CA2698969A1 - Sand nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for the precise application of brake sand or other material to the rails of a railroad. In embodiments, a sand nozzle having a convex shaped air channel is used to provide a high speed jet of air for applying sand to the rail. The air channel further acts to create a low pressure area beneath the nozzle, thus preventing the nozzle from becoming clogged with sand, dust, moisture, oil, or other debris.

Description

Sand Nozzle Background of the Invention [0001] Railroad cars and other vehicles adapted for travelling on rails are often equipped with devices for applying brake sand to the rails to provide friction for use in braking or to improve adhesion during acceleration of the vehicle. Prior art devices often rely on pouring a relatively large amount of sand through a pipe or hose towards the rails, with much of the sand falling on the track bed instead of the rails. In addition, sand applying devices in the prior art may be susceptible to wind and turbulence and also have a tendency to become clogged with dust, moisture, ice, or snow from the environment.

Summary of the Invention [0002] The system and method disclosed herein provides for the precise application of brake sand or other material between the wheel and rail interface of a railroad. In embodiments, a sand nozzle having a convex shaped air channel is used to provide a high speed jet of air for applying sand to the wheel / rail interface. The air channel further acts to create a low pressure area beneath the nozzle, thus preventing the nozzle from becoming clogged with sand, dust, moisture, oil, or other debris.

[0003] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sand nozzle for use in applying brake sand to a rail of a railroad comprising a triangular-shaped housing having disposed therein a central channel for delivering sand to an opening in the lower surface of the housing, the lower surface of the housing having a substantially convex shape, and wherein the sides of the housing further comprise downward projecting protrusions for creating an air channel immediately below the lower surface of the housing. The air channel preferably has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0004] Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of an embodiment of a sand nozzle.

[0005] Fig. 1A shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 positioned in front of the wheel of a railroad car near the wheel / rail interface.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0007] Fig. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the attached sand feed hose and power cord.

[0009] Fig. 1 B shows a side perspective view of the right side of a sand nozzle in a second embodiment.

[0010] Fig. 2B is a lower side perspective view of the right side of the sand nozzle of Fig. 1 B.

[0011] Fig. 3B is a side view of the right side of the sand nozzle of Fig. 1 B.

[0012] Fig. 4B is a rear view of the sand nozzle of Fig. 1 B.

[0013] Fig. 5B is a front view of the sand nozzle of Fig. 1 B.

[0014] Fig. 6B is a top view of the sand nozzle of Fig. 1 B.

[0015] Fig. 7B is a bottom view of the sand nozzle of Fig. 1 B.
Detailed Description [0016] Disclosed herein is a system and method for applying sand or other material to the wheel / rail interface 104 (Fig. 1A) of a railroad, streetcar line, tram line, or other rail system. Such sand is applied to the tracks in order to provide adequate friction between the wheels of a railroad car and the tracks upon which the car travels.
This friction is necessary to provide traction when the brakes are applied to the wheels of the car. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "car" is understood to mean any railroad car, streetcar, tram car, light rail car, subway car, commuter rail car, heavy rail car, freight car, or any other wheeled vehicle that travels upon fixed rails.
The terms "track" and "rail" are used interchangeably to refer to the rails upon which such cars travel. As is known in the art, a pair of parallel rails is typically laid in a roadbed to allow railroad cars to travel over them.

[0017] A sand nozzle 100 disclosed herein is preferably attached to the underside of a car just in front of a wheel. The sand nozzle 100 provides sand, brake sand, or other material to the rail near the point of contact between the rail and the wheel of a car (the "wheel / rail interface") at desired times. One sand nozzle 100 is preferably situated in front of each wheel (in the direction of travel) on a car. The nose 21 (Fig. 1) of each sand nozzle is oriented rearward so as to deliver sand to the rail as the wheel contacts the wheel / rail interface 104 (Fig. 1A).

