WO2006010196A1

WO2006010196A1 - An apparatus for removing debris from railway tracks

Info

Publication number: WO2006010196A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000831
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Vaartjes
Original assignee: 5 Star Enterprises Pty Limited
Priority date: 2004-07-26
Filing date: 2005-06-10
Publication date: 2006-02-02

Abstract

Disclosed is apparatus (8) for removing debris from railway tracks (T). The apparatus (8) comprises a bucket (10) adapted to be secured to a prime mover (B) and selectively positionable between a filling position (adjacent to the railway tracks (T), and an emptying position remote from the railway tracks (T), the bucket (10) comprising at least a bottom portion (26) adapted to fit between the railway tracks (T). A sweeping means (12) is adapted to be selectively positionable between a filling position forward of the bucket and an emptying position remote from the bucket (10), the sweeping means (12) having a width substantially the same as the gauge of the railway tracks (T), wherein the sweeping means (12) is operable in the filling position to sweep debris from the railway tracks into the bucket (10) in the filling position.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING DEBRIS FROM RAILWAY TRACKS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for removing debris from railway tracks and more particularly to an apparatus for removing debris from the road bed and sleepers between the railway tracks and outwardly thereof.

Background

Railway tracks require regular maintenance to remove debris such as sand, gravel, coal and limestone which accumulate between the railway tracks and also on the road bed on the outer sides of railway tracks. Numerous approaches have been proposed to overcome the inefficient and costly manual cleaning performed by railway road gangs.

For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,505,501 discloses a track cleaning car forming part of a locomotive-driven train having a brush for sweeping debris forward, in the direction of travel, on to a feed conveyor for depositing in the same or an adjacent car. U.S. Patent No. 3,426,379 discloses a purpose-built railway car of such size and weight that it must be moved from one operating site to another via railway travel. A disadvantage of these arrangements is that they are highly intricate and heavy structures adapted for integration with compatible railway cars and can not easily be transported from one operational location to another.

U.S. Patent No. 4,741,072 discloses a non-self-motivated and relatively lightweight mobile unit adapted to be detachedly engaged to an independently powered unit such as an automotive vehicle. The cleaner of this patent includes a rotary broom which dislodges and sweeps debris from the railway tracks backwards and onto a receiving conveyor belt which is subjected to a vacuum. The debris is subsequently drawn up, by vacuum, into a storage bin physically removed from the cleaning unit. This arrangement suffers from several disadvantages. Firstly, during transit from one operational site to another, the unit must be independently lifted on and off the tracks using a hoisting mechanism and transported on a trailer or similar transportation means.

Secondly, the use of a vacuum is inefficient, costly, and often results in debris being left behind on the railway tracks.

The foregoing constitutes a discussion of specific publicly available prior art disclosures and should not be taken as an admission of common general knowledge in the relevant field.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for removing debris from railway tracks that substantially overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more disadvantages and shortcomings of previous arrangements noted above.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for removing debris from railway tracks, said apparatus comprising a bucket adapted to be secured to a prime mover and selectively positionable between a filling position adjacent to the railway tracks, and an emptying position remote from the railway tracks, the bucket comprising at least a bottom portion adapted to fit between the railway tracks; and sweeping means adapted to be selectively positionable between a filling position forward of the bucket and an emptying position remote from the bucket, the sweeping means having a width substantially the same as the gauge of the railway tracks, wherein the sweeping means is operable in the filling position to sweep debris from the railway tracks into the bucket in the filling position.

It is preferred that the apparatus further comprises a first power means, in the form of a hydraulic motor, adapted to rotate the sweeping means in a substantially horizontal axis of rotation that is substantially normal to the railway tracks. It is also preferred that the apparatus further comprises two gutter sweep means, in the form of rotary brooms, each pivotally connected to, and positioned on, opposed sides of the bucket.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises two second power means, in the form of hydraulic motors, adapted to rotate the two gutter sweep means in a substantially vertical axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the railway tracks.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises pivoting means adapted to move the two gutter sweep means between an operative position adjacent to the railway tracks, and an inoperative position remote from the railway tracks. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises two arms adapted to support the sweeping means. Preferably, the arms exhibit common movement and each arm is pivotally connected to, and positioned on, opposed sides of the bucket.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises actuator means, in the form of hydraulic cylinders, adapted to drive the two arms and cause the sweeping means to move between a filling position forward of the bucket, and an emptying position remote from the bucket.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises two track guides adapted to assist in locating the bucket adjacent to the railway tracks. Preferably also, at least a portion of each of the two track guides is an electrically non-conductive material. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises guide positioning means adapted to releasably secure each of the two track guides adjacent to the top edge of each of the railway tracks.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for removing debris from railway tracks, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a bucket adjacent to the railway tracks; positioning a sweeping means adjacent to the - A - railway tracks and forward of the bucket; operating the sweeping means so as to sweep debris from the railway tracks into the bucket; moving along the railway tracks wherein the direction of travel is such that the sweeping means is forward of the bucket; positioning the sweeping means away from the railway tracks; positioning the bucket away from the railway tracks; and emptying the contents of the bucket.

