Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
MOVABLE CRAWLER SYSTEM FOR RAILROAD EQUIPMENT
BACKGROUND
[0001] ' Railroads tracks generally include two parallel rails, which are
supported by a series of ties perpendicular to the rails. The rails are
attached
to the ties via plates and spikes. The plates are located on the tops of the
ties
and provide a secure housing for the rails.: The rails are attached to the
ties
by driving spikes through the plates into the ties so that the heads of the
spikes clamp the rails to plates. As the tracks age, the tracks, portions of
the
tracks and/or components of the tracks may need to be repaired or replaced.
In order to perform repairs and replacements, a variety of railroad equipment
.
has been developed, such as; mechanized gangs with automatic spiking
machines, spike removal machines and tie replacement equipment.
[0002] When making repairs, the railroad equipment may be supported by
and ride along one or both of the rails. For example, during a rail change-out
process, one of the rails may be removed at some time. The rail change-out
process includes removing the fasteners (such as spikes), rail and tie plates
from the railroad ties, installing new rail and fastening the new rail to the
ties
using tie plates and fasteners, such as spikes. The railroad equipment used
for a rail change out process may ride on both rails to reach the location at
which the repair Is to be made (the "job site"). However, at the job'site, the
railroad equipment rides along one rail where the other rail Is missing. -
Thus,
the railroad equipment used for such repairs must include some mechanism
for supporting the equipment on the side of the missing rail and which enables
1
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
the equipment to move along the track. For example, the equipment may
include a crawler system. Thus, the equipment can ride on the existing rail on
one side and on the ties on the side of the missing rail. An example of such
railroad equipment, a ride-on tie plugger, is described in U.S. Patent No.
6,832,558, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. However,
if such railroad equipment is used to repair a track with one rail removed
over
a bridge, additional equipment, steps and/or safety precautions need to be
used.
[0003] Fig. 2 (prior art) shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary track
supported by a bridge 200. The bridge 200 generally includes a support 204,
a cap 206, a pair of stringers 208 and a track 224. The track 224 includes
ties
210 (only one is visible), first and second rails 216, 218 and first and
second
guard timbers 212, 214. The first end of the bridge support 201 is secured to
the ground 202 and the second end of the bridge support 201 supports a cap
206. Secured to the cap 206 are the stringers 208 that support the track 224.
The rails 216, 218 are secured to the ties 210, which maintain a consistent
distance between rails 216, 218, via spikes (not shown). The guard timbers
212, 214 run perpendicular to the ties 210 and maintain a consistent distance
between each tie 210.
[0004] When railroad equipment travels across a bridge 200 that is missing
one rail (for example, the first rail 216 is missing), it is possible for the
equipment to derail if the equipment comes in contact with the guard timber
212. Therefore, tie plates or timbers need to be placed in front of the
equipment in order to raise the equipment high enough to clear the guard
2
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
timber. This procedure requires workers to be located on the bridge 200,
which creates a dangerous situation. Therefore, the relevant Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require that any workers
working outside the rails of a railroad bridge must use fall protection if the
bridge does not have a walkway or side restraints.
SUMMARY
[0006] A movable crawler = system that moves a crawler of railroad
equipment from a first position to a second position Is disclosed. The crawler
system includes a crawler and a positioning system that moves the crawler.
The positioning system includes a horizontal positioner that moves the crawler
in a direction parallel or approximately parallel to the ground (horizontally)
and
may include a vertical positioner that moves the crawler In a direction
perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the ground (vertically).
[0006] In general, the horizontal positioner includes a horizontal hydraulic
member, an inner horizontal member and an outer horizontal member. The
inner and outer horizontal members are hollow and coaxial with each other
and the Inner horizontal member Is positioned within the outer - horizontal
member. The horizontal hydraulic member may be positioned along the
outside of and parallel to the inner and outer horizontal members.
