Railway Track Rail Drilling Rig

Abstract

A rail drill drive train (20) may include a common drive end between a single drive motor (32) and a common gear. A speed train end may extend from the common gear to rotate a drill spindle. A feed train end may extend independently from the common gear to advance and retract the drill spindle. The speed train end may include a wedge-type gear so that when the drive motor is reversed to retract the drill spindle without any gear engagement, the drill spindle does not rotate unnecessarily in a reverse direction. Rail drill control circuitry and associated sensors enable automatic operation throughout a complete drilling cycle without requiring any manual input from a user other than starting the cycle. Such a fully automatic drilling cycle may minimize total cycle time to preserve battery life and may free the user to perform other tasks between drill bit movement and clamping operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a railroad track rail drill that is specifically designed for drilling holes in railroad track rails to join multiple sections of railroad track rails together end to end. Background Art

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Typically, railroad track drill rigs are operated at a site where railroad track is being laid or repaired, where there is no easy access to electricity. Therefore, rail drill rigs are typically driven by hydraulic power or directly by an internal combustion engine, as this power is required to drill through the railroad track rails.

[0004] Typically, railway track rail drills only include a motor that drives a gear train that rotates only the drill spindle. While the rail drill is clamped to the rail, the user must manually advance the drill by applying a forward drilling force to the feed rod throughout the drilling portion of the drilling cycle. When the user determines that the drilling portion of the drilling cycle is complete, the user must manually apply a reverse force or remove the force to the feed rod to retract the drill spindle from the newly drilled hole and shut down the drill before releasing the rail drill from the rail. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure of the invention, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0006] According to one aspect of the disclosure of the present invention, a railway track rail drilling rig may include a railway track rail drilling rig housing supporting a railway track rail clamp designed to selectively clamp the railway track rail drilling rig to a railway track rail. A single drive motor may be coupled to the railway track rail drilling rig housing and may have an output shaft. A power source may be operably coupled to the single drive motor so that the single drive motor selectively rotates the output shaft of the single drive motor in a forward rotational direction and in a reverse rotational direction opposite to the forward rotational direction. A drive train may include a common train end having a common gear operably coupled to the output shaft of the single drive motor so as to rotate the common gear in a corresponding common gear forward rotational direction and a common gear reverse rotational direction in response to rotation of the output shaft in the forward rotational direction and the reverse rotational direction, respectively. A feed train end of the drive train may have a spindle feed carrier operatively coupled to the common gear at a first common gear connection to axially transport the drill spindle toward a spindle advance position in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor in a forward rotational direction, and axially transport the drill spindle toward a spindle retracted position opposite the spindle advance position in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor in a reverse rotational direction. A speed train end of the drive train may have a sprag gear operatively coupled to the common gear and to the drill spindle at a second common gear connection separate from the first common gear connection to rotate the drill spindle in a drilling rotational direction in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor in a forward rotational direction, and to decouple the drill spindle from rotation of the intermediate common drive gear in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor in a reverse rotational direction.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a railway track rail drilling rig may include a railway track rail drilling rig housing supporting a railway track rail clamp designed to selectively clamp the railway track rail drilling rig to a railway track rail. A single drive motor may be coupled to the railway track rail drilling rig housing and may have an output shaft. A power source may be operably coupled to the single drive motor to cause the single drive motor to selectively rotate the output shaft of the single drive motor in a forward rotational direction and in a reverse rotational direction opposite the forward rotational direction. The drive train may include a feed train end having a spindle feed carrier operably coupled to the output shaft of the single drive motor to axially transport the drill spindle toward a spindle-advanced position in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor in the forward rotational direction, and to axially transport the drill spindle toward a spindle-retracted position opposite the spindle-advanced position in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor in the reverse rotational direction. The drive train may include a speed train end operatively coupled to an output shaft of the single drive motor and coupled to a drill spindle to rotate the drill spindle in a drilling rotational direction in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor in a forward rotational direction. The rail drill control circuit may be coupled to the power supply and the single drive motor. The rail drill control circuit may include a cycle start switch and a motor direction selector, and the rail drill control circuit may be configured to: in response to manual actuation of the cycle start switch, place the motor direction selector in (1) a forward configuration in which the power supply is operatively coupled to the single drive motor to rotate the output shaft in a forward rotational direction and thereafter make a drilling completion determination without further manual input from a user, and in response to the drilling completion determination, place the motor direction selector in (2) a reverse configuration in which the power supply is operatively coupled to the single drive motor to rotate the output shaft in a reverse rotational direction without further manual input from a user.

