US 2016/0107660 A1 · RAILWAY VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-propelled vehicle (10) provided only with rail-engaging rolling means (18) comprising: a chassis (14); a working surface (16) connected thereto for supporting equipment, materials (20) and personnel; and positioning means (22, 24) connected to the chassis for lifting the vehicle and moving it laterally with respect to a direction of rail travel between a trackside location and an on-track location (12). A lifting apparatus (28) is mountable on the chassis and moveable along the length of the working surface (16). By providing only rail-engaging rolling means (18), the height of the vehicle's overlying working surface (16) above the track (12) and surrounding ground is significantly reduced as compared to existing dual purpose road-rail vehicles. The vehicle is capable of working safely below live overhead lines and alongside tracks open to traffic thus avoiding the need to for full closure of tracks during maintenance and inspection works.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A self-propelled vehicle comprising:

(i) a chassis;
(ii) a working surface connected to the chassis for supporting at least one of equipment, materials, and personnel;
(iii) rail-engaging rolling means connected to the chassis for travel on a railway track;
(iv) positioning means connected to the chassis for lifting the vehicle and moving it laterally with respect to a direction of rail travel between a trackside location and an over-the-track location;
and
wherein the working surface extends over the chassis and above the rail-engaging rolling means;
and wherein a lifting apparatus is mountable on the chassis and moveable along the length of the working surface.

4 more elements

A method of mounting a self-propelled vehicle onto a railway track, the self-propelled vehicle comprising (i) a chassis, (ii) a working surface connected to the chassis for supporting at least one of equipment, materials, and personnel, (iii) rail-engaging rolling means connected to the chassis for travel on a railway track, (iv) positioning means connected to the chassis for lifting the vehicle and moving it laterally with respect to a direction of rail travel between a trackside location and an over-the-track location, and wherein the working surface extends over the chassis and above the rail-engaging rolling means;

and wherein a lifting apparatus is mountable on the chassis and moveable along the length of the working surface, the method comprising:
(i) delivering the vehicle to a trackside location;
(ii) deploying the positioning means to lift the vehicle above the height of the railway track;
(iii) operating the positioning means to move the vehicle laterally with respect to a direction of rail travel from its trackside location to an over-the-track location;
(iv) operating the positioning means to lower the vehicle such that its rail-engaging rolling means engage with the railway track;
and
(v) stowing the positioning means to allow the vehicle to travel on the railway track.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Railway vehicle

Life of this patent

Railway vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19