US 4,793,047 AGranted

Method of adjusting the distribution of locomotive axle loads

AssigneeGeneral Electric Company

InventorsDaniel L. Curtis, William G. Skrzypczyk, Thumpassery J. Thomas

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Abstract

A method of adjusting the weight distribution of a locomotive having a pair of interchangeable 3-axle asymmetrical truck assemblies comprising loading the locomotive body with its normal supply of fuel, water, etc., weighing the body, together with a pair of truck bolsters but without the other parts of the truck assemblies, to measure individually the weight at each of the four different bolster mount load points of each of the two separate bolsters, comparing the eight measured weights, respectively, with desired weights at the eight separate load points of the bolsters to determine the errors, if any, that need correction, selecting the sizes of shims that can be added at designated load points of the bolsters to reduce such errors to within specified limits based on stored data from which the influence of the added shim thicknesses on weight distribution is predicted, adding shims of the selected sizes to the designated load points, repeating the above-mentioned weighing and comparing steps, repeating the above-mentioned selecting, adding, and repeating steps unless the weight error at each load point is within the specified limits, checking the distribution, among the three axles of each truck assembly, of the truck assembly weight plus half of the locomotive body weight in a fixture that gives the truck frame a predetermined slope, adding whatever shims are needed at the spring seats of the respective axle springs of each truck assembly to obtain a desired weight distribution among the three axles thereof, securing all of the added shims in place, and placing the locomotive body on a pair of duplicate truck assemblies.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of adjusting the weight distribution of a locomotive having a body supported on a pair of asymmetrical 3-axle truck assemblies each of which includes a frame, at least six separate axle springs and a floating bolster, to obtain a predetermined distribution of the loads on the respective axles of the locomotive after it has been built, comprising the steps of:

a. loading the locomotive body with fuel, water, and other supplies that the locomotive normally uses in operation;
b. placing the body, together with the pair of truck bolsters but without the other parts of the truck assemblies on a balancing fixture comprising eight separate weighing stands arranged in two groups of four each, the four stands of each group being respectively aligned with the regular bolster mount load points of the bolster supported thereon, whereby each stand measures the weight at a different load point of the bolster;
c. measuring the actual weight that the truckless locomotive impresses on each of the eight weighing stands;
d. comparing the eight actual weights, respectively, with desired weights at the eight separate load points of the two bolsters to determine the errors, if any, that need correction;
e. using the errors between actual and desired weights to select from a predetermined influence matrix the locations and sizes of shims required to correct the errors;
f. raising the locomotive body and bolsters, adding the selected shims at the designated load points of the bolsters, and lowering the body and bolsters onto the balancing fixture;
g. repeating steps c and d above;
h. repeating steps e, f and g above, unless the weight error at each load point is within predetermined limits;
j. securing all of the added shims to the associated bolster;
k. removing the locomotive body and bolsters from the balancing fixture;
m. installing, at the spring seats of the respective axle springs of each of the locomotive truck assemblies, whatever shims are needed to obtain a desired weight distribution among the three axles of each truck assembly when the locomotive body is placed on both truck assemblies;
n. checking the distribution, among the three axles of each truck assembly, of the truck assembly weight plus the locomotive body weight that will be impressed on the truck assembly by applying predetermined downward forces to the respective load points of the four bolster mounts thereof, with the force on the two forward load points being applied in a different plane than the force on the two rear load points to give the frame of the truck assembly a predetermined slope with respect to a horizontal plane;
and
o. placing the locomotive body on the pair of truck assemblies.

11 more elements

A method of adjusting the weight distribution of a locomotive having a body supported on a pair of asymmetrical 3-axle truck assemblies each of which includes a frame, at least six separate axle springs and a floating bolster, to obtain a substantially equal distribution of the loads on the respective axles of the locomotive after it has been built, comprising the steps of:

a. loading the locomotive body with fuel, water, and other supplies that the locomotive normally uses in operation;
b. individually measuring the actual weight of the body, together with the pair of truck bolsters but without the other parts of the truck assemblies, at each of the four regular bolster mount load points of each of said bolsters;
c. comparing the eight actual weights, respectively, with desired weights at the eight separate load points of the two bolsters to determine the errors, if any, that need correction;
d. using the errors between actual and desired weights to select from a predetermined influence matrix the locations and sizes of shims that will reduce the errors to within specified limits;
e. adding the selected shims at the designated load points of said bolsters;
f. repeating steps b and c above;
g. repeating steps d, e and f above unless the weight error at each load point is within said specified limits;
h. securing all of the added shims to the associated bolster;
j. checking the distribution, among the three axles of each of the locomotive truck assemblies, of the truck assembly weight plus the locomotive body weight that will be impressed on the truck assembly by applying predetermined downward forces to the respective load points of the four bolster mounts thereof, with the force on the two forward load points being applied in a different plane than the force on the two rear load points to give the frame of the truck assembly a predetermined slope with respect to a horizontal plane;
k. securing, at the spring seats of the respective axle springs of each truck assembly, whatever shims are needed to substantially equalize the weight distribution among the three axles of the truck assembly when the locomotive body is placed on both truck assemblies;
and
m. placing the locomotive body on the pair of truck assemblies.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/154,545Filed 10 Feb 1988 · continuation
Priority: 18 Dec 1986
Granted: 27 Dec 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B61F 5/36
Axle-boxes mounted for movement under spring control in vehicle or bogie underframes: arrangements for equalising or adjusting the load on wheels…
G01G 19/042
For weighing railway vehicles: having electrical weight-sensitive devices
Y10T 29/49776
Quantitative measuring or gauging: pressure, force, or weight determining
Y10T 29/49826
Method of mechanical manufacture: assembling or joining