AU671144B2 - Bogies for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

Bogies for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels, consisting of a center frame (1), to which four oscillating arms are united by means of relative joints (2), at each of which ends bearing boxes for each rolling assemblies (3) are housed, which can be transversely moved, the wheel being located in each of two positions corresponding to two gauges, relying on the fact that the opposed portion of each arm rests on a helical spring (4), the lower end of which is resting on the center frame bottom, and at the end of this portion there is mounted a vertical shock absorber (5). <IMAGE>

Description

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Our Ref: 461293 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT a Applicant(s): Investigacion Y Invastesa Montalban. 14 28014 MADRID

SPAIN

Asesoramiento Tecnico, S.A.

Address for Service: Invention Title: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Bogies for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 1

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<N 'I N 4~ A 2' 2 0 2~2~ 2 2' 22*~ 2 'p p -tk t 2 p 'p 2' 7 PAWPD0CS'flYSSPECEI7503X3 17/5/96 BOGIE FOR RAILWAY VEBICLES WITH VARIABLE GAP 'BETWEEN WHEELS

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUNI'D OF INVENTION 00 00 00 0 0 0 00 00 0 000 0 00 0 *0 0 @0 o 00 00 0 00 0 00 0 0*0 00.00.

0 0 The present invention relates to a bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels, the object of which is to allow a variable gap between the bogie wheels, the bogie being equipped with independent wheels, and that each rolling assembly b -ing composed of a wheel fixed to an independent axle provided with bearings located at both ends, there being the possibility of displacing each complete rolling assembly, the arrangement of the bearing boxes changing only and exclusively in relation to the bogie.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention applies to the industry engaged in the construction of railway vehicles, and its general application being also to the railway industry.

20 RELATED ART It is well known the present problem posed by the different gauges existing in some railway networks affecting the transport of passengers and goods, this circumstance giving rise to carry out several studies and solutions in order to obviate the many drawbacks derived at present from the passenger and goods transport.

Nevertheless, no fully satisfactory solutions to this problem have been obtained up to date, specially concerning the adaption of coaches or wagons equipped with bogies of conventional type.

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P;WDOCSDYSSPECIEW503.93 17/5/96' 1 -2- One of the present solutions is to replace the whole bogies, for which it is totally necessary to raise the coach bodies, disassembling previously the elements forming the brakes, as well as the electric earthing braids, etc., these operations representing a substantial amount of lost time and being considered as extremely labourious.

Also, it is known, at present, the realization of a series of devices to obtain an axle capable of carrying out a gap of variable wheels by a displacement on the axle body, but this potential solution does not represent a real practical solution owning to its great complexity and high cost, both in relation to acquisition and maintenance. i The main difficulty impeding to obtain an appropriate mechanism of this type is, mainly, the fastening of the wheel to the axle body so that it can give the same guarantees of safety, toughness, etc., etc., as the wheels fitted under pressure to an axle according to the typical procedure.

e o Besides, if it is necessary that the change is to be made automatically in a short period of time and that sufficiently extensive distances can be travelled under perfect running conditions without the need for the mechanism to be overhauled in the maintenance workshop, it is very difficult to obtain a gear answering to all these requirements in a practical field.

It is known the existence of a Patent of Invention applied for in Spain under number 332.453, which was filed at the time in the name of the firm PATENTES TALGO, S.A. this firm being part of the company group of the applicant for the present Patent. In said Patent P the idea of using monoaxle bogies with variable gap between wheels is envisaged.

Nevertheless, in the general context of the invention, a series of requirements at present considered as strictly essential in order to contain a good running of the railway unit are not anticipated. i f FIA4/ 1 fT -o i^ s 'S 'c i i I 4, 4 -i P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIEW7503.93 17/5/96 -3- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels including four rolling assemblies movable transversely to place the bogie wheels in each of two positions corresponding to two different track gauges, each rolling assembly including a semiaxle, a wheel, two brake discs integrally joined to each other and two inner and outer bearing boxes mounted on the semiaxle ends and locked against transverse movement by two inner and outer latches which can only be moved in a generally vertical direction and co-act with springs that prevent the latches from j descending and are held fixed in the running position by their own prestressing which is in excess of the latch weight plus the dynamic forces that may occur, characterised in that the bogie includes a center frame to which four oscillating arms are united through corresponding joints, said arms having at one end two inner and outer housing cradles for receiving the bearing boxes of each rolling assembly, while on their area opposite the housing cradles each oscillating arm is supported on a coil spring the lower end of which rests on the bottom of the S.:i center frame, and on the end of said opposite area of each oscillating arm a vertical shock absorber is mounted, the oscillating arm with its joint, the coil spring and the shock absorber forming a primary suspension for the rolling assembly.

o 20 Preferably, the latches have an additional safety retaining device supplementing the I action of said springs.

