BOGGIE SPEED CONTROL SHUNTING EQUIPMENT

FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The Present invention relates to a bogie speed control shunting equipment/system. More preferably, the present invention provides a hydraulic based system for locomotion of train car into a shunting yard and method of operating the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ARTS

[002] A shunting yard is a railway yard consisting of a set of tracks for sorting and parking railcars or locomotives, as well as for performing checks, maintenance and further processing operations.

[003] A switcher/ shunter/ locomotive is a small railroad locomotive used for manoeuvring railroad cars inside a rail yard for repairing, maintenance, cleaning or modification. The typical shunter is optimised for its job, being relatively low- powered but with a high starting tractive effort for getting heavy cars rolling quickly. Shunters are geared to produce high torque but are restricted to low top speeds and have small diameter driving wheels.

[004] Currently, the vast majority of shunters are diesel, electrical, battery based or combination thereof i.e. diesel-electrical engine. The problem in using electrical shunter in any yard is high voltage overhead wire and its limitation in shunting yard as it is unsafe for worker due to high voltage as well as it creates obstacle in shifting heavy parts of train cars or while building car. Therefore, only diesel engine or battery-based diesel engine are currently in use all known shunting yards.

[005] Further, the diesel engine-based shunter are now completely replacing with other environmental safe option as they require very high fuel cost as well additional cost on frequent maintenance other than heavy cost of actual engine. [006] In providing fast work flow in shunting yard, it is important to provide an easy and economic locomotive system that will devoid of diesel engine. In order to allow convenient movement of heavy train cars on many rail line, to shift into and out of the shunting yard, the novel locomotive system must be effective and easy to operate.

[007] This requirement is accomplished by present invention which is developed by the present inventor. The said locomotive system is comprising of hydraulic winch, pulley and rope. The arrangement of this system is designed to run the bogie in controlled speed on the rail track/line without diesel or electric engine. It also allowing single system to move the different bogies on different rail line using remote control with ease of operation and required speed.

[008] For these purposes, the novel hydraulic based locomotive system is economic as it does not require costly fuel and time-consuming maintenance like seen in engine-based locomotive. Therefore, it is advantageous to be able to provide this mechanical system with reduced expenses in shunting yards. It is also beneficial to provide a bogie shunting system that may be made and installed simply, while also being adapted for old operating shunting yards without major modification in the yard building construction.

[009] The embodiments of the invention described herein addresses the shortcomings of the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides a bogie speed control shunting system (100) for locomotion of bogie (200) mounted on the track (300) comprising of:

- pulley (2) fixed on foundation (400) under the track (300),

- hydraulic winch assembly consisting of pair of winch (3), (4) and hydraulic power pack (5),

-a rope (1) rotationally engaging the pulley (2) and two ends are extending to the two separate winch (3) and (4),

- anchor (6) connected to rope (1) for tying bogie (200), - aligning pulley (15) configured to route the rope (1) from pulley (2) to a hydraulic winch assembly,

- controller configured with hydraulic power pack (5);

Characterized in that a pair of winch are adapted to hydraulically rotating in same speed and in opposite direction thereby providing a one winch for winding the rope (1) and second winch for unwinding the rope (1) simultaneously and therefore controlling the speed of bogie.

[0011] Wherein the each winch of the winch assembly is adapted to rotate in opposite direction and thereby one winch for winding a rope (1) and second for unwinding a rope (1) at the same time and each winch (3) or (4) is configured with at one end to hydraulic motor (501) for controlling rotation of winch drum (8) and at the another end with one way clutch (7), rack and pinion (9) and a hydraulic jack (10).

[0012] Further, the winch drum (8) is configured with drum rotating shaft (13) and pressure roller (14) at the bottom.

[0013] In accordance to present invention, the hydraulic power pack system (5) comprising of a hydraulic pump (500) with oil tank, agitator (502), plurality of pipelines (503, 506, 505, 516, 512) for oil circulation to winch (3) and (4) and hydraulic jack (10), plurality of valves (507). Wherein the oil outlet of hydraulic motor (501a) is connected to the hydraulic motor (501b) of second winch (4) by a input line (504) to provide same speed rtation to both winch (3) and (4).

[0014] Further, the agitator (502) configured with the oil tank with inlet oil line (506) and two hydraulic jack (10a) and (10b) through a pipeline (508) and (509) and valves (517) and (518) respectively.

