EP4519145A1 - Railroad switch device - Google Patents
Railroad switch deviceInfo
- Publication number
- EP4519145A1 EP4519145A1 EP23935584.5A EP23935584A EP4519145A1 EP 4519145 A1 EP4519145 A1 EP 4519145A1 EP 23935584 A EP23935584 A EP 23935584A EP 4519145 A1 EP4519145 A1 EP 4519145A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bar
- operation unit
- switch
- spring
- cylinder
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L5/00—Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
- B61L5/10—Locking mechanisms for points; Means for indicating the setting of points
- B61L5/102—Controlling electrically
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L5/00—Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
- B61L5/04—Fluid-pressure devices for operating points or scotch-blocks
- B61L5/045—Fluid-pressure devices for operating points or scotch-blocks using electrically controlled fluid-pressure operated driving means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L5/00—Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
- B61L5/10—Locking mechanisms for points; Means for indicating the setting of points
- B61L5/107—Locking mechanisms for points; Means for indicating the setting of points electrical control of points position
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
- E01B7/00—Switches; Crossings
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a railroad infrastructure, and more particularly relates to railroad switch devices.
- a typical rail track junction comprises two or more tracks that merge together or form a crossover to lead a train from one track to another.
- a track junction usually has a straight track and a diverging track. Because tracks diverge toward a left-hand side or a right-hand side of the straight track, the tracks are named either a left diverging track or a right diverging track.
- the switch rails are moved using a track switching machine.
- the machine is usually mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated.
- track switch machines were operated by an operator manually every time when trains had to change their course between two different tracks.
- Over time track switching machines evolved to incorporate electric power systems that are remotely controlled by the operator, where the tracks are switched without the presence of the operator at the site.
- the above objective is solved by a railroad switch device comprising features of the claims.
- the railroad switch device is deployable in vital railroad systems, and said deployability is achieved with two independent rods to hold the points closed, two independent positioning sensing units, the capacity to detect any problem with the point position rods, and is trailable (if a rail car passes over the switch machine and move the points, the machine is not damaged).
- the switch housing comprises two sensing units, where each sensing unit is connected with each of the first switch operation unit and the second switch operation unit to detect a connection status of the first switch operation unit and the second switch operation unit, wherein the connection status indicates if a connection of the first switch operation unit and the second switch operation unit with a rail is disconnected, cut, or broke and a hydraulic power unit and a hydraulic manifold to control the movement of the first switch operation unit and the second switch operation unit.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a railroad switch device.
- Figure 2 is a top-down view of the railroad switch device.
- Figure 3 is a top-down view of the railroad switch device with a cylinder out of position.
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a pair of cylinders.
- Figure 5 is a close-up perspective view showing a cylinder.
- Figure 6 is a close-up perspective view depicting bearings.
- Figure 7 is an isolated close-up view of a guide-bar.
- a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of performing the function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated.
- sheet drying may be performed through dry or wet heat application, or by using microwaves. Therefore, the use of the word “paper drying” invokes “dry heating” or “wet heating” and all other modes of this word and similar words such as “pressure heating”.
- the present invention resolves several issues with, and improves upon a variety of aspects of, existing railroad switch devices/machines in use today.
- the present invention focuses on a direct holding force to a switch point (or railroad switch point), and on being able to monitor if the holding force is lost, thus ensuring security of the railroad switch devices.
- the present invention does so with fewer parts and (optionally) with a smaller footprint and with a higher reliability.
- the present invention has particular advantages and features (as explained below and in the claims) in that it is deployable into railroads that require vital systems.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a railroad switch device (aka “switch machine”) 100
- Figure 2 is a top-down view of the railroad switch device 100
- Figure 3 is a top-down view of the railroad switch device 100 with a cylinder out of position
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a pair of cylinders
- Figure 5 is a close-up perspective view showing a cylinder
- Figure 6 is a close-up perspective view depicting bearings
- Figure 7 is an isolated close-up view of a guide-bar.
- the switch machine 100 and its components are made of steel, aluminum, metal alloys or any suitable material known to those of ordinary skill in the arts.
- the switch machine 100 is preferably fully operational to temperatures of -40C and +80C and is preferably 8.5 inches high.
- the switch machine 100 may be controlled through at least one of: a local PLC, and a remote PLC.
- the PLC is used to control and monitor input signals from various input sensors, which reports events and conditions occurring in a controlled process such as power on/off or emergency cut-off of the switch machine 100.
- the voltages handled by the switch machine 100 tends to be relatively high.
- the voltages handled by the switch machine 100 may be direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC).
- DC direct current
- AC alternating current
- the electronic components of the PLC typically operate at much lower DC voltages, e.g., 9-30 volts.
- the local and remote programmable logic controller (PLC) used in the present invention are digital computer used for the automation of electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, or light fixtures.
- the aforementioned PLCs are designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact. Programs to control machine operation are typically stored in battery backup or non-volatile memory.
- the switch machine 100 is trailable and configured to move railroad switch points.
- the switch machine 100 comprises a switch housing 125.
- the switch housing 125 is top-enclosed via a switch lid (not shown) and provides mounting structure or lateral support for and environmental protection to the switch machine’s 100 components such as a pair of housing feet 115, 120, a hand pump cover 140, a hand pump handle 145, a set of flanges and bushings 160, 165, a rod cover 190 and a pair of front feet 195, 199, for example.
