RAILROAD

Technical field The disclosure herein generally relates to an elevated railroad and a method of providing an elevated railroad.

Background

The transportation of minerals from mines, for example, may require transport over remote areas that may include rough and/or environmentally sensitive terrain, Examples of features of rough terrain include but are not limited to ravines and floodplains. A railroad may be elevated over rough terrain that is ill suited for supporting the railroad directly. Similarly, the railroad may be elevated over environmentally sensitive terrain or private land to reduce the railroads impact thereon.

Elevated railroads, however, are generally unstable unless heavily constructed which may reduce their attraction in view of material consumption, expense, and impact.

Summary

Disclosed herein is an elevated railroad. The elevated railroad comprises at least one rail for rolling stock. The elevated railroad comprises a plurality of towers supporting the at least one rail. The elevated railroad comprises a plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings. The elevated railroad comprises a plurality of tensioned lateral support members coupled to the plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings, and anchored to the ground.

The elevated railroad may liave a lighter construction than another elevated railway without tensioned lateral support members, reducing material use, and material and transportation costs, the later of which may be significant in remote areas. Similarly, the impact on environmentally sensitive terrain or private Hand may be reduced.

In an embodiment, the plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings are located adjacent to the at least one rail. This may provide relatively greater lateral support.

An embodiment comprises an elevated platform supporting the at least one rail, wherein the plurality of towers supports the elevated platform. The elevated platform may comprise the plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings, The elevated platform may comprise a truss,

An embodiment may comprise a plurality of tension adjusters for adjusting the tension of the plurality of tensioned lateral support members. Each of the plurality of tension adjusters may be located intermediate opposite ends of the plurality of tensioned lateral support members. The plurality of tensioned lateral support members may be each terminated by a hook. The plurality of tension adjusters may provide for relatively straightforward setting and/or adjustments of the tension of the plurality of tensioned lateral support members.

In an embodiment, the plurality of towers comprise a plurality of truss pylons. In an embodiment, the at least one rail comprises at least one continuously welded rail.

Continuously welded rail may contribute to the longitudinal and lateral stability of the structure and reduce the chance of derailment.

In an embodiment, the at least one rail comprises a plurality of rail sets. Rolling stock may travel in opposite directions on different ones of the plurality of rail sets. An embodiment comprises a plurality of foundation blocks supporting the plurality of towers and to which the plurality of tensioned lateral support members are coupled.

The platform comprises a plurality of platform segments disposed end-to-end and a plurality of supports that are intermediate the plurality of towers and the plurality of platform segments.

In an embodiment, at least some of the plurality of supports are movable supports. An embodiment comprises at least one longitudinally disposed tensioned cable. The at least one longitudinally disposed tensioned cable may contribute to longitudinal stability of the structure.

Disclosed herein is a method of providing an elevated railroad with lateral support. The method comprises the step of erecting a plurality of towers and supporting with the erected plurality of towers at least one rail for rolling stock. The method comprises the step of coupling a plurality of tensioned lateral support members to a plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings and anchoring the plurality of tensioned lateral support members to the ground.

An embodiment comprises the step of locating the plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings adjacent to the ai: least one rail. An embodiment comprises the step of supporting an elevated platform with the plurality of towers, the elevated platform supporting the at least one rail. The plurality of tensioned lateral support members may be coupled to a plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings of the platform. The elevated platform may comprise a truss. An embodiment comprises the step of adjusting the tension of at least one of the plurality of tensioned lateral support members.

An embodiment comprises the step of locating a plurality of hooks terminating the plurality of lateral support members.

In an embodiment, the step- of erecting the plurality of towers comprises the step of erecting a plurality of truss pylons.

Any of the various features of each of the above disclosures, and of the various features of the embodiments described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the

accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of an elevated railroad.

Figure 2 shows a section view of the elevated railroad of figure 1 at a cutting plane indicated as A- A in figure 1,

Description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of an elevated railroad generally indicated by the numeral 10. Figure 2 shows a section view of the elevated railroad of figure 1 at a cutting plane indicated as A-A in figure 1. The elevated railway has two rails 12,14 for rolling stock. In the context of this document, the meaning of rolling stock generally encompasses all vehicles that may move on the railroad, including powered and unpowered vehicles,

locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons. In this but not all embodiments, the two rails 12, 14 have a Vignoles profile. Generally any suitable type of rail may be used, including monorail, flanged T rail, double-headed rail, bullhead rail, and grooved rail. The rails in the embodiment of figure 1 are continuously wielded rails. In another embodiments, however, the lengths of rail may be connected with fishplate or a bar of metal bolted through the web of the rail. The embodiment of figure 1 and 2 has two sets of rails. One of the sets of rails may be used for rolling stock travelling in one direction, and the other of the sets of rails may be used for rolling stock travelling in the other direction. Another embodiment, however, only has one set of rails. Other embodiments may have more than 2 sets of rails. An embodiment having two or more sets of rails may have the same footprint as an embodiment having one set of rails. Consequently, more traffic may use the elevated railroad without necessarily increasing the footprint, which is desirable to in view of environmental and land use considerations.

