Patent Grant
10421467
The disclosure relates generally to side frames for a railway car truck and more particularly to side frames having increased strength in specified areas.
Railway cars typically consist of a rail car that rests upon a pair of truck assemblies. The truck assemblies include a pair of side frames and wheelsets connected together via a bolster and damping system. The car rests upon the bowl portion at the center of the bolster, which acts as a point of rotation for the truck system. The car body movements are reacted through the springs and friction wedge dampers, which connect the bolster and side frames. The side frames include pedestals that each define a jaw into which a wheel assembly of a wheel set is positioned using a roller bearing adapter.
The side frames may be formed via various casting techniques. The most common technique for producing these components is through sand casting. High production manufacturing of side frames in this casting process leaves the products susceptible to defects making the product vulnerable to high operating stresses and fatigue cycles.
The side frames may have life cycle requirements of fifty years. However, while in use, the side frames undergo various loading situations particularly near the pedestals and the side frames connect to the bolster. A means to reduce porosity defects will increase the strength of the side frame in these areas may extend the life cycle of the side frame.
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a side frame for a railway car truck, where the side frame comprises a forward pedestal jaw and a rearward pedestal jaw, where the forward and rearward jaws configured for mounting wheel assemblies. The side frame may further have a center disposed substantially equally between the forward pedestal jaw and the rearward pedestal jaw, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a bolster opening with an upper bolster opening surface, a lower spring seat surface, a forward surface, and a rearward surface. The side frame may also have a first riser arranged on the first side wall proximate to a forward lower corner of the bolster opening, a second riser arranged on the first side wall proximate to a rearward lower corner of the bolster opening, a third riser arranged on the first side wall proximate to a forward upper corner of the bolster opening, a fourth riser arranged on the first side wall proximate to a rearward upper corner of the bolster opening, a fifth riser arranged on the first side wall proximate to an upper inboard corner of a forward pedestal jaw, and a sixth riser arranged on the first side wall proximate to an upper inboard corner of a rearward pedestal jaw, where a thickness of the first side wall may be greater than a thickness of the second side wall proximate each of the first riser, the second riser, the third riser, the fourth riser, the fifth riser, and the sixth riser.
Additional aspects of this disclosure may relate to the side frame where a center of the first riser may be arranged between about 12.38 inches and 15.38 inches forward of the center and between about −0.5 inches and 2.5 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the second riser may be arranged between about 12.38 inches and 15.38 inches rearward of the center and between about −0.5 inches and 2.5 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the third riser may be arranged between about 8.75 inches and 11.75 inches forward of the center and between about 15.57 inches and 18.57 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the fourth riser may be arranged between about 8.75 inches and 11.75 inches rearward of the center and between about 15.57 inches and 18.57 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the fifth riser may be arranged between about 26.50 inches and 29.50 inches forward of the center and between about 12.50 inches and 15.50 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, and a center of the sixth riser may be arranged between about 26.50 inches and 29.50 inches rearward of the center and between about 12.50 inches and 15.50 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening.
Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a side frame for a railway car truck where a center of the first riser may be arranged between about 11.88 inches and 14.88 inches forward of the center and between about −0.63 inches and 2.37 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the second riser may be arranged between about 11.88 inches and 14.88 inches rearward of the center and between about −0.63 inches and 2.37 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the third riser may be arranged between about 9.75 inches and 12.75 inches forward of the center and between about 16.78 inches and 19.78 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the fourth riser may be arranged between about 9.75 inches and 12.75 inches rearward of the center and between about 16.78 inches and 19.78 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the fifth riser may be arranged between about 27.57 inches and 30.57 inches forward of the center and between about 16.13 inches and 19.13 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, and a center of the sixth riser may be arranged between about 27.57 inches and 30.57 inches rearward of the center and between about 16.13 inches and 19.13 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening.
Yet other aspects of this disclosure relate to a side frame for a railway car truck where a center of the first riser may be arranged between about 12.50 inches and 15.50 inches forward of the center and between about 0.13 inches and 3.13 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the second riser may be arranged between about 12.50 inches and 15.50 inches rearward of the center and between about 0.13 inches and 3.13 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the third riser may be arranged between about 9.44 inches and 12.44 inches forward of the center and between about 16.88 inches and 19.88 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the fourth riser may be arranged between about 9.44 inches and 12.44 inches rearward of the center and between about 16.88 inches and 19.88 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, a center of the fifth riser may be arranged between about 27.75 inches and 30.75 inches forward of the center and between about 16.81 inches and 19.81 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening, and a center of the sixth riser may be arranged between about 27.75 inches and 30.75 inches rearward of the center and between about 16.81 inches and 19.81 inches above the lower spring seat surface of the bolster opening.
Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a side frame for a railway car truck that comprises a forward pedestal jaw and a rearward pedestal jaw configured for mounting wheel assemblies, where the side frame has a center disposed substantially equally between the forward pedestal jaw and the rearward pedestal jaw, a first side wall and a second side wall, a bolster opening having an upper bolster opening surface, a lower spring seat surface, a forward surface, and a rearward surface, and a plurality of risers arranged on the first side wall, where a thickness of the first side wall is greater than a thickness of the second side wall proximate each of the plurality of risers. The side frame for a railway car truck may further comprise a bolster opening wall defining the bolster opening and forming the upper bolster opening surface, the lower spring seat surface, the forward surface of the bolster opening, and the rearward surface of the bolster opening, wherein a thickness of at least a portion of the bolster opening wall is greater adjacent the first side wall than the thickness of the bolster opening wall in a central portion of the bolster opening wall.
Yet another aspect of this disclosure may relate to a side frame for a railway car truck where the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall may be between about 1.70 inches and 2.20 inches and the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall may be between about 1.05 inches and 1.55 inches. Also, the side frame for a railway car truck where the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall may be between about 2.01 inches and 2.51 inches, and the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall may be between about 1.80 inches and 2.30 inches. In addition, the side frame may have a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall between about 2.22 inches and 2.72 inches, and a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall between about 1.76 inches and 2.26 inches.
In still other aspects this disclosure may relate to a side frame for a railway car truck where a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening may be greater than the thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a bottom wall of the side frame. The side frame for a railway car truck may also have a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening wall between about 0.88 inches and 1.38 inches, and a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a bottom wall of the side frame between about 0.53 inches and 1.03 inches. Optionally, the side frame for a railway car truck may have a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening wall may be between about 1.30 inches and 1.80 inches and a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a bottom wall of the side frame between about 1.03 inches and 1.53 inches. As another option, the side frame may have a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening wall between about 1.02 inches and 1.52 inches and a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a bottom wall of the side frame between about 0.61 inches and 1.11 inches.
Still other embodiments may relate to a side frame having a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall between about 0.48 inches and 0.98 inches, and a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall between about 0.39 inches and 0.89 inches. The side frame may also have a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall is between about 1.13 inches and 1.63 inches, and a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall between about 0.95 inches and 1.45 inches. The side frame may also have a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall is between about 1.71 inches and 2.21 inches, and a thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall between about 1.17 inches and 1.67 inches. The side frame may have a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening that may be greater than the thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a top wall of the side frame. The side frame may be a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening side wall between about 0.96 inches and 1.46 inches, and a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a top wall of the side frame between about 0.26 inches and 0.76 inches. The side frame may have a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening side wall between about 0.79 inches and 1.29 inches, and a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a top wall of the side frame between about 0.32 inches and 0.82 inches. The side frame may also have a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening side wall between about 0.74 inches and 1.24 inches, and a thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a top wall of the side frame between about 0.25 inches and 0.75 inches.
Yet in other embodiments of the side frame may have a forward pedestal jaw wall and a rearward pedestal jaw wall defining the respective forward and rearward pedestal jaws, where a thickness of at least a portion of the pedestal jaw walls may be greater adjacent the first side wall than the thickness of the pedestal jaw walls adjacent the second side wall. The side frame may have a thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws adjacent the first side wall is between about 1.75 inches and 2.25 inches, and a thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws in a central portion of the pedestal jaw walls is between about 1.32 inches and 1.82 inches. The side frame may have a thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws adjacent the first side wall is between about 1.89 inches and 2.39 inches, and the thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws in a central portion of the pedestal jaw walls between about 1.75 inches and 2.25 inches. The side frame may additionally have a thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws adjacent the first side wall is between about 2.54 inches and 3.04 inches, and a thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws in a central portion of the pedestal jaw walls between about 1.47 inches and 1.97 inches. Additionally, the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws may be greater than the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws adjacent a top wall of the side frame. Optionally, the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent the pedestal jaw walls may be between about 1.18 inches and 1.68 inches, and the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent a top wall of the side frame may be between about 0.77 inches and 1.27 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent the pedestal jaw walls may be between about 1.44 inches and 1.94 inches, and the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent a top wall of the side frame may be between about 0.36 inches and 0.86 inches. Also, the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent the pedestal jaw walls may be between about 1.43 inches and 1.93 inches, and the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent a top wall of the side frame may be between about 0.47 inches and 0.97 inches.