0 j S:"Preferably, the bearing boxes have an upper cylindrical surface and inner and outer vertical flat faces, the latter including respective integral lugs which constitute transverse 4- 125 fastening elements for the bearing boxes and are fitted between a stop of the housing cradles formed in the oscillating arms and the latches, said lugs having lower inclined faces, i characterised in that the housing cradles for the bearing boxes rest on said cylindrical surface of the latter in the normal running position of the bogie, and that located in the lower inclined faces of said lugs are slides made of sintered metallic material with a low sliding friction coefficient and a high compression resistance which assists in the transversal displacement of "41^ ft i P:\WPDOCS\DYSSPECIE47503.93- 17/5/96 -4the rolling assemblies to position them in each one of the track gauges.

Preferably, the outer housing cradle in each oscillating arm is provided with a sliding and centering runner projecting perpendicularly to the outer face thereof, and that the frame is provided, near to the outer end of said joint, with a further sliding and centering runner also projecting perpendicularly to the outer face of said frame, both runners being adapted to support and guide the bogie on a sliding and centering rail in the fixed gauge changing installation.

Preferably, the runner is composed of a sliding portion which is adapted to contact the upper surface of the rail and bears on a support, included in said runner, through a spherical articulated joint, a centering portion being also provided, which slightly projects from the outer face of said frame and is adapted to engage the inner face of said rail.

Preferably, the sliding portion and the centering portion are made of a plastics material, and lubricated with water to reduce their friction coefficient when sliding on the rail.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bogie for i railway vehicles the bogie including a centre frame having a central axis extending in a 20 direction between a forward end and a rearward end of the centre frame; four arms each of which is operatively mounted to the centre frame for oscillatory movement of the arm about a transverse axis intermediate the ends of the arm the transverse axis extending transversely of the centre axis two of the arms being mounted at the forward end of the centre axis and to opposite sides the centre axis and the other two arms being mounted at the rearward end of the centre frame and to opposite sides of the centre axis, each arm having first and second end portions with the first end portion of each arm being remote from the centre frame; four rolling assemblies each being associated with a respective arm and including a semi axle having an inner and outer bearing boxes mounted thereon, a bogie wheel adapted for movement thereon, a bogie wheel adapted for movement along the semi axle between two positions so that the bogie wheels can be positioned for use on two different track gauges,

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1 4 4S f -r 0 ,-v 'V P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIEW47503.93 -17/5/96 each of said arms having an inner and an outer cradle at the first end portion thereof for receiving the inner and outer bearing boxes respectively, and primary suspension means associated with each arm, each said primary suspension means including a coil spring and a shock absorber or damper mounted between the centre frame and the second end portion of the arm.

According to another aspect of the present invention further including inner and outer latch means associated with said bearing boxes movable between locking and release positions such that when in said locking position said bearing boxes are inhibited from transverse movement there further being provided spring means which urge said latch means into said locked position.

According to another aspect of the present invention each rolling assembly further including two associated brake discs, According to another aspect of the present invention wherein the latches including a additional safety retaining device supplementing the action of said spring means.

a oa According to another aspect of the present invention wherein the bearing boxes include 20 an upper cylindrical surface and inner and outer vertical flat faces said flat faces including respective integral lugs which constitute transverse elements for the bearing boxes and are fitted between a stop on the housing cradles in the oscillating arms the latch means said lugs having lower inclined faces and said cradles resting on said upper cylindrical surface of said bearing box in the normal running position of the bogie, there being located in the lower inclined faces of said lugs slides of sintered metallic material with a low sliding friction A coefficient and a high compression resistance which assist in the transversal displacement of the rolling assemblies to position them in each onc of the track gauges.

