The present invention provides a variable stiffness positioning device for a railway vehicle bogie axle box. The variable stiffness positioning device includes a vertical elastomer arranged between the top face of an axle box bearing saddle and the bottom surface of a guide frame of a side fame, and a longitudinal elastomer arranged between the axle box bearing saddle and the front and back side faces of the guide frame of the side fame, the longitudinal elastomer is provided with at least one small-stiffness elastic element and a large-stiffness elastic element, and the small-stiffness elastic element is arranged in an elastomer pre-compression device and is serially arranged with the large-stiffness elastic element under the action of a pre-compression load F1. The longitudinal elastomer has a larger longitudinal compression stiffness when the longitudinal deformation displacement is very small, so that the railway vehicle can be guaranteed to have a higher snaking critical operation speed when operating on a straight line, and the acceleration operation demand of the vehicle is satisfied; when the longitudinal deformation displacement reaches a set numerical value, the longitudinal compression stiffness of the longitudinal elastomer starts to become small, so that when the railway vehicle passes by a curve, it can be guaranteed that the lateral force between wheel rails will not be too large, and thus the curve operation safety of the vehicle is guaranteed.

A running gear frame for a rail vehicle, comprising a frame body. The frame body comprises two longitudinal beams and a transverse beam unit providing a structural connection between the longitudinal beams, such that a substantially H-shaped configuration is formed. Each longitudinal beam has a free end section forming a primary suspension interface. Each longitudinal beam has a pivot interface section associated to the free end section and forming a pivot interface for a pivot arm. Each longitudinal beam has an angled section associated to the free end section, the angled section being arranged such that the free end section forms a pillar section. The pivot interface section is integrated into to the angled section and the frame body is formed as a monolithically cast component made of a grey cast iron material.

An elastomeric pad is provided for use in a railway car truck that includes two sideframes and a bolster. Each sideframe has a pedestal opening at each end to receive a bearing adapter assembly. The bearing adapter assembly includes a cast steel bearing adapter that is formed to fit on top of an axle bearing assembly. An elastomeric pad, comprised of a selected hardness elastomer, is fit on top of the bearing adapter. Contact buttons extend from the top surface and bottom surface of the elastomeric pad and are received in openings in the elastomeric pad. A conductor provides an electrical connection between the contact buttons.

A railcar truck and adapter pad system for placement between a roller bearing and side frame pedestal roof of a three-piece railcar truck. Many different features of the pad and/or the adapter-pad interface are configured to improve stiffness characteristics to satisfy both curving and high speed performance of the railcar truck.

A railcar truck and adapter pad system for placement between a roller bearing and side frame pedestal roof of a three-piece railcar truck. Many different features of the pad and/or the adapter-pad interface are configured to improve stiffness characteristics to satisfy both curving and high speed performance of the railcar truck.

A stabilized railway car truck consists of two side frames and a bolster. The bolster has laterally opposite ends, each end extending into and supported within a side frame opening on a spring group. The stabilized railway car truck also includes a transom extending into, and supported within, a side frame opening. The spring group is supported at each transom end. Each side frame includes an integrally cast transom bearing over which a transom support bearing is fitted. The pivotal decoupling of the side frame and transom eliminates track displacement irregularities from reacting at the bolster and into the vehicle.

A railcar truck and adapter pad system for placement between a roller bearing and side frame pedestal roof of a three-piece railcar truck. Many different features of the pad and/or the adapter-pad interface are configured to improve stiffness characteristics to satisfy both curving and high speed performance of the railcar truck.

A railcar bogie includes: a cross beam extending in a car width direction and supporting a carbody; plate springs extending in a car longitudinal direction and supporting both respective car-width-direction end portions of the cross beam; axle boxes accommodating respective bearings for axles and supporting respective car longitudinal-direction end portions of the plate springs; plate spring receivers each located between the plate spring and the axle box and including an upper surface which is inclined toward a longitudinal-direction middle portion of the plate spring, the upper surface receiving the plate spring; and stoppers arranged so as to cover at least a part of an upper surface of the plate spring, the part being located above the axle box.

The present invention provides a variable stiffness positioning device for a railway vehicle bogie axle box. The variable stiffness positioning device includes a vertical elastomer arranged between the top face of an axle box bearing saddle and the bottom surface of a guide frame of a side fame, and a longitudinal elastomer arranged between the axle box bearing saddle and the front and back side faces of the guide frame of the side fame, the longitudinal elastomer is provided with at least one small-stiffness elastic element and a large-stiffness elastic element, and the small-stiffness elastic element is arranged in an elastomer pre-compression device and is serially arranged with the large-stiffness elastic element under the action of a pre-compression load F1. The longitudinal elastomer has a larger longitudinal compression stiffness when the longitudinal deformation displacement is very small, so that the railway vehicle can be guaranteed to have a higher snaking critical operation speed when operating on a straight line, and the acceleration operation demand of the vehicle is satisfied; when the longitudinal deformation displacement reaches a set numerical value, the longitudinal compression stiffness of the longitudinal elastomer starts to become small, so that when the railway vehicle passes by a curve, it can be guaranteed that the lateral force between wheel rails will not be too large, and thus the curve operation safety of the vehicle is guaranteed.

An end member assembly (204; 404) that is dimensioned for use in forming a gas spring assembly (200; 400) can include an end member body (248; 448) that is dimensioned for securement to a flexible spring member (206; 406) of the gas spring assembly (200; 400). The end member assembly (204; 404) can also include a compliant support structure (250; 450) that is operatively connected to the end member body (248; 448) to support the end member body in spaced relation to an associated structural component (SC2). The end member body (248; 448) can include a side wall (256; 456) that extends in overlapping (OL1; OL2) relation with at least a portion of the compliant support structure (250; 450). The end member (204; 404) can also form at least one chamber (296; 508) within the end member body (248; 448) and compliant support structure (250; 450). A gas spring assembly (200; 400) and a suspension system (118) are also included.