Track Rail Longitudinal Force Measurement With Sleepers Attached

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining longitudinal forces in track rails require detaching them from sleepers, which is time-consuming, costly, and disrupts rail traffic, and can only be done at specific temperature conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method that records force measurement values while sleepers remain attached to the rail section, shifting between initial and test arrangements, allowing for precise determination of longitudinal forces without detachment, even at elevated temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If track rails are detached from sleepers to determine longitudinal forces, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelongitudinal force measurementVSAvoidtrack possession time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a test force application device as an intermediary mechanism that applies controlled forces to the track rail while it remains attached to the sleepers. This mediator enables force measurement without requiring detachment of the rail-sleeper connection, thus maintaining track availability while obtaining accurate longitudinal force data through the applied test force and resulting deformation measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If track rails are detached from sleepers to determine longitudinal forces, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelongitudinal force measurementVSAvoidtrack availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The test force application device serves as a mediator that enables accurate longitudinal force measurement while the track rail remains connected to its sleepers. This eliminates the need for detachment operations, maintaining full track availability and productivity during the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical detachment method with a controlled mechanical testing system that applies test forces and measures deformations while the rail remains in its normal attached state. This substitution allows force measurement through a different mechanical approach that doesn't require breaking the rail-sleeper connection, thus preserving track productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If track rails are detached from sleepers to determine longitudinal forces, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelongitudinal force measurementVSAvoidtesting equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The test force application device acts as a controlled intermediary that simplifies the measurement process by providing standardized test forces and measuring resulting deformations. This mediator system is more straightforward than complete detachment operations, as it uses controlled force application and displacement measurement rather than requiring complex detachment and reattachment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If track rails are measured at elevated temperatures, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases due to distortions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature condition flexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The test force application device serves as a controlled intermediary that enables reliable measurements at elevated temperatures by applying controlled test forces and measuring resulting deformations while the rail remains supported by sleepers. This mediator system prevents thermal distortions from compromising measurement accuracy, allowing adaptable temperature-condition testing without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by maintaining the sleeper support structure in place during temperature variations and test force application. This pre-established support system cushions against thermal expansion and distortion effects, enabling reliable measurements at elevated temperatures without the rail detaching or distorting excessively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250224317A1Method and device for determining the longitudinal forces in track rails

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 PLASSER & THEURER EXPORT VON BAHNBAUMASCHINEN GMBH

AI summary

A method for determining the longitudinal forces in track rails includes shifting a rail section of at least one of the track rails from an initial arrangement into a test arrangement by providing a test force, recording at least one force measurement value correlating with the test force in the test arrangement, and determining the longitudinal forces in the at least one track rail on the basis of the at least one force measurement value. At least one sleeper is attached to the rail section when the at least one force measurement value is recorded. A device for carrying out the method is also provided.