According to another aspect of the present invention wherein the outer housing cradle is provided with a sliding and centering runner projecting perpendicularly to the outer face h-S w 3~d it i II R i 1 r 1 1 P:WPDOCS\D YS\SPECIE\47503.93 17/5/96 -6thereof, and that the centre frame is provided, near to the outer end of said joint with a further sliding and centering runner also projecting perpendicularly to the outer face of same frame, both runners being adapted to support and guide the bogie on a sliding and centering rail in the fixed gauge changing installation.

According to another aspect of the present invention wherein the runner includes a sliding portion which is adapted to contact the upper surface of the rail and bears on a support, included in said runner, through a spherical articulated joint, a centering portion being also provided, which slightly projects from the outer face of said frame and is adapted to engage the inner face of said rail.

According to another aspect of the present invention wherein the sliding portion and the centering portion are made of a plastics material and lubricated with water to reduce their j friction coefficient when sliding on the rail.

The preferred embodiments of the invention have the following advantages incorporation in this new type of bogies.

The rolling assemblies are the same type as the tested ones for long years in 20 commercial service in the rolling gears used by the firm PATENTES TALGO, composed of two wheels which are daily running on the European network and the two gauges of the SSpanish network.

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The passing from one to another gauge would be effected at a gauge change installation similar to the existing ones at present to carry out the gauge change of the abovementioned TALGOrolling assemblies.

Both the steering and the brake conditioning are common for both gauges, not requiring any additional operation for being adapted to one or other gauge. A further discussions of various preferred embodiments is provided hereinafter.

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i 1.: P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIEW47503.93 17/5/96 44 *4 0 4 *e t o 0 4440 S00 0 0 4* 0 (C 8 4 44.4 9Q 04 e 40 4 0 6 0 0 6 0 In general, the bogie which is the object of this invention is essentially composed of a center frame, to which four oscillating arms are united by means of corresponding joints, at one end of which bearing boxes for each of the rolling assemblies are housed in cradles formed therefor.

Said rolling assemblies can move transversely, the wheels being located in each of two positions corresponding to both gauges.

The part near to the other end of each arm rests on the respective coil spring, the lower end of which rests on the center frame bottom.

At the end of this part, there is also mounted the corresponding vertical shock absorber.

15 Each of these assembles, that is to say, oscillating arm with joint, coil spring and shock absorber, constitutes the primary suspension of the corresponding rolling assembly.

Apart from this primary suspension, the bogie is equipped with another secondary suspension.

In order to improve its negotiation of curves and to eliminate the dynamic effects inherent in being fitted with independent wheels, this type of bogie would be equipped with a guiding system, or the system could be adapted to an articulated bogie.

Each bogie is fitted with four rolling assemblies, each of which is composed of a semiaxle, wheel, brake discs integrally joined to each other and bearing boxes mounted at the ends of the semiaxle.

The bearing boxes have, at their upper side, a cylindrical surface on which the corresponding end of the oscillating arm of the bogie is resting, in the normal running 4 4' 1 Jr 4 t. 4: Th\WPDOCS\DYS\SP]ECM\47503.93 17/196 position.

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0 0 0 8 0 0*00 *0 00 0 00 0 .00 0 a., 0.0, 0 0 a 0 Sf0 000* ~0 0* o *0 a 0 0 0 co 0 *00 a In order to distribute in a more even way the loads on the supporting surface, a resilient sheet can be interposed between the bearing box and the housing cradle, and said sheet must be securely fastened to one of these surfaces.

The vertical position between bearing boxes and oscillating arm is, in this way, defined.

It must be born in mind, in order to obtain a good understanding of the invention, that longitudinal axles, efforts and displacements are designated those parallel to the track, and transverse ones those perpendicular to the track, as per a horizontal plan.

Said upper surface of the bearing box being cylindrical, in a longitudinal sense, the 15 axis of the bearing box is automatically centered on its rated position.

The vertical flat faces of the bearing boxes, one at front and one at rear, are fitted on corresponding vertical flat faces of inserts, mounted inside the cradles for the bearing boxes.

