Rail Track Grinder Head for One-Pass Frozen Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for clearing debris from railroad tracks, such as ice and solid refuse, are inefficient and time-consuming, especially in cold temperatures, as they require manual breaking and disposal, which can interfere with safe train operations and proper track inspections.
Innovation Solution
A grinder head attachment for a track cleaner that continuously grinds and removes hard frozen materials like ice and bentonite, allowing for efficient one-pass removal of debris, including concrete and asphalt surfaces, using a carbide-tipped drum with adjustable cutting depth and width, and a drag conveyor for debris transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If backhoe or similar equipment is used to clear frozen debris from tracks, then debris can be removed, but the process is time-consuming and requires manual breaking of ice and solid refuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical breaking with a powered grinder head that uses a rotating drum equipped with carbide-tipped teeth to automatically grind and break up frozen debris, ice, and solid refuse. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for manual labor and significantly increases debris removal efficiency while reducing the time required for track clearance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The grinder head operates by changing the physical state of frozen debris through mechanical grinding and friction-generated heat. The rotating drum with carbide teeth transforms solid frozen material into removable particles, fundamentally changing the parameter of material state from intact frozen blocks to ground debris that can be easily cleared from the tracks.
2Reliability
If manual breaking and disposal methods are used, then debris removal is possible, but safe train operations and proper track inspections are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The automated grinder head system replaces manual breaking operations with a controlled mechanical grinding process that can clear tracks more efficiently and safely. The systematic approach of the grinder ensures complete debris removal without the safety risks associated with manual operations near active tracks, thereby improving both reliability and productivity simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If ice and solid refuse accumulate on tracks, then track inspection is blocked, but cleaning operations become more difficult in cold temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The grinder head changes the physical state of frozen debris through mechanical grinding, transforming hard-to-handle frozen material into removable particles. This parameter change allows effective track cleaning in cold temperatures where manual methods would be difficult, thereby maintaining track inspection quality without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered grinding mechanism replaces manual cleaning operations, eliminating the difficulty of working in cold temperatures. The automated system can efficiently grind and remove frozen debris regardless of ambient conditions, ensuring high-quality track inspections while making the cleaning process easier and more consistent.
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 effective removal of debris from railroad tracks, improving safety and compliance with environmental regulations by allowing for continuous operation in cold conditions and reducing manual labor, while maintaining track integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a carbide-tipped drum with adjustable cutting depth and width
Implementation Method 2
The present invention allows for a railroad track cleaner to break up, remove, and discard ice or other solid or semi-solid debris
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a grinder head for attaching to a track cleaner. The present invention also includes the grinder head attached to a track cleaner. Preferably, the present invention will continuously grind and load hard frozen minerals like taconite or ice. In addition, the present invention preferably aids in removal of hard-to-handle material such as wet, sticky bentonite from tracks which can be difficult in the summer months. The grinder head attachment will preferably allow operators to use a track cleaner to remove materials, preferably in one pass, during the colder months when the bentonite is frozen and much easier to handle. Preferably, the present invention will also be able to remove concrete or asphalt surfaces at road crossings.