Rail Tie Singulation With GPS-Controlled Trackside Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail tie distribution systems are inefficient, imprecise, and unsafe for unloading individual ties at selected locations along a railroad track, requiring separate equipment and procedures for precise placement.
Innovation Solution
A rail tie distribution system comprising a rail car with a live bottom conveyor, singulating means, and a discharge assembly that uses a singulating conveyor to individually distribute ties via a discharge chute, controlled by a computer processor and GPS antenna for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a forklift type mechanism is used to lift and eject rail ties from a rail car, then the unloading process can be automated, but the rail ties are ejected at a height that causes them to land too far from the track
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading system is divided into multiple functional components: a forklift mechanism for lifting, an ejector blade for propelling, and a controlled ejection height mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the ejection height specifically controlled to ensure ties land within reach of replacement equipment while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection height parameter is specifically adjusted and controlled to optimize the landing position of rail ties. By changing the height parameter from which ties are ejected, the system achieves both automated unloading and precise placement, resolving the contradiction between automation and placement precision.
2Ease of operation
If a crawler type unloader is used to travel over gondola cars and place ties using a jaw unit, then ties can be selectively placed along the track, but separate equipment and procedures are required to position the ties next to the ties to be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The rail car unloading system is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only unloads ties from the car but also positions them precisely next to the ties to be replaced. By integrating the positioning function into the unloading mechanism itself, the system eliminates the need for separate positioning equipment, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining selective placement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unloading and positioning functions are merged into a single integrated system. The ejector mechanism and positioning system work together as one unified device, allowing the rail car to both discharge ties and place them in the correct location without requiring additional separate equipment.
3Productivity
If ties are ejected from the bottom of a stack using a kicker chain, then unloading can occur, but determining the specific location of the unloading machine and the tie to be ejected proves difficult to coordinate for precision unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical kicker chain method with a controlled ejection mechanism that uses a forklift for lifting and a blade ejector for propulsion. This substitution provides better control over the ejection process, allowing precise coordination between the unloading machine location and the specific tie to be ejected, thereby achieving both high productivity and precision unloading.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for distributing rail ties along the side of a track from a rail car and consist of the rail cars is disclosed. Each rail car includes a floor conveyor conveying rail ties to a singulating conveyor assembly which advances rail ties individually to a dealer having an indexing mechanism which selectively releases individual rail ties onto a discharge chute. The discharge chute is oriented so ties dropped on the discharge chute are discharged out a selected side of the rail car. A controller on each rail tie distribution car communicates with a computing resource which implements a plan for selectively discharging ties from cars selected by the computing resource to discharge ties at selected drop off locations.