Brief Description of the Drawings

At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for removing debris from railway tracks according to one implementation;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with the sweeping means in a raised position;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with the sweeping means in a lowered position;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 indicating the relative movement of the gutter brushes;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with the sweeping means removed; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of the lifting means; and

Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate a modification for clearing debris away from the inside of the track wall.

Detailed Description including Best Mode Figs. 1 to 7 show an apparatus 8 for removing debris from railway tracks T. The apparatus 8 comprises a bucket 10 and a sweeping means, in the form of a rotary (roller) broom 12. The apparatus 8 is carried and powered by a prime mover B. Preferably, the prime mover B is a Bobcat™ 953 model loader/excavator. The prime mover B is desirably sized as illustrated such that its tyres can straddle the tracks T and, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, at particular pressures may be seen to bulge over to grip the tracks T. In this fashion the apparatus 8 attached to the prime mover B may be conveniently driven onto and off the tracks T. Thus transportation between worksites is convenient. Other suitable brands or types of prime mover B, apart from a Bobcat™ 953 model, may be used.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the bucket 10 is fabricated of suitable sheet metal stock of predetermined gauge for required strength and includes a back plate 14 with two pairs of integrally formed, upper and lower, pivotally securable connection points 16 and 18. The connection points 16 and 18 enable the bucket 10 to be releasably attached to the prime mover B. The prime mover B includes, as part of its assembly, a pair of hydraulic cylinders 20 and two lever arms 22. The cylinders 20 attach to the upper connection points 16 on the bucket 10 and the lever arms 22 attach to the lower connection points 18 on the bucket 10.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the bucket 10 also has two side plates 24 and a bottom portion 26 which, together with the back plate 14, define a forward opening of the bucket 10. The bottom portion 26 of the bucket 10 is shaped so as to form a stepped depression and has a width substantially the same as the gauge of the railway tracks T. As better shown in Fig. 6 (and Fig. 8B for a modified implementation, to be described), the side plates 24 extend vertically downwards outboard of the tracks T and then horizontally over the tracks T and downwardly at an angle to thus form the bottom portion 26 which fits between the tracks T. Such a shape permits convenient positioning of the bucket 10 before commencement of operations and aids in maintaining the positioning during operations.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the broom 12 has a width substantially the same as the gauge of the railway tracks T. The apparatus 8 also includes two arms 28 which are adapted for common movement with each positioned on opposed sides of the bucket 10. The broom 12 is mounted between the distal ends 28' (Fig. 1) of the arms 28. The proximal ends 28" (Fig. 1) of the arms 28 are pivotally connected to the bucket 10. The apparatus 8 also includes two hydraulic cylinders 30 (Fig. 2) connected between the bucket 10 and the two arms 28.

A first power means, in the form of a hydraulic motor 32, drives the broom 12 to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, substantially normal to the railway tracks T.

Two gutter sweep means, in the form of rotary gutter brooms 34, are each positioned on opposed sides of, and are pivotally connected to, the bucket 10. Two second power means, in the form of hydraulic motors 36, rotate the gutter brooms 34. The motors 36 drive the gutter brooms 34 about a substantially vertical axis of rotation that is substantially normal to the railway tracks T. Two pivoting means, in the form of pivotal gutter arms 38 (as shown in Figs. 3 and 4), are releasably connected between the bucket 10 and the gutter brooms 34. As best shown in Fig. 6, two track guides, in the form of cylindrical rods 40, assist in positioning the bucket 10 on the railway tracks T. The rods 40 are formed from (non- conductive) nylon, such that railway signals, which use the railway tracks T as a communication medium, are not disrupted by the railway cleaning process. Two guide positioning means, in the form of screwable nut and bolt arrangements 42, are used to position and maintain the rods 40 substantially adjacent to the top of the railway tracks T. such that the bucket 10 can be suitably positioned for railway cleaning.

