TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to the field of apparatuses for unloading vehicles containing loading materials. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons/rail cars.

BACKGROUND

[002] Loading and unloading of loading materials such as mineral ores from the source of their extraction onto train wagons/rail cars via heavy trucks is a common process. This process helps in the transport of mineral ores to their respective destination sources. Usually trucks/trails carry the loaded material and dump the loading material onto the platform adjacent to the railway track or into train wagons. Once the train wagons are filled then new trucks are unable to dump their loading materials into new train wagons/rail cars. End dump trucks dump while stationary, and when the pile reaches such a height that the loading material will no longer leave the truck, the bed is lowered and the truck is moved to an adjacent location to dump another instalment of its contents. This process is repeated until the truck is fully emptied, resulting in a series of large piles of loading material. Hence, there is a need for a cost effective simple mechanism to dump loading material into an apparatus that can hold the loading material until the train arrives at the platform. Once the train arrives at the platform, the loading material is automatically filled in the respective train wagons based on the capacity of the train wagon.

[003] In the light of the aforementioned discussion, there exists a need for a system and method that would ameliorate or overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[004] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[005] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and the scope thereof can be obtained from the accompanying drawings which are briefly summarized below and the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments.

[006] An objective of the present disclosure is directed towards a system and method to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons.

[007] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost effective methodology to directly deliver the received loading material into the respective train wagons.

[008] It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide a system to cost effectively deliver the loading material into the respective train wagons.

[009] It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide a technique that can accurately drop in the weight wise load into the respective train wagons/cars.

[010] It is an objective of the present disclosure is directed to provide a truck unloader which can be simply and conveniently driven on developed roads and highways.

[Oi l] It is an objective of the present disclosure is directed to provide a mechanism to load the loading material into a train wagons directly from the load carrying vehicle and also simultaneously fill in the upper hopper bins as well. There may be multiple units of the systems sequentially arranged to receive loading materials from different load generating sources thereby reducing time taken for the entire process and at the same time be cost effective as well.

[012] It is an objective of the present disclosure is directed to provide a mechanism to load the loading material into a train wagons directly from the load carrying vehicle. [013] It is an objective of the present disclosure is directed to provide system that directly avoids the use of dumpers, prevents the process of reloading thereby reducing the overall process time.

[014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, comprising: a load carrying vehicle approaching an inclined ramp which culminates as an approach road; the approach road is at a same level as an upper hopper bin, whereby the upper hopper bin is configured to a lower hopper bin, and whereby the upper hopper bin having a higher load carrying capacity aligned vertically over a lower hopper bin having a lower load carrying capacity; a load material unloaded on a sieve placed above the upper hopper bin to segregate load of specific size range into the upper hopper bin; a hydraulic mechanism configured to the upper hopper bin, whereby the hydraulic mechanism in open position enables filling of the lower hopper bin via an opening/chute placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin, and whereby the hydraulic mechanism in closed position enables the closing of the opening/chute placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin once the lower hopper bin finishes sequential loading of train wagons in a locomotive engine via a robotic arm; and the upper hopper bin continues to fill as and when upcoming load carrying vehicles arrive from load generating sources.

[015] Furthermore, the objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[016] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and wherein:

[017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram 100 depicting a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments. [018] FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 depicting a perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[019] FIG.3 is a diagram 300 depicting another perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[020] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical representation 400 depicting yet another perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[021] FIG. 5 represented by 500 illustrates another perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[022] FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 depicting a perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[023] FIG. 7 represented by 700 is a flowchart to illustrate a method to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[024] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[025] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[026] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as that clearly to be included by reference if each individual publication or patent application, and individually indicated. The following description includes information that may be useful for understanding the present invention. This does not admitted that any of the information is prior art, or to be or being specifically related to the invention claimed herein or implicit any prior art publication is referred to as provided herein.

[027] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference drawings. Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and the drawings are intended to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[028] In an embodiment, a simple process to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons is disclosed herein.