.[0007] The horizontal positioner is secured to the crawler and the railroad
equipment. More specifically, the second end of the outer horizontal member
is secured to the railroad equipment, and the second end of the inner
horizontal positioner is secured to the crawler. The first end of the
horizontal
hydraulic member- Is secured to the first end of the inner horizontal member
3
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
via a first- connector. The second end of the horizontal hydraulic member is
secured to the outer horizontal member via a second connector. To move the
crawler in an approximately horizontal direction, the pressure is increased or
decreased in the horizontal hydraulic member depending on the direction
desired.
[0008] In general, the vertical positioner includes a, vertical hydraulic
member, an inner vertical member and an outer vertical member. These
vertical members are coaxial with each other. The inner and outer vertical
members are hollow, and the vertical hydraulic member is positioned within
the inner vertical member and the inner vertical member is positioned within
the outer vertical member.
[0009] The vertical positioner is connected with the crawler and the
-railroad equipment. More specifically, the first end of the outer vertical
member is secured to the railroad equipment and the second end of the
vertical hydraulic member, and the second end of the inner vertical member
are secured to the crawler. The first end of the vertical hydraulic member is
secured to the first end of the outer vertical member via a first connector.
The
second end of the vertical hydraulic member is secured to the crawler frame
via a second connector. To move the crawler In an approximately vertical
direction, the pressure in the vertical hydraulic member is increased or
decreased depending on the direction desired.
[0010] The crawler systems may be used in a variety of railroad
equipment, such as equipment used in rail change-out processes. An
example of such equipment is an RTP. In general, at least two crawler
4
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
i
systems are attached to the frame on one side of the RTP or other railroad
equipment. In this implementation, the crawler systems enable, for example,
the crawlers (and thus one side of the RTP or other railroad equipment) to be
moved between a position on or above the railroad ties and a position on the
guard timber. Because the crawlers can be moved so that-they are positioned
on the guard timber, when the equipment is operated on a track suspended
by a bridge, which has one rail missing, there is no need to place tie plates
or
timbers in front of the equipment in order to raise the equipment high enough
to clear the guard timber. This eliminates the need for workers to work
outside
the rails and thus, the need for fall protection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention can be better understood. with reference to the
following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the
principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0012] Fig. 1. An isometric view of a ride-on tie plugger.
[0013] Fig. 2. A front cross-sectional view of a timber bridge (prior art).
[0014] Fig. 3. A simplified left side view of the ride-on be plugger of Fig.
1.
[0015] Fig. 4. A top view of a frame of the ride-on tie plugger of Fig. 1.
[0016] Fig. 5. An isometric view of an adjustable crawler of Fig. 1
shown positioned on the railroad ties.
[0017] Fig. 6. An isometric view of the adjustable crawler of Fig. 1
positioned on a guard timber of a timber bridge. .
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Fig. 1 shows an example of first and second crawler systems 114,
116 as implemented in a ride-on tie plugger (RTP) 100. However, crawler
systems may be used with and/or implemented in a variety of -railroad
equipment, such as equipment used in a rail change-out process. The RTP
100 is used in railroad repair to enable workers 160, 162 to plug holes in-the
railroad ties 210 that are too large to securely hold the spikes that are used
to
attach the rails 216, 218 (Fig. 1) to the ties 210. The RTP 100 includes a
frame 108 to which vertical supports 112, 113, 140 are attached. The vertical
supports 112, 113, 140 supportatop 110.
[0019] The frame 108, vertical supports 112, 113, 140 and top 110 define
a worker area 106 in which the workers 160, 162 operate the RTP 100 via
control panels 132, 144 and perform the tie plugging operation. The worker
area 106 may also include two seats 150, 152 on which the worker 160, 162
may sit. The workers 160, 162 plug the holes in the ties 210 by injecting one
or more chemicals into the holes with a hand-held device. (not shown).
