A train axle system with variable gauge wheels

Abstract: A train axle system with variable gauge wheels, comprising an axle whose necks, where the wheels are positioned, are provided with a toothing formed with straight teeth having axial generators, the inner part of the wheel hubs having a similar toothing so that the rotating wheel is joined to the axle when it occupies positions corresponding to two track gauges, the axial blocking of the wheel being carried out by means of an outer locking bolt, there being attached to the end of the axle an external bearing (1) which supports the vertical load through a supporting part, the hub of the wheel (R) having a tubular extension with a central roller bearing (3) and two axial bearings (4), there being attached on the central bearing (3) a part (5) with protuberances (6) which assist in immobilising the wheel in each track gauge.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention refers to a new train axle system with movable wheels which can be used in tracks of different gauges. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present system is an additional development of the work carried out by the applicant in the field of the construction of rail vehicles with wheels that are movable to adjust to different track gauges. Thus, patent FR-A-1 558 329 describes a single axle bogie with a variable separation between the wheels which allows a solution to the problem of a bogie being used to travel on two different track gauges, for example that normally used in Spain and that normally used in France and other European countries. Moreover, in EP-A-0 802 101 a train axle assembly is described which is provided with an automatic change of track gauge and which can be adapted to conventional bogies with a fixed distance between their wheels, so that a conventional rail vehicle, suitable for travelling on a single track gauge becomes capable, after fitting the said train axle assembly, of travelling on a different track gauge, for example passing from the Spanish rail network to the French network, and vice versa. Another variable gauge wheelset is known from the EP-A-0 873 929 and consists of a single axle upon which two sleeves supporting the wheels are slidably mounted. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The system of the present invention has three versions and is made up basically of an axle whose necks, where the wheels are positioned, are provided with a toothing formed with straight teeth and whose generators follow the axial direction. The inner part of the wheel hub also has a similar toothing which will allow the rotating wheel to be joined to the axle when it occupies the two positions corresponding to the track gauges. Axial blockage of the wheel is carried out by means of one or two locking bolts in a similar way to that used in the TALGO® system of movable independent wheels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which: Figures lA-C show three views of a train axle system in accordance with a first variant of the invention, Figures 2A-C show three views of a train axle system in accordance with a second variant of the invention, and Figures 3A-C show three views of a train axle system in accordance with a third variation of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION There follows a description of each of the three versions of the invention with reference to the corresponding figures of drawings. First variant Includes a locking bolt situated in an outer position. As may be observed in figures 1A-C, on the end of the axle an outer bearing (1) is attached, which supports the vertical load through a supporting part (2). The hub of the wheel R has a tubular extension in its outer side, on which, externally, a central roller bearing (3) is incorporated and, on its sides, two axial bearings (4). On the central bearing a part (5) is externally attached, which in its outer part has on each side protuberances (6) which, being in contact with the rods of the wheel locking bolts, immobilise the wheel in each track gauge. The process whereby the wheel passes from one track gauge to another is to be carried out on an exchanger of the existing type and will consist of the following operations: Unloading of the wheels, the axle being supported on skids. Lowering of the bolts and axial unblocking of the wheels. Moving of the wheels to the other gauge. Axial blockage of the wheels by means of raising the bolts. Supporting of the wheels upon the rails of the track. Second variant This variant, illustrated in Figures 2A-C, includes a locking bolt situated in an inner position. In this case, the mounting of the outer bearing (1) on the end of the axle is similar to the foregoing version. The hub of the wheel R extends inwards and on its outer part a central roller bearing (3) and two axial thrust lateral bearings (4) are attached. In a similar way to the first variant, there is a part (5) which is attached to the outer part of the central bearing and which, in both parts, has protuberances (6) which immobilise the wheel when in contact with the rods of the locking bolt. In this case, the part (2) supporting the vertical load extends inwards, as in this part the locking bolt is now fitted. The process whereby the wheel pass from one track gauge to another is to be carried out as in the first variant. Third variant This variant, illustrated in Figures 3A-C, incorporates double bolting, that is, on both inner and outer parts. Therefore, it is a combination of the two foregoing variants in which the load support (2) is similar to the second variant, the hub of the wheel R extends inwards and outwards, and, in each of these extensions, central roller bearings (3) and two pairs of axial thrust bearings (4) are attached. This variant has the advantage that bolting is duplicated. The process whereby the wheel passes from one track gauge to another is to be carried out as in the foregoing versions. The skilled persons will understand that in the foregoing description of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention, which are provided solely for illustrative purposes, modifications may be carried out which will remain within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the content of the attached claims.