20 Between the outer casing of the bearing box and the bowl thereof, there is interposed a resilient bushing so the bearings will have a small degree of freedom to absorb any small axial al ignment error, this freedom being necessary in order that the transverse efforts caused in the running will be transmitted to the oscillating arm of the bogie through both bearing boxes of each semiaxle.

Lugs located on &he front and rear vertical faces of each bearing box and which are integrally joined to it, constitute transverse fastening elements of the bearing boxes.

Adjusting these elements between a stop of the oscillating arm cradle and latches, every transverse displacement of the bearing boxes isj ipeded.

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P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE47503.93 17/5/96 -9- The two vertical longitudinal faces of each of said lugs, wherein this contact is effected, are separated each other a distance which is similar to the half difference of gauges decreased by the latch thickness.

The latches, which are integrally joined to a bridge, are adjusted in longitudinal sense by their outer transverse faces between the two vertical faces of the oscillating arm cradle, their correct position being held because the latches are adjusted between the vertical longitudinal faces of the inserts which are integrally joined to the oscillating arm cradle.

In this manner, the latches only could be moved in vertical sense, their displacement being avoided in any other direction by means of stiff stops.

Vertically, they are fixed in their running position by means of springs, the pretension of which being higher than the weight of the latches plus the dynamic force which may be S 15 produced, impedes these to descend.

Depending upon circumstances, the spring mechanism is complemented by an additional safety retaining device.

OVe I I a I The bridge of the latches is so designed that a shaped part belonging, .o the fixed gauge changing installation can be introduced into the lower part of said bridge. This "T" shaped part forces it to be vertically displaced, causing the latches to descend, overcoming the force opposed by springs, retainers and frictions.

Said bridge is designed in such a way that its inside adapts itself to the inclined planes existing on the dislatching guides of the fixed installation, so that they act on the central zone of the bridge.

The inserts which are integrally mounted on the vertical faces of the oscillating arm cradle, besides to act as a transverse stop for the latches, have vertical transverse faces on R4 S 0 4 4

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4 4 which the faces of the bearing boxi-s are adjusted in a longitudinal sense.

An insert presents a transverse guide which has an upper inclined face constituting the sliding surface of the bearing box during the transverse displacement of the rolling assembly.

The lower faces of the lugs have this same inclination and in normal running they are separated from the upper faces of the transverse guides and parallel thereto.

When the bogie has been suspended, the bearing boxes descend until the lower faces of lugs rest on the transverse guides, the transverse displacement being effected through this contact.

The inclination of the sliding faces of the transverse guides impedes, any particle which could hinder the side displacement of the wheel when changing the gauge settle on them 15 during the running.

By means of slides made of sintered metallic material having a low coeffecient of sliding friction and high compression resistance, located on the inclined planes of the lugs, the sliding of the rolling assemblies when transferring these to be positioned on each of both 20 gauges is facilitated.

Through the vertical transverse face of the lugs, the steering of brakes accompanying the wheel in its displacement would be fastened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made here and in order to help to a better understanding of the features of this invention, the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification, show, in an illustrative and non limitative way, the following: '.4 'Iii p t ii

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o~ 1' PAWPDOCS&DYS\61293. 17/5/96 po P:\WPDO CSPDYSsPECI:47503.93 17/5/96 -11- Figure 1 shows a side elevational view of the bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels which is te object of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the object illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one of four rolling assemblies incorporated in the bogie which is the object of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a side elevational view of the cylindrical surface on which the corresponding end of the oscillating arm of the bogie is resting in a normal running position.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the object illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a sectional detail along A-B of the object illustrated in Figures 4 and S S

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0, :041 00°, 2 Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the vertical flat faces of the bearing boxes, one in front and one in rear, which are adjusted on the corresponding vertical flat faces of the inserts mounted inside the cradles for the bearing boxes.

Figure 8 shows a section view of the object illustrated in Figure 7, corresponding to positioning and blocking elements of the bearing box in the suspension oscillating arm cradle.

Figure 9 shows a detail of the object illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, along the line C-D.

Figure 10 shows a duly sectioned front elevational view of the rolling assembly and the bearing housing casings.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the locking latch assembly.

