BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved railway car axle, and more particularly, to an improved railway car axle able to be utilized in heavy haul freight car service.

Most railway cars, and particularly railway freight cars, in service today utilize a freight car truck which comprises two sideframes which support a transverse bolster on spring groups. Each sideframe includes a pedestal jaw adapted to receive an end of the railway car axle itself a bearing and bearing adapter are utilized between the axle and the pedestal jaw. A railway wheel is mounted laterally inwardly from the sideframe pedestal area on the wheel seat area of the axle.

Under Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards, heavy haul service freight car trucks are sized and adapted to be utilized with railway freight cars to a gross weight loading of up to 286000 lbs or even 315000 lbs. Such gross rail load requires improved axles to assure the appropriate performance of the railway freight car and ability to handle the desired freight loading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved railway car axle is provided that can be utilized in AAR approved railway car trucks for service with railway freight cars designed for up to 286000 or 315000 lbs of gross weight freight car service. The railway car axle of the present invention is a generally cylindrical, elongated structure comprised of typical steels used for railway car axles. Such axle is typically formed in a forging operation, which includes machining to final desired dimensions.

A railway car axle s accordance with the present invention includes a first journal near a first end of the axle. The journal is generally cylindrical and is utilized for mounting a first bearing assembly thereon. A second journal is provided at the other end of the railway car axle and is designed for mounting a second bearing assembly thereon.

A first dust guard seat is adjacent the first journal on the railway car axle. The first dust guard seat is of a generally cylindrical configuration and is of a generally larger diameter than the first journal. A second dust guard is provide adjacent the second journal with dimensions and properties similar to the first dust guard seat.

A first wheel seat is provided adjacent the first dust guard seat. The first wheel seat is also generally cylindrical in structure and of a diameter larger than the first dust guard. A second wheel seat is provided adjacent the second dust guard seat, and is also of a generally cylindrical structure of a diameter greater than the second dust guard seat.

The portion of the axle extending between the first wheel seat and the second wheel seat is generally cylindrical and has a selected diameter at midpoint to provide the heavy haul performance characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a railway car truck utilizing railway car axles in accordance with the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is a side view of a railway car axle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to Fig. 1 , a typical railway freight car truck is shown generally at 20. Railway freight car truck 20 is seen to be comprised of two laterally spaced sideframes 40. Each sideframe is a unitary cast steel structure. Bolster 30 extends laterally and transverse to sideframes 40 and is supported thereon in bolster openings 32 on spring groups 44. Bolster 30 is also a unitary cast steel structure. The top structure of bolster 30 includes side bearing supports 33 which are laterally spaced and a center plate structure 39. The freight car itself would be supported on side bearing within side bearing supports 33 and a center plate within center plate structure 39.

Axles 80 extend laterally between sideframe pedestals 54 located at either end of sideframe 40. The ends of axles 80 are seen to extend into bearings with bearing adapters 120 which are received in the pedestal jaw openings formed by the pedestal end 54 of sideframes 40. Wheels 1 10 are press fit onto axles 80 and are laterally spaced from each other by a distance that corresponds to the gage spacing of the railway tracks. Wheels are usually unitary cast steel structures.

Referring now to Fig. 2, railway car axle 80 is shown in detail. Railway car axle 80 is seen to comprise a generally cylindrical elongated structure which is usually comprised of a carbon steel that is forged and machined to shape.

Railway car axle 80 is seen to comprise journals 82 at either end. Journals 82 are seen to be of a reduced diameter to accept bearing 120 thereon. Bearing 120 is usually held on by three bolts which extend into openings 84 in the ends of railway car axle 80.

Laterally inward from journal 82 of railway car axle 80 is dust guard seat 86. Dust guard seat 86 is seen to have a diameter slightly greater than that of journal 82, and extends from journal 82 by a radius structure in railway car axle 80.

Further inward from dust guard seat 86 is wheel seat 88. Wheel seat 88 is seen to be of a diameter larger than dust guard seat 86, and extends from dust guard seat 86 by a radius structure. Center portion 90 of railway car axle 80 is seen to be midway between the two wheel seats 88 and is of a reduced diameter from wheel seat 88.

Preferred dimensions for railway car axle 80 are of an overall length of 2464mm (97.0 in). However, a range in axle lengths from 1600mm (63.0 in) to 2550mm (100.4 in) are withing the scope of the present invention. The diameter of railway car axle 80 at midpoint 90 is about 187mm (7.38 in). The diameter of wheel seat 88 is about 241mm (9.95 in), and the length of each wheel seat is about 203mm (7.99 in).

Each journal has a length of about 232mm (9.13 in) and a diameter of about 165mm (6.50 in).

Each dust guard has a diameter of about 200mm (7.88 in).

The dimensions mentioned above are preferred dimensions for a railway car axle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Such railway car axle would provide service in so called heavy haul conditions, which would typically comprise a gross railway freight car weight of up to 286000 and even 315000 lbs. It should also be understood above in describing railway car axle 80 that each such axle includes two laterally spaced wheel seats 88, two laterally spaced dust guard seats 86, and two laterally spaced journals 82.