A CENTRE PIVOT LINER

Abstract

A centre pivot liner (10) which includes a body (12), and a bearing formation (14) mountable about the body (12) for in use, defining a bearing surface (16) of the centre pivot liner (10) and wherein the bearing formation (14) has a coefficient of friction value less than that of the body (12).

Claims

1. A centre pivot liner which includes a body; a receiving formation defined about the body for receiving a bearing formation therein; the bearing formation in use, defining a bearing surface of the centre pivot liner; wherein the bearing formation has a coefficient of friction value less than that of the body.

2. (canceled)

3. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body includes elongate grooves arranged in a spaced apart manner and radiating away from a central region of the body.

4. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 2 wherein the body includes a flange extending circumferentially about and upwardly away from the body.

5. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 33 wherein the bearing formation has a coefficient of friction value less than that of the flange.

6-8. (canceled)

9. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving formation includes one or more recesses.

10. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving formation includes one or more apertures.

11-14. (canceled)

15. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bearing formation has a thickness dimension such that when located in the receiving formation, the bearing formation protrudes about an inner and/or outer facing surface of the body.

16. (canceled)

17. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bearing formation has a thickness dimension such that when located in the receiving formation, the bearing formation is flush with an inner and/or outer facing surface of the body.

18-19. (canceled)

20. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bearing formation is shaped and sized for, in use, fit into the receiving formation in a friction fit manner.

21. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving formation and bearing formation are distinctively dimensioned so as to define a retaining arrangement therebetween for, in use, retaining the bearing formation in the receiving formation in a fixed manner.

22. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving formation and bearing formation are distinctively dimensioned so as to define a retaining arrangement therebetween for, in use, releasably retaining the bearing formation in the receiving formation.

23-26. (canceled)

27. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bearing formation has a maximum coefficient of friction value of less than about 0.2.

28-32. (canceled)

33. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 4 wherein the receiving formation is arranged about the flange for receiving the bearing formation therein.

34. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 33 wherein the receiving formation includes one or more recesses.

35. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 33 wherein the receiving formation includes one or more apertures.

36. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bearing formation has a thickness dimension such that when located in the receiving formation, the bearing formation protrudes about an inner and/or outer facing surface of the flange.

37. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bearing formation has a thickness dimension such that when located in the receiving formation, the bearing formation is flush with an inner and/or outer facing surface of the flange.

38. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bearing formation is shaped and sized for, in use, fit into the receiving formation in a friction fit manner.

39. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 5 wherein the receiving formation and bearing formation are distinctively dimensioned so as to define a retaining arrangement thereinbetween for, in use, retaining the bearing formation in the receiving formation in a fixed manner.

40. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 5 wherein the receiving formation and bearing formation are distinctively dimensioned so as to define a retaining arrangement thereinbetween for, in use, releasably retaining the bearing formation in the receiving formation.

41. A centre pivot liner as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bearing formation has a maximum coefficient of friction value of less than about 0.2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] In the drawings:

[0042] FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 2 depicts the centre pivot liner shown in FIG. 1, including the flange;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of FIG. 2;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a top perspective of the first embodiment illustrating the bearing formations arranged flush with inner surface of the body;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of FIG. 4;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective illustrating the receiving formation in the form of a plurality of apertures;

[0048] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a section of FIG. 6 more clearly depicting the male type formation of the receiving formation;

[0049] FIG. 8 is a top perspective depicting the receiving formation in the form of a plurality of recesses;

[0050] FIG. 9 is a top perspective of the bearing formation;

[0051] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional side view of FIG. 9;

[0052] FIG. 11 is a top perspective of a second embodiment; and

[0053] FIG. 12 is top perspective of the second embodiment including a flange, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] FIGS. 1 to 8 depict a first embodiment of the centre pivot liner 10 which includes a body 12 and a bearing formation 14 mountable about the body 12 for in use, defining a bearing surface 16 of the centre pivot liner 10, wherein the bearing formation 14 has a coefficient of friction value less than that of the body 12.

[0055] Body 12 further includes elongate grooves 13 arranged in a spaced apart manner about the body 12 and further radiating centrally away from the body 12.

