Patent classifications
B61F5/308
AUTONOMOUS RAIL VEHICLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
An autonomous rail vehicle system that includes one or more motive systems, each having a bogie assembly, a vehicle frame coupled with the bogie assembly, and a control unit to control one or more operations of the one or more motive systems. The autonomous rail vehicle also includes a trailer that is coupled with the one or more motive systems. The trailer includes surfaces defining a cavity that can receive a cargo container. The trailer includes powered footing assemblies that are controlled by the control unit of the one or more motive systems. The powered footing assemblies are controlled to move between a first position and a second position to change a vertical position of the trailer relative to a position of the motive systems.
Traction rod assembly
A traction rod assembly for a bogie system includes a body extending between first and second ends. A bush assembly is coupled with the first end and includes a first component having a passage, and a second component disposed within the passage of the first component. The bush assembly includes an eccentric offset such that a center of the first component is offset from a center of the second component. A bearing assembly is coupled with the second end of the body and includes cylindrical bearings and spacers that are concentric with a passage disposed at the second end of the body. The bush assembly is coupled with a frame of the bogie system and the bearing assembly is operably with an axle assembly of the bogie system. The bearing assembly allows rotation of the body relative to the axle assembly of the bogie system.