CA2835936A1 - Constant force lever brake shoe assembly for rail clamps - Google Patents
Constant force lever brake shoe assembly for rail clamps Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2835936A1 CA2835936A1 CA2835936A CA2835936A CA2835936A1 CA 2835936 A1 CA2835936 A1 CA 2835936A1 CA 2835936 A CA2835936 A CA 2835936A CA 2835936 A CA2835936 A CA 2835936A CA 2835936 A1 CA2835936 A1 CA 2835936A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lever
- rail
- shoe
- constant
- brake shoe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61H—BRAKES OR OTHER RETARDING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR RAIL VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR DISPOSITION THEREOF IN RAIL VEHICLES
- B61H7/00—Brakes with braking members co-operating with the track
- B61H7/02—Scotch blocks, skids, or like track-engaging shoes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- B60T1/00—Arrangements of braking elements, i.e. of those parts where braking effect occurs specially for vehicles
- B60T1/12—Arrangements of braking elements, i.e. of those parts where braking effect occurs specially for vehicles acting otherwise than by retarding wheels, e.g. jet action
- B60T1/14—Arrangements of braking elements, i.e. of those parts where braking effect occurs specially for vehicles acting otherwise than by retarding wheels, e.g. jet action directly on road
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C9/00—Travelling gear incorporated in or fitted to trolleys or cranes
- B66C9/18—Travelling gear incorporated in or fitted to trolleys or cranes with means for locking trolleys or cranes to runways or tracks to prevent inadvertent movements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D63/00—Brakes not otherwise provided for; Brakes combining more than one of the types of groups F16D49/00 - F16D61/00
- F16D63/008—Brakes acting on a linearly moving member
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D65/00—Parts or details
- F16D65/14—Actuating mechanisms for brakes; Means for initiating operation at a predetermined position
- F16D65/16—Actuating mechanisms for brakes; Means for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged in or on the brake
- F16D65/18—Actuating mechanisms for brakes; Means for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged in or on the brake adapted for drawing members together, e.g. for disc brakes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Braking Arrangements (AREA)
Abstract
A typical rail clamp comprises a pair of levers, provided with a brake shoe at the lever's first end to apply a clamping force, and a toggle mechanism or a cam follower at the lever's second end to apply an actuating force. When the rail is worn, due to the construction of the existing lever brake shoes, which create an angle to the rail surface when engage, the lever ratio and the clamping force decrease. The invention provides a novel and improved lever brake shoe assembly. It comprises: a lever; a cylindrical shoe block housing at the first lever's end; a cylindrical shoe holder, allowing rotation; a serrated shoe brake pad, mounted to the shoe holder. When the rail size varies, the cylindrical shoe holder rotates until the engaging pad surface becomes parallel to the rail surface, maintaining the clamp lever ratio constant and thereby a constant clamping force.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
CONSTANT FORCE LEVER BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLY
FOR RAIL CLAMPS
Developed by: Dimitre Mintchev, P.Eng.
Phone: (604) 983 2835 Address: 201-125 19th Street West North Vancouver, BC, V7M 1X4 E-mail: dimiter.mintchev@gmail.com Rev. 0
CONSTANT FORCE LEVER BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLY
FOR RAIL CLAMPS
Developed by: Dimitre Mintchev, P.Eng.
Phone: (604) 983 2835 Address: 201-125 19th Street West North Vancouver, BC, V7M 1X4 E-mail: dimiter.mintchev@gmail.com Rev. 0
- 2 -TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ABSTRACT 3 2. DESCRIPTION 4 2.1 Background of the Invention 4 2.2 Brief Summary of the Invention 4 2.3 Brief Description of the Drawings 5 2.4 Flaws of the Existing in Practice Rail Clamps 6 2.5 Description of the Preferred Embodiment 6
1. ABSTRACT 3 2. DESCRIPTION 4 2.1 Background of the Invention 4 2.2 Brief Summary of the Invention 4 2.3 Brief Description of the Drawings 5 2.4 Flaws of the Existing in Practice Rail Clamps 6 2.5 Description of the Preferred Embodiment 6
3. CLAIMS 9
4. DRAWINGS 10 LIST OF DRAWINGS
Fig.! Existing Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged 10 Fig.2 Constant Force Lever Shoe Block Assembly 11 Fig.3 Constant Force Shoe Block Housing 12 Fig.4 Constant Force Cylindrical Shoe 12 Fig.5 Constant Force Brake Shoe 13 Fig.6 Constant Force Cylinder-Shoe Assembly 13 Fig.7 Constant Force Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged 14 2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 Background of the Invention [0001] 2.1.1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to rail clamps and, in particular, to spring actuated, hydraulically released brakes for cranes and other material handling equipment.