[0015] The non-limiting example of present system is that, wherein the said bogie speed control shunting system (100) is suitable for single rail track or multiple rail line using plurality of aligning pulley (15). Wherein for multiple tail track line, each rail line will have separate rope (1) with anchor (6). [0016] Further, the present invention is provides with remotely operatable controller which is selected from programmable logic controller (PLC) with operating display and key pad for input command.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0017] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and modules. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 : Illustrates a side view of bogie speed control shunting system (100) as per present invention for single rail line.

[0020] Figure 2: Illustrates an enlarged perspective view of pulley (2) and its configuration with rope (1), anchor (6) and bogie (200).

[0021] Figure 3: Illustrates an enlarged perspective view of winch (3) and it’s configuration with hydraulic jack (10) and rack and pinion (9).

[0022] Figure 4: Illustrates an enlarged (a) side view and (b) front view of winch (3) and it’s configuration with hydraulic jack (10) and rack and pinion (9).

[0023] Figure 5: Illustrates (a) top view for one of the arrangement of pair of winch (3, 4) and (b) perspective view of second arrangement of pair of winch (3, 4) as per present invention. [0024] Figure 6: Illustrates internal view of configuration of oil circulation from hydraulic power pack (5) to each winch (3) (4) and to each hydraulic jack (10a) and (10b).

[0025] Figure 7: Illustrates a side view of bogie speed control shunting system (100) as per present invention for multiple rail line.

[0026] Figure 8: Illustrates (a) side view and (b) perspective view of aligning pulley (15), c) one more aspect of aligning pulley (15).

[0027] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flowcharts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems.

[0029] Furthermore, connections between components and/or modules within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, these components and modules may be modified, re-formatted or otherwise changed by intermediary components and modules. [0030] References in the present invention to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0031] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components. Parts of the description will be presented in terms of operations performed by the mechanical assembly, using terms such as locking, fixing, holding, and the like, consistent with the manner commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, the components associated with the assembly can take any design form with acceptable change in dimensions that fall within the scope of the present invention for incorporating similar features as associated and illustrated by referencing to the present invention.

[0032] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0033] Shunting is changing the locomotive/Bogie of a train, attaching/detaching coaches or wagons, changing the order in which coaches or wagons are arranged in a train are all kinds of shunting or shunt moves, that frequently carried out in shunting yard. Therefore, shunting is a term used to describe any movement of railway vehicles other than travelling from one station to another. [0034] In general terms, the present invention may be described as a bogie speed control shunting equipment/system. More preferably, the present invention provides a hydraulic based system for locomotion of train car into a shunting yard.

[0035] This invention is designed to simplify the shunting system and process of operating it, without the requirement of locomotive (engine) for the process, compared to the world-wide system of rail car movement or switching, from one location to another, here only winches and pulleys are used with PLC, hydraulic unit, operated remotely by a Hydraulic power pack for winch operation.

[0036] The invention method is purely simple and accurate, operates, with low speed without damaging the rail bogies, during shunting, enabling the procedure to be followed with ease and risk free, with the greatest economy, than all the existing methods worldwide. This is a simple invented procedure, can be made applicable to "n" number of rails for shunting.

[0037] More specifically, the present invention provides a bogie speed control shunting system (100) for locomotion of bogie (200) mounted on the track (300) comprising of:

- pulley (2) fixed on foundation (400) under the track (300),

- hydraulic winch assembly consisting of pair of winch (3), (4) and hydraulic power pack (5),

-a rope (1) rotationally engaging the pulley (2) and two ends are extending to the two separate winch (3) and (4),

- anchor (6) connected to rope (1) for tying bogie (200),

- aligning pulley (15) configured to route the rope (1) from pulley (2) to a hydraulic winch assembly,

- controller configured with hydraulic power pack (5);

Characterized in that a pair of winch are adapted to hydraulically rotating in same speed and in opposite direction thereby providing a one winch for winding the rope (1) and second winch for unwinding the rope (1) simultaneously and therefore controlling the speed of bogie. [0038] According to embodiment of the present invention and referring now specifically to the drawings, and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a bogie speed control shunting system (100) includes a rope (1) mounted on pulley

(2) which may be tie to the bogie and winch assembly consisting a pair of winch

(3) and (4) for winding and unwinding of said rope (1) at both ends and said winch assembly controlled by hydraulic power pack (5) connected therein, so that to pull bogie forward (in the yard) or backward (out of the yard), from one or more rail lines (using each rope loop for each line) (FIG. 1). Wherein, the example of rope is non-limiting to metallic rope, chain, cable, mooring or the like.

