System and method for securing tuned mass dampers to rail

A system comprising:

• a clip assembly for securing first and second tuned mass dampers on respective first and second sides of a rail, the clip assembly comprising:
• a bar element comprising:
• a connector portion extending between first and second ends thereof and formed to be positioned in a predetermined location relative to the rail at least partially under a foot of the rail;
• a first clamping arm connected with the connector portion at the first end of the connector portion, the first clamping arm being formed to engage the first tuned mass damper to urge the first tuned mass damper against the first side of the rail and at least partially downwardly toward the foot, when the connector portion is in the predetermined location;
• a linkage section connected with the connector portion at the second end of the connector portion, the linkage section comprising a curved wall with an opening therein;
• a second clamping arm extending between upper and lower ends thereof, the lower end comprising a locking portion at least partially receivable in the opening in the curved wall, the locking portion being securable to the linkage section, and the upper end being formed for engagement with the second tuned mass damper, to urge the second tuned mass damper against the second side of the rail and at least partially downwardly toward the foot;
• and
• an installation tool configured for engagement with the curved wall and the second clamping arm, for urging the first and second clamping arms against the first and second tuned mass dampers respectively, and to secure the locking portion to the linkage section.

A method of installing a clip assembly for securing first and second tuned mass dampers on respective first and second sides of a rail, the method comprising:

• (a) inserting a linkage section of a bar element of the clip assembly underneath a first side of a foot of the rail;
• (b) pushing the linkage section in a first direction underneath the foot of the rail, to position a connector portion of the bar element in a predetermined location relative to the first and second tuned mass dampers, and to engage a first clamping arm that is connected with the connector portion with the first tuned mass damper;
• (c) inserting a locking portion body of a locking portion at the lower end of a second clamping arm of the clip assembly into an opening in a curved wall of the linkage section, to engage a locking element positioned on a lower surface of the locking portion body with a lower edge element of the curved wall that partially defines the opening, to hold the locking portion of the second clamping arm in the linkage section;
• (d) positioning an installation tool to engage at least one first contact portion thereof with the bracing element, and to engage at least one second contact portion thereof with the bearing surface of the second clamping arm;
• and
• (e) with said at least one first contact portion, pulling the bracing element at least partially in the first direction, to urge the first clamping arm in the first direction against the first tuned damper element, and simultaneously with said at least one second contact portion, urging the second clamping arm in the second direction against the second tuned damper element.

A system for damping airborne vibrations from a rail generated by wheels rolling over the rail, the rail comprising a web portion supported by a foot, the system comprising:

• first and second tuned mass dampers, the first and second tuned mass dampers being engaged with opposite first and second sides of the web portion and being at least partially supported by the foot of the rail, each said tuned mass damper comprising:
• a body comprising an elastomeric material and at least one insert element embedded in the elastomeric material;
• the body comprising an inner side formed for engagement with the web portion and an outer side of the body opposite to the inner side thereof, the outer side comprising an upper part and a lower part formed to be located below the upper part when the inner side of the tuned mass damper is engaged with the web portion, the upper and lower parts being at least partially separated by a slot with a recessed region therein defined by upper and lower surfaces positioned at least partially inwardly from the outer side;
• a clip assembly for securing the first and second tuned mass dampers to the respective first and second sides of a rail, the clip assembly comprising:
• a bar element comprising:
• a connector portion extending between first and second ends thereof and formed to be positioned in a predetermined location relative to the rail at least partially under the foot of the rail;
• a first clamping arm connected with the connector portion at the first end of the connector portion, the first clamping arm being formed to engage the lower surface of the first tuned mass damper to urge the first tuned mass damper against the first side of the rail and at least partially downwardly toward the foot, when the connector portion is in the predetermined location;
• a linkage section connected with the connector portion at the second end of the connector portion, the linkage section comprising a curved wall with an opening therein;
• and
• a second clamping arm extending between upper and lower ends thereof, the lower end comprising a locking portion at least partially receivable in the opening in the curved wall, the locking portion being securable to the linkage section, and the upper end being formed for engagement with the lower surface of the second tuned mass damper, to urge the second tuned mass damper against the second side of the rail and at least partially downwardly toward the foot.