RAILWAY BOGIE ASSEMBLY HAVING COMPRESSIBLE SIDE BEARINGS

Abstract

A side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle bogie assembly includes a base, a cap movably attached to the base, and one or more elastomer springs disposed between the base and the cap. One or more elastomer springs include a foam containing air pockets configured to compress.

Description

RAILWAY BOGIE ASSEMBLY HAVING COMPRESSIBLE SIDE BEARINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The modalities of the present description generally refer to bogie assemblies for railway vehicles, such as railway cars, and more particularly to bogie assemblies that include one or more compressible side bearings, which are configured to stabilize railway vehicles during travel. Rail vehicles travel along railway tracks, which consist of rails. A rail vehicle includes one or more bogie assemblies that support one or more car bodies. Each bogie assembly includes two side frames and a top pivot crossmember. Friction shoes are positioned between the top pivot crossmember and the side frames. The friction shoes are configured to provide damping for the suspension. Rail freight vehicles often include a car body that carries bulk goods, finished products, and the like. The car body includes a center stringer that extends beneath the car body from one end to the opposite end. Coupling systems are attached to the ends of the center stringer. These coupling systems connect the rail vehicle to adjacent rail vehicles. The upper pivot crossmembers approach the ends of the center stringer. The upper pivot crossmembers extend laterally through and beneath the wagon body. The upper pivot crossmembers extend and join the center stringer from both sides. A center plate is located in the center of the upper pivot crossmember of the wagon body and is positioned beneath the center stringer. A bogie assembly typically has a center plate or bowl located in the center. A center plate of the car body normally sits on top of the center plate or bowl of the bogie assembly. A vertical load from the car body is transferred from the center plate to the center plate or bowl of the bogie assembly. Typically, the bogie assembly is configured to rotate around an interface between the center plates or bowls. A typical bogie assembly also includes side bearings, which are located outside the center bowl. The side bearings are configured to limit the roll of the car body and ensure that the car body does not tip over. Known side bearings include a compression spring or elastic element to dampen a rolling load of the wagon body against the bogie assembly. zRnenn / eznz / E / YiAi The side bearings also dampen the rotational inertia of the bogie assembly, adding stability to the rail vehicle. However, the side bearings commonly used for railway vehicles can create inherent instabilities. While such instabilities have been present and are known, they become more pronounced with higher load capacities, higher operating speeds, and more stringent safety standards. There is a need for a side bearing that provides greater stability to a railway vehicle. Furthermore, there is a need for a side bearing that provides greater control over roll, yaw, and similar factors. With these needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present description provide a side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle bogie assembly. The side bearing assembly includes a base, a cap movably coupled to the base, and one or more elastomer springs disposed between the base and the cap. One or more elastomer springs comprise a foam having air pockets configured to compress. In at least one embodiment, the air pockets form at least half of one or more elastomer springs. As an example, one or more elastomer springs zAnenn / eznz / E / YiAi include a head having a first width and a neck having a second width that is less than the first width. As a further example, one or more elastomer springs also include a foot having a third width that is greater than the second width. For example, the base includes a central support. The elastomer spring is contained between the cap and the central support. For example, the base includes a collar that has an alignment edge. The alignment edge extends inward toward the lid. In at least one embodiment, one or more friction modifiers are arranged between a base collar and a lid wall. For example, the lid includes a lower flange, and the base includes a collar with a top ridge. The lid is below the top ridge. In at least one embodiment, one or more elastomer springs include a first elastomer spring and a second elastomer spring. As another example, the first elastomer spring has a first density, and the second elastomer spring has a second density that differs from the first density. In at least one modality, one or more zAnrnn / cznz / E / YiAi elastomer springs include one or more indentations. In at least one configuration, an alignment plate secures one or more elastomer springs to the base. Certain embodiments of the present description provide a method for forming a side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle bogie assembly. The method includes the movable coupling of a cap to a base and the arrangement of one or more elastomer springs between the base and the cap. One or more elastomer springs include a foam containing air pockets configured to compress. Certain embodiments of the present description provide a bogie assembly configured to travel along a track having rails. The bogie assembly includes a first side frame, a second side frame, a pivot top sleeper extending between