Title:
MACHINE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/078587
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
The invention relates to a machine intended for the effective maintenance of complete wheel axles for railway carriages, characterized by a main frame (1), a drive system (2) for speed simulation combined with load simulation provided by a load bracket (3), piezo-resistive sensor (4), loading and unloading arm (5) for loading and unloading as well as sorting of wheel axles with the help of a loading/unloading ramp and holder (6) and a profile cutter (7) for the repair of damage to wheel rims and wheel flanges. A description is also given of a maintenance method for wheel axles involving the injection of new bearing grease in an interspace (37) without the need for dismantling the bearing housing nor the bearing for degreasing.
Inventors:
CHRUICKSHANK FRANK (NO)
Application Number:
PCT/NO2000/000188
Publication Date:
December 28, 2000
Filing Date:
June 02, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
CHRUICKSHANK FRANK (NO)
International Classes:
B23B5/28; B61K9/12; G01M17/10; (IPC1-7): B61F/
Foreign References:
| US4898026A | 1990-02-06 | |||
| DK140689B | 1979-10-29 | |||
| US4197629A | 1980-04-15 | |||
| US3914907A | 1975-10-28 |
Other References:
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN & JP 63 138 231 A (SHIMADZU CORP) 10 June 1988
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Protector, Intellectual Property Consultants AS. (P.O. Box 5074 Majorstua Oslo, NO)
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Claims:
Claims
| 1. | 1. A machine intended for the effective maintenance of a complete wheel axle (8,9,16, 33) for railway carriages, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a main frame (1), a drive system (2) for speed simulation combined with load simulation provided by a load bracket (3), a piezoresistive sensor (4), a loading and unloading arm (5) for loading and unloading as well as sorting of wheel axles with the help of a loading/unloading ramp and holder (6) and a profile cutter (7) for the repair of damage to wheel rims and wheel flanges. *& 2. |
| 2. | The machine of claim 1, characterized in that the drive system (2) is fixed to the main frame (1) by bearing blocks (20), a snapin slide clamp (21), an actuator/damper (11) and is encased in a robust, compartmented support frame (22) for a motor (23), a toothed belt (24) and profiled drive wheels (25) enabling stable positioning and rotation of the wheel disks (8) on the wheel axle under load from a load bracket (3).*& 3. |
| 3. | The machine of claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the load bracket (3) is based on the lever principle in that a force is applied to the mounting point (14) on the main frame (1) through a hydraulic actuator (13) in such a manner that a propagation of force from the base (27) of the load bracket (3) via the bearing housing (9), the bearings (33), the wheel axle (16), the wheel disk (8), the drive system (2), the main frame (1) and back to the load bracket (3) provides a simulated load in the range of 0 to 12.5 tons on the bearing.*& 4. |
| 4. | The machine of claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y two piezoresistive sensors (4) mounted on the base (27) of the load bracket (3) so that all vibrations and excitations from the bearings (33), the wheel disk (8) and the axle, via the bearing housing (9) are measurable.*& 5. |
| 5. | The machine of claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the loading/unloading arms (5) which loads and unloads the complete wheel axle (8,9,16) in need of checking, is controlled by two hydraulic actuators (15,46) enabling a lift operation from/to floor level and securing of the wheel axle in a stable position (17) under this operation as well as during the loading and unloading operations to the position (18) where the simulation operations are taking place.*& 6. |
| 6. | The machine of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the profile cutter system (7) is mounted on the main frame (1) with the help of bearing blocks (12), a snapin slide clamp (45), a hydraulic actuator (10), encased in a robust support frame (7) for a motor (43), a power transmission device (42) and two rotating milling wheels (40,41) which, with the help of the actuator (10) are brought into contact with the rotating wheel disks (8) on the clamped wheel axle to enable milling of the wheel rim (40) or of the flange (41).*& 7. |
| 7. | The machine of claim 6, characterized in that the hydraulic actuator (10), the bearing blocks (12) and the sliding clamp (45) enable positioning of the profile cutter system (7) in at least three operation modes, so that the two milling wheels (40,41) can operate either for profiling of the wheel rim, the wheel flange or no operation.*& 8. |