[0003] 2.1.2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Rail clamps are well known and widely used. A typical rail clamp comprises a pair of levers, provided with a brake shoe block at the lever's first end to apply a clamping force, and a toggle mechanism or a cam follower at the lever's second end to apply an actuating force. Until now, there was a bias towards the actuating force only, see U.S. Patent No. W02009092156 Al, where a pair of cam surfaces with a longitudinally decreasing slope are used to compensate the decreasing spring force, and to maintain a constant actuating force, as the cam is displaced down from its nominal position.. However, the clamping force is a derivative not only from the actuating force, it is very sensitive to the lever ratio, and in order to be maintained constant, a special approach to the brake shoe construction and engaging behavior is needed. Such approach is not applied to the existing in practice lever shoes, including the above cited patent. By using these traditional shoes, the clamp lever ratio can not be kept constant, when the rail is worn, and subsequently a constant clamping force can not be maintained.
2.2 Brief Summary of the Invention
Fig.! Existing Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged 10 Fig.2 Constant Force Lever Shoe Block Assembly 11 Fig.3 Constant Force Shoe Block Housing 12 Fig.4 Constant Force Cylindrical Shoe 12 Fig.5 Constant Force Brake Shoe 13 Fig.6 Constant Force Cylinder-Shoe Assembly 13 Fig.7 Constant Force Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged 14 2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 Background of the Invention [0001] 2.1.1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to rail clamps and, in particular, to spring actuated, hydraulically released brakes for cranes and other material handling equipment.
[0003] 2.1.2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Rail clamps are well known and widely used. A typical rail clamp comprises a pair of levers, provided with a brake shoe block at the lever's first end to apply a clamping force, and a toggle mechanism or a cam follower at the lever's second end to apply an actuating force. Until now, there was a bias towards the actuating force only, see U.S. Patent No. W02009092156 Al, where a pair of cam surfaces with a longitudinally decreasing slope are used to compensate the decreasing spring force, and to maintain a constant actuating force, as the cam is displaced down from its nominal position.. However, the clamping force is a derivative not only from the actuating force, it is very sensitive to the lever ratio, and in order to be maintained constant, a special approach to the brake shoe construction and engaging behavior is needed. Such approach is not applied to the existing in practice lever shoes, including the above cited patent. By using these traditional shoes, the clamp lever ratio can not be kept constant, when the rail is worn, and subsequently a constant clamping force can not be maintained.
2.2 Brief Summary of the Invention
[0005] The existing brake shoe blocks are of rectangular shape, and are inserted into pre-machined lever rectangular pockets in a way to keep the brake pad parallel to the rail surface, when the clamp is engaged. However, the parallel surface engagement is valid only in a case of nominal rail size, because the existing shoe construction does not allow angular variations. In a case of worn rail, the brake pad creates an angle to the rail surface, and the pad-rail contact surface converts to a contact line, located at the lower pad edge. This phenomenon decreases the clamp lever ratio, decreasing the clamping force substantially.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved lever brake shoe assembly, which compensates the spring force variations, as the actuating spring extends and contracts. The shoe assembly is constructed in a way to keep the engaged brake pad surface parallel to the rail surface, which ensures a constant lever ratio and a constant clamping force, as the rail size varies due to wearing.
[0007] There is provided a lever brake shoe assembly comprising: a lever; a cylindrical shoe block housing, machined at the first lever's end, including two pin holes; a cylindrical shoe holder, hold into the shoe housing by means of pins, allowing rotation; a serrated shoe brake pad, mounted to the shoe holder by means of holding slots. In case of variations of rail size, the clamping force creates a moment around the pad-rail contact line at the lower pad edge. This moment rotates the cylindrical shoe holder until the pad surface becomes parallel to the rail surface, maintaining the clamp lever ratio constant and thereby a constant clamping force.
