GB2284186A

GB2284186A - Rail profile following rail cleaning unit

Info

Publication number: GB2284186A
Application number: GB9324420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antony Eden; Antony Sturdy; Joseph Scott
Original assignee: British Railways Board
Current assignee: British Railways Board
Priority date: 1993-11-27
Filing date: 1993-11-27
Publication date: 1995-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-27
Also published as: GB2284186B; GB9324420D0

Abstract

Rail cleaning unit 1 is arranged to travel along a surface 3 of a rail 7 in a direction 5. At least one brush unit 9 comprises brushes 11, 19, which may be wire brushes. The brushes are arranged to face and contact the rail, each brush being driven by motors 15, 23 to rotate about axes 13, 21 substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel 5. Brush unit 9 is pivotably mounted such that the brushes and their axes of rotation may pivot about an axis 17 substantially parallel to direction of travel 5, to ensure that the brushes pivot to allow for uneven rail surfaces and differing rail profiles. This maintains contact of the brushes against the rail. The brushes may be spring loaded against the rail (fig. 3); the unit may be self-propelled, or attached to a track maintenance machine; in the latter case, it may be raised or lowered by remote control. Two cleaning units will normally be used - one for each rail. The rail cleaning unit is especially useful for removing leaf contamination off railway lines. <IMAGE>

Description

RAIL CLEANING UNIT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a unit for cleaning the rails of a railway track which is especially useful for removing leaf contamination off railway lines.

Railway adminstrations throughout the world suffer the problems caused by a lack of traction between the wheels of locomotives and the rails due to the formation of sticky resin caused by falling foliage during the autumn months.

This leads to delays and cancellations which proves inconvenient and expensive.

In recent years a lot of effort has been applied to develop devices for cleaning and applying abrasives to increase traction but these have to date met with limited success.

Any such device must be able to cope with variations in the shape of a rail, for example, there are different types of rails used throughout the country but also rails can become worn, and therefore uneven.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a rail cleaning unit arranged to travel along a surface in a direction which in use is the direction along a rail surface, the rail cleaning unit comprising, at least one brush unit, each brush unit comprising at least one brush arranged to face and contact the surface along which the unit travels, the brush being rotatably mounted to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the unit and a motor to rotate the brush, the brush unit being pivotally mounted such that the brush and its axis of rotation may pivot about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the unit to ensure that the brush in use pivots to correct for uneven rail surfaces to maintain contact of the brush with the surface on which the unit is to travel.

Thus, the brush will remain in contact with the rail irrespective of the rail angle. The self compensating pivoting action allows effective cleaning of canted, worn and bullhead to flat bottom rails. It is important that the entire rail is effectively cleaned to ensure good contact between the rails and the wheels of vehicles travelling on the railway.

Typically each brush comprises a wire brush presenting a circular surface to contact a rail. Typically the or each brush is arranged such that the brush's surface lies parallel to the rail.

The brushes may preferably rotate at speeds over 500 rpm.

It has been found that speeds between 1800 and 1850 rpm are particularly effective.

Preferably the rail cleaning unit includes two aligned brushes. Each brush may be mounted upon separate brush units independently so that one brush unit may be pivoted whilst the other is not. Preferably, however, each brush unit has two brushes mounted upon it so that the brush unit pivots so that both brushes pivot together.

Preferably the brush unit is biassed towards the rail preferably spring biassed.

The unit may be a self-propelled unit which includes a motor and rollers on which the unit travels along the rail.

Preferably however the unit is arranged to be mounted upon a larger vehicle travelling along the track, for example, a rail mounted track maintenance machine.

The unit may be placed manually upon the rail since it needs to be accurately placed with the correct pressure applied to the rail. However, it can clearly be dangerous for operators to stand outside a vehicle on a railway track and it is preferred therefore that the unit includes means to allow it to be placed on a track automatically from the cab of a vehicle. Preferably therefore a vehicle travelling along a rail has mounted upon it a rail cleaning unit which also includes lifting means for raising and lowering the brush unit and guide means for ensuring that the brush unit is guided to be correctly positioned upon a rail.

Preferably the cab includes a control system with warning lights indicating to the operator the position and operation of the unit.

Preferably the lifting means comprises a pneumatic cylinder. Preferably the unit includes means to lock the brush unit in its uppermost non-use position.

Preferably the pneumatic cylinder operates to move a lifting and lowering rod which is screw threaded at its lower end, the brush unit being pivotally mounted to a support rod which is internally screw threaded, where the lifting rod is screw threadedly engaged in the support rod with a spring bearing between the two rods to ensure a constant biassing force on the brush unit towards the rail.

Preferably with this system the rail cleaning unit may be mounted on every vehicle so that the rails are cleaned continuously. Typically each vehicle will include two such rail cleaning units, cleaning both rails simultaneously.

