Removable Insulating Device for Grooved Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating devices for grooved rails in urban areas require lateral removal of cladding for maintenance, leading to increased costs, execution time, and potential service disruptions due to the need for partial pavement elimination and material deformation at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A removable insulating device comprising linked elements made from a ground rubber and resin mixture, including a head profile, grooved profile, and lower sheet, which can be coupled to the rail without adhesives, allowing vertical removal and reinsertion without cladding removal, and featuring an upper polyurethane elastomer layer for sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insulating device is made as a single piece wrapping the entire rail contour, then electrical insulation is improved, but maintenance complexity increases due to the need for cladding removal
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating device is divided into multiple separable elements: a first element for the head side of the rail, a second element for the grooved side, and a third element for the lower part. These elements can be independently removed during maintenance without requiring cladding removal, while still providing complete electrical insulation when assembled together.
2Reliability
If the insulating device uses lateral wrapping configuration, then electrical insulation is improved, but removal difficulty increases requiring cladding elimination
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating elements are designed to wrap around the rail in multiple dimensions: the first and second elements wrap laterally around the head and grooved sides respectively, while the third element wraps underneath the rail. This multi-dimensional wrapping provides comprehensive insulation while allowing each element to be independently accessed and removed vertically without lateral cladding removal.
3Reliability
If the insulating device is made from rubber material, then insulation capacity is improved, but temperature resistance deteriorates at high heating temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating elements are designed to be completely removable from the rail before heating operations. This extraction of the rubber insulating material prevents it from being exposed to high temperatures that would cause deformation, while still providing full insulation coverage during normal operation when the elements are installed on the rail.
4Reliability
If the insulating device covers the entire rail contour, then insulation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases requiring multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating device is segmented into three distinct elements positioned at different locations on the rail: the first element on the head side, the second element on the grooved side, and the third element on the lower part. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific position and easily handled during installation and maintenance, while collectively providing complete insulation coverage of the entire rail contour.
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
Facilitates maintenance by eliminating the need for cladding removal, reducing costs and time, while maintaining electrical, acoustic, and vibration insulation, and minimizing material usage and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
measures to be taken in terms of insulation thereof with respect to the surroundings in order to prevent the propagation of residual electrical currents
Implementation Method 2
partially absorbing the vibration and noise created by the rolling of the trams
Implementation Method 3
partially absorbing the vibration and noise created by the rolling of the trams
Implementation Method 4
an upper polyurethane elastomer layer for sealing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Removable insulating device for grooved rails, intended to insulate a grooved rail (200) of the type used in laying tracks for trams and arranged in an urban track, for insulation from external conditions. The device prevents the need for adhesives, which enables the removal and introduction thereof in a vertical direction. Flanges or additional protruding areas prevent it from moving freely or leaving the rail in a situation of use, but with the help of tools, said protruding areas can be acted upon in order to remove it when necessary, without needing to perform lateral eliminations of the track cladding, as well as the reinsertion of the device on the track after finishing said work.