Induction rail heater
OwnerMark Hornbyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for heating and de-stressing Continuously Welded Rail (CWR) during railroad rail installation and maintenance utilizing electromagnetic induction heating coils arranged on a platform capable of traveling on train tracks and over land. The rail heater is equipped with a turntable to reverse work/travel direction as required to facilitate the progress of the work and for setting the the rail heating machine on and off track at grade crossings. The system includes temperature sensors and recording equipment to log the rail heating process and results for record keeping purposes and data collection. The rail heating machine wirelessly monitors the work and performance data to troubleshoot mechanical issues. The induction rail heater is more efficient and safer than conventional open flame systems.
Claims7
A moveable railroad rail heating system comprising:
- a rollable platform;
- one or more induction heating coils positioned on the rollable platform to heat an adjacent railroad rail via induction heating;
- and
- a generator electrically connected to the induction heating coils.
A method of heating a railroad rail comprising the steps of:
- positioning a rollable platform atop railroad rails;
- positioning induction rail heaters carried by the rollable platform adjacent a portion of a railroad rail to be heated;
- powering the induction rail heaters with a generator to achieve a target temperature;
- monitoring a temperature of the portion of the railroad rail;
- and
- ceasing heating of the induction rail heaters upon reaching the target temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.