Bogies for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge (17) of the latching device is constituted so that its lower part allows a part configured in to be introduced, this ./2 1 p -l 'I 1- PAWPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE47503.93 17/5/96 -12i i 1 f 4 0444 4 0 o o 64044 4 0 *4 0 4 e o44 ftu**4 S*r 6« Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the object illustrated in Figure 11.

Figure 13 shows a plan view of the fixed installation for changing the gauges.

Figure 14 shows, finally, a sectional view of the centering and sliding runners resting on the sliding rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS From these figures, it can be seen how the bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels, which is the object of this invention, is formed of a center frame 1, to which four oscillating arms are united by means of corresponding joints 2, at one of which ends the bearing boxes for each of the rolling assemblies 3 are housed in cradles formed therefor.

15 These rolling assemblies 3 can transversely move, the wheels being placed in each of two positions corresponding to both gauges.

The part near to the other end of each of the arms is resting on the respective coil spring 4, the lower end of which is resting on the bottom of the center frame 1.

At the end of the part as mentioned in the above paragraph, there is mounted the corresponding vertical shock absorber Each of these assemblies, that is to say, oscillating arm with joint, coil spring and shock absorber, constitutes the primary suspension of the corresponding rolling assembly, it being specifically understood that, apart from this primary suspension, the bogie will be equipped with another secondary suspension.

Although not shown in the general figures of the bogie, in order to improve its negotiation of curves and to obviate the dynamic effects inherent in being fitted with 4 "4, o 04 04 4 4 0 ow 4, 0.

.4u 0 0 La I II PA\PDOCS\DYS\SPEd113X47503.93 -11/5/96 -13- *s o *u 0 0D U 0s o *0* *0* 0 8 independent wheels, this type of bogie will be equipped with a guiding system, or by means of a system it could be adapted to an articulated bogie.

Each bogie is fitted with four rolling assemblies as that shown in Figure 3, each of which is composed of a semiaxle 6, a wheel 7, brake discs 8, which are integrally joined to each other, and bearing boxes 9 which are mounted at the semiaxle ends.

The bearing boxes 9, which can be seen in Figure 3, have, at their upper part, a cylindrical surface 10 on which there is resting, in the normal running position, the corresponding oscillating arm end of the bogie, such as it is shown at the sectional view of Figure 4.

In order to distribute in a more even way the loads on the supporting surfaces, a resilient sheet can be interposed between the bearing box and the housing cradle and this sheet 15 must be firmly adhered to one of these surfaces.

The vertical position between bearing box and oscillating arm is, in this matter, fully defined.

Said upper surface of the bearing box 9 being cylindrical, in a longitudinal sense, the axis of the bearing box is automatically centered in its rated position.

The vertical flat faces 11 of the bearing boxes 9, one at front and one at rear, are fitted on corresponding vertical flat faces of inserts 12 and 13 mounted inside the cradles for the bearing boxes.

Between the outer casing of the bearing box and the bowl thereof, there is interposed a resilient bushing so that the bearings will have a small degree of freedom to absorb any small axial alignment error, this freedom being necessary in order that the transverse efforts caused in the running will be transmitted to the oscillating arm of the bogie through both

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Lugs 14 located on the front and rear vertical faces of each bearing box, and which are integrally joined to it, constitute the transverse fastening elements of the bearing boxes.

Adjusted these elements between the stop 15 or 15' of the oscillating arm cradle and the latches 16, they impede every transverse displacement of the bearing boxes.

The two vertical longitudinal faces of each of said lugs 14, wherein this contact is made, are separated each other a distance which is similar to the half difference of gauges decreased by the latch 16 thickness.

The latches 16, which are integrally joined to a bridge 17, are adjusted in longitudinal sense by their outer transverse faces between the two vertical faces of the oscillating arm 15 cradle, their correct position being held because the latches are adjusted between the vertical longitudinal faces of the inserts 12 and 13, which are integrally joined to the oscillating arm cradle.

In this way, the latches only can be displaced in vertical sense, their displacement 20 being impeded in any other direction by means of rigid stops.

Vertically, they are fixed in their running position by means of springs 18, the pretension of which, being higher than the weight of the latc-hes plus the dynamic forces which could be produced, impedes these to descend.