the first side frame and the second side frame, a first wheelset coupled to the first side frame and the second side frame, a second wheelset coupled to the first side frame and the second side frame, a first side bearing assembly coupled to the pivot top sleeper, and a second side bearing assembly coupled to the pivot top sleeper. The first side bearing assembly is mounted on a top surface of the pivot top sleeper between a center bowl of the pivot top sleeper and a first end.The second side bearing assembly is mounted on the upper surface of the pivot's upper crossmember between the center cup of the pivot's upper crossmember and a second end. One or both of the first side bearing assembly or the second side bearing assembly may be configured as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a bogie assembly, according to one modality of the present description. Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a side bearing, according to one embodiment of the present description. Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the side bearing of Figure 2. Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one modality of the present description. Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one modality of the present description. Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view zRnenn / eznz / E / YiAi of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one modality of the present description. Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one modality of the present description. Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one modality of the present description. Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one modality of the present description. Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one embodiment of the present description. Figure 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method for forming a side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle bogie assembly, according to one modality of the present description. The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain modalities, will be best understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As zAnenn / eznz / E / YiAi uses it here, an element or step mentioned in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of elements or steps. Furthermore, references to a modality are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional modalities that also incorporate the cited characteristics. Moreover, unless explicitly stated otherwise, modalities comprising or having one or more elements that possess a particular condition may include additional elements that do not possess that condition. Certain embodiments of the herein description provide a side bearing assembly that includes an elastomer spring used in volumetric compression to dampen the roll energy of the wagon body. When an elastomer spring is used in volumetric compression, the maximum load the spring can withstand increases, and at the same time, the hysteresis, or energy absorption, of the elastomer also increases substantially. With certain elastomers, the volumetric compression energy absorption can be at least six times greater than that of the same elastomer used in free compression. In at least one embodiment, the elastomer spring is or includes a foam material, such as microcellular urethane, within a defined volume or space. In at least one embodiment, the foam is an open-cell foam, in which the cells collapse toward one another during compression. The cells, like air pockets, within the foam are compressible, allowing for greater and more controlled compression of the elastomer spring. The elastomer spring is configured for volumetric compression. The elastomer spring is arranged within a defined space that limits or otherwise restricts its outward expansion during compression. Because the elastomer spring includes (for example, is at least partially made of) a foam material, there is the benefit of increased force with travel because, rather than compressing the material itself, the air voids are compressed first. For example, if the foam is at least half air (for example, at least half of the foam consists of air pockets), the material can be compressed by almost 50% before the force characteristic shows signs of incompressibility. As described herein, the embodiments of this description provide a side bearing assembly for a bogie assembly of a railway vehicle. The side bearing assembly comprises a base, a cap movably coupled to the base, and at least one elastomer spring disposed and retained between the base and the cap. The elastomer spring(s) include a foam having one or more open cells, such as air bags configured to compress. The foam is configured to allow the elastomer spring to compress. For example, the foam includes hundreds, thousands, or even millions of open cells. Figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a bogie assembly 100, according to one embodiment of the present description. The bogie assembly 100 is configured to travel along a track 102 having rails 104. The bogie assembly 100 includes a first side frame 106 and a second side frame 108, which are separated from each other. A pivot top crossmember 110 extends between the first side frame 106 and the second side frame 108, and couples the first side frame 106 to the second side frame 108. A first set of wheels 112 is rotatably coupled to the first ends 114 and 116 of the first side frame 106 and the second side frame 108, respectively, and a second set of wheels 118 is rotatably coupled to the second ends 120 and 122 of the first side frame 106 and