An axle-free wheel comprising: an outer rim member having a ground interface on an external surface thereof and an outer ball race or rolling race on an inner surface thereof; an inner rim member having an inner ball or rolling race on an outer surface thereof.

A downhole device (15) comprising: a body (10) with a bore; at least one wheel (20) or other retained component; an engagement member (40) for engaging the wheel with the body. A retaining member (31) retains the engagement member (40) in place, the retaining member (31) extending along the body (10) and in the line of the main axis of the engagement member (40) so that it abuts. Embodiments allow for more convenient and more reliable retaining of wheels or other components in the device especially reducing the need for using threaded connections, which are prone to failure.

A rail vehicle, such as a light rail vehicle, can include a wheel unit and a support unit. The wheel unit can define an axis of rotation of the wheel unit. The support unit can be configured to be connected to a rail vehicle structure that defines a vehicle longitudinal direction, a vehicle transverse direction, and a vehicle height direction. The support unit can be configured to connect the wheel unit to the rail vehicle structure such that the wheel unit is rotatable about the axis of rotation. The support unit can also include a primary suspension unit configured to provide resilient support of the rail vehicle structure on the wheel unit at least in the vehicle height direction.

A vehicle axle assembly including an axle housing, carrier assembly, and first and second axle shafts. The axle housing is formed from an upper beam and a lower beam that are positioned in a clam-shell arrangement. The carrier assembly includes a carrier housing and a differential that includes a ring gear arranged in meshing engagement with a pinion. The first and second axle shafts extend outwardly from the differential in opposite directions. The pinion is rotatably supported by a self-lubricating cartridge pinion input bearing and the outboard ends of the first and second axle shafts are rotatably supported by self-lubricating and unitized grease wheel end bearings. These bearings do not require lubrication from oil contained inside the axle housing allowing for a reduced oil fill level in the axle housing, creating less viscous losses and better efficiency.

A vehicle axle assembly including an axle housing, carrier assembly, and first and second axle shafts. The axle housing is formed from an upper beam and a lower beam that are positioned in a clam-shell arrangement. The carrier assembly includes a carrier housing and a differential that includes a ring gear arranged in meshing engagement with a pinion. The first and second axle shafts extend outwardly from the differential in opposite directions. The pinion is rotatably supported by a self-lubricating cartridge pinion input bearing and the outboard ends of the first and second axle shafts are rotatably supported by self-lubricating and unitized grease wheel end bearings. These bearings do not require lubrication from oil contained inside the axle housing allowing for a reduced oil fill level in the axle housing, creating less viscous losses and better efficiency.

A tandem wheel assembly or kit has a housing that includes a central chain box, a first wheel end casing, and a second wheel end casing. The central chain box has an internal volume extending between a first box end and a second box end, a unitary pivot portion having a box opening disposed about a pivot axis, a first box flange with a first box flange face and a second box flange with a second box flange face. The first wheel end casing has a first wheel end flange with a first wheel end flange face mateable with the first box flange face, a first wheel end opening, and defines a first length. The second wheel end casing has a second wheel end flange with a second wheel end flange face mateable with the second box flange face, a second wheel end opening, and defines a second length.

A tandem wheel assembly or kit has a housing that includes a central chain box, a first wheel end casing, and a second wheel end casing. The central chain box has an internal volume extending between a first box end and a second box end, a unitary pivot portion having a box opening disposed about a pivot axis, a first box flange with a first box flange face and a second box flange with a second box flange face. The first wheel end casing has a first wheel end flange with a first wheel end flange face mateable with the first box flange face, a first wheel end opening, and defines a first length. The second wheel end casing has a second wheel end flange with a second wheel end flange face mateable with the second box flange face, a second wheel end opening, and defines a second length.

A hub or wheel assembly includes a retaining element, biasing element, and hand-maneuverable release mechanism. The housing includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining element is within the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is within the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore. The hand-maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore.

A hub or wheel assembly includes a retaining element, biasing element, and hand-maneuverable release mechanism. The housing includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining element is within the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is within the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore. The hand-maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore.

A rotational sliding bearing having a static part and a mobile part, each having a sub-shell with a sliding surface, each surface arranged within an angular range of max. 180° relative to the rotational axis in the direction of rotation of the bearing, and in a closed rest position, the sub-shells of all parts together form a bearing bush, the mobile part is arranged to pivot about a pivot axis for opening the bearing relative to the static part, such that a shaft mounted in the bearing is released in a release position, and the mobile part is shaped such that, based on the sliding surface position relative to the rotational axis, in the closed rest position, a translation of a shaft accommodated in the bearing is prevented transversely to the rotational axis and in the direction of the pivot axis of the mobile part or in the counter direction.