Maintenance machinery and method

Abstract

A maintenance machine is disclosed that has a sweeper assembly, a transfer device and a repository section. The sweeper assembly can include a rotatable brush disposed at a ramp section of a sweeper housing that can move particulate matter from a section of ground over the ramp section and into the sweeper housing. A screw disposed within the sweeper housing can urge the particulate matter supplied to it by the brush to a chute. The sweeper assembly includes an initial blower, that can urge the particulate matter from the chute into and through the transfer device. The transfer device can include a flexible tube portion, a process blower fluidly coupled to a relatively inflexible pipe section that can urge particulate matter through the transfer device to the repository section. The repository section that can receive the particulate matter from the transfer device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 778,929, titled MAINTENANCE MACHINERY AND METHOD, filed Mar. 27, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to maintenance machinery and associated methods of use.Discussion Of Art

[0003] Vehicles travel along routes, and sometimes debris or other undesirable materials may contaminate the route and the route wayside. The wayside is the area adjacent to the route. As an example, a pickup truck hauling materials may have some of the hauling materials blow out of the truck bed to land on the route behind the vehicle. As another example, a locomotive may provide motive power to a train that is hauling a freight load. A freight load may be grain, coal, or other granulated material. In the event that the freight load is spilled onto the route, in the case of the train the route would be the railroad track, the granules may slip into the ballast, spill onto the wayside, and create a mess that is difficult to clean. The amount of material that could spill or leak may exacerbate the issue.

[0004] Snow, leaves, mud, and brake dust from braking vehicles may end up on the route, on the track, in the ballast, and on the wayside. Cleaning equipment for the loose material may not remove debris and particulates in a desirable or convenient manner. It may be desirable to have a route cleaning system and method that differs from those that are currently available.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0005] An aspect disclosed herein includes a maintenance machine that has a sweeper assembly, a transfer device and a repository section. The sweeper assembly can include a rotatable brush disposed at a ramp section of a sweeper housing that can move particulate matter from a section of ground over the ramp section and into the sweeper housing. A screw disposed within the sweeper housing can urge the particulate matter supplied to it by the brush to a chute. And, the sweeper assembly includes an initial blower, that can urge the particulate matter from the chute into and through the transfer device. The transfer device can include a flexible tube portion, a process blower fluidly coupled to a relatively inflexible pipe section that can urge particulate matter through the transfer device to the repository section. The repository section that can receive the particulate matter from the transfer device.

[0006] In an aspect, a method is provided that includes lowering a sweeper assembly onto a railway track with the rails aligned with slots in a ramp section of the sweeper assembly, and flexible flaps extending from the sides of the slots to spring out underneath T tops of rails. A brush can be activated to sweep particulate matter from the railway track into the sweeper assembly and to a screw. Rotating the screw can move the particulate matter in the sweeper assembly to a chute. The particulate matter can be collected from the chute and urged through a transfer device using an initial blower. The particulate matter in the transfer device can be urged to a repository end of the transfer device using a process blower. The particulate matter can be received at a repository section. This can remove at least some particulate matter from the railway track.

[0007] In one aspect, a vehicle system is provided. The vehicle system may include a chassis supporting a boom arm, the boom arm can support a transfer device and a sweeper assembly. A propulsion system can propel the chassis along a route having rails. And, an operator can be disposed in a cab supported by the chassis. While in the cab, the operator can manipulate the boom arm and align slots on a bottom side of the sweeper assembly with the rails, can activate a brush of the sweeper assembly that can brush particulate matter from the route into the sweeper assembly to a screw, can activate the screw to move the particulate matter in the sweeper assembly to a chute, can activate one or both of an initial blower and a process blower to move the particulate matter from the chute through a transfer device to a repository section. This can remove the particulate matter from the route.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing aspects of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 2A is a partially exploded perspective view of a sweeper assembly of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 2B is a side view of a sweeper assembly of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 2C is a partially exploded perspective view of the sweeper assembly shown in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of portions of a transfer device according to embodiments of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] This disclosure relates to route maintenance machinery. This maintenance machinery may be used for cleaning a portion of a route, the wayside, between the ballast, and the like. In one embodiment, a rail capable vehicle has a sweeper assembly, a transfer device, and a repository section. The sweeper assembly can be supported by an articulated arm allowing selective movement. The sweeper assembly may have a rotating brush, a centralizing screw or auger mechanism, and an initial blower. The transfer device may have a collection end, a flexible tube portion, a process blower section (with a process blower), and a repository section. The repository component may receive transported particulate material from the transfer device, and once the particulate material is within the repository section it may be disposed of, processed, or retained. The contemplated particulate matter may include grain, snow, leaves, mud, volcanic ash, and brake dust among others. Other types of debris may include sand, gravel, sticks, insects, flood water, discarded packaging or litter, and the like.