the second side frame 108, respectively. Each of the first and second sets of wheels 112 and 118 includes an axle 124 connected to the wheels 126. The wheels 126 are supported on the rails 104 and are configured to travel on them as the axles 124 rotate relative to the first side frame 106 and the second side frame 108. The first and second side frames 106 and 108 include damping systems 128. For example, damping systems 128 include one or more springs, friction shoes, and the like that are configured to dampen the forces exerted on and / or by the bogie assembly 100 as the bogie assembly 100 travels along track 102. The top crossmember of pivot 110 includes ends 130 and 132 (for example, a first end 130 and an opposing second end 132), which extend through openings 134 in the side frames 106 and 108. The top crossmember of pivot 110 also includes a top crossmember of the center bowl pivot 136 extending outward from a top surface 138. As shown, the top crossmember of the center bowl pivot 136 is centrally located on the top surface 138 of the top crossmember of pivot 110 between ends 130 and 132. The ends of the axles 124 are rotatably held by bearings 140, which are coupled to the side frames 106 and 108. In particular, the wheel assemblies 112 and 118 are coupled to the side frames 106 and 108 on pedestals 142 of the side frames 106 and 108. The pedestals 142 connect to bearing adapters 144, which connect to the bearings 140. zRnenn / eznz / E / YiAi In at least one embodiment, the damping systems 128 include spring groups 146 held within openings 134 of the side frames 106 and 108. The spring groups 146 include load coils 148 and control coils 150. The load coils 148 support the upper crossmember of the pivot 110 at ends 130 and 132. The control coils 150 support the friction shoes 152. A first side bearing assembly 200 is mounted on the upper surface 138 of the upper pivot crossmember 110 between the upper pivot crossmember 136 of the center bowl and the end 130. A second side bearing assembly 200 is mounted on the upper surface 138 of the upper pivot crossmember 110 between the upper pivot crossmember 136 of the center bowl and the end 132. The side bearing assemblies 200 can be aligned along a longitudinal plane 161 center of the upper pivot crossmember 110 that passes through a center 163 of the upper pivot crossmember 136 of the center bowl. Each side bearing assembly 200 can be separated from the center 163 by the same distance, but in opposite directions. Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a 200 side bearing (as shown in Figure 1), according to one embodiment of the present description. Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the 200 side bearing of Figure 2. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the bearing zRnenn / eznz / E / YiAi The 200 side includes a base 202, a cap 204 movably secured to the base 202, and a compressible elastomer spring (not shown in Figure 2) retained between the cap 204 and the base 202. The base 202 includes a mounting flange 206 and a collar 208 (such as a tube) extending upward from the mounting flange 206. The mounting flange 206 may include one or more through holes 210 for fasteners configured to receive and retain fasteners (such as bolts, screws, or the like) that are configured to securely fasten the base 202 to the upper crossmember of the pivot 110 (shown in Figure 1). Alternatively, the mounting flange 206 may be secured to the upper crossmember of the pivot 110 by bonding, welding, adhesives, and / or the like instead of, or in addition to, separate fasteners. Referring to Figures 1-3, the mounting flange 206 is mounted on the upper surface 138 of the upper pivot crossmember 110 between the upper pivot crossmember 136 of the center bowl and the end 130. The side bearing assemblies 200 are configured to limit the sway of the car body supported by the bogie assembly 100, thereby increasing the stability of the car body and bogie assembly 100, as well as a rail vehicle comprising the car body and bogie assembly 100. An upper surface 212 of the cap 204 is configured to rest on the wear plate of the car body. As described herein, the side bearing assemblies 200 include elastomer springs containing foam, such as an open-cell foam having a plurality of air pockets. For example, elastomer springs are made from the foam that contains air bags.The elastomer springs are designed to be compressed. The compression is contained within a defined volume of space. When a rail vehicle, including bogie assembly 100 and a car body supported by bogie assembly 100, travels along track 102, disturbances in track 102 are transferred to the rail vehicle in the form of displacement. The displacement of the car body's center of gravity on bogie assembly 100 creates roll energy, which changes the weight distribution of the car body and / or bogie assembly 100 on wheel assemblies 112 and 118. The center of gravity of a rail vehicle is the point where the weight of the car body and load reacts. This weight acts on the central bowl 136 and the side bearing assemblies 200, which dampen the roll forces and prevent tipping. The side bearing assemblies 200 can have different sizes and shapes. As shown, the collar 208 can be tubular. However, the collar 208 can have a different shape, such as a block, and the cap 204 can have a different axial cross-section than the one shown. In addition, the mounting flange 206 can include more or fewer clamping through-holes 210 than those shown. Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one embodiment of the present description. The base 202 includes an internal chamber 214 defined between the internal surfaces 216 of the collar 208 and an upper surface 218 of the edge 219 of the mounting flange 206. An opening 220 may be formed through the edge 219 of the mounting flange 206. The cover 204 includes a perimeter or circumferential wall 222 extending downward from the upper surface 212. The wall 222 may slope inward from the upper surface 212 to a lower edge 213. A retention chamber 226 is defined between the upper surface 212 and the wall 222. The elastomer spring 230 is retained between the cap 204 and the base 202. The elastomer spring 230 includes a foam 232 having a plurality of open cells, such as air pockets 234. For example, the elastomer spring 230 is an open-cell foam having air pockets 234. In at least one embodiment, the air pockets 234 form at least half of the entire body of the elastomer spring 230. Optionally, the air pockets 234 may form less than half of the entire body of the elastomer spring 230. The elastomer spring 230 is hourglass-shaped. For example, the elastomer spring 230 includes an expanded head 236 contained within the cap 204 that approximates the upper surface 212. The width of the elastomer spring 230 decreases from the head 236 to a reduced neck 238. The neck 238 has a reduced diameter or width compared to the head 236. For example, the width 239 of the head 236 is greater than the width 241 of the neck 238. The width of the elastomer spring 230 may decrease gradually and steadily from the head 236 to the neck 238. A foot 240 of the elastomer spring 230 may be wider than the neck 238. For example, the width 243 of foot 240 is greater than the width 241. The width 243 may be greater than, less than, or equal to the width 239.In at least one embodiment, foot 240 extends through the opening 220 of the mounting flange 206 and is configured to rest on a top surface of the upper crossmember of pivot 110 (shown in Figure 1). Optionally, the mounting flange 206 may not include the opening 220, in which case foot 240 rests on a top surface of the mounting flange 206 below the cover 204. In at least one embodiment, the width of the elastomer spring 230 can decrease from the head 236 to the foot zRnenn / eznz / E / YiAi 240, instead of the foot 240 being wider than the neck 238. The reduced diameter of the neck 238 in relation to the head 236 ensures that the elastomer spring 230 remains contained and restricted under the cap 204 during compression. As shown in Figure 4, the elastomer spring 230 is in a resting state, so no downward force is exerted on the upper surface 212 of the cap in the direction of arrow B. As force is exerted on the upper surface 212 in the direction of arrow B, such as by a wear plate on the wagon body, the air pockets 234 are compressed and move toward each other, thus allowing the elastomer spring 230 to compress. The narrow neck 238 prevents the elastomer spring 230 from expanding outward between the lower edge 213 of the cap 204 and the edge 219 of the mounting flange 206, allowing the cap 204 to bottom out on the base 202. The head 236 is retained within the cap 204. As such, the head 236 cannot move out of the cap 204 when the elastomer spring 230 is compressed. The width of the neck 238 is reduced compared to the head 236, thus restricting outward expansion. In particular, the neck 238 is narrower than the head 236 and, as such, is prevented from expanding outward into the spaces between the lower edge 213 of the cap 204 and the edge 219 during compression. Furthermore, the foot 240 is constrained between the edge 219 and an upper surface of the upper crossmember of the pivot 110 (shown in Figure 1), thus limiting outward expansion during compression. The rim 219 ensures that the elastomer spring 230 is correctly oriented, as centered, with respect to the base 202. The elastomer spring 230 is compressed within the volume defined between the cap 204, the rim 219, and the upper crossmember of the pivot 110. The compression of the elastomer spring 230 is restricted between the inner surfaces 246 of the cap 204, the surfaces 248 of the inner rim of the rim 219, and a top surface of the upper crossmember of the pivot 110. The reduced width of the neck 238 ensures that the elastomer spring 230 does not expand outward between the lower rim 213 and the rim 219 during compression. The 230 elastomer spring is used in volumetric compression to dampen the roll energy of the railcar body. When a 230 elastomer spring is used in volumetric compression, the maximum load it can withstand increases, and at the same time, the hysteresis, or energy absorption, of the 230 elastomer spring also increases substantially. In at least one embodiment, the elastomer spring 230 is formed from foam 232 containing air pockets 234. In at least one instance, foam 232 is a microcellular urethane foam containing air pockets 234. The air pockets 234 provide cells that collapse toward one another during compression. As noted, a wear plate 260 on the wagon case 262 makes contact with the upper surface 212 of the cap 204. In a nominal static position, the mass of the wagon case 262 exerts a force on the cap 204 and the elastomer spring 230. This nominal compressed height is known as the installation height of a side-bearing assembly 200. The force applied to the elastomer spring 230 reacts on the upper surface of the upper pivot crossmember 110 (shown in Figure 1) or on a top surface (such as a top support) of the base 202. When the elastomer spring 230 is compressed, the outer surfaces of the spring head 236 tend to expand outward but are confined by the cap 204.When the elastomer spring 2 expands outward (i.e., away from a central longitudinal axis 270 of the elastomer spring 230 in a rest state), the head 236 exerts a force on the inner surfaces 246 of the cap 204. When the elastomer spring 230 makes contact with the inner surface 246 and continues to compress vertically at the end under the action of arrow B, a frictional force is created by the sliding of the outer surfaces of the head 236 against the inner surfaces 246 of the cap 204. This frictional force considerably increases the damping capacity of the elastomer spring 230 above what can be achieved from free compression alone. As the wagon body 262 experiences rocking and other dynamic movements, the elastomer spring 230 compresses and expands at opposite rates at either end of the upper pivot crossmember 110 above and below the installation height. When the wagon body 262 experiences significant rocking, the elastomer spring 230 compresses on one side of the upper pivot crossmember 110 until the lower edge 213 of the cap 204 makes contact with the edge 219, providing a hard stop on the base 202. Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing 200 of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one embodiment of the present description. In this embodiment, the elastomer spring 230 is supported on a central support 280 extending upward from the mounting flange 206. A channel 282 is defined between the support 280 and the collar 208. The elastomer spring 230 can be contained between the cap 204 and the central support 280 between a rest position (as shown in zAnrnn / cznz / E / YiAi) and a repose position. Figure 5) and a fully compressed position. As the cap 204 moves downward in the direction of arrow B, or upward in the direction of arrow B', the cap 204 is guided between the inner surfaces 284 of the collar 208 and the outer surfaces 286 of the support 280. The 230 elastomer spring can be block-shaped or cylindrical. Optionally, the 230 elastomer spring can be hourglass-shaped, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing 200 of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one embodiment of the present description. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 is similar to that shown in Figure 5, except that, in conjunction with the use of the support 280, an alignment lip 300 extends inward from an upper lip 302 of the collar 208. The alignment lip 300 prevents or reduces the possibility of the cap 204 rolling on the support 280 and binding, for example, by reducing the moment created by lateral loads from the wagon body. The alignment edge 300 extends inward from the upper edge 302 of the collar 208 to an outer surface of the wall 222 of the cover 204. The alignment edge 300 can be used with any of the modes described herein, such as the mode shown in Figure 4. zAnenn / eznz / E / YiAi Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the 200 side bearing of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one modality of the present description. The embodiment shown in Figure 7 is similar to those shown in Figures 5 and 6, except that one or more friction modifiers 310, such as blocks, beams, sheaths, rings, or the like, may be placed within the channel 282 between the collar 208 and the wall 222 of the lid 204. The friction modifiers 310 align the lid 204 with respect to the base 202, similar to the alignment rim 300 shown and described with respect to Figure 6. The sliding surfaces 312 of the friction modifiers 310 that contact the wall 222 provide a low coefficient of friction, allowing the lid 204 to slide smoothly and, at the same time, reducing the moment created by the lateral loads on the wagon body.310 friction modifiers can be made of low-friction materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example. 310 friction modifiers can be used with any of the methods described herein. Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing 200 of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one embodiment of the present description. In this embodiment, the cap 204 includes a lower flange 330 that is below an upper ridge 332 of the collar 208. The upper ridge 332 prevents the cap 204 from being ejected away from the collar 208, for example, by abutting against the lower flange 330. The elastomer spring 230 can be fully contained between the mounting flange 206, the collar 208, and the cap 204. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the cap 204 provides a plunger, which rests on the elastomer spring 230. The upper ridge 332 of the collar 208 provides a stop for the plunger. Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lateral bearing 200 of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one embodiment of the present description. In this embodiment, the lateral bearing 200 includes a first elastomer spring 230a and a second elastomer spring 230b, which differs from the first elastomer spring 230a. The first elastomer spring 230a and the second elastomer spring 230b may have different properties. As shown, the second elastomer spring 230b can be stacked on top of the first elastomer spring 230a. The first elastomer spring 230a may have a first density and a first stiffness. The second elastomer spring 230b may have a second density and a second stiffness. The first and second densities may be different. The first and second stiffnesses may be different. In at least one embodiment, additional elastomer springs, which may also include different densities and stiffnesses, may be used. The first elastomer spring 230a may have a higher density than the second elastomer spring 230b. Optionally, the first elastomer spring 230a may have a lower density than the second elastomer spring 230b. Any of the embodiments described herein may have multiple elastomer springs, which may or may not have different densities and / or stiffnesses. Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the side bearing 200 of Figure 3 through line AA of Figure 3, according to one embodiment of the present description. In this embodiment, one or more indentations 400 may be formed on an outer surface of the elastomer spring 230. The indentations 400 may be grooves, recessed areas, cutouts, or the like. The indentations 400 may be a plurality of features or a contiguous annular structure. The indentations 400 aid in further compression of the elastomer spring 230 after the air voids (such as the air pockets 234) have been sufficiently compressed and the material is under volumetric compression. Because the elastomer spring material 230, other than the air pockets 234, may be incompressible, the elastomer spring 230 tends to encounter a void in the side bearing assembly 200 into which it can compress when further load is applied. As shown in Figure 10, this void may be the clearance between the cap 204, the support 280, and the collar 208. The indentations 400 provide reduced material, thereby decreasing the likelihood of the elastomer spring 230 compressing into this void. As shown in Figure 10, the elastomer spring 230 can be attached to an alignment plate 402. The alignment plate 402 can be clamped to a tighter tolerance to keep the elastomer spring 230 centered under the cap 204. Optionally, the side bearing assembly 200 may not include the alignment plate 402. Any of the configurations described herein may include the alignment plate 402. In addition, the elastomer springs 230 of any of the configurations described herein may include one or more indentations 400. Figure 11 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for forming a side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle bogie assembly, according to one embodiment of the present description. The method includes movably coupling, in 500, a cap to a base; and arranging, in 502, one or more elastomer springs between the base and the cap. One or more elastomer springs include a foam having air pockets configured to compress. zRnenn / eznz / E / YiAi In at least one modality, the method also includes forming at least half of one or more elastomer springs with the air bags. As described herein, the modalities described herein provide side bearing assemblies that offer increased stability for a rail vehicle. Furthermore, the side bearing assemblies provide greater control of roll, yaw, and similar effects. While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, bottom, middle, side, horizontal, vertical, front, and the like, may be used to describe the modalities of the present description, it is understood that such terms are used simply with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be reversed, rotated, or otherwise changed, so that a top portion becomes a bottom portion and vice versa, a horizontal portion becomes a vertical portion, and so forth. As used herein, a structure, constraint, or element that is configured to perform a task or operation is specifically formed, constructed, or structurally adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For the sake of clarity and to avoid doubt, an object that can simply be modified to perform the task or operation is not configured to perform the task or operation as used herein. It should be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the modalities described above (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with one another. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various modalities of the description without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various modalities of the description, the modalities are by no means limiting and are exemplary. Many other modalities will be evident to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the foregoing description. The scope of the various modalities of the description must therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, together with the full scope of the equivalents to which those claims are entitled.In the appended claims, the terms "encompassing" and "wherein" are used as plain English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used simply as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Additionally, the limitations in the following claims are not written in any form plus zRnenn / eznz / E / YiAi function and are not intended to be construed on the basis of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such limitations in the claims expressly use the phrase "means to" followed by an additional structure-void function statement. This written description uses examples to illustrate the various embodiments of the description, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the description, including the manufacture and use of any device or system and to perform any embodied method. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the description is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such additional examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A side bearing assembly for a bogie assembly of a railway vehicle, the side bearing assembly characterized in that it comprises: a base; a cover movably coupled to the base; and one or more elastomer springs disposed between the base and the cover, wherein one or more elastomer springs comprise a foam having air pockets that are configured to compress.

2. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the air bags form at least half of one or more elastomer springs.

3. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes one or more elastomer springs: a head having a first width; and a neck having a second width that is less than the first width.

4. The side bearing assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that one or more elastomer springs further comprise a foot having a third width that is greater than the second width. zAnenn / eznz / E / YiAi 5. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the base comprises a central support, and wherein the elastomer spring is contained between the cap and the central support.

6. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the base comprises a collar having an alignment edge, and wherein the alignment edge extends inwards towards the cap.

7. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises one or more friction modifiers arranged between a base collar and a cap wall.

8. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap comprises a lower flange, and wherein the base comprises a collar having an upper ridge, wherein the cap is below the upper ridge.

9. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more elastomer springs comprise a first elastomer spring and a second elastomer spring.

10. The side bearing assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the first elastomer spring has a first density, and wherein the second elastomer spring has a second density that differs from the first density.

11. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more elastomer springs comprise one or more indentations.

12. The side bearing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an alignment plate that secures one or more elastomer springs to the base.

13. A method for forming a side bearing assembly for a railway vehicle bogie assembly, the method being characterized in that it comprises: movably coupling a cap to a base; and disposing of one or more elastomer springs between the base and the cap, wherein one or more elastomer springs comprise a foam having air pockets that are configured to compress.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises forming at least half of one or more elastomer springs with the air bags.

15. A bogie assembly configured to travel along a track having rails, the bogie assembly characterized in that it comprises: a first side frame; a second side frame; a pivot top crossmember extending between the first side frame and the second side frame; a first wheel assembly coupled to the first side frame and the second side frame; a second wheel assembly coupled to the first side frame and the second side frame; a first side bearing assembly coupled to the pivot top crossmember;and a second side bearing assembly coupled to the upper pivot crossmember, wherein the first side bearing assembly is mounted on an upper surface of the upper pivot crossmember between a central bowl of the upper pivot crossmember and a first end, and wherein the second side bearing assembly is mounted on the upper surface of the upper pivot crossmember between the central bowl of the upper pivot crossmember and a second end, wherein each of the first side bearing assembly and the second side bearing assembly comprises: a base; a cap movably coupled to the base; and one or more elastomer springs disposed between the base and the cap, wherein one or more elastomer springs comprise a foam having air pockets configured to compress.

16. The bogie assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the air bags form at least half of one or more elastomer springs.

17. The bogie assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that one or more elastomer springs comprise: a head having a first width; a neck having a second width that is less than the first width; and a foot having a third width that is greater than the second width.

18. The bogie assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the base comprises a collar having an alignment edge, and wherein the alignment edge extends inwards towards the lid.

19. The bogie assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the first side bearing assembly and the second side bearing assembly further comprises one or more friction modifiers disposed between a base collar and a cover wall.

20. The bogie assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the lid comprises a lower flange, and wherein the base comprises a collar having an upper ridge, wherein the lid is below the upper ridge.

21. The bogie assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that one or more elastomer springs comprise a first elastomer spring and a second elastomer spring, wherein the first elastomer spring has a first density, and wherein the second elastomer spring has a second density that differs from the first density.

22. The bogie assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that one or more elastomer springs comprise one or more indentations.

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