INTEGRATED TRAIN RAIL SYSTEM WITH TIES AND THERMAL EXPANSION JOINTS
A railroad tie that is positioned on a rail bed as part of a rail system comprises a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section The middle section extends between and couples the first end section and the second end section The first end section has a first width The second end section has a second width The middle section has a middle width that is at least five percent different than the first width and the second width The middle width can be at least five percent less than the first width and the second width Additionally, the first width can be substantially equal to the second width Further, the middle section can extend away from the first end section at a first angle of between approximately 75 and 95 degrees
Conventional train rail systems are comprised of six basic elements: (1) the steel rail; (2) the tie plate of “chair” that the rail sits on; (3) the railroad tie or “sleeper” to which two tie plates are affixed; (4) the fasteners that secure the rail to the tie plate and the railroad tie; (5) a joint system for adjoining consecutive lengths of rail sections; and (6) the foundation/bed of ballast rock within which the railroad ties rest and the track system is held in place.
Typical railroad ties are generally rectangular in shape and are generally laid transverse to the direction of the rails. Traditionally and most commonly, railroad ties are made of wood, although concrete, plastic and steel railroad ties are currently used as well.
Wood is the least expensive material used for the manufacturing of railroad ties, but it also has the shortest life cycle before needing replacement. For example, wooden railroad ties are more subject to weather related degradation, can be weakened due to insect attack, and are more likely to release the spike or screws that hold the rail to the tie plate. Additionally, the preservatives used to extend the life of the wood railroad ties can be an environmental contaminant.
Concrete railroad ties are considerably more expensive than wooden railroad ties and cannot be comingled with other types of railroad ties due to their weight and the different equipment required for handling and installation of the concrete railroad ties. Concrete railroad ties are also susceptible to stress cracking from the wheel loads moving across the railroad tie, do not absorb vibrations as well as other railroad ties, and do not attenuate the wheel to rail noise as well as other types of railroad ties. Further, concrete railroad ties can have accelerated failure due to incorrect cement recipes, insufficient curing time, and/or environmental degradation.
Plastic railroad ties are more expensive than wood and are not readily available in large quantities. Additionally, plastic railroad ties are more likely than concrete or wood to shift from side loads due to a lower coefficient of friction with the rock ballast.
Steel railroad ties typically last longer and are less susceptible to weather related degradation than wooden railroad ties. Additionally, steel railroad ties can absorb the thermal stresses, but the relatively lightweight steel ties utilized due to cost concerns results in steel tie systems that do not resist shifting of the rails from accumulated thermal loads. Moreover, steel railroad ties can cause grounding/electrical isolation problems for track signaling systems.
The predominant means for affixing consecutive sections of steel rail is butt-welding them together for a connected length being as much as a mile or longer. The single piece of welded rail is then installed onto the tie plates and railroad ties. Such continuous welded rail, or CWR, can be stronger than sectioned rail and can be less maintenance intensive. Typical steel rail is made from high quality hot rolled steel. Steel rail is subject to very high stress loads induced by the steel wheels of the train cars and environmental changes in the temperature. Accordingly, CWR faces certain intrinsic and serious problems that do not occur with sectioned rail that uses conventional expansion joints, in that they face significant thermal stresses as the steel used to make the rails expands in length when heated and contracts in length when cooled. Thus, the unsolved problem of thermal stress in CWR systems requires persistent, ongoing repair.
Thermally induced stress problems in the steel rails are a well recognized and well understood issue in the rail industry. Currently, expensive and elaborate expansion joints are sometimes used in the more vulnerable and valuable track sections of high-speed passenger lines, such as bridges and curves. Full resolution of the thermal stress problem can be accomplished by the frequent use of these types of expansion joints along the full length of track. However, doing so would greatly increase the costs of installing a rail system.