Still other embodiments of this disclosure may relate to a side frame for a railway car truck, the side frame that comprises a plurality of risers arranged on the first side wall, where a thickness of the first side wall may be greater than a thickness of the second side wall proximate each of the plurality of risers, a thickness of at least a portion of the bolster opening wall may be greater adjacent the first side wall than the thickness of the bolster opening wall in a central portion of the bolster opening wall, and a thickness of at least a portion of the pedestal jaw wall may be greater adjacent the first side wall than the thickness of the pedestal jaw wall adjacent the second side wall. Additionally, a ratio of the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall to the ratio of the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall is between about 1.05:1 and 1.73:1, and a ratio of the thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening wall to the thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward lower corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a bottom wall of the side frame is between about 1.05:1 and 1.71:1. Alternatively, a ratio of the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening adjacent the first side wall to the thickness of the bolster opening wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening in a central portion of the bolster opening wall is between about 1.05:1 and 1.59:1, and a ratio of the thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent the bolster opening side wall to the thickness of the first side wall proximate the forward and rearward upper corners of the bolster opening and adjacent a top wall of the side frame is between about 1.55:1 and 2.73:1. In another option, the side frame may have a ratio of thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws adjacent the first side wall to the thickness of the pedestal jaw walls proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws in a central portion of the pedestal jaw walls between about 1.05:1 and 1.86:1, and a ratio of the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent the pedestal jaw walls to the thickness of the first side wall proximate the inboard corners of the pedestal jaws and adjacent an a top wall of the side frame is between about 1.18:1 and 3.20:1.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the claims, are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification. The detailed description and illustrated embodiments described serve to explain the principles defined by the claims.
In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below.
“Plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.
“Proximate” as used herein, means that a first feature is located within a range +/−1 inch of a second feature.
“Substantially constant” as used herein, when referring to a dimension means that a value is approximately the same and varies no more than +/−5%.
The side frame 100 may further comprise forward and rearward diagonal tension members 140, 142 connecting the lower spring seat surface 114 to the forward and rearward pedestals 106, 108. A pair of forward column windows 144 and rearward column windows 146 may extend through the first side wall 102 and second side wall 104.
At block 200, a mold for manufacturing the side frame 100 may be formed. The mold may include a first or drag portion and a second or cope portion. The first or drag portion of the mold may include a cavity formed in the shape of the first or drag side of the side frame 100. The second or cope portion may include a cavity formed in the shape of the second or cope side of the side frame 100.
The respective portions may be formed by first providing first and second patterns that define an outside perimeter of the first or drag side and second or cope side, respectively, of the side frame 100. The patterns may partially define one or more feed paths for distribution of molten material within the mold.
For example,
The runners and in-gates 242, 244, 246, 248 may be located near the center portion of the side frames 100A, 100B and may be individually connected to the second side surface 104A, 104B of their respective side frames 100A, 100B.
The side frames 100A, 100B are positioned in a manner such that the first side walls 102A, 102B are oriented in the same direction as if mirrored across a plane centered through the well 250. This orientation allows the side frames 100A, 100B to form in a similar manner since the feed path is identical for each side frame 110A, 100B.
At block 205, a side frame core (not shown) that may define the interior region of the side frame 100. The side frame core may include one or more portions to form the interior features of the side frame 100.
The side frame core may be formed by any known method. In one example, the side frame core may be formed by a core box that includes a cope and drag portions that define the side frame core. Molding sand may be inserted into the core box and cured. The core box may then be removed to reveal the cured core. The side frame core may be formed individually, integrally, or in some combination thereof. The side frame core may be formed as two or more portions. For example, the side frame core may include a cope portion and a drag portion formed separately in separate core boxes (i.e., a cope mold and drag mold). After curing, the formed portions may be attached. For example, the cope and drag portions of a given core may be glued together to form the side frame core.