The elevated railroad 10 has a plurality of towers 16-24 supporting the rails 12,14. In this but not in all embodiments, each tower is supported by a foundation 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 in the form of a foundation block. The foundation block is engaged with the ground. The foundation blocks may be prefabricated concrete foundation blocks made in a factory and subsequently delivered to the tower locations. The ground at each tower location may be prepared for installation thereat of a foundation block. In the case of earthen ground, for example, the earth may be levelled and compacted. The foundation blocks may then be placed on the prepared location. Alternatively, the foundations may be poured at the tower locations. The plurality of towers may be erected on the plurality of foundation blocks. In another embodiment, pile foundations may be used.

Generally any suitable foun dation may be used.

On either side of each towe r 16-24, the elevated railroad 10 has a tensioned lateral support member coupling 26,28 in the form of a loop of steel. In this but not in all embodiments, the plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings are attached adjacent to the rails 12, 14,

In other embodiments, the couplings 26,28 may take any suitable form, for example a socket formed in the elevated railway, a rod that is hook engagable, or steel plates with holes formed therethrough for receiving the ends of the tensioned lateral support members.

To each coupling 26,28 is coupled a tensioned lateral support member 30,32 in the form of a high tensile strength cable such as a high tensile strength steel rope or cable, although any suitable material or composite material of sufficient tensile strength may be used, for example a composite of a fibre and steel, a composite of aluminium and steel, and a length of material having carbon nanotube therein, The steel rope or cable may be spiral steel rope or cable. In alternative embodiments a rod or bar, for example a tensile steel rod, may be used alternatively or additionally to the high tensile steel cable. The profile of the rod or bar may be generally any suitable profile, including but not limited to round, square, channel bar, double tee, and polygon. The tensioned lateral suppo rt member 30,32 may comprise of bundles of high strength wires. At least one end of each of the tensioned lateral support members i

engages an associated loop. The hooks allow rotation of the tensioned lateral support members. Some embodiments have alternative tensioned lateral support member terminations that allow rotation of the tensioned lateral support members. In an alternative embodiment, the wire is looped through the ring and terminated with a thimble and ferrule. Potted ends or poured sockets, swaged tenriinations or clamps and clips may alternatively or additionally be used as suitable.

The tensioned lateral support members 30,32 are anchored to the ground, in this embodiment by use of the foundation 42. Another end of each of the tensioned lateral support members 30,32 may be attached to rings 50, 52 of the foundation 42. The other ends may have hooks that engage the rings, or be terminated with a thimble and ferrule, or any others suitable method of attachment may be used. In another embodiment, the other ends may be attached to respective blocks in the form of concrete blocks set in or on the ground, for example. The other ends may alternatively be set in the concrete blocks or foundations, or attached to rings protruding therefrom. Alternatively, ground engaging screws, for example screw piles, or any other suitable ground engager may be used to anchor the tensioned lateral support members to the ground.

The embodiment of figure 1, but not necessarily every embodiment, has an elevated platform 34 having a truss supporting the rails 12.14. The plurality of towers 16-24 support the elevated platform 34. The platform has a plurality of platform segments 56, 58, 60, 62 disposed end-to- end. Movable and /or fixed supports may be intermediate of the tower and the platform. In the embodiment of figure 1, one end of each platform segment is supported by a fixed support 64 and another end of each platform segment is supported by a movable support 66.

The elevated railroad 10 has at least one longitudinal tensioned cable 54. In this but not in all embodiments, the cables 54 are located under the rails. The platform may have the cables 54 as for the embodiment of figure 1. Other embodiments, however, may have the cables located below the platform. The cables may be attached to at least some of the towers, for example towers 40, 44 and 48. The tensioned cables longitudinally stabilise the structure.

The couplings 26,28 are fixed to the platform 34. For example, the loops 26,28 may be wielded or bolted onto the platform. The elevated platform may not have a truss, however. It may be suspended from wire rope supported by the plurality of towers 16-24, or have another suitable construction. The elevated railroad may have a plurality of tension adjusters 36, 38 for adjusting the tension of the plurality of tensioned lateral support members. Each of plurality of tension adjusters may be located intermediate opposite ends of the plurality of tensioned lateral support members. In this but not in all embodiments, the tension adjusters are proximal to the tower base. If necessary, the tension adjusters may be vandal resistant tension adjusters. The tension adjusters may take the form of, for example, tumbuckles, adjustable belts, or any other suitable form. The symbol Mt adjacent the turnbuckle comprises M- a moment for turning the buckle - and t a

predetermined tension for the tensioned lateral support member. The moment of tightening results in the tensions T2. The plurality of towers of figure 1 is a plurality of truss pylons formed of steel. However, any suitable form of tower may be used, such as a solid or tubular pier, pillar, or pile. The towers may be, for example, brick.

An embodiment of a method of providing the elevated railroad 10 will now be described. The plurality of towers are erected. The at least one rail for rolling stock is supported by the plurality of towers. A plurality of tensioned lateral support members are coupled to a plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings. The plurality of lateral support members is anchored to the ground.

The plurality of tensioned lateral support members may be attached to couplings adj acent to the at least one rail. The elevated platform may be supported with the plurality of towers, the elevated platform supporting the at least one rail, A plurality of tensioned lateral support members may be coupled to the plurality of tensioned lateral support member couplings of the platform.

The plurality of hooks terminating the plurality of lateral support members may be located. The tension of at least one of the plurality of tensioned lateral support members may be adjusted. The foundations may, in some embodiments, be set before the above steps of the embodiment of the method.

Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word

"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, that is to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.