[0039] Referring to figure 2, the bogie speed control shunting system (100) comprising of: a rope (1) rotationally engaging the pulley (2) fixed on the foundation (400) and two ends of said rope are extending to the two winch (3) and

(4) directly placed under the rail line or side way (on the ground) with support of plurality of aligning pulley (15) to run the rope from the bottom of bogies to the said winch assembly. Further, the said rope (1) is configured with an anchor(6) to tie the bogie (200) mounted on the track (300). The two winch (3), (4) are suitably mounted on firm support/plate/foundation to receive the two end of said rope (1) in such a way that the when winch is in rotating motion, one winch winds the rope and second is unwinds the rope and thereby exerting force on said anchor (6) to move closure to pulley (2) or away from pulley (2), thereby pulling the bogie attached therewith in the yard (closure to pulley 2) or pushing the bogie out of the yard (away from the pulley 2).

[0040] In accordance to second embodiment and referring to figure 3 and 4, the bogie speed control shunting system (100) further comprising of speed controlling winch assembly consisting a pair of winch (3), (4) both configured with single hydraulic power pack (5), wherein each winch adapted to receive two end of the said rope (1) for winding and unwinding when run both runs in clock and anticlockwise direction simultaneously (both winches runs in opposite direction). The winch (3) or (4) is configured with at one end to hydraulic motor (501) for controlling rotation of winch drum (8) and at the another end with one way clutch (7), rack and pinion (9) and a hydraulic jack (10). Wherein, the hydraulic jack actuator is position on the rack and pinion in such way that to exert the pressure on rack to move forward or backward. Further, the winch drum (8) is configured with drum rotating shaft (13) and pressure roller (14) at the bottom.

[0041] According to present invention, the invention is designed to simplify the shunting process, without the requirement of locomotive/engine for the process, compared to the world-wide system of rail car movement or switching, from one location to another, here only winches and pulleys are used with controller with hydraulic power pack (5), operated remotely by a solenoid valves and pipelines connected for winch operation. Wherein, the winches having two pulleys each, are mounted with hydraulic motor and gearbox with on one side, and the other side, with the clutch, rack, pinion and hydraulic jack to withstand the initial torque generated, and the winch with one way clutch, to avoid moving in the opposite direction. When wire rope of one winch of the pair, pulls the bogies, the other winch releases the wire rope from the other end, with reduced speed, for smooth shunting, the same principal can be used for any number of rails for shunting purpose.

[0042] Referring to figure 5 and 6, the two winch can be placed in parallel line below the rail track [refer Figure 5(a)] or on the elevated foundation away from the rail lines [refer Figure 5(b)], Where in both the arrangements (a) and (b), there is only one hydraulic power pack (5) configured for simultaneous working of said pair of winch. (3 and 4).

[0043] More specifically and according to important embodiment as disclosed in figure 6 that illustrates a cross section view of combination of winch assembly with hydraulic power pack (5), the hydraulic power pack system (5) includes a hydraulic pump (500) driven specifically by an electricity and oil tank (not shown) comprising hydraulic fluid (oil) and an agitator (502). The hydraulic pump is connected to the hydraulic motor (501a) of first winch (3) by a input line (503) and optionally with a valve, and controls the flow rate of the pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing to the hydraulic motor (501a). Then the oil outlet of said motor (501a) is connected to the hydraulic motor (501b) of second winch (4) by a input line (504) and outlet line (505) is connected back to the oil tank. The pressurized hydraulic fluid causes the hydraulic motor (501a) and (501b) to rotate at same speed, thus rotation of winch drums in same speed. As per configuration of two hydraulic motor (501a) and (501b) with the oil inlet (503a) and outlet (503b) to oil inlet (504a) and outlet (504b) of both the motors, the said motor are set to rotate in opposite directions, means one is in clockwise direction while second is in anticlockwise direction, that lead to run the two winches at same speed (due to single oil line for both the winches) but one winch working to wind the rope and at the same time, second winch working to unwind the rope.

[0044] Further, there is provided an agitator (502) configured with the said oil tank with inlet oil line (506) and two hydraulic jack (10a) and (10b) through a pipeline (508) and (509) and valves (517) and (518) respectively, the said agitator (502) receives the oil through a one way valve (507) and actuates a any one hydraulic jack at a one time by providing the pressurised oil through a pipeline said via controlling at least one solenoid valves (517) or (518). The outlets (516) and (512) of oil from each hydraulic jack (10a) and (10b) is again connected to oil tank for recirculation.

