602149A - Linear motor driven railway vehicle truck

Info

Publication number: US3602149A
Application number: US811530A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard L Lich
Original assignee: General Steel Industries Inc
Current assignee: GSI ENGINEERING Inc A CORP OF; Lukens General Industries Inc; General Steel Industries Inc
Priority date: 1969-03-28
Filing date: 1969-03-28
Publication date: 1971-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-31

Abstract

Suspensions for linear induction motor railway vehicles comprising rail-supported antifriction devices, truck framing supported from said devices, springs carried by said framing at both sides thereof, vehicle body structure carried by said springs for vertical, transverse and swivel movements thereon, and elongated linear motor stator structure supported from said framing independently of said springs and in fixed vertical relation with said framing.

Description

Richard L. Lich Town and Country, Mo.

Mar. 28, 1969 Aug. 31, 1971 General Steel Industries, Inc. St. Louis, Mo.

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee LINEAR MOTOR DRIVEN RAILWAY VEHICLE TRUCK 32 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

11.8. CI 104/148 LM,105/1A, 105/49,105/133, 105/145, 105/182 E, 105/197 A, 105/197 B, 105/199 R, l05/200, 105/206, 105/453, 310/13 Int.'Cl B6lb 13/12, 1361c 3/00, H02k 41/02 Field of Search 104/148 LM;105/1, 145,199,206/1 A,-4'9-, 133, 182 E, 197 R, 197 A, 197 B, 199 R, 200,453, 310/13 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Howard Beltran Attorney- Bedell and Burgess ABSTRACT: Suspensions for linear induction motor railway vehicles comprising rail-supported antifriction devices, truck framing supported from said devices, springs carried by said framing at both sides thereof, vehicle body structure carried by said springs for vertical, transverse and swivel movements thereon, and elongated linear motor stator structure supported from said framing independently of said springs and in fixed vertical relation with said framing.

PATENTED AUBSI |97| sum 1 M 4 FIG.2

INVENTOR RICHARD L. LICH ATroRwgs FIG.3

PATENIED mssl lsn SHEET 2 [IF 4 FIG. 5

INVENTOR RICHARD L. LICH AT TO RNEYS PATENTEUAUBBI lsn 3,602,149

SHEET 3 [IF 4 FIGS INVENTOR RICHARD L. LICH FIG. 9

Y W M ATTORNEY PATENIED AUE3I 19m 3.602.149 sum u 0F 4 INVE NTOR RICHARD L. LlCH BY f ATTORNEYS LINEAR MOTOR DRIVEN RAILWAY VEHICLE TRUCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to railway rolling stock and consists particularly in suspensions for vehicles propelled by linear in.- duction motors.

2. The Prior Art g The linear induction motor propulsion system was developed primarily for air-cushioned vehicles, lacking conventional wheels in frictional engagement with track rails which would be required with a conventional rotary motor. In A such air-cushioned vehicles, resilient suspensions of the body on the air cushion supports have been dispensed with in the belief that no additional resilient suspension was required because of the cushioning characteristics: of the supports. Since intermediate resilient suspensions were not used, the vehicle supported stators could be supported directly from the vehicle body without substantial vertical or transverse deviation with respect to the rotor rail paralleling the track rails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a softresilient suspension between the track-supported antifriction devices, which are illustratively shown as railway wheels, and the vehicle body, but supports the linear induction motor stator device from the tracksupported structure independent of the resilient body-supporting suspension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a railway truck embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the truck illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view along longitudinal center line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the truck.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 55 I of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view along trans verse center line 6-6 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an environmental plan view of a modified form of the invention comprising a pair of railway trucks and linear induction motor support structure swivelly supported thereon.

