James D Franks

US Patent:

20150021445, Jan 22, 2015

Filed:

Feb 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/000472

Inventors:

James Franks - Chapel Hill NC, US
Adam W. Kohler - Greensboro NC, US

International Classification:

B61F 5/02
B61L 99/00
B61B 1/02

US Classification:

246218, 1051991

Abstract:

Leveling railway vehicles, leveling secondary suspension systems, lift-systems for suspension systems, and other related systems and methods are shown and described. In one example, a railway vehicle includes a superstructure, a bogey, and a leveling secondary suspension system. The leveling suspension system includes at least one spring positioned between the superstructure and the bogey, and a secondary suspension-mounting lift system (SMLS) interfaced with coil spring. The SMLS includes a spring-mount (SM) and a piston assembly. In operation, pressurized hydraulic fluid acts on the piston and lifts the superstructure, thereby allowing the superstructure's access to be raised to a desired height, e.g. a platform height.