Road-Rail Hybrid Vehicles With Passive Junction Track Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail systems, particularly hi-rail vehicles, face challenges such as poor braking, weak traction force, and safety concerns due to the need for operators to exit the vehicle to lower rail wheels, especially at hazardous intersections between rail and road.
Innovation Solution
The development of a road-rail transportation system using hybrid (H-) vehicles that can travel on both roads and rails, equipped with passive junctions and transition spans, allowing for automatic and safe transition between rail and road travel without the need for operators to exit the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hi-rail vehicles use retractable rail wheels for road-rail transition, then the vehicle can travel on both highways and railroad tracks, but the operator must exit the vehicle to lower the rail wheels which creates safety hazards at intersections
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated sensors (cameras, LIDAR, GPS) and control systems to detect rail tracks, calculate alignment parameters, and automatically position the vehicle for rail wheel deployment. The operator never needs to exit the vehicle as the entire alignment and deployment process is automated through the vehicle's onboard systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of exiting the vehicle to physically lower rail wheels is replaced with an automated electronic control system. Sensors detect track geometry and the control system automatically adjusts hydraulic or electric actuators to position rail wheels precisely without human intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If rail wheels are lowered onto the rail requiring precise truck to track alignment, then proper flange alignment is achieved, but the process requires operator intervention and precise manual positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors (cameras, LIDAR, GPS) to continuously monitor the vehicle's position and orientation relative to the rail tracks. Real-time feedback from these sensors is processed by the control system to calculate precise alignment parameters and make automatic adjustments to wheel position and vehicle orientation, ensuring accurate flange-to-rail alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the sensors detecting track geometry and the actuators positioning the rail wheels. It processes sensor data, calculates optimal alignment parameters, and automatically commands the actuators to achieve precise positioning without direct operator intervention.
3Use of energy by moving object
If road wheels are lifted off the rail to reduce rolling resistance, then fuel economy improves, but traction and braking capabilities are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the position of road and rail wheels based on operational requirements. During cruising on rails, road wheels are lifted to minimize rolling resistance and maximize fuel economy. During acceleration or braking operations, the control system automatically lowers road wheels to provide additional traction force, creating a dynamic adaptation to changing operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the wheels (lifted vs. contact) based on operational mode. Road wheels transition between elevated (cruising) and lowered (traction/braking) positions, allowing the vehicle to optimize the balance between rolling resistance and available traction force according to real-time operational needs.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a hybrid transportation system with hybrid vehicles (H-vehicles) that can travel on pavement (or off-road), then transition to railroad track travel, and then later transition back onto pavement without stopping or requiring an operator to exit the vehicle. At static rail junctions (with no moving switch parts) the H-vehicle selects its outgoing track. Turns at passive junctions are made by applying lateral force which may be applied using multiple methods including side roller diverters and steering. Separate road wheels and rail wheels may be employed on an H-vehicle, or a combination wheel can be used with concentric road and rail wheel components. Combination wheels may be locked together or unlocked with relative rotational angular velocities. Transition between road and rail travel is facilitated using transition spans which connect roads to rails. Improved rail-only vehicles (R-) vehicles and junctions are also described.