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"Coning of wheels" is what allows a train to take a turn without slipping off its tracks.
When a car takes a turn, the outer wheel must turn more quickly than the inner wheel, because it travels a greater distance. In a car, this is accomplished by allowing the wheels on either side to turn at different rates. This is not a problem for the front wheels, which turn freely, but in the case of the back wheels, which are powered by the motor, it requires what is known as differential gearing.
But in the case of most trains, the wheels on the left are joined to the wheels on the right by solid steel axles. So how can the train take a turn, if the outer wheel must travel a further distance than the inner wheel?
The answer is that the wheels are beveled. That is, their edge is inclined, so that the outer edge of the wheel has a smaller radius than the inner edge.
So, if the tracks turn left, the right wheel shifts with respect to the rail and now turns on a bigger radius. Similarly, the left wheel turns on smaller radius. This way the right wheel can travel further than the left, even as they go around at the same rate.
A train wheel thus looks like the base of a cone, rather than like a cylinder. This is what is called "coning of wheels."
Notice also that if it were not for the coning of wheels, only the flange on the edge of the wheel would prevent the train from derailing. But this would mean that the flange would be repeatedly hitting the rail, causing constant noise, heat, sparks and wear of the tracks and the flange.
Instead, what happens is that if the wheels become displaced with respect to the tracks, the coning causes them to turn back inwards. Actually, at very high speeds the wheels will turn too far before starting to turn in the opposite direction to compensate, leading to a problem called "hunting oscillation." Overcoming this problem was the main step in the development of modern high-speed trains, such as operate today in Europe and Japan.
Theoretical physicist Richard Feynman gives an amusing oral account of how this "coning of wheels" works to keep the train on track and allow it to turn:
http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=y7h4OtFDnYE
What else can I help you with?
When did Jacob Coning die?
Jacob Coning died in 1724.
What is the coning of wheel?
the flang of the wheel should not be flat. it should be in cone sheap in gredent of 1 in 20. this is called coning of wheel.
What does the Chinese CHR Train mean?
i bet you meant CRH: China Railways High-speed
What does coning produce?
a cone of ice cream
What does coning clay mean?
Coning is an action performed by a potter on a potter's wheel. The potter aplies pressure to the clay in such a way that the clay forms into a cone shape with the point of the cone sticking up. Coning is done so that the clay can be centered more easily and air bubbles will be forced out of the clay. Some potter's think that coning can replace wedging clay.
Why are the back wheels of a tractor bigger than the front wheels?
tractors are meant to be on uneasy grounds plus there are meant to pull things and balance and stability
Eplain coning as it relates to head injury?
coning results from brain shifts into other structures in cases of very high intra cranial pressure
Define the term coning and there complications?
coning is herniation of the brain due to an increased intracranial pressure (ICP). the increased ICP can cause pressure on the brain stem and cause respiratory difficulties such as hyperventilaton and cheyne stocking. coning is a medical emergency and can result in death
What are the meanings of coning as in pratical chemistry?
juhouupi bbgbyuii
When is the forth movie of twilight coning to theater?
Never
Indian heritage trains in rail adventures?
There are number of heritage train in Indian railways the most famous trains are 1) Palace on Wheels 2) Deccan Odyssey 3) Heritage on Wheels
How big would a bikes wheels be if the frame is 15in?
It's probably, but not certainly, meant for 26" wheels.
