{"title":"Recent improvements to three-piece trucks [railways]","authors":"V. T. Hawthorne","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507974","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507974","url":null,"abstract":"The three-piece truck remains the truck of choice for essentially all freight cars in North America. The historic roots of the three-piece truck are discussed. Definitions of the terminology are proposed for the three-piece truck and who is the designer, supplier and assembler of the truck. The conventional truck of the 1950s and 1960s is being displaced by a more modern truck as increased operating speeds, enhanced ride quality and operating cost reductions drive improvements. In the 1990s, the demands for weight reduction, increased loads on the 100 ton truck and increasing car mileage require additional enhancements to the three-piece truck. Several truck designs are being considered by American Steel Foundries (ASF) for future three-piece trucks. Continued development of radial trucks, a new family of 110 ton (286 k lb. gross rail load) trucks, a new variable damped suspension system building on the proven reliability of the ASF Super Service Ride Control suspension and a locked adapter with decoupled lateral (LADL) truck are described in this paper. In summary, this paper contains a brief history of the three-piece truck evolution which focuses upon the truck and suspension designs. The genesis in the arch bar truck is reviewed and the development of the three-piece truck to date is discussed. Finally, some future truck designs are disclosed.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130296362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Modelling rail track electrical behaviour using two-dimensional finite elements","authors":"R. Hill, S. Brillante, P. Leonard","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507965","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507965","url":null,"abstract":"Methodology for the calculation of electromagnetic fields around the track in electric railroad traction systems using the finite element method is described. A two-dimensional model, exploiting longitudinal track symmetry, is exploited to obtain information about the surrounding potentials and fields. The stored and dissipated energies in the fields for common and differential mode track excitation are then used to calculate the transmission line equivalent circuit parameters.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"28 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134255522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thyristor traction rectifiers engineering and hype","authors":"T. Young","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507979","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507979","url":null,"abstract":"When the American transit industry discovered \"thyristor rectifiers\" (typically known as controlled rectifiers or SCR rectifiers), at least in the press, traction power engineering changed completely. Claims of fewer energy costs, lower capital costs increased spacing, lower maintenance costs, and even elimination of the need for DC circuit breakers ushered in this \"discovery\". The facts are the cost is higher, the maintenance is higher, the spacing is primarily driven by other factors, there are many reasons that DC breakers are necessary, and controllable rectifiers introduce a host of problems which have had to be addressed (usually successfully) in industry. One transit authority in the United States made the decision to build a system based on controllable rectifiers. Some of the claims and compromises involved in that system are used in evaluating the thyristor rectifiers in regulation, energy savings, and regeneration.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"195 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133467440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing standards for system and subsystem interfaces in electric rail passenger vehicles","authors":"T. Mcgean","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507973","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507973","url":null,"abstract":"The Transportation Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is sponsoring a two year project whose objective is \"to design a process for developing consensus standards (physical, logical and electrical) for system and subsystem interfaces for elements of electric rail passenger vehicles (light rail, heavy rail and commuter rail vehicles). Using the process, one or more standards will be produced.\" This paper identifies the key issues and constraints which must be dealt with in any serious standardization effort, describes the approach which will be taken to establish an ongoing rail standardization activity and concludes by giving a status report on committee activities to date. The key areas for standardisation include microprocessor based signalling systems, onboard communications protocols, electrical couplers, brake and safety systems. The IEEE standards process is outlined.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114557298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Main characteristics and design principles of signaling block systems for selected operational conditions","authors":"V. Minin, J. Holyoak, D. Johnston, N. Lepsky","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507982","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507982","url":null,"abstract":"Performance and efficiency of automatic block systems depend a great deal on the correspondence of their parameters and design principles with the actual environment of operation. Operational conditions which dramatically influence the configuration and parameters of the systems may include: low ballast resistance; long rails of a continuous weld; inclement weather conditions; low traffic density. This paper presents applications based on jointless track circuits and designed for practical implementation in the areas with specific operational conditions.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116159724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determination of fatigue life of railway wheel plates by means of resonance testing","authors":"J. Oliver, R. Pilon","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507961","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507961","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes the theory, set-up and procedure for the fatigue testing of railway wheel plates using resonance. The technique, sample preparation and some results are included. The testing reported is being done to compare surface conditions and their effect on fatigue resistance, however this method may be used to compare materials as well.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125704394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rail lubrication measurement","authors":"R. Sims, K. A. Miller, G.F. Schepmann","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507956","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507956","url":null,"abstract":"Lubrication of the wheel/rail interface has long been recognized as a major benefit in the reduction of wear and savings in fuel consumption. The lubrication works to improve both the micro and macro influences of the wheel/rail interface. Improper, under or excessive lubrication has adverse influences on operating and wear conditions. These conditions vary from a loss of traction to excessive wear. Inefficiencies in lubrication also need to be avoided for economic and environmental reasons. Measurement of the coefficient of friction has been limited to devices which are manually controlled and operated. However, new devices have now been developed to gather a significantly greater number of measurements. They attach to hi-rail and other vehicles normally operating over the rail at speeds significantly faster than possible with manual measurement devices. These new tribometers have relative differences which provide choices, enabling users a selection of relative advantages.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129475167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Truck component reconditioning using machine centers","authors":"E. J. Wolf, J. R. Cook","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507975","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes an improved process for the reconditioning of heavy freight car truck castings. Horizontal boring mills with specialized spindle attachments are used to replace certain hand operations with machining in order to improve the quality of the finished part as well as the worker environment. Other process improvements were also made and are outlined.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"47 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128443326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"IGBT based propulsion improving vehicle reliability and availability","authors":"R.W. Schreyer, D. A. Dreisbach, Alain Ducourret","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507958","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507958","url":null,"abstract":"In developing the next generation of electrical traction equipment for the mass transit industry, GEC Alsthom had the following objectives in mind: increase system reliability; reduce equipment size and weight; increase vehicle availability; maintain existing performance; and reduce both initial purchase price and overall life cycle cost. The review of these objectives was necessary due to the continual advancements being made in the design and manufacture of microelectronics, improvements in the performance of power semiconductors, and a desire of GEC Alsthom to continually reduce the costs related to the maintenance of propulsion equipment. The results of exhaustive research and development has been the birth of a new generation of traction equipment known as ONIX.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133746042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Digital communications in advanced safety systems for trains","authors":"S. Kjesbu","doi":"10.1109/RRCON.1996.507960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/RRCON.1996.507960","url":null,"abstract":"The paper provides a general introduction to the new Eurobalise safety system for trains, and a technical discussion about digital FSK demodulators. The new safety system is designed for trains with a speed up to 500 km/h, and to supply larger amount of safety data from the wayside to the train. The modulation scheme, data rate, and telegram length has been chosen accordingly. The new modulation scheme and high bit rate calls for an efficient FSK demodulator. Some technical tradeoffs and discussions about digital demodulation of FSK are provided in the paper.","PeriodicalId":293519,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the 1996 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference","volume":"44 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1996-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123763352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}