Railway Track Support with Compressible Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
The non-ballasted Slab Track System (STS) experiences deterioration due to alkali-silica reactions, leading to cracks and infiltration of rainwater, which compromises the stability and maintenance of railway tracks.
Innovation Solution
A pre-fabricated support system with compressible means and a method for temporarily supporting the rest baseplate of a railway track, allowing for height adjustment and the use of a consolidation material to transfer stress from the baseplate to the foundation, facilitating maintenance and new track installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a cement-asphalt mortar mixture is used to fill the hollow space between the platform and foundation, then the structural connection is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to alkali-silica reactions causing cracks and deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic cement-asphalt mortar mixture from the hollow space and replaces it with a compressible material (such as rubber or foam) that does not undergo alkali-silica reactions. This extraction of the harmful material eliminates the source of cracking while maintaining the structural function through the compressible material's elastic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid cement-asphalt mortar to compressible elastic material. This parameter change transforms the material's behavior from brittle (prone to cracking under stress) to ductile (able to absorb stress through compression and expansion), thereby improving reliability while maintaining structural connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the baseplate is permanently fixed to the foundation, then the stability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates as maintenance interventions become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the baseplate-support system through the compressible material, which allows the baseplate to be temporarily lifted and repositioned during maintenance while maintaining stability during operation. The compressible material provides elastic support that enables both stable operation and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pre-fabricated support structure with compressible means that is installed before the baseplate is permanently fixed. This preliminary support structure enables future maintenance interventions by allowing the baseplate to be lifted and repositioned without requiring demolition of the entire foundation structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise distance measurements are required for support installation, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the installation parameter from requiring precise distance measurements to allowing for adjustable height positioning. The compressible means can be compressed to different heights to accommodate variations in the gap between the baseplate and foundation, eliminating the need for precise pre-measurement while maintaining proper installation alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the support system through the compressible material, which can be compressed and expanded to different heights during installation. This dynamic property allows installers to accommodate dimensional variations without requiring precise pre-measurement, thereby simplifying the manufacturing and installation process.
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
The solution provides reliable support for railway tracks during operation and maintenance, preventing further deterioration and optimizing costs by allowing for easy installation and height adjustment without requiring precise distance measurements, while ensuring the stability of the baseplate and foundation.
Implementation Method 1
They allow a compression in height of the support (1). They therefore allow an approach between the two bases (2, 3)
Implementation Method 2
The support (1) allows the realization of new railway tracks or the execution of maintenance interventions on existing tracks by facilitating the temporary support of the rest baseplate of at least one rail in operating configuration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A support of a rest baseplate of at least one rail of a railway track, in operating configuration, said support (1) comprising: - two bases (2, 3) between which it extends in height: - a lateral flank (23) interposed between the two bases; - compressible means (4) identifying a compartment (5) destined to receive a consolidation material; said compressible means (4) enabling a compressibility in height of said support (1); - an inlet (6) of the consolidation material destined for the compartment (5), said inlet (5) being accessible from outside.