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US 5,503,331 AGranted
Insulated rail joint incorporating spacer-impregnated adhesive and method for bonding insulated rail joints
AssigneePortec-RMP Division
InventorsWilliam T. Uramson, Jr., John M. Downey, John W. Mospan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a railway or railroad track joint, and more particularly, to an improved electrically insulated bonded rail joint incorporating a non-conductive spacer in or associated with a rail bonding adhesive. The present invention also relates to a method for bonding such electrically insulated rail joints. The present invention provides more control over the spacing of the adhesive layer to achieve a stronger joint and more predictable and stable electrical insulation of a track circuit with improved bonding.
Claims12
An electrically insulating joint for connecting a pair of adjacent rail sections positioned in end-to-end relation and being separated to provide a space therebetween, said joint comprising:
- an electrically insulating means disposed in said space between said rail ends, said insulating means having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as said rail sections;
- a pair of fishplates disposed in parallel relation along said adjacent rail sections with said rail sections being disposed between said pair of fishplates, said fishplates bridging said adjacent rail sections and said electrically insulating means;
- a first layer of rail bonding adhesive disposed on said rail sections between said rail sections and said fishplates;
- a plurality of non-conductive bead-like spacers dispersed in said rail bonding adhesive;
- a layer of matting material disposed on said first layer of rail bonding adhesive;
- a second layer of rail bonding adhesive disposed on said layer of matting material;
- a plurality of non-conductive bead-like spacers dispersed in said second layer of rail bonding adhesive;
- a plurality of series of aligned holes formed in said fishplates, said matting material, said adhesive layers and said rail sections and an electrically insulating bushing located in each series of aligned holes;
- and
- a bolt having a threaded end extending through each of said bushings and a washer and nut assembly threaded on said bolt, whereby tightening said nut on said bolt urges said fishplates together to rigidly join said rail sections while said rail bonding adhesive cures.
7 more elements
An electrically insulating joint for connecting the spaced ends of a pair of adjacent rail sections, said joint including:
- an electrically insulating means disposed in said space between said spaced ends of said adjacent rail ends, said insulating means having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as said rail sections;
- a pair of fishplates disposed in parallel relation along said adjacent rail sections with said rail sections being disposed between said pair of fishplates, said fishplates bridging said adjacent rail sections and said electrically insulating means;
- a first layer of rail bonding adhesive disposed on said rail sections between said rail sections and said fishplates;
- a first layer of non-conductive bead-like spacers disposed on said first layer of rail bonding adhesive;
- a layer of matting material disposed on said first layer of non-conductive spacers;
- a second layer of rail bonding adhesive disposed on said layer of matting material;
- a second layer of non-conductive bead-like spacers disposed on said second layer of rail bonding adhesive;
- a plurality of series of aligned holes extending through said fishplates, said matting material, said layers of spacers and rail bonding adhesive and said rail sections;
- and
- an electrically insulating bushing in each of said series of aligned holes, a bolt having a threaded end in each of said bushings and a washer and nut assembly threaded on said bolt, whereby tightening nut on said bolt urges said fishplates together to rigidly join said rail sections while said rail bonding adhesive cures.
7 more elements
A method of forming an electrically insulated bonded rail joint comprising:
- positioning a pair of adjacent rail sections in end-to-end longitudinally spaced relation;
- disposing an electrically insulating means having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as said rail sections in said space between said adjacent rail ends;
- positioning a pair of fishplates in parallel relation along said adjacent rail sections with said rail sections being disposed between said pair of fishplates, said fishplates bridging said adjacent rail sections and said electrically insulating means located therebetween;
- coating a first layer of rail bonding adhesive including a plurality of non-conductive bead-like spacers on said rail sections in spaces defined between said rail sections and said fishplates;
- positioning a layer of matting material on said first layer of rail bonding adhesive;
- coating a second layer of rail bonding adhesive including a plurality of non-conductive bead-like spacers on said layer of matting material;
- providing a series of aligned holes through said fishplates, said matting material, said adhesive layers and said rail sections;
- inserting an electrically insulating bushing in each of said holes;
- and
- inserting a bolt having a threaded end in each of said bushings, and tightening a nut on said threaded end of each of said bolts to urge said fishplates together to rigidly join said rail sections while said rail bonding adhesive cures.
7 more elements
A method of forming an electrically insulated bonded rail joint comprising:
- positioning a pair of adjacent rail sections in end-to-end spaced relation;
- disposing an electrically insulating means having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as said rail sections in said space between said adjacent rail ends;
- positioning a pair of fishplates in parallel relation along said adjacent rail sections with said rail sections being disposed between said pair of fishplates, said fishplates bridging said adjacent rail sections and said electrically insulating means located therebetween;
- coating a first layer of rail bonding adhesive on said rail sections in spaces defined between said rail sections and said fishplates;
- coating a first layer of non-conductive bead-like spacers on said first layer of rail bonding adhesive;
- positioning a layer of matting material on said first layer of non-conductive spacers;
- coating a second layer of rail bonding adhesive on said layer of matting material;
- coating a second layer of non-conductive bead-like spacers on said second layer of rail bonding adhesive;
- providing a series of aligned holes through said fishplates, said matting material, said layers of adhesive and spacers and said rail sections;
- locating an electrically insulating bushing in each of said series of aligned holes;
- and
- inserting a bolt having a threaded end in each of said bushings, and tightening a nut on said threaded end of each of said bolts to urge said fishplates together to rigidly join said rail sections while said rail bonding adhesive cures.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.