Therefore, a new rail system is needed that can have a relatively low installed cost; be significantly durable and weather resistant; successfully attenuate vibration and noise; allow for precise rail positioning; eliminate thermally induced stresses without a penalty in cost; not compromise rail strength at the section joints; be impervious to insect attack; eliminate environmental contamination from wood preservatives; greatly reduce track maintenance; increase operational performance; and increase passenger safety.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed to a railroad tie that is positioned on a rail bed as part of a rail system. In certain embodiments, the railroad tie comprises a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section. The middle section extends between and couples the first end section and the second end section. The first end section has a first width. The second end section has a second width. Further, the middle section has a middle width that is at least five percent (5%) different than the first width and the second width.
In certain embodiments, the middle width is at least five percent (5%) less than the first width and the second width. In one such embodiment, the middle width is at least twenty-five percent (25%) less than the first width and the second width. Additionally, in one embodiment, the first width is substantially equal to the second width.
As a result of this design, (i) the first end section and the middle section cooperate to define a first pocket, and (ii) the second end section and the middle section cooperate to define a second pocket. In such embodiments, the pockets functions to inhibit relative movement between the railroad tie and the rail bed.
Further, in certain embodiments, the railroad tie is substantially Z-shaped. In such embodiments, the middle section extends away from the first end section at a first angle of between approximately seventy-five (75) and ninety-five (95) degrees. Still further, in one such embodiment, the middle section also extends away from the second end section at a second angle of between approximately seventy-five (75) and ninety-five (95) degrees.
Alternatively, in one embodiment, the railroad tie can be substantially dumbbell shaped. In such embodiment, the railroad tie further includes a first intermediate section and a second intermediate section. The first intermediate section is positioned between the first end section and the middle section. Additionally, the first intermediate section has a first intermediate width that is different than the first width and the middle width. Further, the second intermediate section is positioned between the second end section and the middle section. The second intermediate section has a second intermediate width that is different than the second width and the middle width.
In some embodiments, the railroad tie further includes a bottom surface and a top surface. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface has one or more cavities that each has an area at its opening that is at least approximately eighty (80) square millimeters. Further, the cavities can be substantially evenly spaced along the bottom surface. Additionally, in one such embodiment, the one or more cavities do not extend through the top surface.
Additionally, the present invention is directed to a rail system including a rail bed, a plurality of railroad ties that are positioned on the rail bed, and a pair of spaced apart rails that are coupled to the plurality of railroad ties. In some embodiments, the railroad ties have features as described above.
Still further, the present invention is directed to a rail joint for joining together a first rail section and a second rail section of a rail system that supports a rail vehicle, wherein the first rail section and the second rail section are positioned substantially along the same line. In certain embodiments, the rail joint comprises a first joint member and a second joint member. The second joint member is selectively coupled to the first joint member such that the second joint member at least partially overlaps the first joint member. In one embodiment, each joint member is designed to individually support the weight of the rail vehicle.
In certain embodiments, the first joint member is fixedly secured to the first rail section and the second joint member is fixedly secured to the second rail section.
Yet further, in some embodiments, the first joint member includes a first aperture and a first slot and the second joint member includes a second aperture and a second slot. In such embodiments, the rail joint further comprises a pair of connectors that extend through the first joint member and the second joint member to selectively couple the first joint member to the second joint member. For example, one connector can extend substantially through the first aperture and the second slot, and the other connector can extend substantially through the second aperture and the first slot. The connectors cooperate to allow relative translational movement between the first joint member and the second joint member.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
As an overview, the rail system 10 of the present invention includes various features that enable the production and operation of a rail system 10 that has a reduced cost, higher strength, greater system integrity, is longer lasting, is safer, performs better, and that eliminates the need for almost constant maintenance.