- the switch housing 125 is configured to secure a hydraulic manifold 103, a pair of switch operation units 105, 110, a hydraulic power unit 107, a pair of spring units 130, 135, a center bracket 133, a battery 150, an electronic tray and shelf 155, a plurality of bearings 161 supported by a bearing tray 153, at least one cylinder mount 167, a pair of alignment bars 159 and a pair of guide bars 163.
- the hydraulic manifold 103 regulates fluid flow between pumps and actuators and other components of a hydraulic system of the switch machine 100.
- the hydraulic manifold 103 includes a hand throw pump to move the pair of switch operation units 105, 110 during installation and also move without power.
- the pair of switch operation units 105, 110 (as shown in Figure 4) assists in moving the railroad switch points or switching railway tracks, and is used to increase the operation safety.
- the pair of switch operation units 105, 110 moves the railroad switch points at the same time, and each switch operation unit has an independent point position indication. Additionally, each switch operation unit is connected to one of the railroad switch points, and has an independent spring unit 130, 135 to provide holding force for the railroad switch points.
- the pair of switch operation units 105, 110 comprises a pair of front rods 170, 175 partially enclosed by the rod cover 190 and a pair of rod adapters 180, 185 that acts as a connection point to the railway tracks and encloses a pair of rear rods 193, 197.
- the pair of switch operation units 105, 110 further comprises a pair of cylinders 189, 191, a pair of front rod bars 179, 181, a pair of rear rod bars 183, 187, a pair of spring pivot brackets 173, 177 and a pair of top cylinder bars 169, 171 (shown in Figure 4).
- the pair of front rods 170, 175 and the pair of rear rods 193, 197 are connected/present inside the pair of cylinders 189, 191. That is, a first front rod 170 and a first rear rod 193 are connected inside a first cylinder 189 and a second front rod 175 and a second rear rod 197 are connected inside a second cylinder 191.
- a front rod and a rear rod are part of a single rod that passes through the respective cylinders, that is, a first rod passes through the first cylinder 189 and a second rod passes through the second cylinder 191.
- the first rod and the second rod being held in place by a spring holding force generated via a first spring unit 130 and a second spring unit 135 respectively (discussed below).
- the pair of front rods 170, 175 and the pair of rear rods 193, 197 are attached to the pair of front rod bars 179, 181 and the pair of rear rod bars 183, 187 respectively. That is, the first front rod 170 is attached to a first front rod bar 179, the second front rod 175 is attached to a second front rod bar 181, the first rear rod 193 is attached to a first rear rod bar 183 and the second rear rod 197 is attached to a second rear rod bar 187.
- Each of the pair of front rod bars 179, 181 and the pair of rear rod bars 183, 187 comprised of a hole/groove to accommodate each of the pair of front rods 170, 175 and the pair of rear rods 193, 197 which is further connected to respective cylinders from the pair of cylinders 189, 191.
- Such an arrangement makes it easy to install the switch machine 100 at either the right or left side of the railway tracks.
- the pair of cylinders 189, 191 provides constant forward movement and reverse movement to define an operation cycle and in time an operation period.
- the pair of alignment bars 159 is provided, where one alignment bar is installed per guide bar.
- Each of the pair of alignment bars 159 is a steel bar with hardened surface that is installed between the plurality of bearings 161 and an internal face of each of the pair of guide bars 163 as shown in Figure 6.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2023/020286 WO2024226051A1 (en) | 2023-04-27 | 2023-04-27 | Railroad switch device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP4519145A1 true EP4519145A1 (en) | 2025-03-12 |
| EP4519145A4 EP4519145A4 (en) | 2026-03-04 |
Family
ID=93257359
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP23935584.5A Pending EP4519145A4 (en) | 2023-04-27 | 2023-04-27 | Railway switch device |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4519145A4 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2023445430A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024226051A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2905922B1 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2008-12-05 | Vossloh Cogifer Sa | MECHANISM FOR MANEUVERING NEEDLES |
| US7699272B2 (en) * | 2007-09-14 | 2010-04-20 | Jim Arnold | Railroad switching indicator mechanism |
| AU2015415489B2 (en) * | 2015-11-24 | 2019-06-20 | Siemens Mobility Pty Ltd. | Point machine and switch with snap-action and method of operating said point machine |
| US12104331B2 (en) * | 2016-09-12 | 2024-10-01 | Mona Beaman | Saborage-resistant switch device for moving railroad switch points |
| WO2023059314A1 (en) * | 2021-10-04 | 2023-04-13 | BEAMAN, Mona | Railroad switch device for moving railroad switch points |
-
2023
- 2023-04-27 WO PCT/US2023/020286 patent/WO2024226051A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2023-04-27 AU AU2023445430A patent/AU2023445430A1/en active Pending
- 2023-04-27 EP EP23935584.5A patent/EP4519145A4/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2024226051A1 (en) | 2024-10-31 |
| EP4519145A4 (en) | 2026-03-04 |
| AU2023445430A1 (en) | 2025-02-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
| PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
| 17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20241205 |
|
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
| RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: DOS SANTOS RODRIGUES, DILSON |
|
| A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20260130 |
|
| RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B61L 5/04 20060101AFI20260126BHEP Ipc: B61L 5/10 20060101ALI20260126BHEP Ipc: E01B 7/00 20060101ALI20260126BHEP |