[0008] According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the rail drill control circuit may be further configured to selectively (3) operatively disconnect power from the single drive motor in the disconnect configuration. The rail drill control circuit may also be configured to make a cycle completion determination after making the drilling completion determination without further manual input from a user, and responsive to the cycle completion determination, operatively disconnect power from the single drive motor in the disconnect configuration.

[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary railway track rail drilling rig according to the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary railroad track rail drilling rig.

[0013] Figure 3 It will Figure 1 An exemplary railroad track rail drilling rig drive train is included in a perspective view.

[0014] Figure 4 It passes through Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary railway track rail drilling machine taken along the central rotational axis of a drilling mandrel with the central mandrel feed carriage and mandrel in a retracted position.

[0015] Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 sectional view of the central axis feed transport and the central axis in the advanced position.

[0016] Figure 6 It passes through Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary railroad track rail drilling machine feed screw taken about a central rotational axis with the feed drive carriage correspondingly positioned to place the drill spindle in a retracted position.

[0017] Figure 7 is similar to Figure 4 sectional view of the drill spindle in which the feed drive carriage is positioned accordingly to bring the drill spindle into the advanced position.

[0018] Figure 8 Is included for Figure 1 A circuit diagram of an exemplary railway track rail drilling rig control circuit and sensors and related components.

[0019] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A flow chart of an exemplary overall drilling cycle of an exemplary railway track rail drilling rig.

[0020] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figures 1 to 9 An example of a disclosed railway track rail drilling machine 20 according to the present invention is shown. This railway track rail drilling machine 20 is specifically designed for drilling holes in railway track rails to join multiple sections of railway track rails together end to end.

[0023] The rail drill 20 may include a rail drill housing 22 that supports a railway track rail clamp 24 designed to selectively couple the rail drill 20 to a railway track rail 26 during a drilling operation. A power source, such as a pair of rechargeable batteries 28, may be housed within a battery compartment or portion 30 of the housing 22. The power source 28 may be housed within a motor compartment or portion 34 of the housing 22. The power source 28 may be coupled to a single drive motor 32 such that the motor 32 selectively rotates an output shaft 36 of the single drive motor 32 in a forward rotational direction during the advance or drilling portion of a drilling cycle of the rail drill 20 and in a reverse rotational direction, opposite the forward rotational direction, during the retract portion of the drilling cycle of the rail drill 20.

[0024] The gear train or drive train can include a common train end, with each of the feed train end and the speed train end branching off from the common train end. In the example shown, the common train end can include gears 100-106, the feed train end can include gears 127-132, and the speed train end can include gears 147-148. Thus, the drive train can have three different branches or ends that all join together at the common gear 106, or each extend from the common gear 106.

[0025] The common end 100-106 of the drive train can include a common gear 106 that is operably coupled to the output shaft 36 of the single drive motor via gears 100-105 to rotate the common gear in corresponding common gear forward and reverse directions in response to rotation of the output shaft 36 in the forward and reverse directions, respectively. Thus, in addition to including the common gear 106, the common end can also include a plurality of gears 100-105. In an alternative example, the common gear 106 can be mounted directly on the output shaft 36 of the single drive motor 32, such that the common gear 106 is the only gear of the common end.

[0026] The speed train end 147-148 of the drive train can include a one-way or sprag gear 147 operatively coupled to the common gear 106 at a second common gear connection separate from the first common gear connection. Additionally, the sprag gear 147 is operatively coupled to the drill spindle 38 to rotate the drill spindle 38 in a drilling rotational direction in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor 32 in a forward rotational direction. In other words, when the single drive motor 32 is selectively rotated in a forward rotational direction to rotate the drill spindle 38 in the drilling rotational direction, the sprag gear 147 transmits torque to the drill spindle 38 via the speed sleeve 148.

[0027] Conversely, the sprag gear 147 decouples the spindle 38 from the rotation of the intermediate common drive gear 106 in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor 32 in the reverse direction. This is because, when rotating in this direction, the sprag gear 147 is not transmitting torque but simply freewheels. As described above, the sprag gear 147 is a one-way gear, meaning that it transmits torque in only one of two opposite rotational directions.

