Rail welding apparatus incorporating rail restraining device, weld containment device and weld delivery unit
AssigneeHolland Company
InventorsRichard L. Thelen, Richard F. Kral
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rail restraining (1) and weld delivery device (100) uses a frame for supporting a welding head with a clamp (3) for restraining a first rail end and a second rail end and a base twist assembly (17) for aligning said first end and second end. An interconnected weld containment apparatus (290) pivotally connects to the clamp by use of a cam actuated linear pin (7). This arrangement is operable in an environment in which clearance between rails is about 7 to 11 inches and sufficiently compact that it may be operated from and carried in a truck based on a standard over the road truck.
Claims30
A rail restraining, weld containment and weld delivery apparatus for enabling the joining of a first rail end and a second rail end, each end being formed in a sectional profile with a rail base, a rail web and a rail head, said apparatus comprising:
- a first frame for supporting a clamp and a weld containment apparatus and adapted for aligning a welding head;
- said clamp adapted for restraining the first and second ends;
- said weld containment apparatus connected to said clamp and engageable with said ends by movement having a pivotal and longitudinal component;
- a mobile weld delivery unit delivering an automated welder having a welder head proximate said ends so that a weld can be made joining said ends.
A weld containment apparatus for enabling the joining of a first rail end and a second rail end, each end being formed in a sectional profile with a rail base, a rail web and a rail head, comprising:
- said weld containment apparatus being connectable to a clamp and engageable with said rail ends by movement having a pivotal and longitudinal component;
- said weld containment apparatus further being pivotally operated by use of a cam actuated linear pin in which longitudinal movement of the pin imparts pivotal movement in quadrants, said quadrants having cooling blocks mounted thereto.
A rail restraining, apparatus for enabling the joining of a first rail end and a second rail end, each end being formed in a sectional profile with a rail base, a rail web and a rail head, said apparatus comprising:
- a first frame for supporting a clamp and adapted to support a weld containment apparatus and further adapted for aligning a welding head;
- said clamp adapted for restraining the first and second ends;
- said first frame having a fixed downwardly depending arm and a movable downwardly depending arm spaced therefrom defining a rail receiving space therebetween;
- said movable arm is eccentrically pivoted on said frame to enable capturing of a rail in said space;
- said movable arm being pivoted about a first pivot and a clamping force being applied to and released from a second pivot displaced from said first pivot;
- said frame supporting a third pivot and said third pivot connecting with a link to said second pivot whereby an actuating force applied to said link transmits said clamping force through said link.
A rail weld delivery apparatus for enabling the joining of a first rail end and a second rail end, each end being formed in a sectional profile with a rail base, a rail web and a rail head, said apparatus comprising:
- a mobile weld delivery unit delivering an automated welder having a welder head proximate said ends so that a weld can be made joining said ends;
- said mobile weld delivery unit having a vehicle body and a welder;
- said welder being retractably and deployably carried in said body;
- said welder being automatically controlled by a controller, said controller calibrating the operation of said weld relative to the location of said rails;
- said weld operation calibration being performed based on touch sensing members located on said rail restraint;
- said vehicle having a longitudinal axis;
- said welder and controller coacting with a robot device to position a welder head based on said calibrated reference;
- said robot device having a base and a main axis, said main axis being aligned with the vehicle longitudinal axis;
- said weld delivery unit including an induction heater for preheating said rails prior to welding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.