Tie guide, replaceable pad, and method of using the same

Abstract

An assembly can include tie guide including a first free end, a second free end distal from the first free end, a tie-facing surface extending between the first free end and the second free end, and a mount configured to pivotably support the tie guide. The tie-facing surface can be configured to releasably secure a replaceable pad to the tie guide. The assembly can further include the replaceable pad, which can include more than one pad segment. A method can include replacing a pad or segments thereof. A method of exchanging rail ties can use an assembly including a tie guide and a replaceable pad therefor.

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to railroad right-of-way maintenance machinery.Discussion of Art

[0002] Conventional railroad track consists of a plurality of spaced parallel ties, also referred to as sleepers, to which are attached a pair of spaced rail tie plates. The ties are supported in a bed of loose rocks known as ballast. Each rail tie plate may rest on the upper surface of the tie. The rail tie plate includes holes for receiving spikes or screws, as well as a canted seat or a cradle for receiving the bottom or foot of the steel rail. There are a pair of spaced tie plates on each rail tie corresponding to the two rails that make up the railroad track. Some of the spikes may secure the tie plate on the rail tie, and others may secure the rail foot to the tie plate cradle. A retaining device, known as a rail anchor or simply an “anchor”, may also be pressed on either side of the plate, digging into the tie to provide additional support.

[0003] Track maintenance can include replacement of rail ties and during track maintenance operations, worn out or rotten ties may be removed. This is accomplished by first removing the spikes that hold the plates to the tie as well as to the rail and spreading any existing anchors away from the plate. Next, a rail tie exchanger machine, lifts the rail and extracts the worn tie from underneath. The tie is slid transversely out from beneath the rails. As the tie is extracted, the loosened tie plates either fall into the rail bed or ballast, or are retained on the removed rail tie. Conventional practice is to manually remove the plates and then throw them off to the side of the ballast so they do not interfere with the replacement procedure of the new tie. It is not uncommon for stray rocks or particles of ballast to be retained on the rail plates or the newly-inserted ties in locations that impede the operation of the rail maintenance equipment. Stray rocks can become wedged between the ties and the rails or rail plates and the corresponding handling equipment.

[0004] A tie ski may be used to guide insertion of a replacement tie under the rails. By using the ski during rail tie insertion, the top of the rail tie can remain clean and relatively free of stray ballast. In addition, the tie ski provides a physical barrier that retains the tie at a preselected depth during the entire insertion. This can also ensure that the tie easily slides under the rail or plates on the opposite side with minimal to no tie damage. During insertion, as the new tie is inserted, the tie ski comes in contact with an upper surface of the rail tie and acts as a positive stop to prevent the rail tie from being inserted at too high an elevation. Skis may wear out after repeated use. Replacement of a ski can be costly and time-consuming, which can delay the rail tie replacement process. It may be desirable to have a rail ballast management system and rail tie replacement method that differs from those that are currently available.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0005] An aspect includes an assembly including a tie guide having a first free end, and a second free end distal from the first free end and separated by a tie-facing surface extending between the first free end and the second free end, a mount structure of the tie guide that may pivotably support the tie guide; and a portion of the tie-facing surface that may releasably or selectively secure a replaceable pad.

