Rubber Bogie Suspension
Page 72
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
DATE,NT No. 780,352 is concerned I with suspension systems for sixor eight-wheeled vehicles having a fourwheeled rear bogie. The aim is to ensure load equalization between the wheels on each side when on uneven ground. (Metalastik, Ltd., Evington Valley Road, !&ester.) A plan view of the bogie is shown in the drawing. The main suspension members are inclined rubber-metal laminates (1) which are loaded Partly in compression and partly in shear between the axle and a beam (2). The axles are constrained longitudinally by links (3) and are located transversely by Panhard rods (4). The beams are permitted a slight fore-and-aft movement by slotted fixings (5) and this is the essence of the load-equalizing action, If, say, a leading wheel be raised by rough ground, its rubber spring would be compressed and the resultant realward force would move the beam to the rear, an action which would in turn compress the rubber spring of the rear wheel.
Details of the rubber springs and their constraining links have been covered by an earlier patent numbered 716,563.
• A HYDRAULIC TORQUECONVERTER
AN improved torque-converter shown in patent No. 780,983 has for its object high-efficiency power transmission over a wide range of speeds. (The
Rover Co., Ltd.; Meteor Works, Lode Lane, Solihull, Birmingham.)
Referring to the drawing, the crankshaft drives the outer casing and with it the primary vaned ring 1. Normally, this member would include an extension (2), but in this case the latter is a free member mounted on a ring of halls (3). The two parts can, however, be con, verted into a single pumping unit by the engagement of a friction clutch (4) which, in this . case, is electrically actuated by solenoids (5).
Under heavy loads and when there is a large speed difference between, the driving and driven members, the two parts are united and drive as one. Under light load, however, when the speed difference is low, the outer ring is de-clutched and idles.
EMPTYING DUMP WAGONS TIPPING as a method of discharging a dump wagon is not always satis
factory, parlicularly•w!, the loads are of a sticky nature such as clay. A scheme in which positive ejection is used is disclosed in patent No. 780,404. (Yuba MarTufacturing Co., Benicia, Cal., U.S.A.)
The drawing shows, the essentials of the scheme. The sides of the body form a runway for a pair of wheeled carriages (I) to which an ejector plate (2) is attached. This is actually the front end of the body, and can be power-hauled by cables in both directions
A tailgate (3), also power operated, may be lowered to form a discharge chute, whilst an upper swinging gate (4) rides over the load during discharge. When the lower gate ascends, it closes the upper gate to complete the end-wall of the body.
A PRE-COMBUSTION CHAMBER A CCORDING to patent No. 780,610, Pl. it is important in an oil engine to prevent the combustion air from meeting the fuel at a high speed because it tends to agglomerate the fuel droplets, giving rise to wasteful running and a smoky exhaust. The patent shows an improved form of chamber claimed to eliminate this occurrence. (MotorenWerke Mannheim A.G. Vorm, Benz Alit. Stat. Motorenbau, Carl-BenzStrasse, Mannheim, Germany.)
The proposed design of chamber is shown in the drawing. The injector (1) is at the top and the central fuel jet gives a spray angle of 8'. An insert (2) is located in the neck, and has a central straight-through bore (3) supported by three slightly helical "spokes" from the surrounding venturi.
In operation, as soon as the piston nears the top of its stroke, fuel is injected towards the central bore whilst the air ascends mainly through the Outer annulus and is given swirl as it passes through the helical spokes. The small quantity of air passing through the centre is not by itself sufficient to agglomerate the fuel which is, after ignition, blown out to complete its combustion over the piston.
TORSION-CUM-LEAF SPRINGING increasing spring rate plus a
damping action are the features of a suspension system shown in patent No. 780,552 which employs leaf siftings in conjunction with transverse torsion bars. (A. Nilsson, Rundelsgatan 4, Sodertalje, Sweden.)
In the drawing the scheme is shown applied to the suspension of a lorry. Each leaf spring is pivotally'connected at the front end to the frame by a rubber-metal bush (1). At the other end, a similar joint connects the spring to one end of a shackle (2), the other end of which is pivoted to an arm (3).
This arm is fixed to a torsion bar (4) extending across the frame where it is similarly coupled to the spring on the other side.
The torsion bar carries two cams, as shown enlarged at 5. These are arranged to deform four rubber members (6) when deflection occurs. It is this action that gives the increasing spring, rate with
deflection, whilst the damping action arises from the internal friction of the rubber. As the torsion bar crosses the frame and applies a load to the other wheel, it provides at least partial -iequalization of wheel loading.