Elastomeric Rail Side Profile Damping Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping arrangements for rail tracks, particularly those embedded in concrete or asphalt, require additional operations like longitudinal rail casting, which are time-consuming, costly, and maintenance-intensive, and are not durable due to adverse weather conditions and traffic effects.
Innovation Solution
A damping arrangement featuring an elastomeric side profile with a larger cross-section at the lateral outer rail head flank and a solid area at the outer rail head underside, which absorbs movements and prevents wheel bandages from contacting the hard surrounding material, eliminating the need for longitudinal rail grouting and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If longitudinal rail casting (SLV) is used to dampen rails embedded in concrete or asphalt, then rail damping and protection from hard material contact are achieved, but additional time-consuming operations (milling joint, pouring grouting material) and maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The side profile integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides rail damping through its elastomeric material, prevents wheel bandage contact with hard surrounding material through its geometric design, and eliminates the need for separate longitudinal rail casting operations. The side profile is installed directly alongside the rail without requiring additional joint milling or grouting material pouring.
Solution Approach 2:
The side profile serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a damping element for rail movements, a protective barrier preventing wheel contact with hard material, and a wear surface that absorbs abrasion. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate damping arrangements and longitudinal rail casting protective measures.
2Reliability
If longitudinal rail casting (SLV) is used to dampen rails, then rail movements are absorbed, but the solution is maintenance-intensive and not durable due to adverse weather conditions and traffic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The side profile is constructed from homogeneous elastomeric material throughout its structure, providing consistent damping properties and uniform wear characteristics. This homogeneity ensures predictable performance under varying weather conditions and traffic loads, eliminating the maintenance issues associated with composite or multi-material damping arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The side profile utilizes the viscoelastic properties of elastomeric material, which can dynamically adjust its damping characteristics based on temperature, loading conditions, and wear state. This parameter adaptability allows the side profile to maintain effective damping performance across varying weather conditions and traffic intensities without requiring maintenance intervention.
3Reliability
If the side profile has a larger cross-section at the lateral outer rail head flank, then wheel bandage contact is ensured and rail movements are effectively dampened, but the volume of elastomeric material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side profile features variable cross-sectional dimensions optimized for local functions: a larger cross-section at the lateral outer rail head flank provides sufficient contact area for wheel bandage interaction and effective damping of rail movements, while a smaller cross-section at the underside reduces unnecessary material volume. This localized quality optimization ensures functional effectiveness while minimizing material consumption.
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
This solution effectively dampens rail movements, reduces maintenance, and saves time and costs by eliminating the need for longitudinal rail grouting, while ensuring the wheel bandage wears down on the side profile, maintaining rail integrity and reducing contact with the hard surrounding material.
Implementation Method 1
an outer side profile made of elastomeric material arranged on the outside of the rail facing away from the inside of the track, which rests against the outside of the rail at least in the area of the lateral outer rail head flank and in the area of the outer rail head underside
Implementation Method 2
the outer side profile in the area of the outer underside of the rail head and in the area of the lateral outer rail head flank close to the rail has an area which is elastically flexible towards the rail head with cavities in the elastomeric material
Implementation Method 3
the outer side profile in the area of the outer underside of the rail head and in the area of the lateral outer rail head flank close to the rail has an area which is elastically flexible towards the rail head with cavities in the elastomeric material
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Damping arrangement (1) for tracks to be travelled over by rail vehicles having flanged wheels (12), comprising • a. a rail (2) with • i. a rail head (3) which has a laterally outer rail head flank (31) and an outer rail head underside (32), • ii. a rail web (4), • iii. a rail foot (5) and • iv. an outer side (6) facing away from the track interior (11), and • b. an outer lateral profile (7) of elastomer material which bears on the outer side of the rail (2) at least in the region of the lateral outer rail head flank (31) and in the region of the outer rail head underside (32), wherein the outer lateral profile (7) has, in the region of the outer rail head underside (32) and in the region of the lateral outer rail head flank (31), close to the rail, a soft region which is elastically resilient with respect to the rail head (3), and, in the region of the lateral outer rail head flank (31), remote from the rail, a substantially non-elastic hard region (10).