[0018] The sand nozzle 100 disclosed herein advantageously provides a suction or low pressure area on the underside of the nozzle 100 that helps prevent the central sand dispersal channel 2 (Fig. 1) and the sand feed hose 6 (Fig. 4) from clogging or otherwise becoming obstructed. The sand nozzle 100 also comprises side flanges or protrusions 3 (Fig. 2) which aid in producing the low pressure area on the underside of the nozzle. The flanges or protrusions also help create an airflow which directs the sand to the wheel / rail interface 104 (Fig. 1A). Advantageously, this airflow towards the wheel / rail interface 104 prevents sand from being wasted. In prior art systems, for example, a certain amount of sand often falls on the track bed to the left or right of the track and is thus useless for providing friction between the car's wheel and the track.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of a first embodiment of a sand nozzle 100. The sand nozzle 100 is preferably constructed of steel or some other metal or metal alloy. Alternatively, the sand nozzle 100 can be constructed of wood, plastic, concrete, or other materials. The sand nozzle 100 generally comprises a slanted trailing surface 12, a leading surface 11, an upper surface 13, a lower surface 1, a right side 4 (Fig. 2), and a left side 8 (Fig. 2). Trailing surface 12 and lower surface 1 preferably form an acute angle to form a nose 21 so as to permit the sand nozzle 100 to be placed immediately in front of the wheel of a car. In operation, lower surface 1 is positioned parallel to, and in close proximity with, the rail with the nose 21 of sand nozzle 100 oriented rearward towards the wheel / rail interface 104 (Fig. 1A).
Threaded bolt holes 11 a, 11 b are preferably provided on the side of leading surface 11. The bolt holes 11 a, 11 b allow the sand nozzle 100 to be affixed to a plate or mounting bracket (not pictured) on a rail car, with bolts inserted through the plate or mounting bracket and into the respective bolt holes 11 a, 11 b.

[0020] Fig. 1 A depicts how the sand nozzle 100 may be positioned relative to the wheel 105 of a rail car traveling upon a rail 103. The acute angle formed at nose 21 permits the nozzle 100 to be placed in close proximity to the leading edge of wheel 105 and just in front of the wheel / rail interface 104.

[0021] In Figs. 1 and 1A, the direction of forward travel of the car is towards the right. The wheel of the car follows behind the sand nozzle 100. Thus, the wheel is just to the left of the sand nozzle 100 in Figs. 1 and 1A. Advantageously, the close proximity of the nozzle 100 to the wheel permits the nozzle 100 to precisely target sand to the wheel / rail interface 104. This close proximity and the generally triangular shape of the nozzle 100 also help to minimize turbulence and airflow drag behind the nozzle 100. That is, the close positioning of the nozzle 100 to the wheel allows for the wheel to travel in the nozzle's slipstream, thus providing aerodynamic advantages.
Further, the close proximity of the nozzle 100 to the wheel and the cross-sectional area of the nozzle 100 help shield the sand dispensed from the nozzle 100 from the wind and from turbulence created by the moving car. For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms "forward," "front," "in front of," "leading," and the like are used to indicate the forward direction of travel of the car - e.g., to the right in Fig. 1. The terms "rear," "behind,"
"trailing," "following," and the like are used to indicate the trailing end of the car as it moves in a forward direction - e.g., to the left in Fig. 1.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2B, the underside of the sand nozzle 100 has a lower surface 1 having a generally convex shape. This convex shape of lower surface 1 creates a low pressure area underneath the sand nozzle 100 when the car - and hence the nozzle - are traveling along the rails. Advantageously, this low pressure area produces a suction effect which will aid in sucking sand out of the central channel 2 of the sand nozzle 100 and into the airflow channel 3a (Figs. 2, 4B, 5B). As shown in Fig.
4, sand is fed into the sand nozzle 100 through a sand feed line 6 into the central channel 2. Thus, the suction effect created by the convex shape of lower surface 1 (Figs. 1, 2B) of the sand nozzle 100 helps to prevent clogging in the central channel 2 and the sand feed line 6.

[0023] The shape of the lower opening 14 (Figs. 1, 3, 2B, 7B) of central channel 2 preferably comprises a substantially rectangular shape with the width of the lower opening 14 being substantially equal to the width of the rail upon which the car travels. That is, the width of lower opening 14 extending in a lateral direction from the left side 8 to the right side 4 of the nozzle 100 substantially equals the width of the rail.
Advantageously, this width of lower opening 14 allows for sand to be disbursed over the entire width of the wheel / rail interface 104 unlike in prior art hose or pipe devices where sand was often dispensed from a relatively narrow circular opening and only partially covered the rail with sand. Further, as discussed in more detail below, the shape of lower opening 14, the rigid nature of the sand nozzle 100, the convex shape of the lower surface 1, the side protrusions 3 (Fig. 2), and the placement of the sand nozzle 100 near the wheel / rail interface 104 (Fig. 1) all combine to precisely target sand to where it is needed and provide superior coverage over the entire rail width, with interference by wind and turbulence minimized.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a front view of the sand nozzle of Fig. 1. Protrusions 3 are shown on the left side 4 and right side 8 of the nozzle 100 towards the bottom of the nozzle. These side protrusions 3 can be made of a rigid material such as steel, metal, plastic, wood, or concrete and may be integrated into, or comprise extensions of, the left side 4 and right side 8 of nozzle 100. In other embodiments, the side protrusions 3 comprise rigid materials that are fastened or affixed to the lower portions of the left side 4 and right side 8 of nozzle 100, respectively. Side protrusions 3 advantageously create an airflow channel 3a (Figs. 2, 4B, 5B) beneath the nozzle 100. As previously discussed, lower surface 1 comprises a generally convex shape. This convex shape of lower surface 1 as well as the side protrusions 3 act together to create the low pressure area beneath the nozzle 100 and inside of airflow channel 3a. The side protrusions 3 also work to guide the air and sand through the airflow channel 3a towards the wheel /
rail interface 104 (Fig. 1A) at the trailing edge of the nozzle 100 near nose 21. The side protrusions 3 and lower surface 1 also work together to form a rectangular shaped cross-section for airflow channel 3a. Side protrusions 3 further help to shield airflow channel 3a from wind or turbulence.

