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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

INGRESS OF WATER AND THE LUBRICATION OF TRACTION MOTOR SUSPENSION BEARING

Two laboratory investigations are described which were undertaken to help solve the problem of locomotive traction motor bearing failures which occur mainly during winter operation on Canadian railroads. In the first study, a complete traction motor and wheel set was set up in an environmental chamber and rotated under driving rain conditions. Water was found to enter through the small gaps and grooves between the bearing caps and the housing; to be pumped hydraulically through the bearing clearance into the reservoir, and also to enter as a vapor generated from water entering the gear case. Various possible means of preventing the ingress of water was proposed. In the second study, a standard traction motor bearing was tested in the laboratory under realistic load and speed conditions at temperatures down to minus 35 deg C. During the process of this investigation, it was shown that the wick lubricator is extremely effective even after soaking at low temperature prior to testing. It was shown that water supplied to the bearing clearance or steam in the reservoir have no direct deleterious effect on the lubrication, although a buildup of water in the reservoir can cause the oil to flow out rapidly through the bearing clearance. A modified close-fitting wick-bearing arrangement to keep water from entering the reservoir is proposed.

  • Corporate Authors:

    American Society of Lubricating Engineers

    838 Busse Highway
    Park Ridge, IL  United States  60068
  • Authors:
    • Lane, J F
    • Dayson, C
  • Publication Date: 1981-1

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 22
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00335072
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Engineering Index
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Aug 15 1981 12:00AM