Rail Anchor Spreader-Squeezer Work Head for Track Maintenance

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rail maintenance equipment struggles with removing embedded anchors, misalignment during anchor repositioning, and accommodating varying rail base widths, requiring separate machines for spreading and squeezing anchors and frequent tool changes.

Innovation Solution

A rail maintenance machine with a work head that can both spread and squeeze anchors using a control system to alternate the function of sliding brackets, employing fluid power cylinders for lateral movement, and interchangeable tools that can directly contact anchors or use the tie plate as a hammer for dislodging, along with adjustable tools for accommodating different rail base widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional separate machines are used for anchor spreading and squeezing, then each machine can be optimized for its specific function, but the railroad must change machines and incur downtime during transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operation efficiencyVSAvoidmachine changeover time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines both anchor spreading and squeezing functions into a single multi-functional work head. The work head includes a frame with multiple brackets that can be positioned to perform either spreading or squeezing operations, eliminating the need to switch between separate machines and reducing downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The work head is designed as a universal device capable of performing multiple functions. By incorporating adjustable brackets and interchangeable tools, the same work head can spread anchors, squeeze anchors, and accommodate different rail base widths, replacing the need for multiple specialized machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional anchor removers are used on embedded anchors, then the equipment structure remains simple, but the anchors become difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor removal capabilityVSAvoidembedded anchor removal success

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The work head incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can adapt to different anchor conditions. The brackets can be repositioned and tools can be interchanged to apply appropriate forces for removing embedded anchors, making the system dynamic rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing operational parameters such as bracket position, tool type, and force application method to effectively remove embedded anchors. By adjusting these parameters, the equipment can handle both standard and embedded anchor removal scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If task-specific tools are used for each rail base width, then proper operation is maintained for each width, but multiple tool changes are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor positioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of specialized tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The work head is designed as a universal device capable of performing multiple functions. By incorporating adjustable brackets and interchangeable tools, the same work head can spread anchors, squeeze anchors, and accommodate different rail base widths, replacing the need for multiple specialized machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The work head incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can adapt to different anchor conditions. The brackets can be repositioned and tools can be interchanged to apply appropriate forces for removing embedded anchors, making the system dynamic rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient and precise anchor management without interrupting operations due to varying rail widths, reducing misalignment and the need for multiple machines, and minimizing downtime for tool changes.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of opposed fluid power cylinders secured to the frame, each cylinder connected to a respective one of the sliding brackets for laterally reciprocating the sliding brackets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid power: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS8522688B2Rail anchor spreader-squeezer

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 NORDCO INC

AI summary

A rail maintenance anchor spreader/squeezer work head includes a work head frame, a pair of sliding brackets laterally reciprocating on the frame, each bracket having an anchor engaging end, and a pair of opposed fluid power cylinders secured to the frame, each cylinder connected to a respective one of the sliding brackets for laterally reciprocating the sliding brackets for any one of anchor squeezing, when both cylinders are extended, and anchor spreading when at least one of the cylinders is retracted.