[0028] The drill spindle 38 may include a twist-lock drill bit coupler 40. This twist-lock drill bit coupler 40 retains the twist-lock drill bit 42 by simply inserting the drill bit 42 into the coupler 40 and twisting the drill bit 42 within the coupler 40 in a rotational direction opposite to the drilling rotation. The present invention does not have a drill bit securing mechanism, such as a set screw or jaws that must be separately manually tightened to retain the drill bit 42 in the twist-lock drill bit coupler 40 during drilling. However, rotating the twist-lock drill bit 42 within the twist-lock drill bit coupler 40 in the drilling rotational direction releases the drill bit 42 and allows it to be removed from the drill bit coupler 40. The drill spindle 38 may include a fluid passage 64 including a valve 66 to provide lubricating fluid to the drill bit 42 when drilling through the railroad track rails 26.

[0029] The feed train end 127-132 of the drive train may include a spindle feed carrier 132 operatively coupled to the common gear 106 at a first common gear connection via gears 127-131 to advance the drill spindle 38 axially toward a spindle position (e.g., a first position) in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor 32 in a forward rotational direction. Figure 5 Similarly, the spindle feed carriage 132 is operable to move the drill spindle 38 axially toward a spindle retracted position (e.g., a position opposite the spindle advanced position) in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor 32 in a reverse rotational direction. Figure 4 )transport.

[0030] The spindle feed carrier 132 at the feed train end of the drive train may include a driven feed rack 44. As in the example shown, the spindle feed carrier 132 may include an axially movable and non-rotatable feed sleeve that surrounds the feed portion of the drill spindle 38, with the driven feed rack 44 positioned outside the axially movable and non-rotatable feed sleeve. The feed train end may include a feed pinion 131 that operably couples the common gear 106 and the driven feed rack 44 of the spindle feed carrier 132 to drive the drill spindle 38 axially toward the spindle advance position in response to selective rotation of the output shaft 36 of the single drive motor 32 in a forward rotational direction.

[0031] Additionally, the feed pinion 131 is operatively coupled to the common gear 106 and the driven feed rack 44 to drive the spindle feed carrier 132 and the drill spindle 38 axially toward the spindle retracted position in response to selective rotation in opposite directions of the output shaft 36 of the single drive motor 32. Thus, the spindle feed carrier 132 may be referred to herein as a gear because it includes teeth of the driven feed rack 44 that mesh with teeth of the feed pinion 131.

[0032] The feed train end of the drive train can include a feed screw 129 extending parallel to the drill spindle 38. The feed screw 129 can be operably coupled to the common gear 106 and the feed pinion 131 to drive the feed pinion 131 in rotation. For example, the feed screw 129 can be operably coupled to the common gear 106 via the gear 127 and the planetary gear set 128. The feed screw 129 can be threadedly engaged with mating threads of a feed drive carrier 130. The feed drive carrier 130 can include a feed drive rack 46 operably coupled to the feed pinion 131 to drive the feed pinion 131 in rotation.

[0033] The feed drive carrier 130 may be an axially movable, non-rotatable feed drive sleeve that surrounds and is internally threadedly coupled to the feed screw 129. The non-rotatable drive sleeve may include a feed drive rack 46 on its exterior. Thus, rotation of the common gear 106 in either direction by the drive motor 32 results in rotation of the feed screw 129. The threaded engagement between the feed screw 129 and the feed drive carrier 130 means that rotation of the feed screw 129 results in axial movement of the feed drive carrier 130 along the feed screw 129. This axial movement of the feed drive carrier 130 causes the feed drive rack 46 to rotate the feed pinion 131. This, in turn, causes the spindle feed carrier 132 to axially move along the central rotational axis of the drill spindle 38 due to engagement of the feed pinion 131 with the driven feed rack 44 of the spindle feed carrier 132.

[0034] As described above, the feed system may include a spindle feed carrier 132, which may include an axially movable and non-rotatable feed sleeve 132 surrounding a feed portion of the drill spindle 38, wherein the driven feed rack 44 is located outside the axially movable and non-rotatable feed sleeve and coupled to the feed pinion 131. The speed system may include a rotatable and non-axially movable speed sleeve 148 surrounding a speed portion of the drill spindle 38, wherein the speed sleeve 148 is operatively coupled to the drill spindle 38, for example, via a spline, via a spline, to rotate the drill spindle 38 in the drilling rotation direction when the drill spindle 38 is axially advanced relative to the speed sleeve 148 through the feed system.

