Rail Tie Plate Orientation via Flipping and Singulating Mechanisms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

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 for proper alignment, and the distribution assembly directs them onto the track.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional tie plate distribution system is used, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot consistently provide a continuous supply of singulated and properly oriented tie plates at the desired rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous supply rate of singulated tie platesVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution system is divided into separate functional modules: a singulating conveyor for separating tie plates, a flipping assembly for orientation adjustment, a quarter turn assembly for rotational positioning, and a distribution assembly for placement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The singulating conveyor and flipping assembly prepare tie plates in advance by separating them and adjusting their orientation before distribution. This preliminary action ensures that when tie plates reach the distribution assembly, they are already properly prepared for placement, enabling continuous supply at the desired rate without bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If manual orientation and distribution of tie plates is performed, then the equipment complexity is low, but the productivity and consistency of tie plate distribution cannot meet maintenance demands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetie plate distribution speedVSAvoidautomation level of orientation and distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The flipper assembly automatically detects the orientation of incoming tie plates and self-adjusts to flip them into the correct position without manual intervention. The singulating conveyor also automatically separates tie plates based on their orientation, enabling the system to maintain itself and operate continuously at high productivity levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations for orienting and distributing tie plates are replaced with an automated mechanical system comprising conveyors, flipper assemblies, and distribution mechanisms. This substitution dramatically increases distribution speed and consistency while reducing the need for manual labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If tie plates are not properly singulated and oriented before distribution, then the handling process is simpler, but the manufacturing precision and proper orientation of distributed tie plates cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation precision of distributed tie platesVSAvoidcomplexity of singulating and orientation equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flipper assembly is designed with movable and adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different tie plate orientations. The mechanism can flip tie plates that are oriented in various positions (shoulder-side up, shoulder-side down, end-first) into the correct orientation, ensuring high manufacturing precision regardless of the incoming tie plate configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The singulating conveyor acts as an intermediary between the bulk tie plate supply and the distribution assembly. It separates and orients tie plates before they reach the distribution point, ensuring that only properly oriented tie plates are distributed. This intermediary step guarantees orientation precision while simplifying the distribution process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12209366B2Rail tie plate flipping assembly

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 HERZOG RAILROAD SERVICES INC

AI summary

A system for orienting and distributing tie plates along a section of railroad track includes a tie plate flipping 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. One embodiment of the tie plate flipping assembly includes a launch conveyor for launching tie plates against a dampening slide spaced apart from the launch conveyor at a spacing which results in shoulder-side down tie plates flipping over while shoulder-side up tie plates remain shoulder-side up. An alternative tie plate flipping assembly advances tie plates on a longitudinal edge through a vertical guide and past a centered wedge which engages a shoulder side surface of the tie plates conveyed past the wedge causing the tie plates to tip outward and onto a bottom surface.