At block 210, the side frame core may be inserted in the mold and the side frame 100 is cast. For example, the side frame core may be inserted into the first or drag portion of the mold. The second or cope portion may be placed over the first portion and secured to the first portion via clamps, straps, and the like. In this regard, locating features may be formed in the first portion and the second portion to ensure precise alignment of the respective portions.
The mold may also include a plurality of risers that are integrally formed with and arranged on the first side 102 of the side frame 100. The risers may be hollow structures into which molten material fills during casting operations. The risers may be positioned at areas of the mold that correspond to thicker areas of the side frame that cool more slowly than other areas of the side frame 100. The risers may function as reservoirs of molten material that compensate for contraction that occurs in the molten material as the molten material cools, and thus may prevent shrinkage, or hot tearing of the cast side frame 100 in the thicker areas that might otherwise occur. The risers may be formed in the pattern or may be placed in the pattern before molding. Additionally, the risers may have any shape such as a tubular shape, elliptically shaped, side feeding, or conical shaped. Risers may be created from a material which insulates heat, or exothermic material which generates heat, or formed in the same material as the mold. As another option, the risers may be vented to the atmosphere or blind where they are not vented to the atmosphere. Exemplary risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 are illustrated on side frame 100 in
The risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 may be optimized in size to provide an optimal amount of feeding material during solidification of the molten material to prevent the formation of shrinkage voids and hot tears in critical areas of the side frame 100. The risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 combined with the localized geometry of the side frame 100 around the risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 may encourage directional solidification of the side frame 100 where the molten material begins to solidify in the regions of lowest temperature which may be furthest away from the feed and riser locations and then the solidification of the molten material moves in a direction toward regions of the highest temperature which may be nearest the feed and riser locations. As the molten material solidifies in a dendritic manner toward the riser locations, the molten material that solidifies last may contain regions of increased shrinkage and porosity compared to the regions that solidified first. Thus, the risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 combined with the localized geometry of the side frame 100 around the risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 may create localized regions of increased solidity, reduced porosity, and improved strength within the regions of the casting where the molten material solidified first compared to the regions where the molten material solidified last nearest or within the risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160. Accordingly, the side frame 100 may comprise localized regions of greater solidity, reduced porosity, and increased strength shown as darkened regions “Z,” which are fed by the risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, shown in
The side frame 100 may be x-rayed, ultrasonically tested, CT scanned, or examined using other non-destructive test methods to quantify the size of defects present in the casting. X-rays may be taken in accordance with ASTM E94-04(2010) “Standard Guide for Radiographic Examination,” which is incorporated by reference, or other methods of examination. The radiographic films may be graded and examined in accordance with ASTM E446-15 “Standard Reference Radiographs for Steel Castings Up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) in Thickness,” or ASTM E186-15 “Standard Reference Radiographs for Heavy-Walled (2 to 412 in. (50.8 to 114 mm)) Steel Castings,” which are both incorporated by reference. Using the dimensions contained herein in concert with the risers to feed these areas may result in maximum shrinkage defect sizes of in accordance with a Level 2. In most cases, shrinkage defects are less than Level 1 when compared to American Association of Railroads (AAR) Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices (MSRP), Specification M-210 (Dated 2013) criteria, which is incorporated by reference, the solidity standard may meet or exceed Class 1.
Although, the risers may have any shape, the risers 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160 may be exothermic blind risers having a generally truncated conical shape with an upper and lower diameter and a tapered surface between the two diameters. For example, the pedestal jaw risers 150, 152 may have a lower diameter 170 at a first end near the first side wall 102 and an upper diameter 172 at a second end opposite the first end, such that the lower diameter 170 may be greater than the upper diameter 172. Similarly, the upper corner bolster opening risers 154, 156 may have a lower diameter 174 at a first end near the first side wall 102 and an upper diameter 176 at a second end opposite the first end, such that the lower diameter 174 may be greater than the upper diameter 176. In addition, the lower bolster opening risers 158, 160 may have a lower diameter 178 at a first end near the first side wall 102 and an upper diameter 180 at a second end opposite the first end, such that the lower diameter 178 may be greater than the upper diameter 180. The lower diameter 170 of the pedestal jaw risers 150, 152 may be the same size as the lower diameter 178 of the lower bolster opening 158, 160, while the lower diameter 174 of the upper corner bolster opening risers 154, 156 may have a smaller diameter than either of the pedestal jaw risers 150, 152 or the lower bolster opening risers 158, 160.
