System and method for dynamically affecting a force applied through a rail vehicle axle

A system for a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track, said system comprising:

• a truck comprising a non-powered axle and at least one powered axle, wherein each of the at least one powered axle comprises an axle, a traction motor, and a gear, wherein the gear is drivable by the motor, and wherein the axle is rotatable by the gear;
• a device coupled to the non-powered axle and the at least one powered axle for dynamically adjusting a weight distribution between the non-powered axle and the at least one powered axle, wherein the device is controllable to shift weight to the at least one powered axle from the non-powered axle, thereby decreasing a weight imparted by the non-powered axle on the rail track and increasing a weight imparted by the at least one powered axle on the rail track;
• and
• a controller operable according to a computer program to control the device for dynamically adjusting the weight distribution based on a static weight of the rail vehicle, wherein:
• the device comprises at least one hydraulic actuator each coupled to a respective one of the non-powered axle or one of the at least one powered axle;
• and
• the system further comprises:
• a displacement pump coupled to the hydraulic actuator, the displacement pump configured to supply a pressurized hydraulic fluid at a selectively controlled pressure to said hydraulic actuator, said hydraulic actuator configured to shift weight to the at least one powered axle from the non-powered axle based upon the selectively controlled pressure;
• and
• a compliant member disposed between the hydraulic actuator and respective one of the non-powered axle or one of the at least one powered axle such that the hydraulic actuator is coupled to said respective one of the non-powered axle or one of the at least one powered axle in a compliant manner.

A system for dynamically affecting a force applied through at least one axle of a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track, said rail vehicle having a plurality of axles and a plurality of wheels being received by said plurality of axles, said system comprising:

• a device configured to selectively impart said force through said at least one axle to control a respective weight of said at least one axle on said rail track for affecting a traction performance of said rail vehicle traveling along said rail track, wherein said force is a normal force applied through said at least one axle in a normal direction to said rail track, and wherein said device is at least one hydraulic actuator coupled to a respective axle of the rail vehicle;
• a displacement pump coupled to said hydraulic actuator, said displacement pump configured to supply a pressurized hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic actuator, said hydraulic actuator configured to selectively impart said force through said respective axle based upon a pressure of the pressurized hydraulic fluid;
• a compliant member disposed between said hydraulic actuator and said respective axle such that said hydraulic actuator is coupled to said respective axle in a compliant manner;
• and
• a suspension assembly mounting said respective axle to a truck, the suspension assembly including one or more springs.

A system for dynamically affecting a force applied through at least one axle of a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track, said rail vehicle having a plurality of axles and a plurality of wheels being received by said plurality of axles, said system comprising:

• a device configured to selectively impart said force through said at least one axle to control a respective weight of said at least one axle on said rail track for affecting a traction performance of said rail vehicle traveling along said rail track, wherein said force is a normal force applied through said at least one axle in a normal direction to said rail track, and wherein said device is at least one hydraulic actuator coupled to a respective axle of the rail vehicle;
• a positive displacement pump coupled to said hydraulic actuator, said positive displacement pump configured to selectively control a position of said hydraulic actuator based upon supplying a pressurized hydraulic fluid at a variable pressure to said hydraulic actuator, said hydraulic actuator configured to selectively impart said force through said respective axle based upon said selectively controlled position of said hydraulic actuator;
• a pair of displacement limits coupled to said hydraulic actuator to limit said force selectively imparted on said respective axle;
• a compliant member disposed between said hydraulic actuator and said respective axle such that said hydraulic actuator is coupled to said respective axle in a compliant manner;
• and
• a suspension assembly mounting said respective axle to a truck, the suspension assembly including one or more springs.