[0006] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The assembly may include the replaceable pad. The replaceable pad may have a surface that defines at least one replaceable pad through-hole and the tie-facing surface may define at least one tie-facing surface through-hole, the assembly may include at least one fastener that may extend through the replaceable pad through-hole and the tie-facing surface through-hole to releasably secure the replaceable pad to the tie-facing surface. The replaceable pad may include two or more segments. The two or more segments may be symmetrically arranged relative to a centerline of the assembly and are spaced equidistantly between the first free end and the second free end. The symmetrical arrangement may be symmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis of the assembly extending between the first free end and the second free end. Each of the two or more segments may be independently secured to the tie-facing surface. The replaceable pad may be reversibly symmetric so that it can be installed in two or more orientations that are indistinguishable from each other. The tie guide may include a reinforced weldment ski plate. The replaceable pad may include a metal. For example, the metal of the replaceable pad can be selected from a group including steel, aluminum, brass, and tin. The replaceable pad may include of an abrasion-resistant steel having a Brinel Hardness Number (BHN) of at least 400. The replaceable pad may include Hardox 450. The replaceable pad may include a visual wear indicator. The visual wear indicator may include a visible layer disposed within that is only displayed when a portion of the replaceable pad is worn down to a determined thickness. The visual wear indicator may include a frangible region structured to break when the frangible region is worn down to a minimum thickness or a cutout notch set at a depth that, when equal in height to a wear surface of the replaceable pad, indicates that it is time to replace the replaceable pad. The replaceable pad further may include a pressure sensor disposed within the replaceable pad.

[0007] An aspect includes a method of operating a machine including moving a tie toward a tie guide, the tie guide releasably supporting a replaceable pad; and contacting, by the replaceable pad, the tie to thereby protect the tie guide from contacting the tie.

[0008] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method may include: sensing, by a sensor in the replaceable pad or the tie guide, contact between the replaceable pad and the tie. The method may include monitoring, by an image sensor, movement of the tie along a trajectory towards the tie guide; and aligning the trajectory of the tie with the tie guide. Other embodiments include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each may perform the actions of the methods. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

[0009] An aspect includes a replaceable pad for use in an assembly including a tie guide, which may include: a first free end; a second free end distal from the first free end; a tie-facing surface extending between the first free end and the second free end, the tie-facing surface may releasably secure the replaceable pad; and a mount may pivotably support the tie guide.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of a rail tie exchanger, according to various aspects.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a ski assembly for use with the rail tie exchanger of FIG. 1, depicting the ski assembly in a deployed and tilted position for insertion of a new tie, the tie assembly including a ski and a replaceable pad, according to various aspects.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2 in a lowered position for insertion of a new tie, according to various aspects.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2 depicting the replaceable pad mounted to the ski, according to various aspects.

[0014] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2, according to various aspects.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first replaceable segment of the replaceable pad of FIG. 2, according to various aspects.

[0016] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the first replaceable segment of FIG. 6, according to various aspects.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second replaceable segment of the replaceable pad of FIG. 2, according to various aspects.

[0018] FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the second replaceable segment of FIG. 8, according to various aspects.

[0019] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a portion of a replaceable pad mounted to the ski of FIG. 2, further depicting an electronic sensor, according to various aspects.

[0020] FIG. 11 is an elevation view of a portion of a replaceable pad mounted to the ski of FIG. 2, further depicting frangible portion for detecting pad wear, according to various aspects.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a replaceable segment of a replaceable pad including welded fasteners, according to various aspects.

[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the ski of FIG. 2 and depicting an alternative replaceable pad mounted thereto, according to various aspects.

[0023] FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the ski and replaceable pad of FIG. 13, according to various aspects.

[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the ski of FIG. 2 and depicting another alternative replaceable pad mounted thereto, according to various aspects.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] This disclosure relates to railroad right-of-way maintenance machinery. Right-of-way machinery may be used for exchanging and / or inserting rail ties, for example. A rail tie exchanger machine can include a tie ski to manage the ballast and facilitate replacement of ties along a track.

[0026] The tie-facing surface of the ski is subjected to significant forces and abrasion from the rail tie and ballast during insertion of a rail tie. In one embodiment, a replaceable pad secured to the tie-facing surface. The pad can protect the underlying tie-facing surface of the ski. Moreover, the pad and / or portions thereof can be replaced as the pad (or portions thereof) may be worn down over repeated usage.