Brief Description of the Drawings A rail cleaning unit will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a unit illustrating its method of operation; Figure 2 is a section through part of the unit; Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation of the unit; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the mechanical components of the unit; Figure 5 illustrates the pneumatic circuit of the unit; Figure 6 illustrates the hydraulic circuit of the unit; and Figure 7 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit of the unit.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment A rail cleaning unit 1 is arranged to travel along a surface 3 in a direction 5 which in use is the direction along a rail 7. The rail cleaning unit 1 comprises at least one brush unit 9 each brush unit comprising at least one brush 11 arranged to face and contact the surface 3 along which the unit travels. The brush 11 is rotatably mounted to rotate about an axis 13 substantially perpendicular to the direction 5 of travel of the unit 1.

A motor 15 rotates the brush 11. The brush unit 9 is pivotally mounted such the brush 11 and its axis of rotation 13 may pivot about an axis 17 substantially parallel to the direction of travel 5 of the unit to ensure that the brush 11 in use pivots to correct for uneven rail surfaces to maintain contact of the brush 11 with the surface 3 on which the unit is to travel.

Figure 1 is a schematic view only of the apparatus but from this drawing it can be seen that the brush unit 9 includes two brushes 11, 19 arranged to rotate about parallel axes 13, 21 by hydraulic motors 15, 23. The brushes 11, 19 are wire brushes such as that sold as model TZ122 by Record Industry Brushes of Church Bank, Llandovery, Dyfed. The hydraulic motors 15, 23 are in this case Danfoss OMM8 hydraulic motors 15190041. The motors rotate the brushes at speeds between 1800 and 1850 rpm.

Omitted from Figure 1 is an illustration of the means to mount the unit on a vehicle. It will be understood that a vehicle will include two rail cleaning units, one for each of the rails.

The brush unit 9 includes a rectangular box pivotally mounted to support rod 25. The component can be seen in Figure 4 and Figure 2.

Support rod 25 includes a bore 27 through which pivot pin 29 passes. The box 9 includes an elongate inlet 31 cut into its underside which accommodates the length of pivot pin 29 with two bushes 33, 35 to retain the pin in position. Two lugs 37 have semi-cylindrical cut-outs at their top which correspond to the size of the bushes 33, 35. A plate 39 is bolted to the base of box 9 by screws 41 which serve to secure the lugs 37 against the pivot pin 29 to support pivot pin 29 which passes through the bore 27 of support rod 25. Thus, in use, the box 9 of the brush unit may pivot about axis 17.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the brush unit 9 includes two bores 41 for accommodating the brushes 11, 19 and motors 15, 23.

Bore 43 extends from the upper surface of the brush unit 9 to cut-out portion 31. Washer 45 has an internal diameter corresponding to the bore.

Support rod 25 is internally screw threaded at its upper end and includes two elongate aligned slots 47. The rod 25 is slidably mounted within sleeve 49. The sleeve 49 is cylindrical and includes two pairs of bores 51, 53.

Through bores 51 passes a bolt 55 which is secured in position with respect to sleeve 49 by nut 57. The bolt 55 passes through both slots 47 of support rod 25. Through bore 53 passes locking bolt 59. Locking bolt 59 is moved via pneumatic cylinder 61 to slide into slots 47 to lock support rod 25 with respect to sleeve 49 or out of slots 47 to allow movement of support rod 25 with regard to sleeve 49. A contact 63 extends through the other bore 53 to be contacted by locking bolt 59 when in its locking position.

This sends a signal via solenoid 65 to the cab of a vehicle to indicate that the locking pin is in position.

An air cylinder 67 is operable to raise and lower lifting and lowering rod 69. Lifting and lowering rod 69 is at its lower end 71 externally screw threaded arranged to screw threadedly engage in the internal screw threaded portion of support rod 25. A spring 73 which in this case is a coil spring of diameter greater than the lifting and lowering rod 69 passes over cylinder 61 to bear against the top of support rod 25 and the upper surface of sleeve 49. This serves to exert a downward pressure upon rod 25 to urge the brushes into position towards the rail.

The position of the system in Figure 2 is with the support rod 25 in its uppermost position locked. In this position the brushes 11, 19 are not in position' on the rail. When the rail cleaning unit is to be used, the pin 59 is brought out of slots 47 and spring 73 exerts an downward force to push the support rod 25 downwards. The guide bolt 55 can slide within elongate slots 47 allowing this movement to take place but ensuring that no twisting movement takes place to guide the brushes to ensure that they are aligned with the rail. Because of the pivoting which is allowed about axis 17 any distortions in the rail surface are adequately compensated for.A sensor 75 is bolted to sleeve 49 in such a position that when the brush cleaning unit 9 is in its uppermost position contact 77 comes into contact with a switch element (not shown) which triggers a light to indicate that the product is in stowed position and the bolt 59 can then be operated.