Possibly, the spring mechanism 18 is complemented with an additional safety retaining device 19.

The bridge 17 of the latches is so designed that a "T"-shaped part belonging to the 30 fixed gauge changing installation can be introduced into the lower part of said bridge. The 4 i I il IV P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\47503.93 17/5196 15 shaped part forces it to be vertically displaced, causing the latches to descend, overcoming the force opposed by the springs, retainers and frictions.

Said bridge is designed in such a way that its inside adapts itself to the inclined planes existing on the dislatching guides of the fixed installation, so that they act on the central zone of the bridge.

A design of this type is shown in perspective and in sectional view in Figures 11 and 12.

The inserts 12 and 13, which are integrally mounted on the vertical faces of the oscillating arm cradle, in addition to act as a transverse stop for the latches, have vertical transverse faces on which the faces 11 of the bearing boxes are adjusted in longitudinal sense.

15 The insert 13 has, moreover, a transverse guide 20, having its upper face inclined, 4 4 which constitutes the sliding surface of the corresponding bearing box during the transverse displacement of the rolling assembly.

SThe lower faces 21 of the lugs 14 have this same inclination and in normal running 20 they are separated from the upper faces of guides 20 and parallel to these.

6 When the bogie has been suspended, the bearing boxes descend until the lower faces S21 of the lugs 14 rest on the guides 20, the transverse displacement being effected through this contact.

The inclination of the sliding faces of guides 20 impedes any particle which could hinder the lateral displacement of the wheel when changing the gauge settle on them during the running.

By means of slides made of a sintered metallic material having a low coeffecient of P:WPDOCSDYS\SPECIE47503.93 -17/5/96 -16sliding friction and high compression resistance, located on the inclined planes 21 of lugs, the sliding of the rolling assemblies when transferring these to be positioned on each of both gauges is facilitated.

Although not shown, the integral fastening of the brake steering accompanying the wheel on its displacement will be carried out on the vertical transversal face 22 of lugs 14.

In order to complement this description, to carry out the gap change between wheels for adapting them to each of two gauges, a brief description of the several operations to be carried out on the subject matter of the invention is given as follows: The change of gap between wheels is to be always made with the aid of a fixed installation located in the changing station. i 15 This change is made consecutively in each of the bogies when these pass at a reduced a« speed, which can attain up to a maximum of 20km/h, through said fixed installed.

Figure 13 shows schematically the several elements forming part of the installation, which are as follows 20 The end of the rails of the larger gauge is referenced 23, while the end of the rails of the small gauge is referenced 24.

"The sliding and centering guide rails are referenced 25; the unlocking and locking of latches are referenced 26, and the guides for moving the rolling assemblies are referenced 27 with regard to the resilient parts, and 28 as to the stiff parts, Assuming that a bogie accedes the fixed installation through the larger gauge, left hand side on Figure 13, the process for changing the gauge is as follows when the vehicle moves.

r P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPEC1E47503.93 17/5/96 -17- In order to carry out the moving operation of the rolling assemblies, it is necessary that the wheels do not support any load, this being obtained by the support of the bogie on the guiding rails, that is to say, by unloading the wheels.

This unloading of wheels is effected in a smooth way, by descending the rails 23 before they are discontinued, and at the right moment, according to the wheel diameter, the sliding and centering runners fitted in the oscillating arms of the bogie frame, reference 29 and 30 in Figure 2, will contact their corresponding sliding and centering rail.

In order to obtain the larger surface of support between the sliding runners 30 and the sliding rail 25, specially at the initial contact, the runner portion 30B rests on its support through a spherical articulated joint.

5 aa d The supporting runner portions 30B as well as the centering runner portions 30C are 15 made of a plastic material and are lubricated with water, so obtaining a very low friction coefficient when they slide on the sliding rail.

.The lubrication with water has a considerable advantage over other lubricants, since it does not cause, in any case, adherences or contamination.

Once the rolling assembly has been unloaded, it is necessary to unblock the rolling assemblies from the double locking of the latch stems, and for it the fixed installation has four V0; unlocking locking guides referenced 26, which are suitably located in relation to the longitudinal axis of the installation.