[0027] In one embodiment, the assembly includes a tie guide. The tie guide may include a first free end, a second free end distal from the first free end, a tie-facing surface extending between the first free end and the second free end, wherein the tie-facing surface may releasably secure the replaceable pad; the tie guide may include a mount that may pivotably support the tie guide. Replacement of the pad can require less expertise and be completed faster than replacement of an entire ski. Moreover, in certain instances, only select segments of the pad can be replaced, which can further improve efficiency and may reduce waste.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a railway maintenance machine referred to as a tie exchanger 10 is shown. Referring also now to FIG. 2, the tie exchanger further includes a replaceable pad releasably mounted to the ski 60, as further described herein. The tie exchanger uses reciprocating tie gripper claws or clamps 12 to grasp a tie 14 of a railroad track 16. The track may be a pair of rails 18. The rails may be secured to the ties with a pair of tie plates 20 on each tie. The tie plates can be secured to the ties with fasteners, including anchors. Suitable fasteners may include spikes or screws. These fasteners can be removed prior to the tie extraction procedure using a separate spike remover apparatus, for example. Anchors can be spread prior to the tie extraction procedure using a separate anchor spreader apparatus, for example.

[0029] The tie exchanger can include a main frame 22 from which the gripper clamps or claws can be suspended via a telescoping arm 24. The arm may reciprocate relative to the rails. The arm can be powered by a fluid power cylinder based on inputs from an operator in the operator's cab 30 via the control system 32 and control interface 34. The tie exchanger can be movable along the track using a power source. A suitable power source may be an internal combustion engine, for example, or it can be towed by another vehicle. The tie exchanger may include flanged rail wheels 36 to engage the track. The main frame may include a pair of generally parallel, spaced support beams 38 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that extend transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main frame, as well as transverse to the direction of the rails.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an assembly 40 may manage rail ballast and guide the tie during the insertion process. The assembly can be constructed and arranged for mounting to a plate handler assembly 41 (FIG. 1) that may be mounted to the main frame of the tie exchanger in a work space 42 defined between the spaced support beams. The assembly can guide the insertion of a new tie beneath the track so that it is positioned at a designated height, while preventing unwanted ballast particles and rocks from becoming lodged on an upper tie surface 44 during the tie insertion operation. The assembly can include a workhead frame 46 that can be attached to the tie exchanger. In one embodiment, it can attach in the work space between the support beams. For example, the workhead frame 46 can include arms extending between a bracket 48 and a central support sleeve 50 for attaching the workhead frame to the corresponding main support beams.

[0031] A suitable ski 60 can be a reinforced weldment plate having a generally planar tie-facing surface 70, an opposite upper surface 72, and free ends 76 at opposite ends of the ski. The free ends can be wing-like to curve the tie-facing surface upward away from the track. In various aspects, the skis can be non-planar or partially non-planar and can include an arcuate portion, for example, which can be convex or concave. The workhead frame defines a longitudinal axis and the ski is mounted transversely to the longitudinal axis. The ski can include a pair of vertically-projecting side rails 78, which extend longitudinally between the free ends. In addition to providing structural support to the ski, each side rail is provided with a mount 80 for a lower end of a mounting lug 58. The mount may be pivotally connected to the ski by a pin 82 that passes through the mount and also through a pivot end 84 of the mounting lug. The mount (and pin therethrough) is spaced equidistantly between the free ends.

[0032] The assembly further includes a pair of fluid power cylinder assemblies 90. Each fluid-powered cylinder assembly extends between a connection 74 at a free end of the ski and the central support sleeve such that selective pressurization of the fluid power cylinder assemblies causes reciprocal movement of the ski relative to the sleeve. At designated times, the assemblies may pivot the ski relative to the support sleeve at the pivot end.

[0033] Each of the fluid power assemblies can include a pair of fluid power cylinders. Suitable fluid power cylinders may be hydraulic cylinders in various instances. Each pair of cylinders can be mounted end-to-end, for example. A first cylinder of each pair can be for controlling the position of the ski relative to the rail, and a second cylinder of the pair can be for tilting or angling the ski during insertion of the tie. Each of the fluid power assemblies is connected via suitable hydraulic lines and corresponding solenoid valves and control circuitry to the tie exchanger control system for operation by the operator using the control interface.