[0035] As in the example shown, the rail drilling machine 20 can have a single drive motor 32, rather than multiple drive motors, which can drive the spindle feed mechanism in both the advance and retract directions and the spindle speed in the drilling rotation direction but not in the reverse rotation direction, while still maintaining all cooperating tooth pairs of the drive train in constant meshing with each other throughout the operation of the rail drilling machine 20.

[0036] The motor direction selector 48 can be coupled between a power source, such as a rechargeable battery 28, and the single drive motor 32. The motor direction selector 48 is operable to selectively (1) couple the power source 28 to the single drive motor 32 in a forward configuration at block 74, wherein the output shaft 36 of the single drive motor 32 rotates in a forward rotational direction, and (2) couple the power source 28 to the single drive motor 32 in a reverse configuration at block 78 (Motor Direction to Reverse), wherein the output shaft 36 of the single drive motor 32 rotates in a reverse rotational direction opposite the forward rotational direction, and (3) operably disconnect the power source from the single drive motor in an “off” configuration at block 70 (Motor Speed ​​to “Off” / Zero).

[0037] Furthermore, the rail drill control circuitry 50 may be configured to make a cycle complete determination at box 80 (drill cycle complete determination) after making the drill complete determination at box 76 (drill complete determination) without further manual input from the user, and to place the motor direction selector 48 in the "off" configuration at box 70 in response to the cycle complete determination at box 80. In other words, the entire drilling cycle of the drill spindle 38 from the retracted position to and through the railroad track rail 26 to the advanced position and back from the railroad track rail 26 back to the retracted position may be performed automatically without any further interaction from the user other than pressing the cycle start switch 52.

[0038] The rail drill control circuit 50 can be operably coupled to the power source 28, the motor direction selector 48, and the cycle start switch 52. For example, the motor direction selector can be a mechanical switch 48, a motor controller 33 including a microprocessor 35 and a memory 37, or both. As an example, the rail drill control circuit 50 can include a microprocessor 54 and a memory 56. In some cases, the rail drill control circuit 50 can include two microprocessors 35, 54, and in some cases, the functions of both microprocessors 35, 54 can be performed by a single microprocessor.

[0039] See especially Figure 9 and the exemplary rail drilling states in the table below, the rail drilling control circuit 50 can be configured to: in response to receiving a cycle start signal (state 1 - see exemplary rail drilling states in the table below) from a user manually actuating the cycle start switch 52 at box 72 (cycle start switch signal), place or move the motor direction selector 48 from the "off" configuration at box 70 to the forward configuration at box 74 (motor direction to forward). For example, the microprocessor 54 can change the direction control signal connected to the motor controller 33 to the forward state (state 4 - see exemplary rail drilling states in the table below). In one example, the forward and reverse signals can involve setting the signal to "open" (e.g., a reference voltage) for one of the two directions and to "closed" (e.g., zero volts) for the other of the two directions. The microprocessor 54 can also set the motor speed signal connected to the motor controller 33 (box 84, state 5 - see exemplary rail drilling states in the table below). In one example, the motor speed signal may involve adjusting the signal voltage from zero percent to 100 percent of a reference voltage, where zero volts corresponds to a motor "off" state.

[0040] The rail drill control circuit 50 can be configured to ensure that the rail drill 20 starts the drilling cycle from the home position. For example, a signal from the spindle feed position sensor or limit switch 86 can be used to infer whether the drill spindle 38 is in the home position. If not, the drill spindle 38 is moved toward the home position until the spindle feed position sensor or limit switch 86 provides a confirmation signal (State 3 - see the exemplary rail drill states in the table below).

[0041] The rail drill control circuit 50 can be configured to thereafter make a drilling completion determination at block 76 (state 6—see exemplary rail drill states in the table below) without further manual input from the user, and in response to the drilling completion determination at block 76, place the motor direction selector 48 in a reverse configuration at block 78 (state 8—see exemplary rail drill states in the table below) without further manual input from the user. The motor direction selector can be a physical switch or can be implemented by the motor controller 33. For example, the microprocessor 54 can change the direction control signal connected to the motor controller 33 to a reverse state (state 8—see exemplary rail drill states in the table below). The microprocessor 54 can also temporarily set the motor speed to 0% or "off" (state 7—see exemplary rail drill states in the table below) and thereafter set the motor speed signal to the motor controller 33 (block 82, state 9—see exemplary rail drill states in the table below).