[029] Referring to FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram 100 depicting a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The system 100 to receive and unload a loading material 102 into train wagons, comprising: a load carrying vehicle approaching an inclined ramp 106 which culminates as an approach road 104; the approach road 104 is at a same level as an upper hopper bin 110, whereby the upper hopper bin 110 is configured to a lower hopper bin 112, and whereby the upper hopper bin 110 having a higher load carrying capacity aligned vertically over a lower hopper bin 112 having a lower load carrying capacity; a load material 102 unloaded on a sieve 114 placed above the upper hopper bin 110 to segregate load of specific size range into the upper hopper bin 110; a hydraulic mechanism 122 configured to the upper hopper bin 110, whereby the hydraulic mechanism 122 in open position enables filling of the lower hopper bin 112 via an opening/chute 110a placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin, and whereby the hydraulic mechanism 122 in closed position enables the closing of the opening/chute 110a placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin 110 once the lower hopper bin 112 finishes sequential loading of train wagons in a locomotive engine via a robotic arm 120; and the upper hopper bin 110 continues to fill as and when upcoming load carrying vehicles arrive from load generating sources.

[030] The system also comprises retainer wall 108 along with beams 118 that provides additional support to the system to receive and unload a loading material from a load carrying vehicle. Further, a plurality of water spray units 116 are configured surrounding the system to absorb the dust that rises due to continuous dumping of the loading material into the train wagons/rail cars. The approach road 104 is at a same level as the upper hopper bin. Once the load carrying vehicle arrives at the approach road 104 the loading material is directly dumped onto the sieve placed above the upper hopper bin due to gravity. No additional mechanical intervention is required to dump the loading material into the upper hopper bin 110. The sieve placed above the upper hopper din helps in segregating load material thereby preventing clogging of the upper hopper bin or lower hopper bin so that the load material of specific size range directly reaches the lower hopper bin via the upper hopper bin without any blockage. The approach road, upper hopper bin and lower bin may be built in custom made measurements as per the user’s requirements. For example if the upper bin capacity needs to be of 6000 tons then accordingly the lower bin, the inclined ramp and approach road level are all modified to suit the load requirements that need to be loaded into the train wagons/rail cars. The approach road, inclined ramp, upper hopper bin, lower hopper bins beams, chute and robotic arms may be constructed using techniques well known in the state of art. For example, the upper hopper bin 110 comprising a chute/opening 110a at the lower end may have a capacity ranging from 0-1000 tons where 0 tons refers to the state when the upper hopper bin 110 is empty. Similarly, the lower hopper bin 112 may have a capacity ranging from 0-200 tons where 0 tons refers to the state when the lower hopper bin 112 is empty. In India, the capacity of a train wagon is around 50-60 tons with the entire locomotive engine/train having a cumulative capacity of around 6000 tons. As the capacity requirements of the train wagons/rail cars increases, the system 100 may be modified according to meet the increased capacity requirements. Multiple units of system 100 may be placed corresponding to total train wagons/rail cars in a locomotive engine. For example if a locomotive engine has 69 train wagons/rail cars then, 69 units of system 100 for receiving and unloading the loading material is placed in communication with the train wagons. In this way, all the multiple units of system 100 may be operational simultaneously to fill all the train wagons at once thereby reducing the total process time. The entire operation can be completed within 15-20 minutes thereby reducing the down time.

[031] The upper hopper bin 110 and lower hopper bin 112 may be constructed using materials such as reinforced cement concrete (RCC), Portland Slag Cement (PSC), wood, steel and combinations thereof. The beams 118 may be constructed using materials RCC, concrete, PSC, steel and combinations thereof. The chute may be constructed of steel, RCC or combinations thereof. The sieve placed above the upper hopper bin 110 may be configured to segregate load of specific size ranging from 5mm-500mm. The load material/load may be coal, raw material to make pharmaceutical drugs, mineral ores, gravel, sand, or any other loading material as per the user’s requirement. The load carrying vehicle may include but not be limited to a truck, trailer or any other heavy duty vehicle etc. The lower hopper bin 112 may be configured to load cells that directly enable the dispersal of the requisite amount of loading material per train wagon. In another embodiment, the lower hopper bin 112 may be configured to have volumetric markings that directly enable the operator of the system 100 to evaluate the volume of loading material dispersed from the lower hopper bin 112.

[032] In an embodiment, the dispersal of the loading material from the lower hopper bin to the train wagon may be mechanically operated in the absence of the hydraulic operated robotic arm operation.