[0034] Referring primarily to FIGS. 4 and 5, the replaceable pad is releasably secured to the tie-facing surface of the ski. More specifically, one or more fasteners 112 can secure the pad to the ski along the length of the tie-facing surface or a portion thereof. The replaceable pad has a tie-engaging surface 102 positioned to engage the upper surface of the tie during insertion of the tie below the rails. More specifically, the upper surface can slide along the tie-engaging surface, or along a portion thereof, during insertion of the tie when the ski is positioned to guide the tie into the proper position.

[0035] Through-holes 104 (FIGS. 6-9) can be defined by an inner surface of the replaceable pad. The fastener can be positioned through each through-hole to releasably secure the replaceable pad to the tie-facing surface of the ski. For example, through-holes in the ski and tie-facing surface thereof can be aligned with the through-holes in the pad. In certain instances, through-holes can be drilled or otherwise bored into the ski to correspond with at least one of the through-holes in the replaceable pad. Suitable fasteners are bolts having both a head and a threaded shaft. The head can be recessed relative to the tie-engaging surface of the pad. In such instances, the heads of the fasteners are not subjected to the abrasive forces from the tie during insertion thereof. As an example, the bolts can be plow bolts secured against the upper surface of the ski with one or more nuts 114. Such positioning can make the nuts easily accessible for maintenance and removal of the nuts to release the replaceable pad from the ski.

[0036] Alternative fasteners are contemplated. For example, referring to FIG. 12, a replaceable pad 400 having a replaceable segment 410 is shown. The pad may include welded fasteners 414 rather than predefined through-holes for receiving a bolt. The welded fasteners can serve as alignment features for installing the pad segment onto the ski. In various instances, the welded fasteners can include a threaded portion, which is threadably engaged with a bolt to secure the pad segment to the ski.

[0037] Referring primarily to FIGS. 6-9, the through-holes and the fasteners therethrough are spaced along the length and width of the pad. More specifically, the through-holes and the fasteners define an array along the length and width of the pad. Each pad segment 110 is fastened to the ski with four fasteners. In other instances, less than four or more than four fasteners can be used for each pad segment. The through-holes can be aligned with pre-fabricated through-holes in the ski. In other instances, through-holes can be machined, i.e. drilled, in the ski to install or releasably mount and secure the pad thereto.

[0038] The replaceable pad is comprised of multiple discrete pad segments. In some embodiments, the pad segments can be identical. For example, the replaceable pad is comprised of two first pad segments 110a and a single second pad segment 110b. In other instances, the replaceable pad can be comprised of more than three segments. Where there are plural segments, the pad segments can be independently secured to the tie-facing surface of the ski. The number of segments may be selected with reference to application specific criteria. Such criteria may include the abrasion factor of the ballast, the impact strength of the cylinders, the type of tie or sleeper, and so on. While some ties or sleepers may be wood, others may be a synthetic composite, concrete / cement, and the like. The tracks may be a selection factor, too. Some tracks may be dual gauge, some may have diverters, some may have powered third rails (where a pad may be selected to be electrically insulative), and so forth. Where segmentation is present, in one embodiment, the segments are not the same as each other with each having a different functional aspect. And, in one embodiment, the pads are mirrored symmetrically such that they may be installed forwards or backwards identically. Other pads may have composite layers, and others may have differing thickness depending on the profile location. That is, it may be thicker at a lead edge or edges, or may be convex with a bulging thickness in the center.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a pad 500 is mounted to the ski. The pad can be similar in many aspects to the pad; however, the pad in this embodiment has a single segment 502 that spans the ski from end-to-end. Fasteners can be used to connect the pad to the ski. For example, fasteners may be equidistantly spaced along the length of the pad in two parallel rows. Alternative fastener arrangements are contemplated for other embodiments. In various instances, these other arrangement of fasteners and corresponding through-holes in the ski can match those used to attach the pad. In such instances, different pads can be compatible with the same ski without requiring additional through-holes to be machined into the ski. Further, tab and slots arrangements may be used to align and retain the pad in combination with other fasteners.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the pad segments, when assembled together on the ski, may form the replaceable pad. In certain instances, spaces or gaps may be provided between the pad segments of the replaceable pad. In such instances, the replaceable pad forms a non-continuous layer over the tie-facing surface of the ski. In other instances, at least some of the pad segments can abut, or partially abut, another pad segment to form a continuous layer.