[0014] With reference to the sweeper assembly, the rotating brush has a determined bristle count and stiffness, both selected with reference to end use parameters. During use, the brush moves the particulate material from the path of the machine towards a sweeper assembly ingress, then a screw mechanism transports the particulate material to a collection end of the transfer device, and an initial blower, if present, urges the particulate material up into the transfer device.

[0015] Once in the transfer device, the particulate material, under the influence of the process blower, moves through the flexible tube over an apex and to a repository end, where it is delivered to the repository section. As noted above, the repository section takes over from there. The sweeper assembly is supported by a boom arm and can be moved in a controlled manner.

[0016] The cab is one configuration for housing an operator and controlling the boom arm, while in other embodiments the operator may be remote, or may be in another vehicle type. Suitable vehicles for supporting the boom arm (and the repository section) include rail vehicles, over the road trucks, mining equipment, marine vessels, and industrial equipment. Remote control systems, and automated or artificial intelligence driven systems, include appropriate communication systems, sensor packages and control circuits.

[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, a maintenance system 100 according to an embodiment showing aspects of the invention is shown. The maintenance system includes a sweeper assembly 102, a transfer device 104, and a repository section 106. A portion of a cab 108 is shown, in which an operator may reside and control operation of the maintenance system. In the embodiment shown, two propulsion methods can be seen. The first includes a set of caterpillar tracks 110 for movement over ground, and the second is a liftable set of rail wheels 112 for movement along a railroad track (not shown). An articulatable boom arm 116 extends from the chassis (not labeled) and supports the transfer device and the sweeper assembly. The boom arm can be moved using various systems in different embodiments, such as by using hydraulics, electric motors, pneumatic systems, and the like. Power for the systems listed herein can be obtained or produced onboard via fuel converting engines, fuel cells, and the like; and batteries; and off board using wired systems having plugs, catenary / pantograph systems, wireless power transfer systems, third rails, and the like.

[0018] Regarding FIG. 2A, the sweeper assembly of FIG. 1 is shown in perspective partially-exploded view. This view does not show the connection mechanism between the transport unit and the sweeper assembly for clarity. A side view of the sweeper assembly of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2B. The sweeper assembly includes a brush 202, an optional screen or mesh 204, a bucket assembly 206, an initial blower 208, a screw unit motor 210, a particulate ramp 212, and a transfer connection 214. A mechanical connection point 216 (FIG. 2B) is shown on an upper side of the bucket assembly, as are a pair of wheels 218 to avoid ground drag. A brush actuator 220 allows the brush to be selectively extended or raised, and lowered or retracted.

[0019] FIG. 2C is an exploded partial view of the sweeper assembly shown in FIG. 1. With the brush and mesh / screen removed, the doubled, reverse impeller screw 222 can be seen. The Archimedean screw has two halves that counter wind so that during operation particulate material on both the left and the right sides in the bucket are moved to a central area 224 by action of the screw rotation. Alternative embodiments may have two screws, one for each half, but the single screw configuration has an advantage of fewer components. Another alternative embodiment has the chute to one side, and the screw is not a double screw but simple moves the particulate matter all the way to the chute at one side. Suitable screws can be made of metal, but in some embodiments the screw is plastic or reinforced rubber. Surface coatings for the screw may be used to prevent clogging or sticking particulate matter.

[0020] The central area may be directly in the middle, but as the illustrated embodiment shows, it may be offset from exact center for alignment with the transfer connection. An optional sweeper paddle may be disposed in the central area to shovel the particulate matter into a chute at the rear inner side of the bucket assembly and therethrough to the transfer connection where the initial blower may add motive urgency and push the particulate matter towards, and through, at least a portion of the transfer device.

