Rail vehicle assembly system and method
View Patent ↗There is provided a method for assembling a rail vehicle. The method includes positioning a plurality of motor combos on a fixture frame. The fixture frame may be adapted to hold each of the plurality of motor combos positioned for an assembly into a rail vehicle truck. The method further includes positioning a plurality of springs on each of the plurality of motor combos. The plurality of springs are positioned for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck. Additionally, the method includes simultaneously lifting a plurality of motors such that a truck frame may be coupled to the motors. The plurality of motors corresponds to the plurality of motor combos. The method also includes connecting the truck frame to the plurality of motors, attaching a spring compression fixture to the truck frame and the fixture frame, and compressing the plurality of springs for assembly into the rail vehicle truck.
1. A method for assembling a rail vehicle, comprising:
positioning a plurality of motor combos on a fixture frame, wherein the fixture frame is configured to hold each of the plurality of motor combos positioned for an assembly into a rail vehicle truck;
positioning a plurality of springs on each of the plurality of motor combos, wherein each of the plurality of springs is positioned for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck;
connecting a truck frame to the plurality of motor combos;
attaching a spring compression fixture, connected to the fixture frame, to the truck frame; and
compressing, with the spring compression fixture, the plurality of springs for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck.
2. The method recited in claim 1 , comprising securing the plurality of motor combos to the truck frame using a plurality of retention block installation fixtures.
3. The method recited in claim 1 , comprising detaching the spring compression fixture from the truck frame, and completing construction of the rail vehicle, wherein the rail vehicle comprises the rail vehicle truck.
4. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the spring compression fixture comprises: a hydraulic cylinder connected to the fixture frame, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is adapted to apply a pressure sufficient to compress the springs for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck; and a top portion adapted to attach to: the truck frame; and the hydraulic cylinder.
5. The method recited in claim 4 , wherein compressing the springs comprises actuating the hydraulic cylinder for moving the fixture frame and truck frame towards one another.
6. The method recited in claim 4 , wherein the top portion is a triangle structure, wherein the top portion attaches to the hydraulic cylinder at a point of the triangle, and wherein the top portion attaches to the truck frame at a side of the triangle opposite the point.
7. The method recited in claim 4 , wherein the top portion is a hook structure, wherein the top portion attaches to the truck frame by hooking the top portion through a clearance hole of the truck frame.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising lifting, simultaneously, a plurality of motors corresponding to the plurality of motor combos such that the truck frame may be connected to the motors, wherein the step of connecting comprises connecting the truck frame to the plurality of motors.
9. The method recited in claim 8 , wherein each of the motor combos comprises:
one of the corresponding plurality of motors;
two wheels;
an axle connecting the two wheels;
a bull gear that turns the axle; and
a plurality of journal bearing housings, wherein each of the plurality of journal bearing housings comprises a roller bearing for the axle.
10. The method recited in claim 9 , wherein the fixture frame is adapted to:
position each of the plurality of motor combos relative to others of the plurality of motor combos for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck;
support each of the two wheels;
support each of the plurality of motors; and
support each of the plurality of journal bearing housings.
11. The method recited in claim 8 , wherein lifting, simultaneously, the plurality of motors comprises raising a plurality of noses corresponding to the plurality of motors.
12. The method recited in claim 11 , wherein connecting the truck frame to the plurality of motors comprises connecting the truck frame to the plurality of noses of the motors.
13. The method recited in claim 8 , comprising positioning a combo lifter beneath the plurality of motor combos, wherein the combo lifter performs the lifting, simultaneously, of the plurality of motors.
14. The method recited in claim 13 , wherein the fixture frame is adapted to accommodate the positioning of the combo lifter beneath the plurality of motor combos.
15. The method recited in claim 13 , wherein the combo lifter comprises:
a plurality of segments, each segment comprising:
a base;
a lifter arm; and
a connector;
a connecting rod that connects the plurality of segments at the connectors; and
a hydraulic cylinder or other actuation device adapted to move the connecting rod, wherein moving the connecting rod simultaneously moves the lifter arms, wherein the lifter arms simultaneously lift the plurality of motors.