Method and apparatus for pressing wheels and other members onto or off of an axle

Abstract

Opposing hydraulic rams are supported in cylinders on cylinder beams connected together and then connected with a intermediate resistance beam by low yield connection bars, thereby reducing shearing stresses at the foundation. Hydraulic controls operate rams in the first mode to clamp an axle between opposing rams or to release a clamped axle. In one driving mode one ram drives the clamped axle, which, in turn, drives the other ram axially in one direction. In the other driving mode the other ram drives the one in the opposite direction. In demounting members, the resistance beam or extensions bear against a member pressed onto the axle to restrain such member as the axle continues to move through until the member is loosened. In mounting members, opposition to axial movement of such a member loosely on the axle or ram extensions is provided by a yoke extension of the cylindrical beam to cause said members to be pressed onto the axle as the axle continues to move. The yoke extensions may be stationary and fixed in place or movable into position by various means. In every case, the yokes are backed up by the respective beams or other yoke extensions and the beams. Special hydraulic circuits enable selection of the various modes, elimination of waterhammer and of pressure recording. Monitoring movement of one ram by a suitable ram motion transducer enables recording of pressure vs. position. The novel apparatus of the present invention makes possible an entirely new method of mounting and demounting from an axle larger diameter member having an axle seat conforming inner diameter which involves the axial movement of the axle while the member being mounted or demounted is restrained by one of the beams or associated yokes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.