Deformable Rail Support Device for Ballast Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway maintenance tools, such as wooden blocks, are inefficient in providing optimal support for rails due to logistical drawbacks, difficulty in determining suitable block height, and inadequate force distribution, especially when ballast settlement is significant, leading to increased maintenance time and potential access issues.
Innovation Solution
A support device featuring a deformable envelope with compactable material and air evacuation means, allowing for adjustable mechanical strength and optimal force distribution, which can be placed under rails with difficulty and used to distribute forces effectively during train movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wooden block is used to support the rail, then the rail can be supported, but the maintenance time increases due to the need to replace blocks of different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The support device uses a deformable envelope that can be dynamically adjusted in height by evacuating air to compact the compactable material. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need to replace multiple fixed-height blocks, as the same device can adapt to different support heights by varying the degree of material compaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the compactable material from loose to compacted by evacuating air from the deformable envelope. This parameter change (density compaction) allows the support height to be adjusted continuously, replacing the discrete height options of traditional wooden blocks.
2Reliability
If a wooden block is used to support the rail, then the rail can be supported, but the forces are not distributed satisfactorily on the ballast bed
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable envelope acts as a flexible shell that can conform to the irregular surface of the ballast bed. This flexibility allows the support device to distribute forces evenly across the contact area, preventing localized stress concentrations that would occur with rigid wooden blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable envelope dynamically adapts its shape and contact area with the ballast bed, optimizing force distribution. As the envelope deforms under load, it spreads the rail weight over a larger area of the ballast, reducing harmful point loads.
3Reliability
If a wooden block is used to support the rail, then the rail can be supported, but access difficulties prevent the operator from placing the block under the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable envelope can be inserted in a collapsed or partially filled state, requiring minimal space for insertion. Once positioned under the rail, air is evacuated to compact the material and expand the envelope to its full support capacity. This dynamic transformation allows placement in tight spaces where rigid blocks cannot be inserted.
Solution Approach 2:
The compactable material can be partially contained within the deformable envelope during insertion, allowing the device to be introduced in a compact form. After positioning, the envelope expands by compacting the material, achieving full support function in a confined space.
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 support device enables efficient and balanced force distribution, reduces maintenance time, and extends the life of the railway track by providing a polymorphic support that adapts to varying conditions and access challenges.
Implementation Method 1
air evacuation means adapted to reduce the pressure in the deformable envelope in order to compact the material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (3) for supporting a railway rail relative to the ground, said device (3) being configured such as to support a rail while a railway vehicle travels over said rail, the device (3) comprising a deformable shell (30), in which a compactable material (33) is arranged, and means (32) for discharging air, which are capable of reducing the pressure inside the deformable shell (30), in order to compact the material (33).