FIG. 8 is a detail plan view of one of the trucks illustrated in FIG. 7 and adjacent parts of the spring-supported body and the direct-supported linear induction motor support structure.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. I1 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 12-l2 ofFlG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 13-13 ofFIG.10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 1-6, the numeral 1 denotes railway flanged wheels, arranged in gauged pairs on spaced axles 2 and 3', respectively. Journal boxes 5 positioned inwardly of wheels-1 on

axles

2 and 3 rotatably receive the latter, and a pair of longitudinally extending side frames 7 are secured at their ends to journal boxes 5 by semicircular clamps 9, there being an elastomeric grommet 11 surrounding each of the journal boxes and spacing and insulating the side frames 7 and clamps 9 from the boxes.

Longitudinally inwardly from their end portions, the side frames are formed with upstanding longitudinally inwardly relative longitudinal movements of said side frames with respect to truck frame'l7, 19 by their resistance to compression longitudinally of the truck, and to oppose substantial movement of the truck frame transversely of the truck by their resistance transversely to compression and shear.

Transom 19 is extended transversely outwardly of truck frame side members 17 to form upwardly open spring seats 21 at opposite sides of the truck and upright body-support springs 23 are seated in spring seats 21.

Body underframe U is carried on'springs 23 by means of downwardly open spring caps 25.

For transmitting longitudinal (tractive and braking) forces from the truck to the underframe at a low level, while permitting the underframe to move vertically and transversely on the truck through deflection of springs 23, and permitting swivel of the truck with respect to the underframe through shear deflection of,springs 23 longitudinally of the truck, and at the same time providing clearance between the axles for the linear motor equipment, underframe U is provided with a depending central post 27 which projects into the region between axle 2 and transom l9 and is formed with pintle brackets 29 spaced apart vertically from each other and a yoke 31 is connected to bracket 29 by pintle pin 33. Yoke 31 is formed with a pair of .depending

legs

35, 35, which are spaced apart transversely of the truck and extend to a level ments S, S of a linear induction motor. A pair 'of transversely spaced

longitudinal links

39, 39 are pivotally connected at their opposite ends at '40, for limited universal pivotal movemerit to the lower ends of

corresponding legs

35 and 37, so that tractive and braking forces are transmitted from transom 19 to underframe U via links 39, yoke 31 and post 27, swivel movements of the truck being accommodated by pivoting of yoke 31 about pintle pin 33.

For supporting stator elements 8, S from the truck in fixed relation both vertically and transversely with respect to the track-mounted rotor rail R, a pair of transversely extending

channel beams

41, 41 are supported on the end portions 14 of side frames 7, and to eliminate interference with the differential equalizing movements of the two side frames, elastomeric pads 43 are compressed between the opposing horizontal surfaces of the channels 41 and side frame end portions 14 by nuts 43 threaded on studs 45 upstanding from the side frame end portions,

Intermediate its ends each support beam 41 is depressed as at 46. A stator support yoke comprising horizontal top member "47 and transversely spaced depending legs 49 is suspended from the depressed portion-46 by means of an upright bolt 51, there being a pad of elastomeric material surrounding the bolt between the opposing horizontal surfaces of support yoke top member 47. Linear induction motorelon gated stator elements S are secured to support yoke legs 49 in parallel spaced relation to each other, so as to embrace, with predetermined lateral clearance, the rotor rail R. Additional links 50 are attached between

legs

37 and 49 to transmit tractive forces from stator S to transom 19 (FIG. 3).

By supporting the stator elements S independently of the elements S and rotor rail R can. be maintained within the necessarily veryclose tolerances, and will be unaffected by the movements of the body on its supporting springs. It will be held in this proper relationship throughout movement along the track by engagement of the wheels with the track rails.

'The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 is for use with longer stator elements S which, because of their length, cannot be supported from a single truck in the manner of the first embodiment. Where substantially identical parts are incorporated in this embodiment, the same reference numerals as used previously will be used, and where similar, but not identical, parts are provided, the same reference nu merals, followed by the letter a will be used. New parts will bear entirely different numerals or letters.

