Laser Rail Alignment Fixture for Faster Track Positioning

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for aligning railroad rails are time-consuming, cumbersome, and pose safety risks due to the need for placing a straight edge on top of the rails, which is inefficient for a fast-paced industry like railroads.

Innovation Solution

An alignment apparatus comprising a laser component and a target component, with magnets for attachment to rails, allowing for efficient and safe alignment by using lasers to project light onto a target for alignment verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a straight edge is placed on top of the rails for alignment, then alignment can be performed, but alignment time increases and safety risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidalignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical straight edge system with an optical laser system. The laser alignment apparatus projects laser beams along the rail track, eliminating the need to physically place and maneuver a straight edge on top of the rails. This substitution dramatically reduces alignment time while maintaining precision through optical measurement rather than mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces laser beams as an intermediary medium for alignment. Instead of directly placing a straight edge on the rails, the system uses laser projections as a reference medium that can be observed from a distance, allowing workers to align rails without physical contact with the top surface, thus reducing time and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a straight edge is placed on top of the rails for alignment, then alignment can be performed, but safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical straight edge system with an optical laser system. The laser alignment apparatus projects laser beams along the rail track, eliminating the need to physically place and maneuver a straight edge on top of the rails. This substitution dramatically reduces alignment time while maintaining precision through optical measurement rather than mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces laser beams as an intermediary medium for alignment. Instead of directly placing a straight edge on the rails, the system uses laser projections as a reference medium that can be observed from a distance, allowing workers to align rails without physical contact with the top surface, thus reducing time and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If conventional straight edge method is used for alignment, then alignment can be performed, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical straight edge system with an optical laser system. The laser alignment apparatus projects laser beams along the rail track, eliminating the need to physically place and maneuver a straight edge on top of the rails. This substitution dramatically reduces alignment time while maintaining precision through optical measurement rather than mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser alignment apparatus is designed to be self-aligning through the guide shoes that fit into the rail web. Once positioned, the laser automatically projects the alignment beam without requiring workers to manually adjust or interpret straight edge placement, making the operation simpler and less skill-dependent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 apparatus provides efficient, user-friendly, and safer alignment of rails by ensuring alignment without needing to place tools on top of the rails, reducing time and enhancing safety in rail operations.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet affixed to the frame and being adapted for attachment to a rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a pair of lasers that are adjustably mounted on the top and the bottom of the magnet. In some embodiments, the lengths of the pair of lasers are parallel to one another. The frame defines a series of openings to permit the passage of light from the lasers.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12612741B2Alignment apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 TEE-AM LLC

AI summary

An alignment apparatus comprising a laser component having a magnet, a pair of guide shoes adapted for mounting to the web portion of a rail, and a pair of lasers. The apparatus further comprising a target component having a magnet, a pair of guide shoes being adapted for mounting to the web portion of a rail, and a target. The pair of lasers project light towards the target component to indicate whether the rails are in alignment. In some embodiments, the laser component comprise a pair of adjustment knobs for calibrating the laser beams.