System for and method of re-profiling locomotive and rail car wheels
AssigneeHJR Equipment Rental, Inc.
InventorHarold F. Ross
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for configuring a wheel associated with a train. The apparatus comprises a tool configured to engage the wheel a compound slide system for positioning the cutting tool in at least two axes and a computer control coupled to control the compound slide system. The compound slide system is controlled so that the wheel is configured in accordance with a profile. An alignment device can be utilized to align the apparatus. The apparatus can have a low profile.
Claims20
An apparatus for configuring a wheel associated with a train, the apparatus comprising:
- a tool configured to engage the wheel;
- and
- an alignment device comprising a first member and a second member disposed at an angle with respect to the second member, wherein the apparatus is aligned with the wheel so the tool engages the wheel at a proper position when both a first end of the first member and a second end of the second member are within a sixteenth of an inch or engage the wheel.
A method of re-profiling a wheel while attached to a railcar or locomotive on a rail, the method comprising:
- disengaging the wheel from the rail;
- attaching a lathe machine to the track;
- rotating the wheel;
- and
- profiling the wheel at a point below a center line of the wheel, the center line of the wheel being parallel to the rail by and extending through a center point of the wheel, whereby braking components associated with the wheel does not have to be removed due to a profile of the lathe machine.
A system for re-profiling a first wheel in accordance with an electronically stored first profile, the first wheel being associated with a train, the system comprising:
- a lathe cutting tool configured to engage the first wheel;
- and
- a compound positioning system for positioning the cutting tool in at least two axes, wherein the system has a low profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.