In one embodiment, the rail bed 12 is made up of a plurality of ballast rocks that cooperate with the railroad ties 14 to inhibit the rails 16, 18 from moving or shifting relative to a surface 24, e.g., the ground, upon which the rail system 10 is situated. The ballast rocks in the rail bed 12 (also referred to herein as the ballast rock bed) have a tendency to settle and subside over time due to use, weathering effects, thermally induced loads and lateral forces toward the center of a curve as trains go through. Maintenance of the ballast rock bed 12 and keeping up the edges of the ballast rock bed 12 on the outside of the ends of the railroad ties 14, i.e. maintaining the integrity and positioning of the ballast rocks that make up the rail bed 12, is vital to maintaining the integrity of the rail system 10. For example, when forces parallel to the length of the railroad ties 14 occur, it is the friction force due to the weight of the railroad ties 14 and the rails 16, 18 plus any resistance by the ballast rocks of the rail bed 12 outside the ends of the railroad ties 14 that prevent shifting of the rails 16, 18 relative to the surface 24. Stated another way, correcting subsidence of the ballast rock bed 12 along the edges of the rail bed 12 outside the ends of the railroad ties 14 and keeping the ballast rock bed 12 intact is an important maintenance function in order to preserve the integrity of the rail system 10.
As illustrated in
The rails 16, 18 are coupled to and are supported by the railroad ties 14 via the tie plates 20. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in
The tie plates 20 are secured to the railroad ties 14 with one or more fasteners 26. Stated another way, the rail system 10 includes one or more fasteners 26 that are designed to secure the rails 16, 18 to each of the tie plates 20 and each of the railroad ties 14. As illustrated in this embodiment, each tie plate 20 can be secured to a single railroad tie 14 with four fasteners 26. Alternatively, each tie plate 20 can be secured to a single railroad tie 14 with more than four or less than four fasteners 26. In certain embodiments, the fasteners 26 are carriage bolts that have a smooth, semi-spherical head above a lower square shoulder. Alternatively, a different type of fastener 26 may also be used without altering the breadth and scope of the present invention.
The one or more rail joints 22 are designed to couple together adjacent sections of rail. In particular,
In this embodiment, the first end section 228 has a first width 228W and the second end section 230 has a second width 230W. As illustrated, the first width 228W and the second width 230W can be substantially equal. Alternatively, the railroad tie 214 can be designed so that the first width 228W is greater than or less than the second width 230W. Further, the middle section 232 has a middle width 232W that is different than the first width 228W and the second width 230W. In different embodiments, the middle width 232W can be 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 40%, 50% or some other percent different than the first width 228W and/or the second width 230W. As illustrated, the middle width 232W can be less than the first width 228W and the second width 230W. Alternatively, the middle width 232W can be greater than the first width 228W and/or greater than the second width 230W.
As illustrated in
In this embodiment, each end section 228, 230 includes a plurality of fastener apertures 234 that are each adapted to receive one of the fasteners 26 (illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the middle section 232 extends away from the first end section 228 at a first angle 236 of between approximately 75 and 95 degrees, and the middle section 232 extends away from the second end section 230 at a second angle 238 of between approximately 75 and 95 degrees. In one such embodiment, the middle section 232 extends away from the first end section 228 at a first angle 236 of approximately 85 degrees, and the middle section 232 extends away from the second end section 230 at a second angle 238 of approximately 85 degrees. In alternative embodiments, the middle section 232 can have a different shape, the middle section 232 can be oriented differently relative to the first end section 228 and the second end section 230, and/or the middle section 232 can extend away from the first end section 228 and the second end section 230 at different positions. For example, the middle section 232 can extend away from the first end section 228 at a first angle 236 of less than 75 degrees or greater than 95 degrees, and the middle section 232 can extend away from the second end section 230 at a second angle 238 of less than 75 degrees or greater than 95 degrees. Further, the middle section 232 can extend away from the inner end 228I of the first end section 228 near the first side 228F of the first end section 228, and the middle section 232 can extend away from the inner end 230I of the second end section 230 near the second side 230S of the second end section 230, so as to form a reversed narrow “Z” shape of the railroad tie 214.
Additionally, as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the railroad tie 214 is a single, contiguous piece and not an assembly of numerous pieces. Alternatively, the first end section 228, the second end section 230 and the middle section 232 can be formed separately and subsequently fixedly secured together to form the completed railroad tie 214.
