HY-GEAR RAILWAY TRANSPORT
A railway transport for equipment with a blade includes: a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment; an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle; first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle, wherein the first end of the frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment.
This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/677,410 filed on Jul. 30, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/730,023 filed on Nov. 26, 2012, which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the invention relate to railway devices, and more particularly, to a by-gear railway transport. Although embodiments of the invention are suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for railway transport of equipment in which the equipment can be mounted and dismounted on the railway line as well as enable both the equipment and the railway transport to get on the railroad tracks and get off the railroad tracks.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, equipment for constructing or maintaining a rail way or the rail line of a railroad is transported to a job site by either using the rail line itself or a road adjacent to the rail way. However, some rail ways go through areas where there is no road access, much less a road. Thus, use of the rail line itself in a rail way is the most assured way of getting construction/maintenance equipment to a desired site along a rail way. There are generally two types of transportation techniques for moving construction/maintenance equipment along a rail way, either the maintenance/construction equipment is loaded on a railcar or by-rail wheels are on the maintenance/construction equipment.
The use of railcars blocks the rail line during the work if the railcars are left on the work site. Otherwise, the removal and arrival of the railcars for the maintenance/construction equipment has to be scheduled. Moving empty rail cars after drop-off or before pick-up of maintenance/construction equipment is time consuming and expensive.
Retrofitting hy-rail wheels to maintenance/construction equipment can be expensive. Such retrofitting requires integrating the hy-rail wheels into the equipment so as permanently attach the hy-rail wheels. Typically, all of the hy-rail wheels are free wheels and the hy-railed equipment is pulled by a railway locomotive. Further, retrofitting drive hy-rail wheels may require major structural modifications to the equipment and reduce the functionality or versatility of the equipment. For example, the equipment has to stay on the railroad track at a worksite. In another example, the equipment is dependent on a railway engine to move up and down the railroad tracks during the work at the worksite.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a hy-gear railway transport that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a hy-gear railway transport having drive hy-gear that is separable from the equipment to be transported.
Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a hy-gear drive railway transport in which the drive hy-gear can be attached without substantial structural modifications of the equipment to be transported.
Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide hy-gear drive railway transport in which the drive hy-gear can be moved off and on the railway line.
Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide hy-gear drive railway transport that enables the equipment to be moved off and on the railway line.
Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide hy-gear drive railway transport that enables the equipment to be moved down a railway line under its own power.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the embodiments of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of embodiments of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, a railway transport for equipment with a blade includes: a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment; an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle; first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle, wherein the first end of the frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment.
In another aspect, a system of railway transport for equipment with a blade has a drive device including: a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment; an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle; first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle, wherein the first end of the first frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment; and a drop-down device including: a second frame having a first end for hinged attachment to the equipment, second railway wheels at a second end of the second frame; and a mechanism for locking the second frame into a position with respect to the equipment in a middle section of the second frame.
In another aspect, a system of railway transport for tracked equipment with a blade has a drive device including: a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment; an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle; first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle, wherein the first end of the first frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment; and a ride device including: a second frame; second railway wheels of second size attached to the second frame; and track platforms at ends of the second frame.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of embodiments of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.
The drive motor 103 can be a hydraulic motor that receives high pressure hydraulic fluid from the equipment as drive power to generate the mechanical movement of the axle 102 to turn the rail wheels 104a and 104b to propel the drive hy-gear 100. A hydraulic motor as a drive motor 103 can generate a braking force for the equipment by receiving high pressure hydraulic fluid in an opposite manner than what would continue the drive motion. In the alternative, the drive motor 103 can be an electric motor that receives electricity from the ride-on equipment as drive power to generate the mechanical movement of the axle 102 to turn the rail wheels 104a and 104b to propel the drive hy-gear 100. An electric motor as a drive motor 103 can generate a braking force for the equipment by receiving voltage opposite to voltage that would continue the drive motion.
In the alternative to the blade stop lip and a blade edge receiving recess of FIG. 2., the front of the blade assembly ride frame 101b can be shorter such that the blade is past the front edge of blade assembly ride frame 101 to drop the blade down over the front edge of the blade assembly ride frame 101b. Because the blade can be positioned down past the edge of the blade assembly ride frame 101, the back of the blade can face the front edge of the blade assembly ride frame. The back edge of the blade support member area 101a can abut against the frame of the equipment. Thus, the blade assembly ride frame 101 can be positioned directly between the blade and frame of the equipment.
The blade assembly ride frame 101 can include a brake system 105 having a brake cylinder 106, brake bracket 107, brake arm 108 and a brake shoe 109. The brake cylinder 106 receives high pressure hydraulic fluid from the equipment to generate braking force. In the alternative, the brake cylinder 106 can be an electric solenoid that receives electricity from the equipment to generate braking force. As shown in
The boom 207 of the tracked excavator 201 can be used to mount the tracked excavator 201 on both the ride hy-gear 300 and the drive hy-gear 100 while on a railway line. The boom 207 of the tracked excavator 201 can also be used to dismount the tracked excavator 201 from both the ride hy-gear 300 and the drive hy-gear while 100 on the railway line. Further, the boom 207 of the tracked excavator 201 can be used to remove both the ride hy-gear 300 and the drive hy-gear 100 from the railway line. Lastly, the boom 207 of the tracked excavator 201 can be used to place both the ride hy-gear 300 and the drive hy-gear 100 on a railway line.
