The author has shown theoretically that tapered wheelsets have a balance velocity, not to be confused with the critical speed in hunting. Balance velocities are defined as the speed at which the wheelset begins to derail. It is named balance velocity for trying to associate it with wheel balance in the automobile industry. This presentation will show the balance velocity of a tapered wheelset by a lab test and the method to measure it.To solve problems of wear in wheel flange or corrugated rail, the first step is to measure the balance velocity of the wheelset on the corresponding rail. If the train speed is above the balance velocity, the wheelset is unstable. Wear in wheel/rail would certainly occur. A grinding procedure is cosmetic and has no scientific principles, therefore cannot solve the root cause problem.To eliminate wheelset hunting problem totally, a hunting eliminator was designed. A tapered wheelset was set to run on the rail installed the hunting eliminator.&nbsp; It was observed that wheelset hunting almost disappeared, as will be shown in this presentation.All tapered wheelsets must be measured the balance velocity before they can run on the rail just like wheels must be balanced before they can run in automobiles. However, balance velocity of a cylindrical wheelset is infinite theoretically. Furthermore, there are many ways to determine if wheel wear damage is bad enough to “condemn” the wheel. However, to measure the balance velocity of the wheelset is a scientific way to determine if the wear damage wheel should be replaced. These are all new to the railroad industry.

Balance Velocity of Wheelset and Hunting Eliminator

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/JRC/JRC2021/volume/84775

2021 Joint Rail Conference (JRC2021)

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