' The basic truck structure is the same is in the first embodiment, with wheels 1,

axles

2 and 3, side frames 7, and a transverse frame supported thereon by elastomeric springs 15. Truck frame transom 19a, however, does not include depending legs 37, but is formed with an upwardly facing pivot center plate 61 at its center.

A rigid elongated stator support frame includes longitudinal end beams 63, formed at their ends with downwardly facing center plates 65, supported directly on both truck center plates 61 to permit the trucks to swivel with respect to the support frame. Longitudinally inboard of the trucks, the support frame has a pair of transversely spaced stator support beams 67, from which the long stator elements S may be directly supported.

It will be evident from the foregoing that, by reason of the mating relation of center plates 61 and 65, tractive and braking forces will be transmitted between stator support frame and the truck frames, and the stator support frame will be centered transversely of the track so as to maintain the stator element 5' in the proper transverse relation with the trackmounted rotor, rail R, since the truck frame 17, 19a is not transversely movable with respect to side frames 7 and wheels 1,

For transmitting longitudinal tractive and braking forces to the body underframe U, the latter is formed at its sides, longitudinally inboard of the trucks, with depending brackets 69 and stator support beams are formed with transverse brackets 71, aligned with brackets 69 but spaced longitudinally inboard therefrom. Longitudinally extending anchor links 73 are universally 'pivotally connected at their ends to

brackets

69 and 71 and transmit all longitudinal forces from the truck and stator support frame to the body underframe, but because of their pivotal end connections, do not interfere with lateral and vertical movements of the body underframe permitted by body support springs 23.

ln the embodiment illustrated schematically in FIGS. 10-13, the truck comprises four air support pads 81 arranged in transversely spaced longitudinally aligned pairs on flat track rail surfaces T. The truck framing comprises elongated side members 83 supported on their ends at the center of pads 81 and connected at their centers by transom 85.

Intermediate their ends, side frames 83 mount upstanding springs 87, which directly support body underframe U near its sides for both lateral and vertical cushioning movements with respect to the truck framing.

At their ends, side frames 83 support upwardly arched transverse support beams 88 from which are suspended elongated stator housing 89 which supports stators S on both sides of rotor rail R. I

For guiding the stator housing, and the truck, the end portions of stator housing 89 project longitudinally in both' directions from the ends of the truck and are bifurcated as at 89 to mount pairs of opposing transversely inwardly facing air pads 91 which exert pneumatic pressure on the opposite sides of rotor rail R so as to maintain the assembly in fixed transverse relation to the rotor rail and guide it along the-track.

For transmitting tractive and braking forces from the truck to the body underframe and permitting some swivelingof the truck with respect to the underframe, a transverse yoke 93 is pivotally supported from the underframe at 94 and has depending legs 95 on both sides of stator housing 89. Longitudinally extending anchor links 97 connect the lower extremities of yoke legs 95 to truck transom 85, so as to transmit the longitudinal forces from the transom to the yoke, and thence to the underframe.

' Operation of the truck shown in FIGS. 10-15 is as follows: The truck framing is supported from track surfaces T by downwardly facing support pad devices 81 and is guided along the track by the action of pad devices 91 on opposite surfaces of rotor rail R, the-stator elements S being maintained in uniform spaced relation to rotor rail R, both vertically and transversely by reason of the stator housing 89 support direct from side frames 83 by support beams 88. The body underframe U is free to move vertically and laterally and to swivel on springs 87, but all purely longitudinal movements caused by linear induction motor R S' are transmitted from the truck to the body, by reason of the connections of transom 85 to swivel yoke 93 through anchor links 97. 1

lclaim:

1.- A suspension for linear induction motor vehiclescomprising track supported antifriction support means, spring supporting structure supported on sad antifriction means, said spring supporting structure comprising a'central transverse member and a pair of side members supported at their ends on said antifriction means and held against substantial transverse movement with respect to said transverse member, spring means carried by said spring supporting structure and adapted to support vehicle body structure directly and substantially yieldable vertically, transversely and longitudinally for supporting vehicle body structure for vertical, transverse and swivel movementswith respect to said spring support structure and linear motor stator structure elongated lengthwise of the track and substantially nonresiliently supported from said spring supporting structureindependently of said spring means. I

