A Road-Rail Transfer Scheme
Page 64
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AUNIT for facilitating the rapid Vander of the load between a rail vehicle-and a lorry is shown in patent No. 71'0,863 {E. Kaye and J. Sharp, Lansing BagnallWorks, Basingstoke, Rants). The patent describes a trailer that can be adjusted. for height at both ends to form a connecting ramp between the' road and the rail vehicle.
The drawing shows the system at work. At one end of the trailer is a platform (1) which is constrained to the horizontal at all times, although it can be raised or lowered by screw-jacks (2).
From this, a ramp (3) runs to the other end where another set of screw-jacks (4) is located.
In use, the horizontal platform is adjusted to the rail-wagon floor and the end of the ramp to the lorry; a bridgepiece (5) forming a continuous path to the lorry floor. It is envisaged that a fork-truck. (6) shall form part of the outfit to perform the actual shifting of the load.
SUSPENSION FOR HEAVY VEHICLES
APARALLEL-LINK suspension system intended for twin-wheeled axles, forms. the subject of patent No. 710,058 (Daimler-Benz A.G., StuttgartUntertiirkheirn, Germany). The aim is to simplify the construction and at the same time to improve the action.
The drawing shows a side elevation in which 1 is the dead, channel-section axle, the drive being provided by offset half-shafts (2) The axle is attached to a parallel-motion unit comprising upper and lower links (3 and 4).
The latter is a triangulated member, being double on the chassis pins (5) but terminating at the other end in a single ball-joint (6), which also locates the axle transversely. The upper link is fitted to both sides of the frame.
The main resilient members are pairs of helical springs (7) held between a stirrup on the axle and brackets on the frame. In addition, the two sides are interconnected by a torsion rod (8) to give a stabilizing action. The ends A38 of this rod are connected to the frame via arms (9) which are rubber-bushed on to vertical rods (10).
A VALVE-SEAT UNIT
WHEN an intricate shape such as a cylinder head is cast in one piece, locked-up stresses are often present, an d these, although not detectable at the time, can eventually cause cracks, especially on the valve seatings. A design of cylinder head claimed to overcome this trouble is shown in patent. No. 711,739 (Lanova A.G., Zurich, Switzerland).
It is proposed to use a separate insert to contain the valve seats and the corn bustion chamber; this may be either cast in position or made as a separate part and pressed into a machined bore. The drawing shows a section of a cylinder head employing the pressed-in type. The insert (I) may be made of steel and is a press fit in the head. To form a good seal at the top, circular . knife-edged rims (2) are provided around the bores.
When inserted, these flatten where they meet the head and make a gastfght joint. To assist in the conduction of heat, the intervening space (3) can be filled with metallic sodium. The combustion chamber is shown. at 4.
AUTOMATIC SWITCH-OFF W LUBRICATION FAILS PATENT No. 711,749 shows a warning device for indicating failure of engine lubrication and comes from Carter Carburetor Corp., North Spring Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. The scheme uses a switch reSponsive to the oil pressure and in the event of failure lights a warning lamp and stops the fuel pump.
The drawing shows the switch (1), which has a flexible diaphragm the Underside of which is piped to the oil pump (2). In operation, the lamp (3) lights when the ignition is switched on. The fuel pump (4) is in series with the lamp, but does not start as the lamp acts as a resistance.
The starter switch (5) also starts the fuel pump, which is then kept running by a relay (6). The oil pressure then moves the diaphragm upwards and causes its switch to close and shortcircuit the lamp. If oil pressure fails, the lamp will light up again and the current supply to the fuel pump will be interrupted.
A TUBULAR BODY FRAMING
.1-'1 A NEW method of constructing the
main members of a vehicle body is shown in patent No. 711,472 (G. Sparshatt, Sea View Providence Hill, Bursledon, Hants). The principal feature is the use of tubes as the main supporting units.
The drawing shows the lower part of a body as it is fitted to the --chassis. Clamped-on plates (1) have welded to them upstanding blocks (2). These are bored to receive the tubular members which may be welded on to the blocks. To form a plane surface for the floor and other flat attachments, each tube is fitted with a sheet-metal capping (3).
This is pressed into a channel-section to give rigidity and is attached to the tubular members by riveting. The ends of the tubes are left to protrude as at 4 for the attachment of uprights. The scheme lends itself well to the quantity production of bodies.