[0041] The pad segments are independently secured to the ski and are removeable and replaceable independently depending on respective wear conditions of each pad segment, for example. Each pad segment is mounted to the ski to form a symmetrical arrangement of replaceable segments relative to a transverse centerline TC of the ski and the pad where the transverse centerline TC is spaced equidistantly between the free ends and bisects the mount. In various instances, the symmetrical arrangement of replaceable segments defines a further axis of symmetry along a longitudinal centerline LC that extends longitudinally between the free ends.

[0042] The replaceable pad is reversibly symmetric so that the pad and segments thereof can be installed in two or more orientations that are indistinguishable from each other. More specifically, referring primarily to FIGS. 5-9, the pad includes a plurality of interchangeable components having the same shape and size. For example, the pad includes two pad segments 110a that are identical. The segments 110a are arranged at opposite ends of the ski in a mirror image formation about the transverse centerline TC of the ski. In various instances, the segments 110a include a wing-shaped end corresponding to the shape of the free ends of the ski. In certain instances, at least one segment may not be interchangeable with other segments, such as center segment 110b, for example.

[0043] The center segment 110b can be oriented in more than one position on the ski. For example, the center segment 110b is a square and can be rotated 180 degrees and mounted on the ski in an alternative orientation. In certain instances, one or more of the segments can be mounted in more than one orientation, such as being rotatable 90 degrees and / or 180 degrees, for example.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 15, another selectively replaceable pad 600 for the ski is depicted. The replaceable pad is similar in many aspects to the pad; however, the replaceable pad includes pad segments 610, which extend end-to-end along parallel axes of the ski. More specifically, each pad segment is identical and interchangeable with the other pad segments. Moreover, the pad segments can be rotated 180 degrees and remounted to the ski depending on the wear patterns and to further extend the life of the pad and / or pad segment thereof. For example, the pad segment positioned along the centerline of the ski can be subjected to the greatest wear in certain instances and can be moved to an outside position and / or rotated 180 degrees if one end of the ski is used more frequently than the other end of the ski owing to the insertion direction of the ties during usage, for example.

[0045] The pad extends over the entire tie-facing surface of the ski. In other instances, the pad may only cover a portion of the tie-facing surface. For example, the pad may cover the portion or portions of the tie-facing surface subjected to the most abrasion during use, such as the central region along and / or adjacent to a leading edge of the pad, for example.

[0046] The pad and segments can be comprised of metal. For example, the pad and segments thereof can comprise steel, aluminum, brass, and / or tin. Additionally or alternatively, the pad and segments thereof can comprise non-metal material, such as ceramic, ceramic composite, plastic, plastic composite, and / or Nylon for example.