[0056] Body 12 can also include a flange 18, shown in FIG. 2, extending upwardly away from a peripheral region of and, circumferentially about the body 12 for in use, facilitating rotation of the bogie about the centre pivot as well as reduce wear to the centre pivot.

[0057] The bearing formation 14 will typically also have a coefficient of friction value less than the flange 18.

[0058] Bearing formation 14 is typically mountable about a receiving formation defined in the body 12 and/or flange (the latter not shown).

[0059] The receiving formation will preferably be shaped and sized for complementarily receiving the bearing formation 14 therein and can be in the form of a recess 19, see FIG. 7, or an aperture 21 as depicted in FIG. 6, defined about the body 12 and/or flange 18 and will preferably be presented as a plurality of recesses 19 and/or apertures 21 spaced apart, more preferably evenly spaced apart, about the body 12 and/or flange 18 (the latter not shown).

[0060] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 depict bearing formation 14 having a thickness dimension such that when located in the receiving formation, the bearing formation 14 protrudes about an inner facing surface 20 of the body 12, the inner protruding surface defining bearing surface 16.

[0061] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict bearing formation 14 having a thickness dimension such that when located in the receiving formation, the bearing formation is flush with the inner facing surface 20 of the body 12.

[0062] It is to be appreciated that the bearing formation 14 can also be arranged about an inner surface 22 of flange 18.

[0063] The receiving formation and bearing formation 14 will typically be distinctively dimensioned so as to define a retaining arrangement for, in use, retaining the bearing formation 14 in the receiving formation in a releasable, or, fixed manner.

[0064] FIGS. 3, 5, 9 and 10 more clearly illustrates the retaining arrangement which includes a female type formation in the form of a groove 24 defined circumferentially about, and preferably centrally, an outer surface of the bearing formation 14.

[0065] The retaining arrangement further also includes a male type formation in the form of a ridge 26, more clearly shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, defined circumferentially about, and preferably centrally, an inner facing surface of the receiving formation for complementarily mating with the female type formation to retain the bearing formation 14 therein.

[0066] Bearing formation 14 will preferably have a maximum coefficient of friction value of typically less than 0.2 when employing the internationally recognized formula as set out in document ASTM D3702-94 (2019) entitled “Standard Test Method for Wear Rate and Coefficient of Friction of Materials in Self-Lubricated Rubbing Contact Using a Thrust Washer Testing Machine”.

[0067] Abovementioned international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

[0068] Body 12 and/or flange 18 can further be manufactured from a synthetic or metallic material which can include a polymer material, or a mixture wherein the mixture includes a polymer material.

[0069] The body 12 and/or flange 18 can further be manufactured from a material having resiliently deformable properties.

[0070] FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a second embodiment of the invention 110 of the invention, wherein the body 112 has a coefficient of friction value less than that of the flange 114.

[0071] The body will typically have a coefficient of friction value of typically less than 0.2 when employing the internationally recognized formula as set out in document ASTM D3702-94 (2019) entitled “Standard Test Method for Wear Rate and Coefficient of Friction of Materials in Self-Lubricated Rubbing Contact Using a Thrust Washer Testing Machine”.

[0072] Body 112 further includes elongate grooves 113 arranged in a spaced apart manner about the body 112 and further radiating centrally away from the body 112.

[0073] Flange 114 can further be manufactured from a synthetic or metallic material which can include a polymer material, or a mixture wherein the mixture includes a polymer material.

[0074] Flange 114 can further be manufactured from a material having resiliently deformable properties.

[0075] The Applicant considers the invention advantageous in that a railway bogie centre pivot liner is disclosed which is manufactured from two types of material yielding a liner with improved bearing characteristics wherein the bearing formations defining the bearing surfaces are manufactured from a material having a coefficient of friction (CoF) value lower than that of the remaining structure.

[0076] This combination of use of materials yields a bogie centre pivot liner of relatively high mechanical strength to endure high impacts and mechanical stresses, while at the same time having improved bearing characteristics. The thickness dimension of the bearing formations may further be such as to define the bearing surface flush with inner and/or outer facing surfaces of the body and/or flange, or such as to allow the bearing surfaces to protrude above the inner and/or outer facing surfaces of the body and/or flange.

[0077] It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and are not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.