Rail vehicle having stabilizer workhead with powered axles
AssigneeHarsco Technologies LLC
InventorsVictor Vargas, Syed Reza Sami, Eric Carter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a rail vehicle having a track stabilization unit for use in stabilizing rails into ballast. The rail vehicle comprises a frame and a track stabilization unit coupled to the frame. The track stabilization unit includes a base and a plurality of wheels disposed about the base. The wheels are configured to bias against rails of a railroad track. At least one of the wheels is coupled to a motor through a drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft drives rotation of the wheel. Related methods are described.
Claims20
A track stabilization unit, comprising:
- a base;
- a one or more wheel assemblies coupled to the base, at least one wheel assembly comprising:
- a frame member;
- a plurality of wheels coupled to a first side of the frame member, the wheels configured to bias against rails of a railroad track;
- and
- a plurality of motors coupled to a second side of the frame member, each motor coupled to a respective wheel of the plurality of wheels via a drive shaft that extends through the frame member such that rotation of the drive shaft drives rotation of the wheel.
A rail vehicle, comprising:
- a frame;
- a track stabilization unit coupled to the frame, the track stabilization unit comprising:
- a base;
- a plurality of first wheel assemblies coupled to the base, each first wheel assembly comprising:
- a frame member;
- a plurality of wheels coupled to a first side of the frame member, the wheels configured to bias against rails of a railroad track;
- and
- a plurality of motors coupled to a second side of the frame member, each motor coupled to a respective wheel of the plurality of wheels via a drive shaft that extends through the frame member such that rotation of the drive shaft drives rotation of the wheel.
A method for stabilizing railroad track, comprising:
- moving a track stabilization unit relative to a frame of a rail vehicle, the track stabilization unit having a base and a plurality of first wheel assemblies coupled to the base, each first wheel assembly comprising a frame member, a plurality of wheels coupled to a first side of the frame member, and a plurality of motors coupled to a second side of the frame member, each motor coupled to a respective wheel of the plurality of wheels via a drive shaft that extends through the frame member;
- applying downward force to the track stabilization unit via a plurality of hydraulic cylinders extending between the frame and the track stabilization unit;
- and
- rotating, via the plurality of motors, the plurality of wheels of each of the first wheel assemblies to provide power assist to the track stabilization unit when traveling along the railroad track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.