2. A suspension according to claim 1 wherein said antifriction support means comprise pairs of downwardly acting pneumatic pads spaced apart transversely and longitudinally from each other, an elongated support structure for said stator elements supported from the end portions of said spring supporting structure intermediate its sides, said support structure mounting at its ends pairs'of transversely acting pneumatic pads in side-by-side opposing relation for opposite cushioning action against opposite longitudinal vertical surfaces of a central linear induction rotor rail. I

3. A suspension according to claim l wherein said track supported antifriction means comprises a pair of railway wheeled axles.

4. A suspension according to claim 3 including an elongated frame swivelly supported at one end on the center of said transverse member, means for supporting said stator elements from said elongated frame in longitudinally offset relation to said truck framing, and-means for connecting said elongated frame to the supported vehicle body structure whereby to prevent relative longitudinal movements therebetween while accommodating limited transverse and vertical movements of the body structure relative to said elongated frame and said truck framing as arepermitted by said spring means.

5. A suspension according to claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced links connected at one end to said elongated frame and adapted for connection at their other end to said vehicle body structure.

6. A suspension according to claim 5 in which said trans verse member comprises a transverse main frame and said side members comprise a pair of side frames supported at their ends on said wheeled axles, said elongated frame being swivelly supported on the central portion of said main frame, said body support spring means being seated on the side portions of said main frame.

7. A suspension according to claim 3-wherein transverse elements are mounted on the end portions of said side members and form supports for saidlinear motor stator structure.

8. A suspension according to claim 7 wherein said transverse elements comprise beams mounting depending yokes at their centers, said yokes having transversely spaced vertical legs supporting linear motor stator "elements in transversely spaced relation with each other.

9. Asuspension according to claim 8 in which said side members are separate side frames, said transverse member comprising a transverse main frame supported on said side frames, said side frames being tiltable longitudinally with respect to said main frame and to each other, said spring means being seated on said main frame, and longitudinal link means for connecting said main frame to the supported body structure.

10. A suspension according to claim 9 wherein said transverse beams are flexibly mounted on said side frames to accommodate relative tilting movements of said side frames.

1 l. A suspension according to claim 9 in which said longitudinal link means is positioned at substantially the same level as said stator elements.

12. A suspension according to claim 11 in which there are additional longitudinal link means substantially at the same level as said first-named link means connecting said main frame to one of said stator element support yokes for transmitting tractive force from said stator element to said main frame and therefrom through said first-named link means to the supported vehicle body structure.

13. A suspension according to claim 9 wherein said link means comprises a pair of parallel links spaced apart transversely of the vehicle and each disposed on an opposite side of said stator elements.

14. A suspension according to claim 13 including a transverse yoke element arranged for pivotal connection to the supported body structure at its center and having depending legs embracing said stator elements between them and being connected to corresponding ends of said links.

15. A suspension according to claim 14 including an additional pair of parallel transversely spaced longitudinal links at substantially the same level as said first-named link means, said additional pair of links being connected at one end to said main frame and at the other end to one of said stator element supporting yokes.

16. A suspension according to claim 15 in which said main frame comprises longitudinally extending side members and a transverse transom rigidly connecting said side members, said transverse transom having a pair of legs depending from it and spaced apart transversely of the frame on opposite sides of said stator element, said transom legs providing the main. frame connections of said first-named and additional links.

17. A suspension according to claim 2 wherein the end por tions of said stator element support structure are bifurcated and said transversely acting pneumatic pads are supported on the inner opposing faces of the bifurcations.