[0042] As an example, the control circuit 50 may include a timer or clock circuit 60 and a memory 56, and the control circuit 50 may be configured to make a drilling completion determination at block 76 when a predetermined period of time (stored in the memory 56) has elapsed following manual actuation of the cycle start switch 52 or following initiation of forward motor rotation from the home position (States 5 and 6 - see exemplary rail drill states in the table below). The maximum expected time to drill through a rail drill and reach the fully advanced spindle position may be determined by laboratory testing. Such maximum expected drilling time should take into account the maximum spindle travel available and may be selected to expire after a reasonable drilling time but before the spindle reaches its fully advanced position. When the timer expires, the microprocessor 54 may shut down the motor by setting the speed signal connected to the motor controller 33 to 0% speed or "off" (State 7 - see exemplary rail drill states in the table below).

[0043] As an example, the control circuit 50 may be coupled to the motor current sensor 58. The control circuit 50 may be configured to make a drilling complete determination at block 76 (State 6—see exemplary rail drilling machine states in the table below) upon receiving a signal from the motor current sensor 58 indicating that the current draw of the drive motor 32 has changed from a load current draw indicative of active drilling to a no-load current draw indicative of inactive drilling (e.g., drilling complete or drill bit broken).

[0044] For example, the control circuit 50 can be configured to make a drilling completion determination at block 76 when the current draw of the drive motor 32, as detected by the motor current sensor 58, decreases by a predetermined amount. For example, the drilling circulating current for no load, drilling, and drill bit damage can be determined through laboratory testing. The microprocessor 54 can monitor the signal from the current sensor 58 (State 6—see the table below for exemplary rail drilling states). If the current decreases by the predetermined amount, the microprocessor 54 can shut down the motor by setting the speed control signal connected to the motor controller 33 to 0% speed (State 7—see the table below for exemplary rail drilling states).

[0045] Alternatively, the control circuit 50 can be configured to make a drilling completion determination at block 76 when the current draw of the drive motor 32, as detected by the motor current sensor 58, changes from a loaded current draw range to a no-load current draw range. The use of the current sensor 58 and the associated configuration of the control circuit 50 can help reduce the overall rail drilling cycle time. For example, motor current presets for no-load, loaded (drilling), and drill bit damage can be stored in the memory 56. If the reading of the current sensor 58 is greater than the drilling current preset, the microprocessor 54 can detect the drilling status. If the current decreases below the motor current no-load preset, the microprocessor 54 can shut down the motor by setting the speed control signal connected to the motor controller 33 to 0% speed or "off."

[0046] As an example, the control circuit 50 can be coupled to the motor speed sensor 62. The control circuit 50 can be configured to make a drill complete determination at block 76 upon receiving a signal from the motor speed sensor 62 indicating that the speed of the drive motor 32 has changed from a loaded motor speed, indicative of active drilling, to an unloaded motor speed, indicative of inactive drilling (e.g., drill complete).

[0047] For example, the control circuit 50 may be configured to make a drilling completion determination at box 76 when the speed of the drive motor 32 detected by the motor speed sensor 62 increases by a predetermined amount, such as after an initial decrease by a predetermined amount, or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of the drilling cycle, or after the drill spindle 38 has been in a position between the retracted position and the advanced position.

[0048] Alternatively, the control circuit 50 may be configured to make a drilling completion determination at block 76 when the speed of the drive motor 32, as detected by the motor speed sensor 62, changes from a loaded motor speed range to an unloaded motor speed range. The use of the motor speed sensor 62 and the associated configuration of the control circuit 50 may help reduce the overall rail drilling cycle time.

[0049] As an example, the control circuit 50 may be coupled to a spindle feed position sensor 86, and the control circuit 50 may be configured to make a drilling completion determination at block 76 when the spindle feed position sensor 86 provides a signal to the rail drill control circuit 50 indicating that the drill spindle 38 is in the spindle advance position. As in the illustrated embodiment, the position sensor 86 may include two proximity sensors 88, 90 operable to respond when they align with two grooves or recesses 92, 94 on the spindle feed carriage 132.

