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US 4,301,617 AGranted
Model steam locomotives
OwnerChristopher W. Shawinventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerChristopher W. Shawinventor
Estimating the term…
In a model of a steam locomotive which is driven by an electric motor and includes a model reproduction of the valve gear regulating the steam control valves of the steam cylinders, the electric motor is coupled to the axle of a set of driving wheels of the model via a drive shaft, which is permitted a limited amount of axial float and is coupled to the axle by a gearbox. Axial movement of the drive shaft is produced by interaction between the gears of the gearbox and is controlled by coil springs disposed on the shaft at opposite ends of the gearbox. These axial movements result from changes in the amount and direction of the torque applied to the gearbox by the electric motor and are transmitted to the model valve gear by an axially movable rod. Hence the configuration of the model valve gear is continuously changeable in accordance with the required pulling power and direction of movement of the model locomotive so that the position of the model valve gear substantially corresponds to that of the real locomotive when operating under similar conditions, thereby providing for more realistic operation of the model.
In a model of a steam locomotive including an electric drive motor connected to drive said locomotive and a model reproduction of a valve gear which, in the real locomotive, regulates a steam control valve of a steam cylinder for controlling the pulling power of the locomotive, the improvement comprising means for continuously changing the configuration of said model valve gear in accordance with the required pulling power and direction of movement of said model for positioning said model valve gear to substantially correspond to that of the real locomotive when operating under similar conditions, said means comprising torque responsive means responsive to the torque and the direction of torque of said electric motor for producing a movement indicative of said torque and its direction, and means connecting said torque responsive means to said model valve gear for changing the configuration and position of the model valve gear, to substantially correspond to that of the real locomotive, in response to said movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.