Continuous Spike Puller for Rail Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rail maintenance operations, particularly spike pulling, are cumbersome due to the need to stop at each tie for removal, disrupting continuous action and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A rail maintenance vehicle equipped with a detector and workheads that allow for continuous spike pulling by identifying ties using a mechanical tie finder and actuating jaw members via hydraulic cylinders, enabling the vehicle to move continuously while engaging and removing spikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle stops at each tie to remove spikes, then the spike removal operation can be performed accurately, but the operational efficiency and continuous action are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detector identifies ties ahead of time while the vehicle is moving, allowing the workhead to be positioned and spikes to be removed without stopping the vehicle. This preliminary detection enables continuous operation while maintaining accurate spike removal at the correct locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system of stopping and positioning the vehicle at each tie is replaced with a detector-based identification system that works while the vehicle is in motion. The detector uses optical or other sensing mechanisms to identify ties without requiring the vehicle to halt, thus maintaining both efficiency and accuracy.
2Productivity
If the vehicle moves continuously to maintain efficient operation, then productivity improves, but the ability to accurately position and remove spikes at each tie becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The detector provides continuous feedback about tie locations while the vehicle is moving. This feedback allows the control system to adjust the workhead positioning in real-time, ensuring accurate spike removal at each tie location even though the vehicle is in continuous motion. The feedback loop maintains positioning precision without requiring stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static positioning approach (stopping at each tie) to a dynamic approach where the vehicle moves continuously and the workhead dynamically adjusts its position based on detector input. This dynamic system maintains both continuous motion for efficiency and precise positioning for accurate spike removal.
3Productivity
If multiple spikes are removed simultaneously to improve efficiency, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workhead is divided into multiple independent work units, each capable of removing a spike. These segmented units can operate simultaneously or independently, allowing multiple spikes to be removed at once while keeping each individual unit relatively simple in design. The segmentation enables parallel operation without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a rail vehicle having a frame and a carriage assembly coupled to the frame. The carriage assembly includes at least one workhead coupled thereto. The workhead includes a jaw member that is operable to engage and remove rail spikes during rail maintenance operations. Further, the carriage assembly and workhead are operable to move longitudinally along the frame and relative to the frame.