| 摘要 |
A rail wheel is provided with a tire or running rim 242 made from a memory alloy, e.g. a memory alloy containing titanium and nickel. In addition a resilient layer 243 of a natural or synthetic polymeric material is provided between the tire or running rim 242 and the wheel body 241 so as to enhance wheel/rail adhesion, reduce mechanical shock and reduce noise. The tire or running rim 242 and the co-operating surface of the wheel body 241 are shaped and arranged so that the tire or rim 242 cannot slip off the body. Alternatively the resilient layer may be replaced by an arched metal spring or the memory alloy rim or tyre may itself be arched to provide resilience. In another construction the wheel body is integral with the rim and the whole is made of a memory alloy, a resilient layer being provided between the wheel body and hub. An embodiment is also disclosed in which the running rim or tyre is not of a memory alloy but is held in place on the wheel body by rings of memory alloy. <IMAGE> |
