The vertical loads variations study and the guidance capacity of six axle locomotives at curves circulation

Abstract

The current trend of increasing the power of diesel locomotives requires more efficient use of their weight especially during the startup when the hazard happens to slip axles to be unloaded. Providing guidance in curves in complete safety and with a minimum wear of wheels and rails is a basic requirement of railway vehicles. This paper is made an analysis of the circulation conditions in the curve of a bogie with elastic-driven wheelsets type Y 32, used by railways in Romania. The system of wheelsets' elastic driving allows their quasi-radial position in curves, leading to the reduction of friction between wheels and rails and lower wear. The presented mathematical model is original, taking into account the wheel loads transfer and the creep coefficients evaluated according to Kalker's theory. It is found that high elasticity causes a reduction of the hunting critical speed. Therefore the paper presents also an original study model of the hunting movement of a high-speed bogie.