[0047] Suitable material for the pad and segments can be an abrasion-resistant steel. A suitable abrasion-resistant steel can have a Brinel Hardness Number (BHN) of at least 400. In other instances, the abrasion-resistant steel can have a Brinel Hardness Number (BHN) of at least 450. As one example, the replaceable pad can be comprised of Hardox® 450. In other instances, the replaceable pad can be comprised of a material having a BNH of less than 400. In other embodiments, the material can be aluminum, tin, brass, or zinc, or alloys of the foregoing. The material selection can be made with reference to application specific criteria. In other instances, the material is a polymer, a ceramic, a cermet, or a composite material. In use, the ski is movable between a retracted, ready or travel position to a lowered position. Moreover, the fluid-powered cylinder assemblies are selectively actuatable to tilt the ski (see, e.g. FIG. 2) based on the direction of insertion. As a new tie is being inserted, in this case a movement from right to left, the operator activates the ski from the ready or travel position, and lowers the tie ski through use of the cylinders. The cylinders may be actuated in unison to extend the ski from the ready position so that the ski guide is located closer to the tie. As the ski moves closer to the tie, the control system selectively activates the cylinder assemblies to tilt the ski relative to the rail. In other embodiments, electric motors and / or pneumatic cylinders may be suitable alternatives to the fluid-powered cylinder assemblies.

[0048] During insertion, the operator may manipulate the tie gripper clamps and the telescoping arm so that a vertical downward force is exerted on the gripped tie end. The ballast in the track can be used as a fulcrum that pushes an insertion end of the tie upward. As the operator causes the tie extractor to push the new tie further into position, the ski may be further actuated by the cylinder assemblies so that the tie-engaging surface of the replaceable pad is in contact with the upper surface of the tie. This contact prevents the collection of unwanted ballast particles on the upper tie surface. Also, the presence of the ski can act as a positive stop which prevents the tie from being inserted at too high relative to the track or plate. Upon completion of the tie insertion, the operator manipulates the control interface to return the assembly to the ready position, in which the ski and pad are lifted away from the track such that the exchanger can move along the track into positioning with another tie location.

[0049] A method of operating a machine, such as the tie exchanger can include moving a tie toward a tie guide, or ski, where the tie guide includes a replaceable pad selectively and releasably secured thereto. The method can include contacting, by the replaceable pad, the tie to thereby protect the ski from contacting the tie. In various instances, the machine can further include and / or be used with an image sensor, which can monitor movement of the tie along a trajectory toward the ski. In various instances, the trajectory observed by the image sensor can be modified to align the trajectory of the tie with the tie guide. In various instances, an operator and / or control system can cooperate to align the trajectory of the tie with the ski based on feedback from the image sensor.

[0050] In various instances, the assembly can include a sensor, which can sense contact between the replaceable pad and the tie. The feedback from the sensor can be provided to the control system and / or otherwise communicated to the operator.

[0051] In certain instances, the assembly formed from the ski and a replaceable pad therefor can include an electronic sensor. For example, an electronic sensor can be embedded in the replaceable pad. In other instances, an electronic sensor can be mounted, i.e. sandwiched between the replaceable pad and the ski and / or between segments of the replaceable pad. Referring primarily to FIG. 10, a replaceable pad 200 is shown having segments 210 and a sensor 220. The sensor is mounted between segments of the pad and the ski. A suitable sensor may be a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an eddy current sensor, a temperature sensor, and impact sensor, and the like, and it may be sensor communicatively coupled through a transmitter to a control circuit, for example. Conditions sensed by the sensor can be recorded and / or transmitted to the control circuit. If the sensor is a pressure sensor it may detect the working pressure on the pad over time, which can be indicative of the substrate, e.g. the type and / or condition of the ballast, for example. In various instances, the sensor can be a pressure transducer. In various instances, the sensor can include a spring-loaded pin, which is designed to wear down and break as the pad approaches the end of its useful life indicating that the pad should be replaced.