[0025] The jet of air created through the air channel 3a formed by the side protrusions 3 and lower surface 1 advantageously acts to apply sand or other material precisely to the wheel / rail interface 104. This high speed jet of air is also less susceptible to being disturbed by the wind or by turbulence created from the forward motion of the car. Also, the width of the nozzle 100 helps shield this high speed jet of air from wind and turbulence as the sand exits the nozzle 100 towards the rear of the air channel 3a near nose 21. In such a manner, the sand can be directed precisely to the wheel / rail interface 104 (Fig. 1A) and the amount of wasted sand can be minimized.
Further, as discussed above, the low pressure area created by the side protrusions 3 and the convex shaped lower surface 1 works to suck sand out of the central channel 2, thus preventing central channel 2 and sand feed line 6 from becoming clogged with sand. The low pressure area also prevents dust, debris, oil, moisture, and other foreign contaminants from being introduced into the central channel 2 from the surrounding environment. Further, the low pressure area provides the nozzle 100 with a self-cleaning capability such that any contaminants introduced into the central channel 2 (such as when the car is at rest) will be sucked out of central channel 2.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the sand nozzle 100 oriented with the direction of forward travel being to the left. In embodiments, the sand nozzle 100 forms a tapered shape which is wider at the front and more narrow at the back. This shape helps reduce drag and air turbulence as the nozzle 100 moves in a forward direction.
The shape also helps direct sand precisely to the wheel / rail interface 104 (Fig. 1A).
Fig. 3 also shows an opening 4a to which a power cable 5 (Fig. 4) can be attached and an opening 4b to which the sand feed hose 6 (Fig. 4) can be attached.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the sand nozzle 100 oriented with the direction of forward travel being towards the left. Sand feed hose 6 is shown connected to the nozzle 100. The sand feed hose 6 is connected on one end to a sandbox (not pictured) and is connected on the other end to the nozzle 100, where the sand feed hose 6 supplies sand to the central channel 2 of the nozzle 100. An optional power cable 5 is also shown. Power cable 5 can be used to supply electrical power to a heating cartridge 5a inside the nozzle 100. The heating cartridge 5a helps warm the sand nozzle 100 during cold weather, thus ensuring that no ice or other frozen material forms inside central channel 2 that could obstruct the flow of sand.
Advantageously, the relatively wide feed hose 6 is positioned in front of the relatively narrow power cable 5.

Because the feed hose 6 is wider than the power cable 5, the feed hose 6 can shield the power cable 5 from the air as the car travels in a forward direction. This helps reduce drag and turbulence.

[0028] Figs. 1 B - 7B show a second embodiment of a sand nozzle 100. Like numerals refer to like parts in all figures of the present disclosure. The second embodiment shown in Figs. 1B - 7B is similar to the first embodiment of Figs.
1 - 4, with the second embodiment having a hollow cavity 31 (Fig. 1 B) disposed in the interior of the sand nozzle 100. Threaded bolt holes 11 a, 11 b are provided in leading surface 11. The sand nozzle 100 can be attached to a plate or mounting bracket (not pictured) on the car by inserting bolts into the plate or mounting bracket and then into the threaded bolt holes 11 a, 11 b. The hollow cavity 31 advantageously allows for a nut to be placed on the end of each bolt inserted into holes 11 a and 11 b, respectively.

[0029] Accordingly, while the invention has been described with reference to the structures and processes disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (2)

1. A sand nozzle for use in applying brake sand to a rail of a railroad comprising a triangular shaped housing having disposed therein a central channel for delivering sand to an opening in the lower surface of said housing, the lower surface of said housing having a substantially convex shape, and wherein the sides of said housing further comprise downward projecting protrusions for creating an air channel immediately below the lower surface of said housing.

2. The sand nozzle of claim 1 wherein said air channel has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area.