An auxiliary hydraulic control panel 44 is attached to the top of the back plate 14 of the bucket 10. The control panel 44 enables the various auxiliary hydraulic components utilised on the apparatus 8 to be "plugged-in" to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit.

In use, and as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the prime mover B is driven by the operator up to and behind the apparatus 8. The cylinders 20 of the prime mover B are attached to the connection points 16 and the lever arms 22 of the prime mover B are attached to the connection points 18.

To commence a cleaning operation, the lever arms 22 of the prime mover B are actuated to lift both the bucket 10 and the broom 12 off the ground. The operator then drives the prime mover B on to the railway tracks T and positions the prime mover B centrally with respect to the longitudinal orientation of the railway tracks T. The operator actuates the lever arms 22 to lower the bucket 10 and broom 12 roughly to a "filling position" in which they are both adjacent the railway tracks T, as shown in Fig. 6. The operator uses the rods 40 to gauge the optimum filling position for the bucket 10 relative to the railway tracks T. More particularly, the operator positions the bucket 10 such that the bottom portion 26 of the bucket 10 is positioned between the railway tracks T and substantially adjacent (that is, approximately 10 mm above) the rail bed.

The operator actuates the cylinders 20 to tilt the bucket 10 about a substantially horizontal axis such that the bottom portion 26 of the bucket 10 is adjusted to be positioned substantially parallel with the railway tracks T. The operator then manually secures the rods 40 in place using the nut and bolt arrangements 42 such that the rods 40 are maintained at a substantially constant height above the railway tracks T.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the operator then actuates the cylinders 30 on the arms 28 to lower the broom 12 to a filling position, forward of the bucket 10, adjacent and in light contact (a contact patch approximately 20-50 mm in depth) with the railway tracks T.

The operator then manually positions each of the gutter brooms 34 in an operative position by moving the respective gutter arm 38 (as best shown in Fig. 5) at the distal end 38' of the gutter arm 38. This causes the gutter broom 34 to pivot about the proximal end 38" of the gutter arm 38 from the (inoperative) position inside the bucket 10 to the (operative) position adjacent the railway tracks T. Each of the gutter brooms 34 can be positioned on the inner side of the respective railway track T, or on the outer side of the respective railway track T.

The operator then energises the motor 32 such that the broom 12 rotates in a clockwise direction and sweeps debris from the railway tracks T into the bucket 10. The operator similarly energises the motors 36 to cause the gutter brooms 34 to rotate. The gutter brooms 34 sweep debris either away from the railway tracks T, if they are positioned on the outer side of the railway tracks, or toward the centre of the rail bed between the railway tracks T, if they are positioned on the inner side of the railway tracks T. The operator then drives the prime mover B forward along the railway tracks T.

The forward motion of the prime mover B assists in the debris from the railway tracks T being swept by the broom 12 into the bucket 10.

When the bucket 10 is substantially filled with debris, the operator stops the prime mover B. To commence an emptying operation, the operator de-energises the motor 32 and the motors 36. The operator then actuates the cylinders 30 on the arms 28 to raise the broom 12 away from the railway tracks so as to be substantially above or to the rear of the bucket 10 (see Figs. 2 and 3), and to provide access to the bucket 10. The operator actuates the lever arms 22 to raise the bucket 10 away from the railway tracks T.

The operator then manoeuvres the prime mover B to be adjacent to and facing an appropriate debris collection bin or the like. The operator then actuates the lever arms 22 to position the bucket 10 over the bin. The operator then actuates the cylinders 20 to tilt the bucket 10 forward such that the contents of the bucket 10 are tipped into the debris collection bin.

When the bucket 10 has been emptied, the operator actuates the cylinders 20 to tilt the bucket 10 backwards such that the bottom potion 26 is substantially parallel to the ground. The operator then actuates the lever arms 22 to move the bucket 10 away from the bin in readiness to resume the cleaning process. As shown in Fig. 7, an alternative implementation of the apparatus 8 comprises two lifting means, in the form of hinged hydraulic assemblies 46, releasably connected between the bucket 10 and the gutter brooms 34. In use, the operator actuates the assemblies 46 to lower the gutter brooms 34 to the (operative) position adjacent the railway tracks T and raise the gutter brooms 34 to the (inoperative) position, remote from the railway tracks T.