The section of the upper part of these guides adopts a configuration, which allows the latch bridges to enter it, and owing to the configuration of its vertical profile 31, the latches descend and are held unlocked in the central part of guides, where its profile is fully horizontal. 7 RA~ Pi V L S u J

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9 99 99 9 *9 99 9I 9 Since the friction parts 32 of the latch bridges are made also of a plastic material, the lubrication is effected also with water in order to obtain the above-mentioned advantages.

During the process of unlocking the latches, the resilient portion 27 of the guides for displacing the rolling assemblies corresponding to this gauge contact the inner face of wheels.

The pressure exerted on them favours the unlocking operation of the latches.

Before the mentioned unlocking of the latches, once the wheels have been unloaded, the rolling assemblies descend lightly and do not support the upper part 10 of the bearing boxes on the seats of the oscillating arm cradles, and then the inclined faces 21 of the mentioned lugs 14 rest on the inclined face of guide Later, as the rolling assemblies of the bogie, which is the object of this invention, 15 advance through the fixed installation, the wheels lose contact with the resilient part of the moving guides on the side through which it has been entered, aunu, next, they contact the stiff part of the moving guides on the opposite side, that is to say, where the lesser gauge is located.

During the contact of the wheels with this stiff part, the latches are unlocked and the wheels are transferred to the lesser gauge.

Later, the wheels still contact the resilient part of the moving guides and the latch guides press the latches upwards, that is to say, locking the latches.

The pressure exerted by the resilient part of the moving guides makes easy to lock the latches.

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Once the process for moving the rolling assemblies has been completed, the rolling assemblies are locked in a position corresponding to the track having the smaller gauge.

-zL i-s Cj ,~2 N-ro fTi P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\47503.93 17/5/96 -19- Lastly, while the rolling assemblies are still advancing, there is a certain moment in which the wheels contact the upward rails of the smaller gauge trace, and the above mentioned sliding and centering runners lose their contact with the sliding rails, the bogie being in a position to run over tW, trace of this gauge.

-A9 Sreverse process of passing from the track of smaller gauge to the track of larger Sgdaige is carried out in a similar way.

SIt is not considered necessary to extend more this description for an expert in the art to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it, The materials, shape, size and arrangement of its components are open to variation, provided that it does not imply any alteration to the essence of the invention.

The terms under which this specification has been described should be taken in an ample and non-limitative sense.

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Claims (15)

1. A bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels including four rolling assemblies movable transversely to place the bogie wheels in each of two positions corresponding to two different track gauges, each rolling assembly including a semiaxle, a wheel, two brake discs integrally joined to each other and two inner and outer bearing boxes mounted on the semiaxle ends and locked against transverse movement by two inner and outer latches which can only be moved in a generally vertical direction and co-act with springs that prevent the latches from descending and are held fixed in the running position by their own prestressing which is in excess of the latch weight plus the dynamic forces that may occur, characterised in that the bogie includes a center frame to which four oscillating arms are united through corresponding joints, said arms having at one end two inner and outer housing i cradles for receiving the bearing boxes of each rolling assembly, while on their area opposite the housing cradles each oscillating arm is supported on a coil spring the lower end of which 15 rests on the bottom of the center frame, and on the end of said opposite area of each oscillating arm a vertical shock absorber is mounted, the oscillating arm with its joint, the coil spring and the shock absorber forming a primary suspension for the rolling assembly.

2. A bogie for railway vehicles with. variable gap between wheels according to claim 1, 20 characterised in that the latches have an additional safety retaining device supplementing the .d action of said springs.

3. A bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing boxes have an upper cylindrical surface and I- q25 inner and outer vertical flat faces, the latter including respective integral lugs which constitute transverse fastening elements for the bearing boxes and are fitted between a stop of the housing cradles formed in the oscillating arms and the latches, said lugs having lower inclined faces, characterised in that the housing cradles for the bearing boxes rest on said cylindrical surface of the latter in the normal running position of the bogie, and that located in the lower inclined faces of said lugs are slides made of sintered metallic material with a low sliding P:WPDOCSDYS\PECL4IB7503.93-17/5/96 -21- friction coefficient and a high compression resistance which assists in the transversal displacement of the rolling assemblies to position them in each one of the track gauges.