[0045] As per important embodiment of the present invention, the need of hydraulic jack along with winch is very important to apply the force on heavy bogies. As forces due to friction is very high than sliding friction force. As per phenomenon of the force, when one push a heavy box, it pushes back with an equal and opposite force (Third Law) so that the harder the force of pushing action, the greater the force of reaction until one apply a force great enough to cause the box to begin sliding. Hence, same rule applies in pushing heavy train bogies, very high torque needs to apply to overcome the friction force of bogie and that is provided by hydraulic jack configured with agitator (502) and once the bogies are starts sliding on train tracks, the one winch able to apply the sliding force (by winding the rope) easily whereas second winch controls the speed of sliding bogie by control unwinding of rope and thereby controlled on the speed of locomotion on rail line for said heavy bogies.

[0046] As per second embodiment of the present invention, the control on sliding of heavy bogies are very important as they may colloid on finish line. For that the present invention have developed by combining two winch assemblies (pair of winch) working in opposite directions. That means when one winch is winding for pulling the car, second one will unwind the rope in equal speed, so that the speed of each shunting system is controlled therein.

[0047] In an one of the embodiment and referring to figure 7, the present invention of bogie speed control shunting system (100) is also suitable for multiple rail line wherein the arrangement of two winch can be placed side way with support of plurality of aligning pulley (15) or rope-reeving pulley, wherein the each rail line will have separate rope (1) with anchor (6) being configured on said rope to tie the bogie (200) mounted on the track (300).

[0048] Further, the said pulley and winch drum is supported on solid foundation (400) below the rail line. Referring to figure no. 8, rope-reeving pulley (15) containing a pulley arm (17), pulley and secondary supporting pulley (16) is disposed on the said stabilizing beams/foundation (400).

[0049] According to present invention, the hydraulic motor is configured with a controller and microcontroller to control the working automatically using remote control.

[0050] The present invention provides a two mode of operation via a controller, wherein a) a first mode in which the valve (517) is connected to agitator (502) for circulating high pressure oil to first hydraulic jack (10a) that exerts high torque force for driving the hydraulic jack and thereby forwarding rack and pinion and thereby exerting high force jerk on rope to pull the bogie in yard, and while the valve (518) is disconnected from an agitator (502); b) a second mode in which the valve (518) is connected to agitator (502) for circulating high pressure oil to first hydraulic jack (10b) that exerts high torque force for driving the hydraulic jack and thereby forwarding rack and pinion and thereby exerting high force jerk on rope to push the bogie out of yard, and while the valve (517) is disconnected from an agitator (502).

[0051] In accordance to method of operation, the hydraulic unit with PLC controller electrically connected therewith, actuates both the winches, in turn pulleys, to avoid collision during shunting, by a solenoid valve, remotely operated, if one winch (3) via rope (1) pulls the bogies, the other winch (4), releases the wire rope for smooth or slow movement of bogies, this system operates smoothly even in upward and inclined areas, and even for 10 no’s or "n" number of rails. The invention is very unique, it saves diesel, renting of locomotive, avoids time delays, collision of bogies, very much economical, and simple to operate, useful for any number of rails, for shunting system.

[0052] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of an automated and control locomotion of train car in shunting yard without use of any engine, with easy, environment-friendly and economic way. Further, main advantage of present invention is that the said system is environment friendly as it does not emit any hazardous gases due to combustion of fuel unlike in diesel engine.

[0053] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

[0054] Various changes, modifications and alterations will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art following a reading of the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it is intended that all such changes, modifications and alterations as come within the scope of the appended claims be considered as being a part of the present invention.

[0055] Reference Number:

1-Rope

2- Pulley

3- First winch

4- Second winch

5- hydraulic power pack

6- Anchor

7- One way clutch

8- Winch drum

9-Rack and pinion

10- Hydraulic jack

10a- Hydraulic jack for first winch

10b- Hydraulic jack for second winch

13- Shaft

14- Pressure roller

15- Aligning pulley

16- Secondary supporting pulley

17-Pulley arm

100-Bogie speed control shunting system

200-Bogie

300- Rail track

400- Foundation

500- Hydraulic pump

501a- Hydraulic motor of first winch

501b- Hydraulic motor of Second winch

502- Agitator

503-oil supply line for motor

503a- oil inlet for motor 501a 503b-oil outlet for motor501a

504a- oil outlet for motor501b

504b- oil inlet for motor501b

505- oil return supply line to oil tank 506- inlet oil line for agitator

507- one way valve

508- oil inlet to Hydraulic jack 10a

509- oil inlet to Hydraulic jack 10b

516- oil outlet from Hydraulic jack 10a 512- oil outlet from Hydraulic jack 10b

517 and 518- Valve