Inner bearing split axle assembly

A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track comprising:

• a first wheel and a second wheel sized to roll along said track, said first wheel being laterally spaced from said second wheel;
• a first split axle secured to said first wheel so that said first split axle rotates with said first wheel;
• a second split axle secured to said second wheel so that said second split axle rotates with said second wheel;
• a first bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel said first split axle being rotatably received in said first bearing;
• a second bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel said second split axle being rotatably received in said second bearing;
• a means for canceling at least a portion of a bending moment exerted on said split axle assembly, said means being positioned between said first and second wheels, and transferring loading force between said split axles and at least one of a truck and a railcar body;
• and
• a sliding barrel device adapted to allow said first wheel and said second wheel to axially move relative to one another;
• wherein said sliding barrel device includes an outer barrel, and at least one inner barrel axially movable in said outer barrel;
• wherein said at least one inner barrel is a first inner barrel, and a second inner barrel, said first inner barrel being connected to said first split axle and said second inner barrel being connected to said second split axle.

A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track comprising:

• a first wheel and a second wheel sized to roll along said track, said first wheel being laterally spaced from said second wheel;
• a first split axle secured to said first wheel so that said first split axle rotates with said first wheel;
• a second split axle secured to said second wheel so that said second split axle rotates with said second wheel;
• a first bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel said first split axle being rotatably received in said first bearing;
• a second bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel said second split axle being rotatably received in said second bearing;
• and
• a means for canceling at least a portion of a bending moment exerted on said split axle assembly, said means being positioned between said first and second wheels, and transferring loading force between said split axles and at least one of a truck and a railcar body;
• wherein said first bearing is received in a first bearing body and said second bearing is received in a second bearing body;
• wherein said first bearing body and said second bearing body are axially movable relative to one another so that said first wheel and said second wheel are axially movable relative to one another.

A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track comprising:

• a first wheel and a second wheel sized to roll along said track, said first wheel being laterally spaced from said second wheel;
• a first split axle secured to said first wheel so that said first split axle rotates with said first wheel;
• a second split axle secured to said second wheel so that said second split axle rotates with said second wheel;
• a first bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said first bearing being received in a first bearing body, and said first split axle being rotatably received in said first bearing;
• a second bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said second bearing being received in a second bearing body, and said second split axle being rotatably received in said second bearing, said first bearing body and said second bearing body being axially movable relative to one another so that said first wheel and said second wheel are axially movable relative to one another;
• wherein said first bearing body and said second bearing body are axially movably connected together by at least one linear guide.

A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track comprising:

• a first wheel and a second wheel sized to roll along said track, said first wheel being laterally spaced from said second wheel;
• a first split axle secured to said first wheel so that said first split axle rotates with said first wheel;
• a second split axle secured to said second wheel so that said second split axle rotates with said second wheel;
• a first bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said first bearing being received in a first bearing body, and said first split axle being rotatably received in said first bearing;
• a second bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said second bearing being received in a second bearing body, and said second split axle being rotatably received in said second bearing;
• and
• a plurality of linear guides for allowing axial movement of said first bearing body and said second bearing body relative to one another so that said first wheel and said second wheel are axially movable relative to one another.

A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track comprising:

• a first wheel and a second wheel sized to roll along said track, said first wheel being laterally spaced from said second wheel;
• a first split axle secured to said first wheel so that said first split axle rotates with said first wheel;
• a second split axle secured to said second wheel so that said second split axle rotates with said second wheel;
• a first bearing disposed within a first bearing body positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said first split axle being rotatably received in said first bearing;
• a second bearing disposed within a second bearing body positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said second split axle being rotatably received in said second bearing;
• at least one linear guide adapted to allow said first bearing body and said second bearing body to axially movable relative to one another so that said first wheel and said second wheel are axially movable relative to one another, said at least one linear guide including a guide rail attached to one of said first bearing body and said second bearing body, and a guide roller attached to the other of said first bearing body and said second bearing body, said guide roller movably engaging said guide rail.

A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track comprising:

• a first wheel and a second wheel sized to roll along said track, said first wheel being laterally spaced from said second wheel;
• a first split axle secured to said first wheel so that said first split axle rotates with said first wheel;
• a second split axle secured to said second wheel so that said second split axle rotates with said second wheel;
• a first bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said first bearing being received in a first bearing body, and said first split axle being rotatably received in said first bearing;
• a second bearing positioned inboard between said first wheel and said second wheel, said second bearing being received in a second bearing body, and said second split axle being rotatably received in said second bearing, said first bearing body and said second bearing body being axially movable relative to one another so that said first wheel and said second wheel are axially movable relative to one another;
• a first plate disposed proximate to said first wheel, and a second plate disposed proximate to said second wheel;
• and
• at least one substantially lateral cylinder connected to at least one of said first and second plates for canceling at least a portion of a bending moment exerted on said split axle assembly.