4. A bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer housing cradle in each oscillating arm is provided with a sliding and centering runner projecting perpendicularly to the outer face thereof, and that the frame is provided, near to the outer end of said joint, with a further sliding and centering runner also projecting perpendicularly to the outer face of said frame, both runners being adapted to support and guide the bogie on a sliding and centering rail in gt4s fixed gauge changing installation. A bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels according to claim 4, characterised in that the runner is- sed of a sliding portion which is adapted to contact the upper surface of the rail and bears on a support, included in said runner, through a S 15 spherical articulated joint, a centering portion being also provided, which slightly projects 1 from the outer face of said frame and is adapted to engage the inner face of said rail.

S.

6. A bogie for railway vehicles with variable gap between wheels according to claim characterised in that the sliding portion and the centering portion are made of a plastics 20 material, and lubricated with water to reduce their friction coefficient when sliding on the rail.

7. A bogie for railway vehicles the bogie including a centre frame having a.central axis extending in a direction between a forward end and a rearward end of the centre frame; four arms each of which is operatively mounted to the centre frame for oscillatory movement of the arm about a transverse axis intermediate the ends of the arm the transverse axis extending transversely of the centre axis two of the arms being mounted at the forward end of the centre axis and to opposite sides the centre axis and the other two arms being mounted at the rearward end of the centre frame and to opposite sides of the centre axis, each arm having first and second end pirtions with the first end portion of each arm being remote from the centre RA4 P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE47503.93 -17/5/96 -22 frame; four rolling assemblies each being associated with a respective arm and including a semi axle having an inner and outer bearing boxes mounted thereon, a bogie wheel adapted for movement thereon, a bogie wheel adapted for movement along the semi axle between two positions so that the bogie wheels can be positioned for use on two different track gauges, each of said arms having an inner and an outer cradle at the first end portion thereof for receiving the inner and outer bearing boxes respectively, and primary suspension means associated with each arm, each said primary suspension means including a coil spring and a shock absorber or damper mounted between the centre frame and the second end portion of the arm.

8. A bogie according to claim 7 further including inner and outer latch means associated with said bearing boxes movable between locking andrelease positions such that when in said locking position said bearing boxes are inhibited from transverse movement there further being i. piovided spring means which urge said latch means into said leeke4 position.

9. A bogie according to claim 7 or claim 8 each rolling assembly further including two associated brake discs.

A bogie according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein thelat4ehes ieding a additional safety 20 retaining device supplementing the action of said spring means.

11. A bogie according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing boxes include .an upper cylindrical surface and inner and outer vertical flat faces said flat faces including respective integral lugs which constitute transverse elements for the bearing boxes and are fitted owot between a stop on the housing cradles in the oscillating arms.the latch means said lugs having lower inclined faces and said cradles resting on said upper cylindrical surface of said bearing box in the normal running position of the bogie, there being located in the lower inclined faces of said lugs slides of sintered metallic material with a low sliding friction coefficient and a high compression resistance which assist in the transversal displacement of the rolling assemblies to position them in each one of the track gauges. i* taY .o P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\47503.93 -17/5/96 -23

12. A bogie according to any one of the-prss edAg claims wherein the outer housing cradle is provided with a sliding and centering runner projecting perpendicularly to the outer face thereof, and that the centre frame is provided, near to the outer end of said.jbint with a further sliding and centering runner also projecting perpendicularly to the outer face of same frame, both runners being adapted to support and guide the bogie on a sliding and centering rail in the fixed gauge changing installation.

13. A bogie according to claim 6 wherein the runner includes a sliding portion which is sh-lo\"t otaL cerAer 'if adapted to contact the upper surface of the rail and bears on a support, included in sai runner, through a spherical articulated joint, a centering portion being also provided, which slightly projects from the outer face of said frame and is adapted to engage the inner face of said rail.

14. A bogie according to claim 7 wherein the sliding portion and the centering portion are made of a plastics material and lubricated with water to reduce their friction coefficient when 15 sliding on the rail. 0 0.

15. A bogie substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20 DATED this 17th day of MARCH 1996 o INVESTIGACION Y ASESORAMIENTO TECNICO, S.A. INVASTESA By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE ^/i