Magnetic sweeper apparatus and method

A magnetic sweeper apparatus for use on a railroad car for collecting airborne metallic particles and grit from a railroad bed, comprising:

• (a) a supporting frame structure which can be attached to an underside of the railroad car, wherein at least one side of said supporting frame structure forms a channel having two oppositely disposed side walls and a bottom;
• (b) a source of magnetic attraction operatively attached to said supporting frame structure, the area of magnetic attraction defining a first location;
• (c) a prime mover operatively attached to said supporting frame structure;
• (d) a non-magnetic endless belt driven by said prime mover, said belt arranged and configured with said supporting frame member so as to nearly completely encompass said source of magnetic attraction, and to extend outside of said source of magnetic attraction in at least a second location, wherein said belt is located at the bottom of said channel;
• and
• (e) particle collection means, operatively connected to said supporting frame member at said second location, wherein said particle collection means includes:
• (i) a particle flange which is arranged and configured at said second end of said frame;
• (ii) a vacuum source operatively inserted through said particle flange and which tends to draw the particles from said second end at an inlet nozzle;
• (iii) a brush in operative contact with said belt for removing particles from said belt which do not release from said belt by gravity once the particles are outside of the magnetic field of said magnet source, and
• (iv) a sealing gasket hingedly attached at a first end to said particle flange and arranged and configured to fit within said side walls of said channel, wherein said sealing gasket includes a second end which slidingly engages said belt, and wherein a seal is created at said one side of said supporting frame, whereby air flow is directed to said inlet nozzle from proximate said second location,
• wherein airborne particles are attracted to said source of magnetic attraction at said first location of said belt and are transported to said second location where the particles are collected by said particle collection means to minimize the particles which are airborne, and wherein said source of magnetic attraction attracts and collects particles and grit exhibiting ferromagnetic behavior which are raised from the railroad bed during travel of the railroad car thereby protecting transported products.

Combination comprising:

• (a) a railroad car having a coupler device;
• (b) at least one magnetic sweeper device attached to said coupler device, said magnetic sweeper device including:
• i) a support frame comprising two oppositely disposed elongated members with cross braces, wherein said elongated members are oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the direction of travel of said railroad car;
• ii) a first and second roller member located at opposite ends of said frame;
• iii) a continuous driven belt passing over said first and second rollers;
• iv) magnetic means operatively connected to said frame and located within said belt, wherein particles are attracted to said magnetic means and are impinged on said belt;
• v) particle collection means, cooperatively connected to said second end of said frame, for collecting said particles to minimize allowing the impinged particles from becoming airborne, wherein subsequent to the particles being transported along the length of said belt and away from said magnetic means, said collection means transports the particles to a remote location.

A method of attracting and collecting airborne metallic particles and grit from a railroad bed during travel of a railroad car, comprising the steps of:

• (a) driving a continuous belt over rollers within a support frame;
• (b) orienting the longitudinal axis of said belt generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails;
• (c) attracting airborne particles which are lifted from a railroad bed by the aerodynamic action of a passing railroad car, with magnetic means operatively connected to said frame and located within said belt, whereby particles are attracted to said magnetic means and are impinged on said belt;
• and
• (d) collecting said particles to minimize allowing the impinged particles from becoming airborne, wherein subsequent to the particles being transported along the length of said belt and away from said magnetic means, said collection means transports the particles to a remote location.

A magnetic particle sweeper apparatus for collecting airborne particles exhibiting ferromagnetic behavior from a railroad bed during transportation of a railroad car, comprising:

• (a) a support frame adapted for mounting on a railroad car;
• (b) first and second rollers located at opposite ends of said frame;
• (c) a continuous driven belt passing over said first and second rollers and having a longitudinal axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the railroad car;
• (d) magnetic means operatively connected to said frame and located within said belt, wherein airborne particles are attracted to said magnetic means and are impinged on said belt;
• and
• (e) particle collection means, cooperatively connected to said second end of said frame, for collecting said particles to minimize allowing the impinged particles from becoming airborne, wherein subsequent to the particles being transported along a portion of said belt and away from said magnetic means said collection means transports the particles to a remote location.

A magnetic particle sweeper apparatus for railroad beds, of the type which collect airborne particles exhibiting ferromagnetic behavior, comprising:

• (a) a support frame;
• (b) first and second rollers located at opposite ends of said frame;
• (c) a continuous driven belt passing over said first and second rollers;
• (d) magnetic means operatively connected to said frame and located within said belt, wherein airborne particles are attracted to said magnetic means and are impinged on said belt;
• (e) particle collection means, cooperatively connected to said second end of said frame, for collecting said particles to minimize allowing the impinged particles from becoming airborne, wherein subsequent to the particles being transported along a portion of said belt and away from said magnetic means said collection means transports the particles to a remote location;
• and
• (f) large particle filtering means, coupled to said frame, for preventing particles larger than a predetermined size from impinging on said belt.

A railroad locomotive, comprising:

• (a) a coupler device;
• (b) at least one magnetic sweeper device attached to said coupler device for capturing airborne magnetic particles, said magnetic sweeper device including:
• i) a support frame comprising (two oppositely disposed elongated members joined by cross braces and oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the direction of travel of said locomotive;)
• ii) first and second roller members located at opposite ends of said frame;
• iii) a continuous driven belt passing over said first and second rollers;
• iv) magnetic means operatively connected to said frame and located within said belt, wherein particles are attracted to said magnetic means and are impinged on said belt;
• and
• v) particle collection means, cooperatively connected to said second end of said frame, for collecting said particles to minimize allowing the impinged particles from becoming airborne, wherein subsequent to the particles being transported along the length of said belt and away from said magnetic means, said collection means transports the particles to a remote location.