Elevated Gantry for Multimodal Wagon Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for opening and closing pivoting supporting structures of railway wagons are complex, incompatible with standard multimodal terminals, and expose equipment to harsh weather conditions due to their ground-level positioning.
Innovation Solution
A handling gantry with a horizontal beam, telescopic and oscillating gripping arms, and independent motorization for each rolling base, allowing for efficient and automated loading/unloading operations while keeping equipment above ground level, protected from environmental hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ground-level equipment is used for opening and closing pivoting support structures, then the equipment can access the railway wagons directly, but the equipment is exposed to harsh weather conditions and pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the equipment from ground level to an elevated position spanning the railway tracks. The gantry structure moves along the tracks at height, allowing equipment to access wagons through vertical lowering of gripping arms rather than horizontal ground-level access. This dimensional change protects equipment from weather and pollution while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If complex civil engineering is used for ground-level equipment, then the equipment can be positioned to handle pivoting structures, but the equipment becomes incompatible with standard multimodal terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a gantry system that operates independently of complex terminal infrastructure. The gantry moves along standard railway tracks using existing track infrastructure, eliminating the need for specialized ground-level support structures. This universal design allows the same equipment to operate at standard multimodal terminals without requiring custom civil engineering for each location.
3Productivity
If ground-level handling equipment is used, then the equipment can perform loading and unloading operations, but the equipment is exposed to hazards such as snow, sand, and pollution
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the gantry at elevation above ground level, the system maintains full loading and unloading operational capability while physically separating the equipment from ground-level hazards. The gripping arms can still engage with wagon loads through vertical movement, but the main equipment structure remains protected from snow, sand, and pollution by being positioned in the air space above the tracks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a handling gantry (1) for handling a pivoting wagon support structure adapted for combined rail/road transport, characterized in that it comprises at least one horizontal beam (2) having at each of its ends a substantially vertical foot (3, 4) for spanning a wagon, each foot (3, 4) being provided at its lower end with a rolling base (5, 6), a motorization system for at least one rolling base (5, 6), at least two telescopic gripping arms (8, 9), each provided at an upper end with a movable trolley (11) supported by the beam (2) and capable of movement, said arms (8, 9) each being provided at a lower, free end with a hooking interface (10), configured to cooperate with a complementary hooking interface provided on the pivoting support structure, said gripping arms (8, 9) being rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axis on their trolley (11) respective,and said mobile trolleys (11) being individually motorized.