A guard 79 is affixed to the outer edge of the cleaning unit 9 which extends over part of the brushes to protect them.

The operation of the system is illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. If the vehicle on which the unit is mounted is switched on and is running along a track with the hydraulic and air pressure built up, switches 81, 83 can be operated to switch the rail cleaning units on. Depression of push button 85 in the cab of the vehicle closes contact 87 to energise solenoid 89 which then pressurises the two left hand and right hand locking cylinders 91, 93 one of which is in fact locking cylinder 61 illustrated in Figure 2.

The pressurisation of locking cylinders 91, 93 withdraws locking bar 59 from slots 47. This breaks the contact with contact 63 which ensures that light 95 is no longer illuminated.

The centre button 97 is on the control panel marked units raise lower. Depression of button 97 opens contact 99 which de-energises solenoid 101. This vents cylinders 103, 105, one of which is cylinder 67 depicted in Figure 4, to allow the spring 73 to push support rod 25 and brush unit 9 down on to the rail head and hold them there under a set spring pressure. As the units lower contact is broken this causes switch illumination to be extinguished.

The lower switch on the control panel is marked hydraulic. Button 107 is depressed which energises solenoid 109 which allows hydraulic oil flow to hydraulic motors 15, 23, 111, 113. Because switch 107 is a double pole switch on activation this disconnects the feed to the light 115 causing it to be extinguished.

Claims

1 A rail cleaning unit (1) arranged to travel along a surface (3) in a direction (5) which in use is the direction along a rail surface (7), the rail cleaning unit (1) comprising, at least one brush unit (9), each brush unit (9) comprising at least one brush (11) arranged to face and contact the surface (3) along which the unit (1) travels, the brush (11) being rotatably mounted to rotate about an axis (13) substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel (5) of the unit (1) and a motor (15) to rotate the brush, the brush unit (9) being pivotally mounted such that the brush (11) and its axis of rotation (13) may pivot about an axis (17) substantially parallel to the direction of travel (5) of the unit to ensure that the brush (11) in use pivots to correct for uneven rail surfaces to maintain contact of the brush (11) with the surface (3) on which the unit is to travel.

2 A rail cleaning unit according to claim 1, in which each brush (11) comprises a wire brush presenting a circular surface to contact a rail.

3 A rail cleaning unit according to claim 1 or 2, in which the or each brush (11) is arranged such that the brushes surface lies parallel to the rail.

4 A rail cleaning unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the brushes (11) rotate at speeds over 500 rpm.

5 A rail cleaning unit according to claim 4, in which the brushes (11) rotate at speeds between 1800 and 1850 rpm.

6 A rail cleaning unit according to any one of the preceding claims which includes two aligned brushes (11,19).

7 A rail cleaning unit according to claim 7, in which each brush unit (9) has two brushes (11,19) mounted upon it so that both brushes (11,19) pivot together.

8 A rail cleaning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the brush unit (9) is biassed towards the rail.

9 A rail cleaning unit according to claim 8, in which the brush unit (9) is spring biassed toward the rail.

10 A rail cleaning unit according to any one of the preceding claims which is a self-propelled unit, which includes a motor and rollers on which the unit travels along the rail.

11 A rail cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the unit is arranged to be mounted upon a larger vehicle travelling along the track, for example, a rail mounted track maintenance machine.

12 A rail cleaning unit according to claim 11, in which the unit (1) includes means to allow it to be placed on a track automatically from the cab of a vehicle.

13 A vehicle for travelling along a rail has mounted upon it a rail cleaning unit according to claim 11 or 12 which also includes lifting means for raising and lowering the brush unit (9) and guide means (55,57) for ensuring that the brush unit (9) is guided to be correctly positioned upon a rail.

14 A vehicle according to claim 13, in which the cab includes a control system with warning lights indicating to the operator the position and operation of the unit.

15 A vehicle according to claim 13 or 14, in which the unit includes means (59) to lock the brush unit (9) in its uppermost non-use position.

16 A vehicle according to claim 13, 14 or 15, in which the lifting means comprises a pneumatic cylinder (67).

17 A vehicle according to claim 16, in which preferably the pneumatic cylinder (67) operates to move a lifting and lowering rod (69) which is screw threaded at its lower end (71), the brush unit being pivotally mounted to a support rod (25) which is internally screw threaded, where the lifting rod (69) is screw threadedly engaged in the support rod (25) with a spring (73) bearing between the two rods (69,25) to ensure a constant biassing force on the brush unit (9) towards the rail.

18 A vehicle according to any one of claims 13 to 17, which includes two rail cleaning units, cleaning both rails simultaneously.

19 A rail cleaning unit arrange to travel along a rail surface arranged substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.