[0050] Turning to an example of a control circuit configuration for making a cycle complete determination at box 80, the control circuit 50 may be configured to make a cycle complete determination at box 80 when the spindle feed position sensor 86 provides a signal to the rail drill control circuit 50 indicating that the spindle 38 is in the spindle retracted position or has returned to the spindle retracted position, for example, at some point after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from initiation of the drilling cycle, or after the drill spindle 38 has been in a position between the retracted position and the advanced position.

[0051] Multiple position sensors 86 can be used to infer or determine the position of the drill spindle 38. During a normal drilling cycle, there can be three spindle position zones of interest: fully retracted (home position), fully advanced, and an intermediate zone between fully retracted and advanced. The combination of position sensor signals or readings is unique for each of the three spindle position zones. For example, when the drill spindle 38 is in the fully retracted position, the microprocessor 54 may read all position sensors 88 and 90 as "closed." When the drill spindle 38 is in the intermediate position, the microprocessor 54 may read all position sensors 88 and 90 as "open." When the drill spindle 38 is in the fully retracted position, the microprocessor 54 may read one position sensor 88 as "open" and another position sensor 90 as "closed." The microprocessor 54 can determine these three drill spindle position zones or positions as digital or analog signal inputs that can be monitored. The microprocessor 54 can modify the direction and speed of the motor 32 in response to the position sensor readings and the cycle status, as described above.

[0052] Of course, the various examples above are not mutually exclusive. For example, both a motor current sensor 58 and a spindle position sensor 86 may be provided, and the rail drill control circuit 50 may be configured to make the drilling completion determination at block 76 based on a signal from either the current sensor 58 or the position sensor 86, as detailed above. Thus, the rail drill control circuit 50 may be configured to make the drilling completion determination at block 76 in two different ways, which may provide a backup in the event that one of the sensors fails. This may be beneficial in helping to ensure that the feed mechanism does not move beyond the advance or retract position, which could damage components, particularly given the significant gear reduction ratio (e.g., 1100:1). Other combinations of the examples herein are possible.

[0053] The drive motor 32 is operated in a forward rotational direction to move the drill spindle 38 from the retracted position to the advanced position during the drilling operation portion of the drilling cycle. This includes a no-load phase, in which the drive motor 32 is operated at a no-load forward speed during drilling or during the advance portion of the drilling cycle, such as from the start of the drilling cycle until the drill bit 42 initially contacts the railroad track rail 26 and begins actively drilling through the railroad track rail 26. The single drive motor 32 is also operated in a reverse rotational direction to move the drill spindle 38 from the advance position to the retracted position during the retract portion of the drilling cycle. Most, if not all, of the reverse motor operation occurs during the no-load period, during which the drive motor 32 is operated at a no-load reverse speed.

[0054] As shown in the exemplary rail drill states in the table below, the motor controller speed signal is set to the same 100% in both the forward and reverse directions (states 5 and 9 - see the exemplary rail drill states in the table below). Alternatively, the reverse motor speed can be set higher (e.g., to 100%) than the forward motor speed (e.g., to 85%). For example, it may be desirable to adjust the motor drilling speed based on the cut drill bit material installed on the drill bit without changing the gearing. Using a higher or full return speed can help reduce the overall drilling cycle time. As another example, the rail drill 20 may include a physical motor speed regulator 92, and the rail drill control circuit 50 may be configured to adjust the motor speed regulator 92 at block 82 (Motor Speed ​​to Reverse Speed) to operate the single drive motor 32 in the reverse rotational direction at a reverse speed that is higher than the forward speed at which the motor speed regulator 92 was set at block 84 (Motor Speed ​​to Forward Speed) to operate the drive motor 32 in the forward rotational direction.

[0055] As described above, the rail drill control circuit 50 can send commands such as motor speed signals to the motor controller 33 as analog voltage levels. However, the rail drill control circuit 50 is not limited to analog motor control. The rail drill control circuit 50 can provide digital, time-varying motor control, such as pulse width modulation, or intelligent communication control to manage the motor subsystem.

[0056] For the purpose of illustration and description, the above description of the embodiment has been provided. Its purpose is not to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure of the present invention. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used in selected embodiments, even if not specifically shown or described. The same can also be changed in many ways. Such changes should not be considered to be out of the disclosure of the present invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the disclosure of the present invention.