[0052] In certain instances, a replaceable pad can include a visual indicator of wear. For example, the replaceable pad can include marking, such as notches, which can wear down during usage. When such a notch is no longer apparent to the operator and / or is reduced to a particular depth, the notch can indicate that the pad or segment thereof should be replaced.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, the replaceable pad can include a frangible region structured to break when the frangible region is worn down to a minimum thickness. For example, referring to a pad 300 having at least one segment 320, as depicted in FIG. 11, a frangible region defines a cavity 322 and / or perforations and, thus, has less material adjacent to the ski. As the pad and / or thereof wear down over repeated usage, the thickness of the pad in the frangible region is reduced until the pad breaks along the frangible region, which indicates to an operator that the pad or pad segment thereof should be replaced. In another embodiment, there is a layer of off-colored material within the pad that is exposed upon a determined amount of wear of the pad (and thus can indicate that replacement is needed).

[0054] The terms “control circuit” and “controller” are substitutable with each other and encompasses hardwired circuitry, programmable logic (such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), programmable gate arrays (PGAs), or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), state machines, or firmware that executes stored instructions. Control circuits may form part of larger systems, such as integrated circuits (ICs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or systems-on-chips (SoCs), and may be found in devices such as computers, smartphones, wearable devices, and servers. These circuits may perform tasks involving data processing, communication, or data storage. Depicted components, functions, or operations may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or combinations of two or more thereof.

[0055] Instructions for implementing system features can be stored in various types of memory. Suitable memory may include dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), flash memory, and / or cache. These instructions can be distributed over a network or via other computer-readable media. The term “non-transitory computer-readable medium” refers to any physical medium capable of storing or transmitting instructions or information that can be read by a machine. Examples of suitable media include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical media, flash memory, or even propagated signals such as carrier waves or infrared signals.

[0056] In one embodiment, data can be generated, transmitted, and stored and may involve one or both of a protected space data source and the exposed space data source. The control circuit may encrypt and decrypt data as needed at rest, during use, or in transit. Encryption keys and schema may be selected and implemented as informed by end use parameters and requirements. The control circuit may evaluate and / or identify a decision boundary (that is, a boundary that separates desired behavior from undesired behavior) with regard to that data. If the control circuit determines that some quantity of data is from a protected space data source and / or is operating within determined boundaries then the control circuit, and the equipment being controlled, may operate normally. However, if the data is determined to be from an exposed space data source and / or it crosses the decision boundary, the control circuit may respond. Suitable responses may be to power down determined equipment, signal an alert, run a diagnostic routine, perform a data backup (without overwriting existing backup data), isolate equipment (including by suspending some or all communication pathways), switch equipment or control operations to a safe mode of the control system, and / or initiate a safe mode state of the equipment (e.g., slow a vehicle to a safe and controlled stop). The safe mode may be, in one embodiment, a soft shutdown mode that it intended to avoid damage or injury based on the shutdown itself and in another embodiment may be a reboot and / or minimal reload of essential drivers and functionality.

[0057] In one embodiment, vehicle systems may implement secure authentication processes, encryption protocols, and firewalls to protect against unauthorized access or spoofing. A suitable control circuit may include a security module responsible for detecting and responding to suspicious activities, such as unapproved data access attempts or irregular communication patterns. This module may employ machine learning to adapt its defense strategies, learning from previous attacks and adjusting security measures as needed to prevent similar breaches.

[0058] Vehicle systems in various embodiments may use a combination of local and remote sensors to monitor environmental conditions, vehicle status, and external inputs. These sensors may detect parameters such as speed, acceleration, braking status, location, proximity to other objects or vehicles, ambient temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions. Raw data gathered by these sensors may feed into the control circuit, which in turn can respond to the input. The responses may include dynamically adjusting vehicle operations in response to real-time or near real-time changes in the environment or vehicle parameters; and, processing the data for further analysis. In certain embodiments, sensors may utilize various types of communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, or cellular networks) to share data with control systems both within the vehicle and to external data processing centers.

