Geometric shaped side bearing pad

Abstract

A geometric shaped side bearing pad includes a top and a surface extending an angle ? towards the top, wherein the bearing pad has a geometric shape and a non-linear spring rate which levels out a reaction force without buckling. The surface of the bearing pad can have two sides or four sides, can have spacing within the surface, or can be solid. The angle ? can be within the range of about 20 degrees and 85 degree and, may preferably be within the range of about 30 degrees and 75 degrees. The top of the bearing pad can have a slot defined therethrough to accommodate a protrusion in a fixture to engage the bearing pad. The bearing pad can provide a friction contact with an object and enables lateral force transfer to the bearing pad, thereby providing lateral stiffness.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to bearings and, more particularly, to a geometric shaped side bearing pad.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Rail cars are typically equipped with wheeled trucks including side bearings that are adapted, for example, to absorb energy in response to large impact loads, to control or restrict hunting movements of the rail cars, to decrease warping tendencies of the rail cars, to provide better curving characteristics of the rail cars, etc. Truck hunting occurs during movement of a rail car over tracks or rails and is caused mainly by worn wheels and / or worn rail. Truck hunting can lead to rapid truck component wear and can cause high speed derailments.[0005]Side bearing developments to reduce or otherwise control adverse truck action have been ongoing for years. For example, side bearings have been developed with various types of springs, hydraulics dampers, yaw dampers, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a geometric shaped side bearing pad for any suspension or spring application that can absorb energy while controlling the maximum reaction force. This bearing pad has a non-linear spring rate that levels out the reaction force without buckling and can be used with existing bearing boxes that previously held other types of bearing pads. The bearing pad has a pyramid shape, a conical shape, a trapezoidal shape, a prismoid shape, or other geometric shapes. The bearing pad can provide lateral stiffness and can be made from polyurethane."

Problems solved by technology

Truck hunting occurs during movement of a rail car over tracks or rails and is caused mainly by worn wheels and / or worn rail.

Truck hunting can lead to rapid truck component wear and can cause high speed derailments.

Images