At block 215, after securing the respective portions, molten material, such as molten steel, may be poured into the mold. The molten material may flow through the gating and throughout the mold in the space between the mold and the side frame core. The side frame 100 may be formed from a carbon steel alloy that meets or exceeds the AAR MSRP, Specification M-201 (Dated Jan. 21, 2016), which is incorporated by reference, Grade B+ or alternatively meeting a Grade B, Grade C or similar steel alloy. Optionally, this same specification would apply if the side frame 100 is cast from a ductile iron.
At block 220, the side frame 100 is removed from the mold, and the side frame 100 is finished. For example, any solidified material in the gating or risers may be removed. In some implementations, the mold may be configured so that a wedge or recess is formed in riser material just beyond an exterior surface of the side frame 100. The wedge or recess may enable hammering the riser material off, rather than more time consuming flame cutting utilized in known casting operations.
As previously discussed,
The location of the forward pedestal jaw risers 150, 152 may be defined from a dimension “R,” which is defined as the distance from the lower spring seat surface 114 of the bolster opening 110 to the center to each of the pedestal jaw risers 150, 152. The center location of the pedestal jaw risers 150, 152 may further be defined by the dimension “0” which is defined as the distance from the lateral centerline 103 of the side frame 100.
The location of the upper corner bolster opening risers 154, 156 may be defined from a dimension “M,” which is defined as the distance from the lower spring seat surface 114 of the bolster opening 110 to the center to each of the upper corner bolster opening risers 154, 156. The center location of the upper corner bolster opening risers 154, 156 may further be defined by the dimension “N” which is defined as the distance from the lateral centerline 103 of the side frame 100.
The location of the lower bolster opening risers 158, 160 may be defined from a dimension “S,” which is defined as the distance from the lower spring seat surface 114 of the bolster opening 110 to the center to each of the lower bolster opening risers 158, 160. The center location of the lower bolster risers 158, 160 may further be defined by the dimension “U” which is defined as the distance from the lateral centerline 103 of the side frame 100.
The cross-section of
The cross-section
The prior art side frame 300 illustrated in
The cross-section of
The cross-section
In addition,
The prior art side frame 300 illustrated in
The cross-section of
The cross-section
In addition,
The prior art side frame 300 illustrated in
Since the railway car trucks may have different weight capacities, the side frame 100 may be designed with different dimensions to be specifically sized for a variety of truck capacities, such as a 70 ton capacity truck, a 110 ton capacity truck, and a 125 ton capacity truck. Example ranges for the dimensions described above for the side frame 100 in accordance with this disclosure are set forth in Table 1 below:
Table 1 above describes some general ranges of dimensions that may be used and characteristics that may be exhibited by some specific examples of the side frame 100 and in accordance with this disclosure. A side frame 100 need not have dimensions and characteristics that fall within all of the ranges identified for each capacity type in Table 1 to fall within the scope of this disclosure.
Table 2 below provides additional, more particular ranges of dimensions, at least some of which may be exhibited by at least some example side frames 100 in accordance with this disclosure:
The various ranges provided in Table 2 are simply examples. A side frame 100 need not have dimensions or characteristics that satisfy all of these identified ranges to fall within the scope of this disclosure.
Table 3 provides even more targeted dimensions and characteristics of a side frame 100 in accordance with a specific example of this disclosure. Of course, a side frame 100 need not have these specific dimensions and/or characteristics to fall within the scope of this disclosure.
While specific dimensions, characteristics, and/or ranges of dimensions and characteristics are set forth in the various tables above, those skilled in the art will recognize that these dimensions and ranges are examples that may be used in at least some examples of this disclosure. Many variations in the ranges and the specific dimensions and characteristics may be used without departing from this disclosure.
While various embodiments have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the claims. The various dimensions described above are merely exemplary and may be changed as necessary. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the embodiments described are only provided to aid in understanding the claims and do not limit the scope of the claims.
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