Rail Plate Retainer With Independent Workhead Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for handling rail tie plates during track maintenance face difficulties in centering the force on the target plate, especially in misaligned or warped conditions, particularly in curved tracks, leading to inefficient plate handling.
Innovation Solution
A rail plate retainer with independently movable workhead modules, each equipped with guide wheels and hinged connections, and fluid-powered jaws with synchronized meshing teeth, allowing precise gripping and retention of tie plates along the forward and rear edges, accommodating misalignment and curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single rigid workhead module is used to grip tie plates, then the gripping force can be applied, but the system cannot accommodate misaligned plates on warped ties or curved track sections
Solution Approach 1:
The workhead is divided into multiple independently movable workhead modules, each capable of gripping tie plates on different rails. Each module can move independently along the rail to accommodate misalignment, allowing the system to adapt to warped ties and curved track while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The workhead modules are made dynamically movable along the track rather than being fixed rigidly. This dynamic capability allows each module to adjust its position to center the gripping force on misaligned tie plates, solving the adaptability problem while the controlled movement mechanism keeps the overall system complexity manageable
2Force
If hydraulic jaws are used to grip tie plates, then gripping force can be applied, but the system struggles to center the force on the target plate when plates are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The workhead modules with hydraulic jaws are made movable along the track, allowing precise positioning of the gripping force on misaligned tie plates. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that the force is centered accurately on the target plate regardless of misalignment, while the modular design keeps the system complexity manageable
3Productivity
If manual plate removal is used, then simplicity is maintained, but productivity and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automated plate handling system is segmented into multiple independent workhead modules with individual gripping mechanisms. This modular approach automates the plate removal process to significantly improve productivity, while each module's independent design keeps the overall system complexity manageable and maintainable
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 handling of rail tie plates during replacement, ensuring proper alignment and secure retention, even in curved sections and warped ties, enhancing the overall efficiency of the rail tie exchange process.
Implementation Method 1
an associated fluid power cylinder controls the movement of each workhead module relative to a main tie exchanger machine frame
Implementation Method 2
the pair of jaws are synchronized by providing meshing teeth on complementary edges of the jaws associated with each plate
Implementation Method 3
Each workhead module has a pair of guide wheels facilitating movement of the module relative to the adjacent workhead module
Data Source
AI summary
A plate retainer apparatus is provided for use on a railroad track with a tie exchanger having a main frame, the apparatus configured for gripping and retaining rail tie plates to a rail during a rail tie exchange process. The plate retainer apparatus includes a plate retainer workhead constructed and arranged for movement independent of that of the main frame. Included on the workhead is a pair of workhead modules, each module associated with a rail of the track and configured for retaining a single tie plate associated with a target tie at a time. Each workhead module is movable relative to the main frame independently of each other.