Slackless drawbar assembly using an improved ball and race connection assembly
US6390313B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32631
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved ball and race connection assembly for use in connecting together adjacently disposed ends of railway vehicles is provided. This ball and race connection assembly is particularly useful as a connection member in slackless type drawbar assemblies. The improved ball and race connection assembly includes a race member which is formed from a polymeric and/or composite material, specifically a resin impregnated filament wound material which is wound on a polytetrafluoroethylene/polyester mesh sleeve and cured. The use of these materials enables the race member to have sufficient strength and to be self-lubricating, thus eliminating the costs of providing a lubricating material at the ball and race interface, as is necessary when using a metal race, as well as reducing the amount of friction at this interface resulting in lower L/V ratios. Also, the filament wound race member is light-weight, resulting in an overall weight reduction of the railway vehicle connection assembly, easier to manufacture than currently used metal race members, and has excellent corrosion resistance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.