[0021] The mesh or screen can be optional and removed as the situation warrants, but where used the mesh opening sizing can be selected with reference to end use parameters. It can, then, selectively screen out objects and material of a size larger than the mesh openings despite being tossed back by the brush. A suitable mesh can be metal, plastic, and in some cases can be, or can include a layer, that acts as a dust filter or dust collection bag. Although the dust filter or bag layer may prevent larger granules to pass through, the vacuum from at least one of the blowers can pull in dust and dust sized particles, and then trap them in the filter or bag. In another embodiment, without the filter or bag, the dust can travel through the transfer device and be collected in the repository section.

[0022] In one embodiment, the ramp may have slots or grooves that accept rails or tracks so that the ramp lead lip can dip below the level of the tracks and contact rail ties, ballast and the like. Flexible guides can be added that extend from the slots or grooves to force particulate matter out from under the ‘T’ top of a rail and into the path so that the brush can sweep it towards the screw. The brush can be actuated to lift away from the screw in one embodiment. And, the bucket assembly connection can be configured to hinge so that the ramp can be set even against ground that is not level, such as the wayside along the rail tracks.

[0023] Suitable brushes can include bristles selected with reference to end use parameters. In one embodiment, suitable bristles may be metal, plastic, or plant fiber. The spacing and bristle density can be selected based on the particulate matter and duty cycle. Metal brushes, with sufficient rotation speed, may be used to scour or polish sections in addition to sweep up particulate matter. Stiffer bristles may be useful for collecting leaves, insects, and other debris from the route or tracks. Flappers, rather than bristles, can be used to move more wet or fluid materials (rather than dry particulate). Examples may include mud, flood water, wet leaves, and the like. Reversing the rotational direction of the flappers may function as a snow blower.

[0024] During use, the impeller screw may operate at a static rate or a dynamic rate. The dynamic rate may be selected with reference to end use parameters. For example, relatively smaller particulate or lighter particulate may have a slower spin rate than larger particulate, or vice versa. The screw rotation may be coordinated with the brush rotation. Likewise, the brush rotation speed may be static or dynamic, and may also (when dynamic) be selected with reference to end use parameters. In one embodiment, both the brush and screw rotate at the same time. The initial blower may create a vacuum to pull the particulate matter into the brush, in through the screw, and into the chute. The blower speed, like the brush and screw, may operate at a speed that is either static or dynamic. If dynamic, the rotation speed can be selected with reference to end use parameters. In one example, fine and light particulate (e.g., dust) may be agitated with a slower brush rotation and a high suction from the blower, with the screw and paddle providing little motive effort. In a contrary example, heavier and coarser particulate (e.g., grain) may see medium rotation speeds and a strong contribution by the screw. In another example, heaviest and coarsest particulate (e.g., gravel) may use slower rotation with higher torque, and rely heavily on the screw and paddle to move the particulate materials into the chute.

[0025] The transfer device includes a long tube with a flexible portion 300, an inflexible (or at least relatively less flexible than the flexible portion) apex portion 302, a process blower 304 in fluid communication with the apex portion, a repository end 306, a supporting boom arm (as shown in FIG. 1), and various connectors, such as may be found at the repository end.

[0026] With regard to the repository section, various configurations are contemplated but not shown. In a basic configuration, the repository section may be a bin or container that receives the particulate material from the transfer device. A suitable bin can be selectively emptiable. Once received in the bin, the particulate material stays in the bin until the bin is full or there is a desire to empty the bin. In another embodiment, the repository section simply conveys the particulate matter to a selectively detachable container vehicle. A suitable container vehicle can be an open top rail car, in one embodiment. Another suitable container vehicle can be an open top over-the-road dump truck, or the like. The repository section may include a displacement auger that can bulk transport the particulate matter through piping.

