Sprung wheel for high speed train - with wheel rim offset to produce small lateral force to prevent fluttering at speed

摘要

The running surface of the train wheel is provided by a separate wheel rim (1) which is braced on the wheel by two interlocking wedge shaped elastic pads (2). The pads are located between a sloping surface of the wheel and a wedge shaped securing ring clamped to the wheel using a retaining slip. The centre of action of the wedge shaped pads is offset from the centre of action of the wheel rim on the rail. This results in a slight torque on the wheel rim to produce some lateral force. This prevents the wheel rim from 'fluttering' at high speeds, and reduces wheel rim wear.