[033] Referring to FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 depicting a perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[034] Referring to FIG.3 is a diagram 300 depicting another perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[035] Referring to FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical representation 400 depicting yet another perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments. [036] Referring to FIG. 5 represented by 500 illustrates another perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[037] Referring to FIG. 6 is a diagram 600 depicting a perspective view of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments. FIG 2-FIG. 6 represents different perspective views of a system to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[038] Referring to FIG. 7 represented by diagram 700 is a flowchart to illustrate a method to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The method begins at step 702 wherein a load carrying vehicle approaches an inclined ramp to reach an approach road which is at a same height as an upper hopper bin. In the next step 704, unloading the load from the load carrying vehicle into the upper hopper bin having a higher load carrying capacity aligned vertically over a lower hopper bin having a lower load carrying capacity is performed. Subsequently, in step706, unloading of the load is performed on a sieve placed above the upper hopper bin to segregate load of specific size range into the upper hopper bin. In the next step 708, opening of hydraulic mechanism configured to the upper hopper bin to enable filling of the lower hopper bin via an opening/chute placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin is performed. At step 710, closing the hydraulic mechanism once the lower bin finishes sequential loading of train wagons in a locomotive engine via a robotic arm is done. In the last step 712, filling up of the upper hopper bin continues as upcoming load carrying vehicles arrive from load generating sources.

[039] In an embodiment, a system 100 to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, comprising: a load carrying vehicle approaching an inclined ramp 106 which culminates as an approach road 104; the approach road 104 is at a same level as an upper hopper bin 110, whereby the upper hopper bin 110 is configured to a lower hopper bin 112, and whereby the upper hopper bin 110 having a higher load carrying capacity aligned vertically over a lower hopper bin 112 having a lower load carrying capacity; a load material 102 unloaded on a sieve 114 placed above the upper hopper bin 110 to segregate load of specific size range into the upper hopper bin 110; a hydraulic mechanism 122 configured to the upper hopper bin 110, whereby the hydraulic mechanism 122 in open position enables filling of the lower hopper bin 112 via an opening/chute 110a placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin, and whereby the hydraulic mechanism 122 in closed position enables the closing of the opening/chute 110a placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin 110 once the lower hopper bin 112 finishes sequential loading of train wagons in a locomotive engine via a robotic arm 120; and the upper hopper bin 110 continues to fill as and when upcoming load carrying vehicles arrive from load generating sources.

[040] In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of water spray units 116 surrounding the system to absorb the dust that rises due to continuous dumping of the loading material into the train wagons.

[041] In an embodiment, the system comprises a retainer wall 108 along with beams 118 that provides additional support to the system to receive and unload a loading material from a load carrying vehicle.

[042] In an embodiment, wherein the lower hopper bin 112 is configured with load cells to disperse the loading material as per the train wagon capacity.

[043] In an embodiment, wherein the lower hopper bin 112 is configured with volumetric markings to disperse the loading material as per the train wagon capacity.

[044] In an embodiment, a method to receive and unload a loading material into train wagons, comprising: approaching an inclined ramp by a load carrying vehicle to reach an approach road which is at a same height as an upper hopper bin; unloading a loading material from the load carrying vehicle into the upper hopper bin having a higher load carrying capacity aligned vertically over a lower hopper bin having a lower load carrying capacity; unloading of the loading material is performed on a sieve placed above the upper hopper bin to segregate load of specific size range into the upper hopper bin; opening of hydraulic mechanism configured to the upper hopper bin to enable filling of the lower hopper bin with the loading material via an opening/chute placed at the lower part of the upper hopper bin; closing the hydraulic mechanism once the lower bin finishes sequential loading of train wagons with the loading material in a locomotive engine via a robotic arm; and filling up of the upper hopper bin continues as upcoming load carrying vehicles arrive from load generating sources.

[045] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[046] Furthermore, the described features, structures or characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The present disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments and illustrations thereof, other embodiments and modifications to preferred embodiments may be possible that are within the principles and spirit of the invention. The above descriptions and figures are therefore to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

[047] Thus the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub combinations of the various features described herein above as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.