Recent content by RMU

Hi, I am doing some research on issues experienced with Traction Inverters. I will say up front that I work for a company that has overhauled and repaired these units for rail customers. During the course of the work we have done on inverters we began to explore the possibility of defining and...

Replacing bogies with a pair of steering ActiWheels is certainly an option for reducing vehicle mass, even though the ‘axle’ would have to yaw more than in a bogie solution. If the finance could be found, then SET would certainly consider partaking in such a demonstration.

What an interesting thought. Isambard wanted to increase the gauge by ~50%. Other things being equal, this would have increased the speed that suspensions became unstable and the Edwardians could have enjoyed rail speeds over 100mph without fear - provided the propulsion and braking technology...

In response to Edwin_m's post: I guess the crucial factor in this is what happens if something fails. If the axle in question degrades to independent unpowered rotating wheels then safety ought to be assured, assuming the dynamics of the system in that mode isn't prone to derailment or...

Yes, this is the system. Thank you. Probably was the hyphen that foiled the search function. There have been some interesting points made on that post.

I agree, the concept isn't. The means by which we have achieved it is. I did do a search to see if it had been discussed previously and couldn't find anything, and no-one at work has mentioned posting. The reason for posting was to garner opinion. The rail industry, like aviation, is very risk...

Fair point, perhaps I could have come up with a better title. The problem with bogies as they are at the moment is that they don't 'steer'. They rely on the wheel profile to manage the rotational difference to get round the corner. This is always a compromise as to achieve the best position on...

Ok, apologies. It wasn't meant to be 'blatant advertising', it was meant to put something to the forum that could make a significant difference to the rail industry and to garner opinions. Independently rotating wheels aren't new, true. But tram wheels are not guided hence the squeal on corners...

Considering the same wheel design concept has been in use for over 200 years this could be the change rail needs. I work for the company that has developed the ActiWheel so, obviously, I'm slightly biased on it's potential. I'd like to know what forum members think. It was originally designed to...