[0020] The RTP 100 also includes a motor 142, first, second, third and
fourth rail wheels 134, 136, 138, 140, respectively (see Fig. 4) and first and
second crawler systems 114, 116, respectively. If both rails are present (such
as rails 216, 218 in Fig. 2), the first and second rail wheels 134, 136,
respectively, are positioned on top of one rail (such as rail 218 in Fig. 2)
and
the third and fourth rail wheels 138, 140, respectively, are positioned on top
of
the other rail (such as rail 216 in Fig. 2). The crawler systems 114, 116 are
positioned on the same side of the RTP 100 as the third and fourth rail wheels
6
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
138, 140, respectively and on or above the ties 210. The rail wheels 134,
136, 138, 140, along with the motor 142, propel the RTP 100 along the rails
216, 218. Alternately, if one of the rails is missing (such as rail 216 in
Fig. 2),
the crawler systems 114, 116 are moved so that they are positioned on top of
the railroad ties 210 or a guard timber (such as guard timber 212 in Fig. 2)
located on the same side of the track 224 as the missing rail. Together with
the motor 142, the crawler systems 114, 116 propel the RTP 100 along the
guard timber (such as guard timber 214 in Fig. 2).
[0021] The crawler systems 114, 116 each include a positioning system
170, 172, respectively, and a crawler 122, 124, respectively. The positioning
systems 170, 172 move the crawlers 122, 124, respectively, from a first
position (such as, on or above the ties 104 shown in Fig. 5) to a second
position (such as, on the guard timber 218 shown in Fig. 6). Each positioning
system 170, 172 includes a vertical positioner 370, 372, respectively, (shown
in Fig. 3) and a horizontal positioner 420, 422, respectively, (shown in Fig.
4).
As the crawler systems 114 and 116 are virtually identical, the following will
describe crawler system 116. However, the description also applies to
crawler system 114.
[0022] Fig. 3 is a simplified side view of the RTP 100 in which the vertical
positioners 370, 372 are shown more clearly. The vertical positioners 37G,
372 move the crawlers 188, 120, respectively, vertically in a line parallel to
the
vertical support 113 of the RTP 100. As the vertical positioners 370,-372 are
virtually identical, the following will describe vertical positioner 372.'
However,
the description of vertical positioner 372 also applies to vertical positioner
370.
7
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
[0023] In general, the vertical positioner 372 includes a vertical hydraulic
member 306, an inner vertical member 326 and an outer vertical member
324. These vertical members 306, 326 and 324 are coaxial with each other.
The inner and outer vertical members 326, 325, respectively, are hollow and
the vertical hydraulic member 306 is positioned within the inner vertical
member 326 and the inner vertical member 326 is positioned within the outer
vertical member 324.
[0024] The vertical positioner 372 is connected with the crawler. 120 and
the RTP-100. More specifically, the first end of the outer-vertical member 314
is secured to the second vertical support 113 of the RTP 100, and the second
end -of the vertical hydraulic member 310 and the second end of the inner
vertical member 316 are secured to the crawler frame 124. The first end of
the vertical hydraulic member 308 is secured to the first end of the outer
vertical member 314 via a first connector 325: For example, the first
connector 325 may include a pin and bushing made from a material such as,
steel. The second end of the vertical hydraulic member 310 is secured to the
crawler frame 124 via a. connector, such as a pivot connector 340. The pivot
connector 340 enables the crawler 120 to adjust to height variations in the
guard timber 502 (shown in Fig. 5).
[0025] To move the crawler 120 upward, the pressure in the vertical
hydraulic member 306 is decreased. This pulls the second end of the inner
vertical member 336 further into the outer vertical member 324 and thus,
raises the crawler 120. To move the crawler 120 downward, the pressure in
the vertical hydraulic member 306 is increased. This extends the second end
8
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
of the inner vertical member 336 from the outer vertical member 324 and thus,
lowers the crawler 120.