One method of manufacturing the railroad tie 214 would be conventional injection molding of the railroad tie 214 from virgin or recycled plastic. Another method of manufacturing the railroad tie 214 would be compression or ram-molding technique that would use a combination of finely ground plastic and sand as the material to be molded. In the compression or ram-molding technique a certain measure of the ground plastic would be uniformly mixed with an appropriate amount of conventional sand and then loaded within the lower cavity half of the mold pair. The upper mold half would be driven down and into the lower mold half with enough force to compress the sand and ground plastic mixture to create a cold flow of the plastic around the sand particles and binding them together. This process requires no added heat or cooling for the mixed plastic and sand or for the finished product. Similar compression or ram molding as described herein is known in other applications and results in a very tough finished product that is resistant to impact damage, equally capable of handling tension and compression loads as well as wood or plastic ties, resistant to weather damage, resistant to insect destruction, creates precision finished parts, quick to manufacture with no curing time required, long life cycle, does not generate any environmental contamination, can be fabricated from recycled or virgin plastics and has a lower anticipated cost than wood ties that have been treated with preservatives. Additional combinations of different materials can be used in the compression molding of the railroad ties 214 such as chipped ABS plastic from car bumpers, crumb rubber from tires and others. Still alternatively, another method can be utilized to fabricate the railroad tie 214 or other materials could be used without altering the breadth and scope of the present invention.
As noted above, the plurality of fastener apertures 234 are each adapted to receive one of the fasteners 26 (illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The intent of the cavities 248 is to reduce the total volume and weight of the railroad tie 214 for ease of manufacture, lower cost of manufacturing with less material, shorter cycle time, generate more consistent material thickness throughout the railroad tie 214, and provide slight recesses for grabbing on to the sharp edges and points of the ballast rocks of the rail bed 12 (illustrated in
Additionally, as illustrated in
In this embodiment, the first end section 328 has a first width 328W and the second end section 330 has a second width 330W. As illustrated, the first width 328W and the second width 330W can be substantially equal. Alternatively, the railroad tie 314 can be designed so that the first width 328W is greater than or less than the second width 330W. Further, the middle section 332 has a middle width 332W that is different than the first width 328W and the second width 330W. In different embodiments, the middle width 332W can be 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 40%, 50% or some other percent different than the first width 328W and/or the second width 330W. As illustrated, the middle width 332W can be less than the first width 328W and the second width 330W. Alternatively, the middle width 332W can be greater than the first width 328W and/or greater than the second width 330W.
Additionally, the first intermediate section 350 has a first intermediate width 350W that is different than the first width 328W and the middle width 332W, and the second intermediate section 352 has a second intermediate width 352W that is different than the second width 330W and the middle width 332W. As illustrated, the first intermediate width 350W can be less than the first width 328W and greater than the middle width 332W, and the second intermediate width 352W can be less than the second width 330W and greater than the middle width 332W. Alternatively, the first intermediate width 350W can be greater than the first width 328W and/or less than the middle width 332W, and the second intermediate width 352W can be greater than the second width 330W and/or less than the middle width 332W. Further, in this embodiment, the first intermediate width 350W and the second intermediate width 352W are substantially equal. In alternative embodiments, the first intermediate width 350W can be greater than or less than the second intermediate width 352W.
As illustrated in
Further, in this embodiment, the different sections 328, 330, 332, 350, 352 of the railroad tie 314 cooperate to form eight pockets 354 in order to provide far superior grip into the ballast rocks of the rail bed 12 (illustrated in
Although not shown herein, this railroad tie 314 could also include molded in cavities similar to the cavities 248 found in the railroad tie 214 illustrated in
In this embodiment, each tie plate 20 (illustrated in
In this embodiment, the first end section 428 has a first width 428W and the second end section 430 has a second width 430W. As illustrated, the first width 428W and the second width 430W can be substantially equal. Alternatively, the railroad tie 414 can be designed so that the first width 428W is greater than or less than the second width 430W. Further, the middle section 432 has a middle width 432W that is different than the first width 428W and the second width 430W. In different embodiments, the middle width 432W can be 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 40%, 50% or some other percent different than the first width 428W and/or the second width 430W. As illustrated, the middle width 432W can be less than the first width 428W and the second width 430W. Alternatively, the middle width 432W can be greater than the first width 428W and/or greater than the second width 430W.
