Bail compensation joint for rail vehicles
AssigneeWabtec Holding Corp.
InventorsMichael Koziol, Richard Wayne Plegge, Peter Paul Gregar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bail compensating joint may include a threaded push rod, a ratchet in threaded connection with the push rod for rotational motion thereon, and a helical joint including a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet. The second bearing is supported by an annular composite race member formed by a metal annular inner race member joined with a resiliently deformable annular outer member. In another embodiment of the bail compensating joint, a pair of spherical joints is disposed on opposite sides of the ratchet, the spherical joints supporting the respective first and second bearings.
Claims23
A bail compensating joint used in a railway vehicle braking system, said braking system including a force transfer lever and at least one force transmitting member associated with a first end of the force transfer lever for initiating a brake application comprising:
- a push rod associated with the force transfer lever;
- a ratchet associated with the push rod for rotational motion thereon;
- and
- a helical joint comprising a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet, wherein
- the first bearing is supported by an annular inner race member and an annular outer race member, the annular inner race member having a first side seated against the ratchet and an opposing second side defining a race track for ball bearings of the first bearing, the annular outer race member having a first side engaged with the ball bearings of the first bearing to permit angular movement of the helical joint;
- and
- the second bearing is supported by an annular composite race member formed by an annular inner race member joined with an annular outer member, the composite race member supporting the second bearing with the annular inner race member thereof engaging the second bearing and defining a race track for ball bearings of the second bearing, and the annular outer member of the composite race member formed of a resiliently deformable material;
- and wherein the helical joint further comprises:
- a housing encompassing the ratchet, the helical joint, and a piston assembly, wherein the push rod comprises a solid one-piece threaded member having a first portion located outside of the housing and attached with the force transfer member and a second portion located within the housing and associated with the piston assembly, wherein actuation of the piston assembly causes the push rod to move longitudinally out of the housing and apply a force to a second end of the force transfer lever causing the force transfer lever to rotate and apply a force to the at least one force transmitting member to initiate the brake application and wherein the ratchet is threadedly connected to the second portion of the push rod.
A bail compensating joint used in a railway vehicle braking system, said braking system including a force transfer lever and at least one force transmitting member associated with a first end of the force transfer lever for initiating a brake application comprising:
- a push rod associated with the force transfer lever;
- a ratchet associated with the push rod for rotational motion thereon;
- and
- a helical joint comprising a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on opposing sides of the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet, the helical joint further comprising:
- a pair of spherical joints disposed, respectively, on opposite sides of the ratchet, the spherical joints supporting the respective bearings;
- a first spherical joint of the pair of spherical joints supporting the first bearing, the first bearing supported by an annular inner race member and an annular outer race member, the annular inner race member having a first side seated against the ratchet and a second side seated against the first bearing, the annular outer race member having a first side seated against the first bearing and a second side defining a first shaped surface, the first shaped surface engaged with a second shaped surface of an annular outer member wherein the first shaped surface and second shaped surface are complementary shapes with respect to one another;
- and
- a second spherical joint of the pair of spherical joints supporting the second bearing, the second bearing supported by an annular inner race member and an annular outer race member, the annular inner race member of the second spherical joint has a first side seated against the ratchet and a second side seated against the second bearing, the annular outer race member of the second spherical joint has a first side seated against the second bearing and a second side defining a third shaped surface, the third shaped surface engaged with a fourth shaped surface on an annular outer member of the second spherical joint wherein the third shaped surface and fourth shaped surface are complementary shapes with respect to one another;
- and
- a housing encompassing the ratchet, the helical joint, and a piston assembly, wherein the push rod comprises a solid one-piece threaded member having a first portion located outside of the housing and attached with the force transfer member and a second portion located within the housing and associated with the piston assembly, wherein actuation of the piston assembly causes the push rod to move longitudinally out of the housing and apply a force to a second end of the force transfer lever causing the force transfer lever to rotate and apply a force to the at least one force transmitting member to initiate the brake application and wherein the ratchet is threadedly connected to the second portion of the push rod.
A bail compensating joint used in a railway vehicle braking system, said braking system including a force transfer lever and at least one force transmitting member associated with a first end of the force transfer lever for initiating a brake application, comprising:
- a solid one-piece threaded push rod associated with the force transfer lever, the push rod having a first portion and a second portion;
- a ratchet in threaded connection with the second portion of the push rod for rotational motion thereon;
- a helical joint comprising a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet;
- a housing encompassing the ratchet, the helical joint, and a piston assembly, wherein the first portion of the push rod is located outside of the housing and attached with the force transfer member and the second portion of the push rod is located within the housing and associated with the piston assembly, wherein actuation of the piston assembly causes the push rod to move longitudinally out of the housing and apply a force to a second end of the force transfer lever causing the force transfer lever to rotate and apply a force to the at least one force transmitting member to initiate the brake application;
- and
- at least one spherical joint for supporting at least one of the first bearing and the second bearing, said at least one spherical joint including a surface engaged with ball bearings of the at least one of the first bearing and the second bearing wherein said at least one spherical joint is configured to permit angular movement of the helical joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.