[0027] In one embodiment, a camera or sensor can be mounted on the boom arm or the sweeper assembly. An operator can have a better line of sight to the work area for the brush using the camera. A sensor may be in closed loop control with the brush, initial blower, and so on to allow for operation based on the sensor’s detection of the presence of the particulate matter. In one embodiment, the sensor can detect if sufficient particular matter has been removed, and if not can increase the duration of the sweeping / brush operation, the blower speed / suction, or the speed of the maintenance vehicles advancement.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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. A maintenance machine, comprising:a sweeper assembly, comprising:a rotatable brush disposed at a ramp section of a sweeper housing that is configured to move particulate matter from a section of ground over the ramp section and into the sweeper housing,a screw disposed within the sweeper housing that is configured to urge the particulate matter supplied to it by the brush to a chute, andan initial blower, that is configured to urge the particulate matter from the chute into and through the transfer device;a transfer device, comprising a flexible tube portion, a process blower fluidly coupled to a relatively inflexible pipe section configured to urge particulate matter through the transfer device to the repository section; anda repository section that is configured to receive the particulate matter from the transfer device.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the brush comprises bristles that are metal, plastic, or a plant fiber.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the brush comprises flexible flapper sheets that can move fluidized particulate matter.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the brush can be selectively operated in a first rotational direction that impels the particulate matter into the sweeper housing, and a second rotational direction that pushed the particulate matter away from the from the sweeper housing.

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the brush can be rotatably operated at varying speeds.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the ramp section has slots or grooves that are shaped and sized to accept rail track, and thereby to allow the ramp section to contact the ground between the rail track.

7. The machine of claim 6, further comprising flexible flaps that are configured to bend sufficiently to allows a rail track into the slot or groove, and to end back into place so as to extend the flaps underneath a T top of a rail, and thereby to push the particulate matter that is under the T top into the path of the brush, onto the ramp section, and therethrough to the screw.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the screw is an Archimedean screw that, when rotated, urges the particulate matter with which it is in contact towards a chute.

9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the chute is centrally located and the screw is a double Archimedean screw.

10. The machine of claim 1, wherein the screw is metal, and further comprising a motor to rotate the screw.

11. The machine of claim 1, wherein the initial blower can be dynamically adjusted to that the blower rotational speed is set based on operational conditions.

12. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a screen or mesh disposed between the brush and the screw, and is configured to selectively allow the particulate matter through to the screw based on particle size.

13. The machine of claim 1, wherein the transfer device is supported by a boom arm, and the boom arm can articulate and extend the transfer device, retract it, and move it left, right, up, and down.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the transfer device comprises a flexible first portion that is configured to flex and bend as the boom arm articulates the transfer device.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein the transfer device has a second portion that is relatively less flexible at an apex of the transfer device, and to which the process blower is fluidly coupled.

16. The machine of claim 1, wherein the process blower is configured to have a selectable speed and thereby to facilitate a blower pressure that is determined based on operational parameters.

17. The machine of claim 1, wherein the repository section comprises a bin that can catch and collect the particulate matter being delivered by the transfer device.

18. The machine of claim 1, whereinthe repository section comprises a delivery auger that can move the particulate matter from the machine to an open top vehicle that can be disposed adjacent to the machine.

19. A method comprising:lowering a sweeper assembly onto a railway track with the rails aligned with slots in a ramp section of the sweeper assembly, and flexible flaps extending from the sides of the slots to spring out underneath T tops of rails;activating a brush to sweep particulate matter from the railway track into the sweeper assembly and to a screw;rotating the screw to move the particulate matter in the sweeper assembly to a chute;collecting the particulate matter from the chute and urging through a transfer device using an initial blower;urging further the particulate matter in the transfer device to a repository end of the transfer device using a process blower; andreceiving the particulate matter at a repository section, and thereby to remove at least some particulate matter from the railway track.

20. A vehicle system, comprising:a chassis supporting a boom arm, the boom arm supporting a transfer device and a sweeper assembly; anda propulsion system that is configured to propel the chassis along a route having rails; whereinan operator in a cab supported by the chassis can manipulate the boom arm and align slots on a bottom side of the sweeper assembly with the rails, can activate a brush of the sweeper assembly that can brush particulate matter from the route into the sweeper assembly to a screw, can activate the screw to move the particulate matter in the sweeper assembly to a chute, canactivate one or both of an initial blower and a process blower to move the particulate matter from the chute through a transfer device to a repository section, and thereby to remove the particulate matter from the route.

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