Figs. 8A and 8B show a further modification that may be used. Fig. 8A is a view similar to part of Fig. 2 but illustrating a cut-away portion of the track T to thereby show a plate 47 attached to the side wall 24 of the bucket 10 substantially adjacent the track T. Arranged on the plate 47 are a number (in this example 12) of protruding members 48 that are resiliently flexible and configured to engage an inside face of the adjacent rail forming the track T. The members 48 are preferably heavy gauge coil springs which, through resilient mechanical interaction, chip away at debris that may become caked or embedded upon the rail. The members 48 are generally welded to the plate 47, which may be releasably affixed to the bucket 10 to permit convenient maintenance when the members 48 become worn over time. With the members 48 arranged on both sides 28 of the bucket 10, the gutter arms 38 may be operatively positioned on the outsides of the track T. The members 48 may alternatively be leaf springs, for example.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is recognised that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

For example, four gutter brooms 34 could be used in the apparatus 8; one arm 28 could be employed to support the broom 12; the broom 12 could be comprised of two relatively smaller brooms; or the apparatus 8 could be electrically or pneumatically powered.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for removing debris from railway tracks, the apparatus comprising a bucket adapted to be secured to a prime mover and selectively positionable between a filling position adjacent to the railway tracks, and an emptying position remote from the railway tracks, the bucket comprising at least a bottom portion adapted to fit between the railway tracks; and sweeping means adapted to be selectively positionable between a filling position forward of the bucket and an emptying position remote from the bucket, the sweeping means having a width substantially the same as the gauge of the railway tracks, wherein the sweeping means is operable in the filling position to sweep debris from the railway tracks into the bucket in the filling position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first power means adapted to power the sweeping means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first power means is adapted to rotate the sweeping means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first power means is a hydraulic motor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sweeping means is a rotary broom having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation that is substantially normal to the railway tracks.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising at least one gutter sweep means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising second power means adapted to power the at least one gutter sweep means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second power means is adapted to rotate the at least one gutter sweep means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second power means is a hydraulic motor.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the gutter sweep mean(s) is/are pivotally connected to the bucket.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, comprising two said gutter sweep means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the two gutter sweep means are each positioned on opposed sides of the bucket.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the gutter sweep means is a rotary broom having a substantially vertical axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the railway tracks.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 13, further comprising lifting means adapted to move the gutter sweep mean(s) between an operative position adjacent to the railway tracks and an inoperative position remote from the railway tracks.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising at least one arm pivotally connected to the bucket and adapted to support the sweeping means.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising two said arms.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the two arms are each positioned on opposed sides of the bucket.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the two arms are adapted for common movement.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising actuator means adapted to drive each arm and cause the sweeping means to move between a filling position forward of the bucket and an emptying position remote from the bucket.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the actuator means comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising at least one track guide adapted to assist in locating the bucket adjacent to the railway tracks.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one track guide is an electrically non-conductive material.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, comprising two said track guides.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising guide positioning means adapted to releasably secure each of the two track guides adjacent to the top edge of each of the railway tracks.

25. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising resiliently flexible members extending from the bucket and adapted to engage an inside of the railway tracks when the bottom portion is positioned between the railway tracks.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said members comprise plural springs arranged on each side of the bucket.

27. A method for removing debris from railway tracks, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a bucket adjacent to the railway tracks; positioning a sweeping means adjacent to the railway tracks and forward of the bucket; operating the sweeping means so as to sweep debris from the railway tracks into the bucket; moving along the railway tracks wherein the direction of travel is such that the sweeping means is forward of the bucket; positioning the sweeping means away from the railway tracks; positioning the bucket away from the railway tracks; and emptying the contents of the bucket.

28. A railway track cleaning system comprising: a prime mover sized for positioning upon the railway tracks, and apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 26 operatively coupled to the prime mover.

29. A method of cleaning railway tracks comprising the steps of: positioning the system of claim 28 upon the tracks; and operating the system according to claim 27.

30. A railway tracked cleaned according to the method of claim 29.

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