As illustrated in
Further, in this embodiment, the different sections 428, 430, 432 of the railroad tie 414 cooperate to form two pockets 454 in order to provide far superior grip into the ballast rocks of the rail bed 12 (illustrated in
Although not shown herein, this railroad tie 414 could also include molded in cavities similar to the cavities 248 found in the railroad tie 214 illustrated in
In this embodiment, each tie plate 20 (illustrated in
Additionally, in use, and as will be discussed in detail below, the half expansion joint 522A is designed to be utilized with a second half expansion joint 622B (illustrated in
As an overview, the half expansion joint 522A is designed to have sufficient strength throughout its length to independently support the weight of a train or other rail vehicle as it moves over the rail joint 622, even in those portions of the rail joint 622 where the half expansion joints 522A, 622B do not overlap.
As shown in the embodiment illustrated in
As viewed from the top view, as illustrated in
During use, the head 570 of the half expansion joint 522A will cooperate with the top of the rails 16, 18 to form a substantially uniform surface along which the wheels of the train will ride. Additionally, the foot 572 of the half expansion joint 522A coincides with the bottom of the rails 16, 18 and is secured to the railroad ties 14 (illustrated in
As illustrated, the second vertical face 574 is positioned near the first end 560 of the half expansion joint 522A. The second vertical face 574 and the first vertical face 568 (illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in
In one non-exclusive embodiment, the half expansion joint 522A has three different cross-sections as one moves from the first end 560 to the second end 562 of the half expansion joint, as illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated herein, the first cross-section includes the head 570, the foot 572 and a web 582 that extends between the head 570 and the foot 572. As shown, the foot 572 is somewhat wider than the head 570 and the web 582 is substantially narrower than both the head 570 and the foot 572. This first cross-section is a profile of a typical Vignoles or flat bottom rail.
It is anticipated that half expansion joint 522A would be cast or forged pieces from steel of a quality equal or superior to the steel rail to which it will be welded. Prior to welding to the steel rail section, it is anticipated that the vertical face of the second side 558 of the overlap section 566 and the horizontal interior surfaces of the joint aperture 576 and the joint slots 578 would be machined to precision tolerances to facilitate the interface or matching up with another half expansion joint that has been pre-welded to a different section of steel rail.
The half expansion joint 522A has a certain symmetrical shape and features such that two sections of steel rail, each with a half expansion joint 522A pre-welded to one end, can be interfaced in a co-planar relationship with each second side 558 of the overlap section 566 and about the common vertical and longitudinal centerlines of the steel rails.
As an overview, the rail expansion joint 622 of the present invention is uniquely designed such that the first joint member 622A can be selectively coupled to the second joint member 622B such that the first joint member 622A at least partially overlaps the second joint member 622B, i.e. the overlap section 666 of the first joint member 622A at least partially overlaps the overlap section 666 of the second joint member 622B in a co-planar fashion, wherein each joint member 622A, 622B is designed to individually support the weight of the train or other rail vehicle as it moves along the rail expansion joint 622.
Additionally, the joint members 622A, 622B can slide relative to each other from the contracted configuration, illustrated in
As illustrated in
Additionally, each connector 680 can include a conventional nut 685 (only one is illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
After the rail expansion joint 622 has been assembled, it is anticipated that some means would be used to prevent the nut from backing off the threaded portion 680B and to thwart vandalism. Employing an orbital riveter on the back end of the threaded portion 680B would be such a means for preventing the nut from loosening due to vibration and prevent easy disassembly or vandalism.
To be positioned in the contracted configuration, illustrated in
As a result of the symmetry of the half expansion joints 622A, 622B, each of the connectors 680 that extend through one of the joint apertures 676 will be in alignment with the end of the opposing joint slot 678 that allows the second end 662 of one joint member 622A, 622B to be at its closest point to the first vertical face 668 of the other joint member 662A, 662B.