[0057] The following table is used for the above details Figure 1 A diagram of exemplary states of control circuitry of an exemplary railway track rail drilling rig.

[0058]

[0059]

Claims

1. A railway track rail drilling machine (20), comprising: A railroad track rail drilling machine housing (22) supporting a railroad track rail clamp (24) designed to selectively couple the railroad track rail drilling machine to a railroad track rail; a single drive motor (32) coupled to the railway track rail drilling machine housing (22) and having an output shaft (36); a power source operably coupled to the single drive motor (32) to cause the single drive motor (32) to selectively rotate an output shaft (36) of the single drive motor (32) in a forward rotational direction and in a reverse rotational direction opposite to the forward rotational direction; as well as The transmission system comprises: a common gear end having a common gear (106) operatively coupled to the output shaft (36) of the single drive motor (32) to rotate the common gear in a corresponding common gear forward rotation direction and a common gear reverse rotation direction in response to rotation of the output shaft (36) in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, respectively; a feed train end having a spindle feed conveyor (132) operably coupled to the common gear at a first common gear connection for conveying the drill spindle axially toward a spindle advance position in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor (32) in the forward rotational direction, and for conveying the drill spindle axially toward a spindle retracted position opposite the spindle advance position in response to selective rotation of the single drive motor (32) in the reverse rotational direction; and A speed train end having a sprag gear (147) which is operably connected to the common gear and to the drill spindle (38) at a second common gear connection portion separate from the first common gear connection portion, so as to rotate the drill spindle in the drilling rotation direction in response to the single drive motor (32) selectively rotating in the forward rotation direction, and to disengage the drill spindle from the rotation of the intermediate common drive gear in response to the single drive motor (32) selectively rotating in the reverse rotation direction.

2. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 1, wherein: The drill spindle (38) includes a twist-lock drill bit coupler designed to retain a twist-lock drill bit during rotation of the drill spindle (38) in the drilling rotation direction by simply twisting the twist-lock drill bit in the twist-lock drill bit coupler and without the need for separately tightening a drill bit tightening mechanism.

3. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 1, wherein: The common gear end includes a plurality of gears, and the plurality of gears includes the common gear (106).

4. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 1, wherein: The spindle feed conveyor (132) includes a driven feed rack, and the feed system includes a feed pinion (131), which is operably connected to the common gear and to the driven feed rack (44) of the spindle feed conveyor to drive the drill spindle axially toward the spindle advancement position in response to the output shaft (36) of the single drive motor (32) selectively rotating in the forward rotation direction, and to drive the spindle feed conveyor and the drill spindle axially toward the spindle retraction position in response to the output shaft (36) of the single drive motor (32) selectively rotating in the reverse rotation direction.

5. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 4, wherein: The spindle feed carriage includes an axially movable and non-rotatable feed sleeve surrounding a feed portion of the drill spindle, wherein the driven feed rack is outside the axially movable and non-rotatable feed sleeve.

6. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 4, wherein: The feed train includes a feed screw (129) extending parallel to the drill spindle and operatively coupled to the common gear and the feed pinion to drive the feed pinion to rotate.

7. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 6, wherein: The feed screw (129) is threadedly engaged with a feed drive carrier (130) which includes a feed drive rack operably coupled to the feed pinion to drive the feed pinion to rotate.

8. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 7, wherein: The feed drive conveyor (130) includes an axially movable and non-rotatable feed drive sleeve, which surrounds the feed screw and is internally threadedly connected to the feed screw, and the non-rotatable feed drive sleeve has the feed drive rack on its exterior.

9. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The speed system further includes a rotatable and axially non-movable speed sleeve surrounding a speed portion of the drill spindle and operably coupling the sprag gear to the drill spindle to rotate the drill spindle in the drilling rotation direction when the drill spindle is advanced relative to the speed sleeve by means of the feed system.

