Automatic Rail Alignment Assembly Without Rigid Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current railway rail alignment machines are heavy, bulky, and inflexible due to their rigid frames and lifting arms, making them costly and difficult to transport, which limits the flexibility and increases the cost of rail alignment and welding operations.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight and compact automatic rail alignment system comprising first and second alignment systems placed on track elements with position sensors and actuation systems, including pairs of cylinders for translation and rotation, allowing for precise alignment without a rigid frame or lifting arm, and adaptable attachment to different track sleeper types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid frame is used to provide common positioning reference for rails, then alignment precision is improved, but weight and bulkiness increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid frame is divided into two separate alignment systems, each independently positioned on track elements. Each system has its own positioning reference, eliminating the need for a single massive frame while maintaining alignment precision through independent measurement and actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical rigid frame structure is replaced with electronic/optical positioning systems (laser trackers, total stations, or vision systems) that can measure rail positions without requiring a physically rigid connecting structure, thereby reducing weight while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a rigid frame is used to provide common positioning reference for rails, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is segmented into independent measurement and actuation systems at each rail location, eliminating the complex rigid frame structure while achieving the same positioning reference function through distributed sensors and independent control.
3Ease of operation
If a lifting arm is added to support frame and rails, then alignment capability is improved, but weight and bulkiness increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting arm function is extracted and replaced by the actuation systems integrated into each alignment system. These actuation systems directly adjust rail positions without requiring a separate lifting mechanism, eliminating the additional weight and complexity of the lifting arm while maintaining alignment capability.
4Ease of operation
If frame length is increased to accommodate welding space, then welding accessibility is improved, but weight and bulkiness increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The welding space requirement is satisfied by the natural separation of the two alignment systems positioned on adjacent track elements, eliminating the need for an extended frame. The systems operate independently within their respective local areas, providing welding accessibility without increasing overall structure weight.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces weight and bulk, enabling easier transportation and increased flexibility, while maintaining precise alignment capabilities, thus lowering operational costs and improving rail alignment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first actuation system (51, 52) designed to automatically adjust a position of the first rail (100) depending on a position measured by the acquisition system (30)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly for automatic aligning of rails, comprising: —a first alignment system (10) suitable for placing on a first track element (70) on a first rail (100); —a second alignment system (20) suitable for placing on a second track element (70) on a second rail (200); and —a system for acquiring a position (30), comprising at least one position sensor, wherein the first alignment system (10) and/or the second alignment system (20) comprises an actuating system (51, 52) suitable for automatically adjusting a position of the first rail (100) and/or of the second rail (200) on the basis of a position measured by the acquisition system (30).