When being installed, the gap distance between the first vertical face 668 of one joint member 622A, 622B and the second end 662 of the other joint member 622A, 662B in a fully assembled rail joint 622 is dependent upon the ambient temperature and the actual rail temperature. Additionally, the distance between rail expansion joints 622 is dependent upon the climatic zone in which the rail system is installed. The greater the expected temperature variation that the steel rail will see, the shorter the distance between the expansion joints 622. For the upper Central Plains of North America spacing in the range of 200 feet would be anticipated.
To be positioned in the expanded configuration, illustrated in
As a result of the symmetry of the half expansion joints 622A, 622B, each of the connectors 680 that extend through one of the joint apertures 676 will be in alignment with the end of the opposing joint slot 678 that allows the second end 662 of one joint member 622A, 622B to be at its farthest point to the first vertical face 668 of the other joint member 662A, 6628.
As will be demonstrated herein below, the rail expansion joint 622 is designed such that each half expansion joint 622A, 622B is able to individually support the weight of a rail vehicle 796, a portion of which is illustrated in
The resistance to bending of the rail sections 16A, 16B, 18A, 18B between two consecutive railroad ties 14 (illustrated in
The cross-section of the rail expansion joint 622 within the first gap 788 has a thickness from the head 770 downward of approximately one-half the thickness of a typical head, or approximately 3.5 centimeters (or 1.375 inches). As can be easily seen, the thickness of the rail expansion joint 622 within the first gap 788 is substantially greater than the thickness of the web of a typical rail. Accordingly, the ability of the rail expansion joint 622 within the first gap 788 to support the weight of the rail vehicle 796 and to resist bending is not any less than a typical rail section 16A, 16B, 18A, 18B.
The cross-section of the rail expansion joint 622 within the overlap area 790 has a thickness from the head 770 downward of approximately the thickness of a typical head, or approximately seven centimeters (or 2.75 inches). As can be easily seen, the thickness of the rail expansion joint 622 within the overlap section 790 is substantially greater than the thickness of the web of a typical rail. Accordingly, the ability of the rail expansion joint 622 within the overlap section 790 to support the weight of the rail vehicle 796 and to resist bending is significantly increased as compared to a typical rail section 16A, 16B, 18A, 18B (illustrated in
The cross-section of the rail expansion joint 622 within the second gap 792 has a thickness from the head 770 downward of approximately one-half the thickness of a typical head, or approximately 3.5 centimeters (or 1.375 inches). As can be easily seen, the thickness of the rail expansion joint 622 within the second gap 792 is substantially greater than the thickness of the web of a typical rail. Accordingly, the ability of the rail expansion joint 622 within the second gap 792 to support the weight of the rail vehicle 796 and to resist bending is not any less than a typical rail section 16A, 16B, 18A, 18B.
Accordingly, the cross-section of the rail expansion joint 622 near the second end 794, as illustrated in
Furthermore, referring back to
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of a rail system 10 have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
Claims
1. A railroad tie that is positioned on a rail bed as part of a rail system, the railroad tie comprising;
- a first end section having a first width;
- a spaced apart second end section having a second width; and
- a middle section that extends between and that couples the first end section and the second end section, the middle section having a middle width that is at least five percent different than the first width and the second width,
2. The railroad tie of claim 1 wherein the middle Width is at least five percent less than the first width and the second width.
3. The railroad tie of claim 1 wherein the middle width is at least twenty-five percent less than the first width and the second width.
4. The railroad tie of claim 1 wherein the first width is substantially equal to the second width.
5. The railroad tie of claim 1 further comprising a bottom surface having one or more cavities that are at least approximately eighty square millimeters in area.
6. The railroad tie of claim 5 further comprising a top surface, wherein the one or more cavities do not extend through the top surface.
7. The railroad tie of claim 1 that is substantially Z-shaped
8. The railroad tie of claim 1 that is substantially dumbbell shaped.
9. The railroad tie of claim 1 wherein the middle section extends away from the first end section at a first angle of between approximately seventy-five and ninety-five degrees, and wherein the middle section extends away from the second end section at a second angle of between approximately seventy-five and ninety-five degrees.