2.3 Brief Description of the Drawings
2.3 Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] In the drawings:
[0009] Fig.1 Existing Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged, is a side elevation view showing the differences, when an existing brake shoe is engaged to a rail with a nominal size, and to a worn rail;
[0010] Fig.2 Constant Force Lever Shoe Block Assembly, is a side elevation view showing the assembly's parts;
[0011] Fig.3 Constant Force Shoe Block Housing, is side and front elevation views showing the shoe block housing, machined into the lever;
[0012] Fig.4 Constant Force Cylindrical Shoe Holder, is side, front and top elevation views of the cylindrical shoe holder;
[0013] Fig.5 Constant Force Brake Shoe, is side, front and top elevation views of the serrated brake shoe;
[0014] Fig.6 Constant Force Cylinder-Shoe Assembly, is side, front and top elevation views of the assembly comprising the cylindrical shoe holder and serrated brake shoe;
[0015] Fig.7 Constant Force Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged, is a side elevation view showing the operation equivalence, when the constant force brake shoe is engaged to a rail with a nominal size, and to a worn rail;
2.4 Flaws of the Existing in Practice Rail Clamps
2.4 Flaws of the Existing in Practice Rail Clamps
[0016] Fig.1 Existing Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged, shows a typical existing in practice rail clamp lever assembly in an engaged position. The assembly consists of a lever 1, a pivoting point (pin) 2, an actuating point 3 at the lever's second end, and a shoe brake pad 5 at the lever's first end. In order to engage the clamp, an actuating force Fa is applied to the lever actuating point 3. It causes the lever 1 to pivot about the lever pivoting point 2 at an angle a, forcing the shoe brake pad against the rail 4, creating a clamping force Fc. Being preliminary machined at a certain angle b, the shoe pad surface becomes parallel to the rail surface, when engages, keeping the lever ratio L2:L1 constant, as it is shown on the left-hand side of Fig.!. However, the above scenario is valid only when the rail size is nominal. In a case of a decreased rail size, due to wearing, the pad-rail parallel surfaces scenario is not valid. The decreased rail width causes a bigger lever pivoting angle a', which creates an angle c between the engaging surfaces of pad 5 and rail 4. This angle transforms the pad-rail contact surface to a pad-rail contact line at the lower pad edge, which transformation increases the lever's arm length Li to Li', decreasing the lever ratio to L2:L1'. The decreased lever ratio changes the nominal clamping force Fc to a smaller clamping force Fc', as it is shown on the right-hand side of Fig. 1. Having for an example a typical for rail clamps nominal lever ratio 3:1, when the rail is worn, the angled brake pad decreases the lever ratio to 2.5:1, and subsequently:
- the clamping force becomes 17% less than the nominal one;
- the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are partially engaged.
2.5 Description of the Preferred Embodiment
- the clamping force becomes 17% less than the nominal one;
- the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are partially engaged.
2.5 Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0017] Maintaining a constant clamping force is a more complex task, than keeping only the lever actuating force constant. The other side of the problem is to keep the clamp lever ratio constant, when the clamp is engaged.
[0018] The goal of the presented invention is to combine into one device all of the following features in order to maintain a constant clamping force:
- to prevent the rail clamp lever ratio from decreasing, when the rail is worn;
- to create a means to keep the lever ratio always constant, when the clamp is engaged, independently of rail size;
- to create a means, ensuring that the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are entirely engaged, when the rail is worn;
- to create a means, ensuring safe transfer of the clamping force to the rail;
- to take into consideration the construction of the existing in practice rail clamps in order easy application.
- to prevent the rail clamp lever ratio from decreasing, when the rail is worn;
- to create a means to keep the lever ratio always constant, when the clamp is engaged, independently of rail size;
- to create a means, ensuring that the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are entirely engaged, when the rail is worn;
- to create a means, ensuring safe transfer of the clamping force to the rail;
- to take into consideration the construction of the existing in practice rail clamps in order easy application.
[0019] Fig.2 Constant Force Lever Shoe Block Assembly, shows the construction of a lever and shoe block, allowing the lever ratio to be kept constant, independently of the corresponding rail size.
The assembly consists of a lever 1, a lever pivoting point (pin) 2, a lever actuating point 3 at the lever's second end, and a constant force brake shoe block at the lever's first end.
The assembly consists of a lever 1, a lever pivoting point (pin) 2, a lever actuating point 3 at the lever's second end, and a constant force brake shoe block at the lever's first end.
[0020] The constant force brake shoe block comprises items as follows:
- a cylindrical shoe block housing 8, machined into the lever 1, shown on Fig.2, Fig.3, Fig.7;
- a cylindrical shoe holder (a holding cylinder) 7, shown on Fig.2, Fig.4, Fig.6, Fig.7, hold into the shoe block housing 8 by means of holding pins 9;
- a serrated brake shoe 6, shown on Fig.2, Fig.5, Fig.6, Fig.7, mounted to the holding cylinder 7 by means of holding slots 11 and a holding pin 10.
- a cylindrical shoe block housing 8, machined into the lever 1, shown on Fig.2, Fig.3, Fig.7;
- a cylindrical shoe holder (a holding cylinder) 7, shown on Fig.2, Fig.4, Fig.6, Fig.7, hold into the shoe block housing 8 by means of holding pins 9;
- a serrated brake shoe 6, shown on Fig.2, Fig.5, Fig.6, Fig.7, mounted to the holding cylinder 7 by means of holding slots 11 and a holding pin 10.
[0021] Fig.7 Constant Force Brake Shoe - Clamp Engaged, shows the equivalence in the clamp operation, when the constant force brake shoe is engaged to a rail with a nominal size, and when is engaged to a worn rail.