[0026] in order to prevent wear between the inner and outer vertical
members 326, 324, respectively, the vertical positioner 372 may include a
buffer 382 located between the inner and outer vertical members 326, 324,
respectively. The buffer 328 may include a metal plate, such as a brass plate.
The vertical positioner 372 may also include one or more slack adjusting
mechanisms 330. These adjusting mechanism's 330 protrude through the
outer vertical member 3N to contact the buffer 328 and hold it in place
between the inner and outer vertical members 326, 324, respectively. As the
buffer is worn down by movement between the inner and outer vertical
members 326, 324, respectively, the adjusting mechanism 330 may be
tightened so that the buffer 328 remains in place.
[0027] Fig. 4 is a top view of the frame 108 of the RTP 100 in which the
horizontal positioner 422 is more clearly shown. The frame 108 includes first,
second, third and fourth frame members 402, 404, 406 and 408, respectively,
which are secured together to form a generally rectangular structure. The
frame I 08 . also includes first, second, third and fourth rail wheels 134,
136,
138,.140, respectively. The first and third rail wheel 134,138, respectively,
are
connected with each other and with the first and second frame members 402,
404, respectively, via a first axel 410. The second.and third rail wheels 136,
140, respectively, are connected with each other and with the first and second
frame members 402, 404,. respectively, via a second axel 410.
9
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
[0028] The frame 108 also includes first and second horizontal positioners
420, 422, respectively, and crawlers 118, 120. The first and second
horizontal positioners 420, 422, respectively, move the crawlers 118, 120,
respectively, horizontally in a line perpendicular to the horizontal support
113
of the RTP 100. As the horizontal positioners 420, 422 are virtually
identical,
the following will describe horizontal positioner= 422. However, the
description
of horizontal positioner 422 also applies to horizontal positioner 420.
[0029] In general, the horizontal positioner 422 includes a horizontal
hydraulic member 424, an inner 'horizontal member 446 and an outer
horizontal member 436. The inner and outer horizontal members 446, 436,
respectively, are coaxial with each other. The inner and outer horizontal
members 446, 436, respectively, are hollow and the inner horizontal member
446 is positioned within the outer horizontal member 436. The horizontal
hydraulic member 424 may be positioned to be along the outside of and
parallel to the Inner and outer horizontal members 446, 436, respectively.
[0030] The horizontal positioner 422 is secured to the crawler 120 and the
RIP 100 via a series of pins, such as steel pins, and weidments on the
crawler frame 124. More specifically, the second end of the outer horizontal
member 440 is secured to the first frame member 402, and the first end of the
Inner horizontal positioner 444 Is secured to the crawler frame 124. The first
end of the horizontal hydraulic member 426 is secured to the first end of the
inner horizontal member 444 via a first connector 460, such as a pivot
connector. The second end of the horizontal hydraulic member 426 is
secured to the outer horizontal member 436 via a second connector 462, ouch
.
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
as a pivot connector. The pivot connectors 460, 462 enable the crawler 120
to adjust to variations in the horizontal movement of the RTP 100.
[0031] To move the crawler 120 outward, away from the second rail wheel
136, the pressure in the hydraulic member 306 is increased. This pushes the
first end of the inner horizontal member 444, and thus the crawler 120 away
from the second rail wheel 136. To move the crawler 120 inward, towards the
second rail wheel 136, the pressure in the hydraulic member 306 is
decreased. This pulls the inner horizontal member 446 into the outer
horizontal member 436, thus moving the crawler 120 inward., towards the
second rail wheel 136. The crawler 120 may be moved horizontally to any
number of distances. For example, the crawler 120 may be moved
horizontally outward by a distance of twelve (12) inches so that it is
horizontally aligned with a guard timber 212 of a bridge 200 (Fig. 2).