| 8. | A method for maintenance and cleaning of bearings, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the pairs of bearings (33), the bearing housing (9), the interspaces (36,37,38) are degreased through an automatic cleaning process with the help of a compressor and a suitable solvent connected to an injection nipple (32) and a drain nipple (34) situated respectively in the side (31) and in the bottom (35) of the bearing housing, new bearing grease being automatically injected into the interspace (37) between the pair of bearings (33) through a Hansen coupling (32) provided in the side of the bearing housing.*& 9. |
| 9. | The method of claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the wheel axle (9) is continually rotated and the vibrations and excitations from the bearing pairs (33) are monitored by a piezoresistive sensor (4) during the degreasing of the bearings, so that abrasion particles do not invade the bearings (7) and that a new supply of bearing grease is injected to restore the correct lubricant thickness and full function of the bearing.*& 10. |
| 10. | The method of claims 8 and 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the detergent oil and the bearing grease are automatically recuperated so that they can be used again. |
Description:
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT/NO 00/00188 C (Continuation). DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. A US 4197629 A (JACK L. REESE ET AL), 15 April 1980 1-7 (15.04.80), figures 1,6, abstract A US 3914907 A (CLARENCE HOFELT, JR. ET AL), 1-7 28 October 1975 (28.10.75), figures 1, 2, abstract INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT/NO00/00188 Box I Observations where certain claims were found unsearchable (Continuation of item 1 of first sheet) This international search report has not been established in respect of certain claims under Article 17 (2Xa) for the following reasons: 1. 2 Claims Nos.: because they relate to subject matter not required to be searched by this Authority, namely: 2. n Claims Nos. : because they relate to parts of the international application that do not comply with the prescribed requirements to such an extent that no meaningful international search can be carried out, specifically : 3. Claims Nos.: because they are dependent claims and are not drafted in accordance with the second and third sentences of Rule 6.4 (a). Box lI Observations where unity of invention is lacking (Continuation of item 2 of first sheet) This International Searching Authority found multiple inventions in this international application, as follows: see extra sheet 1. As all required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this international search report covers all searchable claims. 2. As all searchable claims could be searched without effort justifying an additional fee, this Authority did not invite payment of any additional fee. 3. As only some of the required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this international search report covers only those claims for which fees were paid, specifically claims Nos.: 4.1'7 No required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant. Consequently, this international search report is restricted to the invention first mentioned in the claims; it is covered by claims Nos.: Remark on Protest The additional search fees were accompanied by the applicant's protest. No No protest accompanied the payment of additional search fees. INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. PCT/NO00/00188 1. Claims 1-7 2. Claims 8-10 The above groups of inventions do not satisfy the requirements of unity of invention. The groups of inventions are not so linked as to form a single general inventive concept. The"special technical features"in group one relate to an arrangement for detection and maintenance of possible damages on railway wheels while the"special technical features"of group two relate to a method for maintenance and cleaning of bearings. There is no technical relationship among these inventions involving one or more of the same or corresponding technicalfeatures. INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT International application No. Information on patent family members 02/11/00 PCT/NO 00/00188 Patent document Publication Patent family Publication cited in search report date member (s) date US 4898026 A 06/02/90 AT 72701 T 15/03/92 DE 3642717 A, C 23/06/88 DE 3776789 A 26/03/92 EP 0293425 A, B 07/12/88 WO 8804417 A 16/06/88 DK 140689 B 29/10/79 NONE US 4197629 A 15/04/80 AR 215075 A 31/08/79 US 3914907 A 28/10/75 CA 1025695 A 07/02/78 SE 345010 B 08/05/72 DE 1729679 A 04/03/71 ES 349795 A 01/11/69 FR 1553330 A 10/01/69 GB 1220361 A 27/01/71 GB 1220362 A 27/01/71 NL 153125 B 16/05/77 NL 6801235 A 02/08/68 US 3724137 A 03/04/73 US 3725163 A 03/04/73