10. A railway track rail drilling machine (20), comprising: A railroad track rail drilling machine housing (22) supporting a railroad track rail clamp (24) designed to selectively couple the railroad track rail drilling machine to a railroad track rail; a single drive motor (32) coupled to the railway track rail drilling machine housing (22) and having an output shaft (36); a power source operably coupled to the single drive motor (32) to cause the single drive motor (32) to selectively rotate an output shaft (36) of the single drive motor (32) in a forward rotational direction and in a reverse rotational direction opposite to the forward rotational direction; as well as The transmission system comprises: a feed system end, the feed system end having a spindle feed conveyor, the spindle feed conveyor being operably connected to the output shaft (36) of the single drive motor (32) so as to convey the drill spindle axially toward a spindle advancement position in response to the single drive motor (32) selectively rotating in the forward rotation direction, and to convey the drill spindle axially toward a spindle retraction position opposite to the spindle advancement position in response to the single drive motor (32) selectively rotating in the reverse rotation direction; and a speed system end, the speed system end being operably connected to the output shaft of the single drive motor (32) and connected to the drill spindle so as to rotate the drill spindle in a drilling rotation direction in response to the single drive motor (32) selectively rotating in the forward rotation direction; and a rail drill control circuit coupled to the power source and the single drive motor, the rail drill control circuit comprising a cycle start switch and a motor direction selector, and the rail drill control circuit being configured to: in response to manual actuation of the cycle start switch, place the motor direction selector in (1) a forward configuration in which the power source is operably coupled to the single drive motor (32) to rotate the output shaft (36) in the forward rotational direction and thereafter make a drilling completion determination without further manual input from a user, and in response to the drilling completion determination, place the motor direction selector in (2) a reverse configuration in which the power source is operably coupled to the single drive motor (32) to rotate the output shaft (36) in the reverse rotational direction without further manual input from a user; Wherein, the rail drilling rig control circuit is configured to make a drilling completion determination based on any combination of: A predetermined period of time has passed, The signal from the motor current sensor, The signal from the motor speed sensor, Signal from the spindle feed position sensor.

11. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 10, wherein: The rail drill control circuit is coupled to the spindle feed position sensor (86), and the rail drill control circuit is configured to make the drilling completion determination when the spindle feed position sensor (86) provides a signal to the rail drill control circuit indicating that the drill spindle is in the spindle advance position.

12. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 10, wherein: The rail drill control circuit is coupled to the motor current sensor, and the rail drill control circuit (50) is configured to make the drilling completion determination upon receiving a signal from the motor current sensor indicating that current consumption has changed from load current consumption to no-load current consumption.

13. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 10, wherein: The rail drill control circuit (50) includes a clock circuit and a memory, and is configured to make the drilling completion determination when the predetermined time period stored in the memory has elapsed after manual actuation of the cycle start switch.

14. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 10, wherein: The rail drill control circuit is further configured to selectively (3) operably disconnect the power supply from the single drive motor (32) in a disconnect configuration, and the rail drill control circuit is configured to make a cycle completion determination without further manual input from a user after making the drilling completion determination, and in response to the cycle completion determination, operably disconnect the power supply from the single drive motor (32) in the disconnect configuration.

15. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 14, wherein: The rail drilling rig control circuit is configured to: send a forward motor speed signal and a forward motor direction signal to the motor controller in the forward configuration to rotate the output shaft (36) of the single drive motor (32) in the forward rotational direction, and send a reverse motor speed signal and a reverse motor direction signal to the motor controller in the reverse configuration to rotate the output shaft of the single drive motor (32) in the reverse rotational direction, and send a zero motor speed signal to the motor controller when the drilling rig spindle returns to the spindle retracted position to shut down the single drive motor (32) in the disconnect configuration.

16. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 15, wherein: The forward motor speed signal and the reverse motor speed signal both represent the same motor speed.

17. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein: The rail drill control circuit is coupled to the spindle feed position sensor and is configured to make the cycle complete determination when the spindle feed position sensor provides a signal to the rail drill control circuit indicating that the drilling spindle is in the spindle retracted position.

18. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 17, wherein: The rail drill control circuit is coupled to the motor current sensor and is configured to make the drilling completion determination upon receiving a signal from the motor current sensor indicating that current consumption has changed from load current consumption to no-load current consumption.

19. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 18, wherein: The rail drill control circuit is further configured to make the drilling completion determination when the spindle feed position sensor provides a signal to the rail drill control circuit indicating that the drilling spindle is in the spindle advance position.

20. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 19, wherein: The spindle feed position sensor includes a pair of position sensors respectively aligned with a pair of grooves in the spindle feed carriage.

21. The railway track rail drilling machine (20) according to claim 20, wherein: The rail drill control circuit is configured to interpret the pair of position sensors sending one of an "open" and a "closed" signal as indicating that the drill spindle is in the spindle retracted position.

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