Claims: A train axle system with movable wheels, comprising an axle whose necks, where the wheels are positioned, are provided with a toothing formed with straight teeth and whose generators follow the axial direction, the inner part of the wheel hubs having a similar toothing so that the rotating wheel is joined to the axle when it occupies positions corresponding to two track gauges, wherein axial blocking of the wheel is carried out by means of a locking bolt situated in an outer position in a similar way to how it is carried out in the TALGO® system of movable independent wheels, there being attached to the end of the axle an external bearing (1) which supports the vertical load through a supporting part (2), the hub of the wheel (R) having a tubular extension in its outer side, on which, externally, a central roller bearing (3) and, on its sides, two axial bearings (4) are incorporated, there being externally attached on the central bearing (3) a part (5) which, on its outer part, has on each side protuberances (6) which, being in contact with the rods of the wheel locking bolts, immobilise the wheel in each track gauge. A train axle system with movable wheels, comprising an axle whose necks, where the wheels are positioned, are provided with a toothing formed with straight teeth and whose generators follow the axial direction, the inner part of the wheel hubs having a similar toothing so that the rotating wheel is joined to the axle when it occupies positions corresponding to two track gauges, wherein axial blocking of the wheel is carried out by means of a locking bolt situated in an inner position in a similar way to how it is carried out in the TALGO® system of movable independent wheels, an external bearing (1) which supports the vertical load through a supporting part (2) being attached to the end of the axle, the hub of the wheel (R) extending inwards and on its outer part a central roller bearing (3) and, on its sides, two axial thrust lateral bearings (4) being attached, there being attached to the outer part of the central bearing (3) a part (5) which, on both sides, has protuberances (6) which, being in contact with the rods of the locking bolt, immobilise the wheel, and the part (2) supporting the vertical load extending inwards so that the inner locking bolt can be mounted therein. A train axle system with movable wheels, comprising an axle whose necks, where the wheels are positioned, are provided with a toothing formed with straight teeth and whose generators follow the axial direction, the inner part of the wheel hubs having a similar toothing so that the rotating wheel is joined to the axle when it occupies positions corresponding to two track gauges, wherein axial blocking of the wheel is carried out by means of two locking bolts one of which is situated in an outer position and the other in an inner position, in a similar way to how it is carried out in the TALGO® system of movable independent wheels, wherein to the end of the axle, in an external position, there is an external bearing (1) which supports the vertical load through a supporting part (2), the hub of the wheel (R) having a tubular extension on its outer side upon which, externally, a first central roller bearing (3) and, on its sides, two first axial bearings (4) are incorporated, there being externally attached on the first central bearing (3) a first part (5) which in its outer part has on each side first protuberances (6) which, being in contact with the rods of the outer locking bolt, immobilise the wheel in each track gauge, and wherein the hub of the wheel also extends inwards and there are attached to it, on its outer part, a second central roller bearing (3) and, on its sides, two second axial thrust bearings (4), there being attached to the outer part of the second central bearing (3) a second part (5) which, on both sides, has second protuberances (6) which, being in contact with the rods of the inner locking bolt, immobilise the wheel, and the part (2) supporting the vertical load extending inwards so that the inner locking bolt can be mounted therein.

Inventors: BORRAJO MORA JOSE, FRUTOS AGUADO JULIO, LOPEZ GOMEZ JOSE LUIS, BORRAJO MORA, JOSE, FRUTOS AGUADO, JULIO, LOPEZ GOMEZ, JOSE LUIS, Borrajo Mora, José, Lopez Gomez, José Luis 
Applicants: TALGO PATENTES, PATENTES TALGO, S.A.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B61F7
IPC codes: B61F7