Rail Tie Plate Orientation and Distribution System
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a rail tie plate singulating and distribution system that can consistently provide a continuous supply of singulated rail tie plates to equipment for proper orientation and distribution onto cross-ties along a section of track at a desired rate.
Innovation Solution
The system comprises a rail tie plate orientation and distribution assembly that includes a singulating conveyor, a flipping assembly, a quarter turn assembly, and a distribution assembly. The singulating conveyor separates and aligns rail tie plates, the flipping assembly adjusts their orientation, the quarter turn assembly rotates them as needed, and the distribution assembly delivers them to the correct position on the track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rail tie plate singulating and distribution system is implemented, then the consistency and continuity of tie plate supply is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a singulating conveyor for separating stacked tie plates, a flipping assembly for orientation adjustment, and a distribution assembly for delivery. Each module handles a specific task, improving overall reliability through functional specialization while allowing independent maintenance of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The singulating conveyor acts as an intermediary device between the stacked tie plate storage and the distribution point. It receives bulk tie plates, processes them through controlled separation and orientation, then delivers them individually to the distribution assembly, ensuring consistent supply without requiring direct manual handling.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple assembly components (singulating conveyor, flipping assembly, quarter turn assembly, distribution assembly) are used, then the orientation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation process is segmented into distinct stages: the singulating conveyor separates and initially positions tie plates, the flipping assembly adjusts orientation by 90 degrees, and the quarter turn assembly provides additional rotational adjustment. Each component focuses on a specific orientation task, achieving high precision through cumulative angular adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The singulating conveyor performs preliminary orientation work by separating stacked tie plates and positioning them in a consistent initial state before they reach the flipping assembly. This preliminary alignment reduces the adjustment burden on subsequent components and ensures more precise final orientation.
3Productivity
If the system operates continuously to maintain supply, then the productivity is improved, but the complexity of maintaining continuous operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The singulating conveyor is designed to operate continuously, receiving stacked tie plates from storage and constantly feeding them through the flipping and distribution assemblies. This continuous operation eliminates idle time and ensures an uninterrupted supply of oriented tie plates to the distribution point, maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Tie plates are pre-stacked in organized stacks before entering the system, and the singulating conveyor is pre-positioned to receive them systematically. This preliminary preparation enables the conveyor to maintain continuous operation without frequent interruptions for reloading or repositioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for singulating, orientating and distributing tie plates along a section of a track of a railroad is disclosed using a vehicle adapted to travel on rails including a tie plate singulating assembly, a tie plate flipping assembly, a tie plate quarter turn assembly, and a distribution assembly. The tie plate flipping assembly flips shoulder-side down tie plates into a shoulder-side up orientation while maintaining shoulder-side up tie plates in the shoulder-side up orientation. A diverter of the tie plate quarter turn assembly advances tie plates into a rotation inducing abutment resulting in the tie plates turning toward a desired orientation. The distribution assembly distributes tie plates to accumulation slides, controlling distribution with a dealer assembly and orienting discharge assembly to distribute the tie plates in a desired spacing and orientation along the track of a railroad.