10. The railroad tie of claim 1 wherein the first end section and the middle section cooperate to define a first pocket and the second end section and the middle section cooperate to define a second pocket, and wherein the first pocket and the second pocket inhibit relative movement between the railroad tie and the rail bed.
11. The railroad tie of claim 1 further comprising a first intermediate section that is positioned between the first end section and the middle section and a second intermediate section that is positioned between the second end section and the middle section, and wherein the first intermediate section has a first intermediate width that is different than the first width and the middle width, and wherein the second intermediate section has a second intermediate width that is different than the second width and the middle width.
12. A rail system comprising:
- a rail bed:
- a plurality of railroad ties that are positioned on the rail bed, the railroad ties having features as described in claim 1; and
- a pair of spaced apart rails that are coupled to the plurality of railroad ties.
13. A railroad tie that is positioned on a rail bed as part of a rail system, the railroad tie comprising:
- a top surface; and
- a bottom surface having a plurality of cavities, wherein at least one of the cavities has an area at an opening to the cavity that is at least approximately eighty square millimeters, wherein the plurality of cavities do not extend through the top surface.
14. The railroad tie of claim 13 wherein the cavities are substantially evenly spaced along the bottom surface.
15. The railroad tie of claim 13 further comprising a first end section, a spaced apart second end section, and a middle section that extends between and that couples the first end section and the second end section, the middle section cooperating with the first end section to form a first pocket and cooperating with the second end section to form a second pocket, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket inhibit relative movement between the railroad tie and the rail bed.
16. The railroad tie of claim 15 wherein the middle section extends away from the first end section at a first angle of between approximately seventy-five and ninety-five degrees, and wherein the middle section extends away from the second end section at a second angle of between approximately seventy-five and ninety-five degrees.
17. The railroad tie of claim 15 wherein the first end section has a first width, the second end section has a second width and the middle section has a middle width that is at least five percent less than the first width and the second width.
18. A rail system comprising:
- a rail bed;
- a plurality of railroad ties that are positioned on the rail bed, the railroad ties having features as described in claim and
- a pair of spaced apart rails that are coupled to the plurality of railroad ties.
19. A rail joint for joining together a first rail section and a second rail section of a rail system that supports a rail vehicle, the first rail section and the second rail section being positioned substantially along the same line, the rail joint comprising;
- a first joint member;
- a second joint member that is selectively coupled to the first joint member such that the second joint member at least partially overlaps the first joint member, wherein each joint member is designed to individually support the weight of the rail vehicle.
20. The rail joint of claim 19 wherein the first joint member is fixedly secured to the first rail section and the second joint member is fixedly secured to the second rail section.
21. The rail joint of claim 19 wherein the first joint member includes a first aperture and a first slot and the second joint member includes a second aperture and a second slot, and further comprising a pair of connectors that extend through the first joint member and the second joint member to selectively couple the first joint member to the second joint member, wherein one connector extends substantially through the first aperture and the second slot, and the other connector extends substantially through the second aperture and the first slot.
22. The rail joint of claim 21 wherein the connectors cooperate to allow relative translational movement between the first joint member and the second joint member.
23. The rail joint of claim 21 wherein the apertures are substantially circular in shape and the slots have ends that are substantially semi-circular in shape, and wherein the diameter of the apertures is substantially equal to the diameter of the ends of the slots.
24. A rail system comprising:
- a first rail that includes a first rail section and a second rail section that is positioned substantially along the same line as the first rail section;
- a second rail that is spaced apart from the first rail; and
- a rail joint that is positioned substantially between the first rail section and the second rail section and that couples the first rail section to the second rail section, the rail joint having features as described in claim 19.
25. The rail system of claim 24 wherein the second rail includes a third rail section and a fourth rail section that is positioned substantially along the same line as the third rail section, and further comprising a second rail joint that is positioned substantially between the third rail section and the fourth rail section and that couples the third rail section to the fourth rail section, the second rail joint having features as described in claim 19.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 10, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 29, 2011
Inventor: Keith Allen Langenbeck (Roanoke, TX)
Application Number: 13/133,088
International Classification: E01B 3/00 (20060101); E01B 11/00 (20060101);