Patent ID: 8371232
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: B61C,B61F

Abstract:
1. A system for modification of a baseline ballast arrangement of a rail vehicle having an overall tractive effort rating based on symmetrical distribution of weight and driving torque applied by the rail vehicle to axles of the rail vehicle, the system comprising: a rail vehicle truck comprising a first axle and a second axle, the first axle of the truck uncoupled from a traction system of the rail vehicle, the second axle of the truck coupled to the traction system of the rail vehicle; a first suspension assembly including a first spring, the first suspension assembly coupling the first axle to the truck, the first suspension assembly having mechanical characteristics to apply a first portion of a rail vehicle weight to the first axle; and a second suspension assembly including a second spring, the second suspension assembly coupling the second axle to the truck, the first and second springs having at least one of different spring constants or different spring geometries, the second suspension assembly having mechanical characteristics different than the mechanical characteristics of the first suspension assembly to apply a second portion of the rail vehicle weight to the second axle that is different from the first portion of the rail vehicle weight applied to the first axle so that the rail vehicle weight is asymmetrically distributed to the first axle and the second axle, wherein the asymmetrical distribution of the rail vehicle weight is configured to allocate more weight to the second axle to transmit a corresponding incremental amount of tractive effort for a given amount of a driving torque applied to the second axle via the traction system of the rail vehicle, and further wherein an amount of the rail vehicle weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle allows modification of a baseline ballast arrangement by reducing an amount of ballast in the baseline ballast arrangement corresponding to the amount of rail vehicle weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle, wherein the first axle and the second axle comprise axles having substantially equal weight-carrying capability.