18. A suspension according to claim 17 wherein said spring supporting structure includes a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending side frames supported at their ends on said downwardly acting pneumatic pads and a transverse transom connecting said side frames intermediate their ends, transverse beams supported on the ends of said side frames and forming the support from said framing of said elongated stator element support structure.

19. A suspension according to claim 18 including longitudinally extending link means connected at one end to said transom and adapted for connection at their other ends to a supported vehicle body structure to transmit tractive forces from the supported transom to said body structure while acill commodating swivel, transverse and lateral movements 21. A suspension according to claim 20 including a transverse yoke arranged for pivotal connection on a vertical axis to the supported body structure and having depending legs.

embracing said elongated stator elements, said links being individually connected at their corresponding ends to said depending legs.

22. In a guided track-supported vehicle, pairs of antifriction support devices aligned longitudinally and spaced apart transversely of the supporting track, spring supporting structure comprising longitudinally extending transversely spaced side frames substantially nonyieldingly supported on said support devices and a transverse member connecting said side frames intermediate their ends and held against substantial movement transversely of said side frames, springs supported on said spring supporting structure at the sides of said spring supporting structure, a body underframe directly supported on said springs for vertical, transverse and swivel movement with respect to said framing, structure including an elongated linear induction motor part substantially nonyieldingly supported from said spring supporting structures between said side frames, and means connecting said spring supporting structure and said underframe for transmitting longitudinal forces therebetween without impeding lateral, vertical and swivel movements of said underframe and said spring supporting structure with respect to each other.

23. In a vehicle according to claim 22, said antifriction support means comprising air cushion elements,

24. In a vehicle according to claim 22, said transverse member being connected to said side frames to permit limited pivotal movement of the latter about a common transverse member axis with respect to said transom and to each other.

25. In a vehicle according to claim 24, a pair of said spring supporting structures spaced apart from each other longitudinally of the vehicle, said elongated support structure extending between the transoms of both said spring supporting structures, means supporting the ends of said elongated support structure on said transverse member for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said longitudinal force transmitting means, said elongated support structure, and longitudinally extending anchor links being pivotally connected at their opposite ends respectively to said elongated support structure and to said underframe.

26. In a vehicle according to claim 24, rigid transverse beams flexibly connected to said side frames at both ends of the truck, said linear induction motor part support stmcture being suspended from said transverse beams.

27. In a vehicle according to claim 26, said longitudinal force transmitting means comprising a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending anchor links pivotally connected atone end to said transverse member structure depending from said underframe, the other ends of said anchor links being pivotally connected to said depending structure.

28. In a vehicle according to claim 27, said depending structure comprising an element pivotal about a vertical axis with respect to said underframe.

29. In a vehicle according to claim 28, said anchor links being at substantially the level of the elongated linear induction motor parts, said depending structure element and said transom both having transversely spaced depending legs for the pivotal connections of said anchor links.

30. In a vehicle according to claim 26, said antifriction support means comprising downwardly facing air cushion elements, said linear motor support structure mounting longitudinally spaced pairs of transversely oppositely facing air cushion elements for guiding said linear motor parts and said framing longitudinally of the track.

31. In a vehicle according to claim 30, said transversely oppositely facing air cushion elements facing each other whereby to act against opposite vertical faces of the linear induction motor rotor rail.

32. In a vehicle according to claim 31, said means connecting said spring supporting structure and said underframe comprising a transverse yoke pivotally connected on a vertical axis links pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the extremities of said yoke.

Claims

1. A suspension for linear induction motor vehicles comprising track supported antifriction support means, spring supporting structure supported on sad antifriction means, said spring supporting structure comprising a central transverse member and a pair of side members supported at their ends on said antifriction means and held against substantial transverse movement with respect to said transverse member, spring means carried by said spring supporting structure and adapted to support vehicle body structure directly and substantially yieldable vertically, transversely and longitudinally for supporting vehicle body structure for vertical, transverse and swivel movements with respect to said spring support structure and linear motor stator structure elongated lengthwise of the track and substantially nonresiliently supported from said spring supporting structure independently of said spring means.