[00321 The horizontal positioner 422 may also include a mechanism that
prevents the horizontal positioner 422 from moving horizontally. One example
of such a mechanism is lock bar 452 and a lock bar guide 454. The lock bar
452 includes a plurality of holes and is attached to the inner horizontal
member 446. The lock bar guide 454 includes a hole and is attached to the
outer horizontal member 436. The lock bar 452 and lock bar guide 454 may
be engaged with each other by aligning one of-the holes of the lock bar 452
with the hole of the lock bar guide 454 and inserting a pin (not shown)
through
the aligned holes. In this manner, horizontal movement of crawler 120 is
prevented.
11
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
[0033] In order to prevent wear between the inner and outer horizontal
members 446, 436, respectively, the horizontal positioner 422 may include a
buffer 456 located between the inner and outer horizontal members 446, 436,
respectively. The buffer 456 may include a metal plate, such as a brass plate.
The horizontal positioner 422 may also include one or more slack adjusting
mechanisms 454. These adjusting mechanisms 454 protrude through the
outer horizontal member 436 to contact the buffer 456 and hold it in place
between the inner and outer horizontal members 446, 436, respectively. As
the buffer 456 is worn down by movement between the inner and outer
horizontal members 446, 436, respectively, the adjusting mechanisms 454
may be tightened so that the buffer 456 remains in place.
[0034] In one example, the crawler 120 of the RTP 100 may be moved
from a first position to a second position via the positioning system 172,
which
moves the crawler 120 vertically upward so that it is above the first
position,
horizontally so that it is over the second position and vertically downward
into
the second position.
[0035] An example of the crawler 124 in a first position is shown in Fig. 5
and an example of the crawler in a second position is shown in Fig. 6. In
these examples, the first position is on (or alternately, above) the ties 104
of a
railroad track 218 and the second position is on the guard timber 218.
However, the crawler 124 may be moved from and to a variety of other
positions.
[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, the crawler 120 Is in a position in which the
crawler wheels 126 are postponed on (or alternately, above) the ties 104. In
12
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
I.
this position, the vertical hydraulic member 30 Is in an expanded state
causing
the inner vertical member 326 of the vertical positioner 372 (see Fig. 3) to
protrude from the outer vertical member 324. Because the inner vertical
member 306 is connected with the crawler frame 124, the crawler 120 is in a
position below the top of the guard timber 218. In addition, the horizontal
hydraulic member 424 is in a retracted state causing the inner horizontal
member 446 to retract into the outer horizontal member 436 further than it
was in Fig. 5. Because the inner horizontal member 446 is connected with
the other vertical member 324, the crawler 120 is located In a position away
from the guard timber 218.
[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, the crawler 120 is in a position in which the
crawler wheels 126 are located on the guard timber 218. In this position, the
vertical hydraulic member 306 is in a retracted position causing the inner
vertical member 326 to withdraw into the outer vertical member 324, but not to
the extent shown in Fig. 5. This positions the crawler wheels 126 at the level
of the top of the guard timber 218. In addition, the horizontal hydraulic
member 424 is in an expanded state causing the inner horizontal member 446
to protrude further from the outer horizontal member 436 than it did in Fig.
5.
This positions the crawler 120 away from the RTP 100.
[0038] To move the crawler 120 from its position in Fig. 5 to its position in
Fig. 6, two vertical and one horizontal moves are made. Starting in its
position in Fig. 5 (on or above the ties 104), the crawler 120 is moved upward
to a position higher than the top of the guard timber 218 by the vertical
positioner 372. The crawler 120 is then moved horizontally to a position
13
CA 02665506 2009-04-24
}
vertically aligned with the guard timber 218 by the horizontal positioner 422.
Then, the crawler 120 is moved vertically downward until it comes into
contact,
with- the top of guard timber 218 by the vertical positioner 372. To move the
crawler 120 from its position in Fig. 6 to its position in Fig. 5, the
previously-
described steps may be taken in reverse.
[0039] While various embodiments have been described, it will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and
implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly,
the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims
and
their equivalents.
14