[0059] In certain embodiments, maintenance and diagnostic functions may be integrated into the control circuit, enabling the system to self-monitor for operational health. The control circuit may utilize diagnostic algorithms to assess the status of various vehicle components, such as engines, brakes, batteries, fuel cells and fuel systems, propulsion systems, and electronic systems (if present). If a component is found to be underperforming or at risk of failure, the control circuit may schedule alerts, recommend maintenance, or initiate safety protocols to avoid catastrophic failure. Self-diagnostics may use historical performance data to identify trends, facilitating proactive rather than reactive maintenance.

[0060] Terms such as “processing,”“computing,”“calculating,” or “determining” refer to operations carried out by the control circuit, which may include computing systems or electronic devices that manipulate data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within memory or registers. One or more components may be described as “configured to,”“configurable to,”“operable / operative to,”“adapted / adaptable to,” or similar terms. Unless explicitly stated, these terms encompass components in both active and inactive states. Unless stated otherwise, terms like “including” or “having” should be interpreted as open-ended (i.e., “including but not limited to”). Numeric claim recitations generally mean “at least” the stated number, and disjunctive terms like “A or B” should be interpreted to include either or both unless explicitly specified. Operations in any claim may generally be performed in any order unless explicitly stated. The recitation “at least one of A, B, and C” should be interpreted as any combination of A, B, and C, such A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together. The recitation “at least one of A, B, or C” should be interpreted to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together.

[0061] This written description may disclose several embodiments of the subject matter, including the best mode, and may enable one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the embodiments of subject matter, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other embodiments that may occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other embodiments may be intended to be within the scope of the claims if they may have structural elements that may not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they may include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:a tie guide having a first free end, and a second free end distal from the first free end and separated by a tie-facing surface extending between the first free end and the second free end, a mount structure of the tie guide that is configured to pivotably support the tie guide; anda portion of the tie-facing surface being configured to releasably or selectively secure a replaceable pad.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising the replaceable pad.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the replaceable pad has a surface that defines at least one replaceable pad through-hole and the tie-facing surface defines at least one tie-facing surface through-hole, the assembly further comprising at least one fastener configured to extend through the replaceable pad through-hole and the tie-facing surface through-hole to releasably secure the replaceable pad to the tie-facing surface.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable pad comprises two or more segments.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the two or more segments are symmetrically arranged relative to a centerline of the assembly and are spaced equidistantly between the first free end and the second free end.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the symmetrical arrangement is further symmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis of the assembly extending between the first free end and the second free end.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the two or more segments is configured to be independently secured to the tie-facing surface.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable pad is reversibly symmetric so that it can be installed in two or more orientations that are indistinguishable from each other.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tie guide comprises a reinforced weldment ski plate.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable pad comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, brass, and tin.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the replaceable pad is comprised of an abrasion-resistant steel having a Brinel Hardness Number (BHN) of at least 400.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the replaceable pad is comprised of Hardox 450.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable pad comprises a visual wear indicator.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the visual wear indicator comprises a visible layer disposed within that is only displayed when a portion of the replaceable pad is worn down to a determined thickness.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the visual wear indicator comprises a frangible region structured to break when the frangible region is worn down to a minimum thickness or a cutout notch set at a depth that, when equal in height to a wear surface of the replaceable pad, indicates that it is time to replace the replaceable pad.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable pad further comprises a pressure sensor disposed within the replaceable pad.

17. A method of operating a machine, the method comprising:moving a tie toward a tie guide, the tie guide comprising a replaceable pad; andcontacting, by the replaceable pad, the tie to thereby protect the tie guide from contacting the tie.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:sensing, by a sensor in the replaceable pad or the tie guide, contact between the replaceable pad and the tie.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:monitoring, by an image sensor, movement of the tie along a trajectory towards the tie guide; andaligning the trajectory of the tie with the tie guide.

20. A replaceable pad for use in an assembly, comprising:a tie guide comprising:a first free end;a second free end distal from the first free end;a tie-facing surface extending between the first free end and the second free end, the tie-facing surface configured to releasably secure the replaceable pad; anda mount configured to pivotably support the tie guide.

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