2. A suspension according to claim 1 wherein said antifriction support means comprise pairs of downwardly acting pneumatic pads spaced apart transversely and longitudinally from each other, an elongated support structure for said stator elements supported from the end portions of said spring supporting structure intermediate its sides, said support structure mounting at its ends pairs of transversely acting pneumatic pads in side-by-side opposing relation for opposite cushioning action against opposite longitudinal vertical surfaces of a central linear induction rotor rail.

3. A suspension according to claim 1 wherein said track-supported antifriction means comprises a pair of railway wheeled axles.

4. A suspension according to claim 3 including an elongated frame swivelly supported at one end on the center of said transverse member, means for supporting said stator elements from said elongated frame in longitudinally offset relation to said truck framing, and means for connecting said elongated frame to the supported vehicle body structure whereby to prevent relative longitudinal movements therebetween while accommodating limited transverse and vertical movements of the body structure relative to said elongated frame and said truck framing as are permitted by said spring means.

6. A suspension according to claim 5 in which said transverse member comprises a transverse main frame and said side members comprise a pair of side frames supported at their ends on said wheeled axles, said elongated frame being swivelly supported on the central portion of said main frame, said body support spring means being seated on the side portions of said main frame.

7. A suspension according to claim 3 wherein transverse elements are mounted on the end portions of said side members and form supports for said linear motor stator structure.

8. A suspension according to claim 7 wherein said transverse elements comprise beams mounting depending yokes at their centers, said yokes having transversely spaced vertical legs supporting linear motor stator elements in transversely spaced relation with each other.

9. A suspension according to claim 8 in which said side members are separate side frames, said transverse member comprising a transverse main frame supported on said side frames, said side frames being tiltable longitudinally with respect to said main frame and to each other, said spring means being seated on said main frame, and longitudinal link means for connecting said main frame to the supported body structure.

11. A suspension according to claim 9 in which said longitudinal link means is positioned at substantially the same level as said stator elements.

16. A suspension according to claim 15 in which said main frame comprises longitudinally extending side members and a transverse transom rigidly connecting said side members, said transverse transom having a pair of legs depending from it and spaced apart transversely of the frame on opposite sides of said stator element, said transom legs providing the main frame connections of said first-named and additional links.

17. A suspension according to claim 2 wherein the end portions of said stator element support structure are bifurcated and said transversely acting pneumatic pads are supported on the inner opposing faces of the bifurcations.

19. A suspension according to claim 18 including longitudinally extending link means connected at one end to said transom and adapted for connection at their other ends to a supported vehicle body structure to transmit tractive forces from the supported transom to said body structure while accommodating swivel, transverse and lateral movements between said framing and the supported body structure.

20. A suspension according to claim 19 wherein said link means includes a pair of parallel transversely spaced longitudinally extending links individually disposed on opposite sides of said elongated stator elements and substantially at the same level as the latter.

21. A suspension according to claim 20 including a transverse yoke arranged for pivotal connection on a vertical axis to the supported body structure and having depending legs embracing said elongated stator elements, said links being individually connected at their corresponding ends to said depending legs.

23. In a vehicle according to claim 22, said antifriction support means comprising air cushion elements.

26. In a vehicle according to claim 24, rigid transverse beams flexibly connected to said side frames at both ends of the truck, said linear induction motor part support structure being suspended from said transverse beams.

27. In a vehicle according to claim 26, said longitudinal force transmitting means comprising a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending anchor links pivotally connected at one end to said transverse member structure depending from said underframe, thE other ends of said anchor links being pivotally connected to said depending structure.

32. In a vehicle according to claim 31, said means connecting said spring supporting structure and said underframe comprising a transverse yoke pivotally connected on a vertical axis at its center to said underframe and having depending extremities embracing said linear induction motor part and a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending anchor links pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the extremities of said yoke.