[0022] In order to engage the clamp, an actuating force Fa is applied to the lever actuating point 3. It causes the lever 1 to pivot about the lever pivoting point 2 at an angle a, forcing the shoe brake pad against the rail 4, and creating a clamping force Fc. The clamping force Fc is transferred by the cylindrical contact surface between the shoe block housing 8 and shoe holder 7, or can be transferred by pin 9, if the magnitude of Fc allows. The brake pad and rail contact surfaces are entirely engaged.
[0023] In a case of a decreased rail size, due to wearing, the decreased rail width causes a bigger lever pivoting angle a', which initially creates an angle between the contact surfaces of pad 6 and rail 4. This angle transforms the pad-rail contact surface to a pad-rail contact line at the lower pad edge, as it is with the existing in practice clamps. The clamping force Fc, transferred by the cylindrical contact surface between the shoe block housing 8 and shoe holder 7, or by pin 9, creates a moment around the pad-rail contact line. In the case of a constant force shoe assembly, this moment rotates the cylindrical shoe holder 7 until the pad contact surface of the brake shoe 6 becomes parallel to the rail surface, maintaining the lever's arm length Li constant, subsequently the clamp lever ratio L2:L1 is constant, and thereby:
- the clamping force Fc remains constant;
- the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are entirely engaged.
- the clamping force Fc remains constant;
- the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are entirely engaged.
Claims (3)
I claim:
1. A method and construction of a constant force lever brake shoe assembly for rail clamps.
The method is based on: a brake shoe assembly, which rotates due to the clamping force action, when the clamp engages, in order to maintain the clamping force constant and the brake pad-rail contact surfaces entirely engaged.
The construction of the assembly comprises: a lever, consisting of a lever pivoting point (pin), a lever actuating point at the lever's second end, and a constant force brake shoe block at the lever's first end.
The method is based on: a brake shoe assembly, which rotates due to the clamping force action, when the clamp engages, in order to maintain the clamping force constant and the brake pad-rail contact surfaces entirely engaged.
The construction of the assembly comprises: a lever, consisting of a lever pivoting point (pin), a lever actuating point at the lever's second end, and a constant force brake shoe block at the lever's first end.
2. A constant force brake shoe block, consisting of:
- a cylindrical shoe block housing, machined into the lever;
- a cylindrical shoe holder (a holding cylinder), hold into the shoe block housing by means of holding pins;
- a serrated brake shoe, mounted to the holding cylinder by means of holding slots and a holding pin.
- a cylindrical shoe block housing, machined into the lever;
- a cylindrical shoe holder (a holding cylinder), hold into the shoe block housing by means of holding pins;
- a serrated brake shoe, mounted to the holding cylinder by means of holding slots and a holding pin.
3. The presented invention combines into one device all of the following features:
- prevents the rail clamp lever ratio from decreasing, when the rail is worn;
- maintains the lever ratio always constant, when the clamp is engaged, independently of rail size;
- maintains a constant clamping force, when the clamp is engaged, independently of rail size;
- ensures that the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are entirely engaged, when the rail is worn;
- ensures a safe transfer of the clamping force to the rail;
- takes into consideration the construction of the existing in practice rail clamps in order easy application.
- prevents the rail clamp lever ratio from decreasing, when the rail is worn;
- maintains the lever ratio always constant, when the clamp is engaged, independently of rail size;
- maintains a constant clamping force, when the clamp is engaged, independently of rail size;
- ensures that the brake pad and rail contact surfaces are entirely engaged, when the rail is worn;
- ensures a safe transfer of the clamping force to the rail;
- takes into consideration the construction of the existing in practice rail clamps in order easy application.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2835936A CA2835936A1 (en) | 2013-12-04 | 2013-12-04 | Constant force lever brake shoe assembly for rail clamps |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2835936A CA2835936A1 (en) | 2013-12-04 | 2013-12-04 | Constant force lever brake shoe assembly for rail clamps |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2835936A1 true CA2835936A1 (en) | 2015-06-04 |
Family
ID=53365500
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA2835936A Abandoned CA2835936A1 (en) | 2013-12-04 | 2013-12-04 | Constant force lever brake shoe assembly for rail clamps |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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CA (1) | CA2835936A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10751964B2 (en) | 2016-10-04 | 2020-08-25 | Stahls' Inc. | Heat press with self-adjusting clamp force |
WO2020220135A1 (en) * | 2019-04-30 | 2020-11-05 | Hillmar Industries Limited | Rail clamp with rotatable brake shoe |
-
2013
- 2013-12-04 CA CA2835936A patent/CA2835936A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10751964B2 (en) | 2016-10-04 | 2020-08-25 | Stahls' Inc. | Heat press with self-adjusting clamp force |
WO2020220135A1 (en) * | 2019-04-30 | 2020-11-05 | Hillmar Industries Limited | Rail clamp with rotatable brake shoe |
CN114364593A (en) * | 2019-04-30 | 2022-04-15 | 希尔玛工业有限公司 | Rail clamp with rotatable brake shoe |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20170704 |