To deploy the drop-down hy-gear 400, the rear of the tracked equipment is raised and the drop-down ride hy-gear is locked in place with pins. The raising of the rear of the tracked equipment can be done with jacks or the equipment can be self-lifting, such as in the case of a tracked excavator 201 that can lift itself with the boom 207. Further, the front of the tracked equipment is raised such that the drive hy-gear 100 can be positioned under the blade support members 204 and the blade 202. The raising of the front of the tracked equipment can be done with jacks or the equipment can be self-lifting, such as in the case of a tracked excavator 201 that can lift itself with the boom 207.
Although a tracked excavator 201 is shown in
To deploy the drop-down hy-gear 400, the boom 207 of the tracked excavator 201 is first used to slightly lift the drop-down hy-gear such that the sliding lock pins 401a and 402b can be moved from their locked up position. Then, the boom 207 is repositioned to be used in lifting the tracked excavator 201 while on the railway line such that the drop-down ride hy-gear drops into pinning position the sliding lock pins 401a and 402b catching onto the lips 214. While the rear of the tracked excavator 201 is lifted up and the drop-down hy-gear 400 is hanging in the ride position by the sliding lock pins 401a and 402b resting on the lips 214, the sliding lock pins 401a and 402b are slid into the holes 213 in the truck frame 212 to lock the drop-down hy-gear 400 in the ride position. Then, after the drop-down hy-gear 400 is pinned in the ride position, the tracked excavator 201 lowers itself such that the railway wheels 405a and 405b of the drop-down hy-gear 400 are positioned onto the railroad tracks 500. Drop-down hy-gear locked in the ride positioned suspends the rear of the tracked excavator 201 over the railroad tracks 500.
The loop 215 on the drive hy-gear 100 at the front of the frame is used with the boom 207 of the tracked excavator 201 to position the drive hy-gear 100 off of the railroad tracks 500 or to position the drive hy-gear 100 on the railroad tracks 500. To mount the drive hy-gear 100, the boom 207 of the tracked excavator 201 is first used to lift up the front of the tracked excavator 201 and then the tracked excavator 201 tracks to position the blade assembly 200 over drive hy-gear 100. Then, the boom 207 is used to lower the blade assembly 200 onto the drive hy-gear 100. Thus, the drive hy-gear positioned under the blade 200 suspends the front of the tracked excavator 201 over the railroad tracks 500. Then, the drive hoses and brake hoses of the drive hy-gear 100 are hooked up to the tracked excavator 201. The drive hy-gear 100 together with one of the ride-on hy-gear and drop-down hy-gear in ride position enables the tracked excavator 201 to traverse the railway tracks 500 with hydraulic power from the excavator 201.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the drive hy-gear and ride hy-gear railway devices of embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A railway transport for equipment with a blade, comprising:
- a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment;
- an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle;
- first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and
- a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle,
- wherein the first end of the frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment.
2. The railway transport of claim 1, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a recess at the first end of the frame.
3. The railway transport of claim 1, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a lip at the first end of the frame.
4. The railway transport of claim 3, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a recess at the first end of the frame.
5. The railway transport of claim 1, wherein the drive motor is a hydraulic motor and the drive power is high pressure hydraulic fluid from the equipment.
6. The railway transport of claim 1, further comprising a brake system mounted on the frame for applying brakes to the first railway wheels.
7. The railway transport of claim 1, wherein the brake system is configured to receive high pressure hydraulic fluid from the equipment.
8. The railway transport of claim 1, further comprising a loop at the first end of the frame for positioning the railway transport off of and on to railroad tracks.
9. A system of railway transport for equipment with a blade, comprising:
- a drive device including: a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment; an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle; first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle, wherein the first end of the first frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment; and
- a drop-down device including: a second frame having a first end for hinged attachment to the equipment, second railway wheels at a second end of the second frame;
- and a mechanism for locking the second frame into a position with respect to the equipment in a middle section of the second frame.
10. The system of railway transport of claim 9, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a recess at the first end of the first frame.
11. The system of railway transport of claim 9, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a lip at the first end of the first frame.
12. The system of railway transport of claim 11, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a recess at the first end of the first frame.
13. The system of railway transport of claim 9, wherein the drive motor is a hydraulic motor and the drive power is high pressure hydraulic fluid from the equipment.
14. The system of railway transport of claim 9, further comprising a brake system mounted on the first frame for applying brakes to the first railway wheels.
15. A system of railway transport for tracked equipment with a blade, comprising:
- a drive device including: a drive motor configured to receive drive power from the equipment; an axle attached to the drive motor such that the drive motor can turn the axle; first railway wheels at ends of the axle that can be driven by the drive motor; and a frame across the axle and having a first end on one side of the axle and a second end on an other side of the axle, wherein the first end of the first frame has a configuration to retain the blade of the equipment; and
- a ride device including: a second frame; second railway wheels of second size attached to the second frame; and track platforms at ends of the second frame.
16. The system of railway transport of claim 15 wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a recess at the first end of the first frame.
17. The system of railway transport of claim 15, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a lip at the first end of the first frame.
18. The system of railway transport of claim 17, wherein the configuration to retain the blade includes a recess at the first end of the first frame.
19. The system of railway transport of claim 15, wherein the drive motor is a hydraulic motor and the drive power is high pressure hydraulic fluid from the equipment.
20. The system of railway transport of claim 15, further comprising a brake system mounted on the first frame for applying brakes to the first railway wheels.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 24, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 29, 2015
Inventor: Jeffrey Kyle HARMAN (Hiwassee, VA)
Application Number: 13/950,123