US4393691A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rail vehicle for track investigation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-09-11
•
Granted: 1983-07-19
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Expires: 2001-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A rail vehicle for track investigation is provided which comprises an excavator attached to said vehicle for removing material supporting the rails and disposed below the rail level, a support provision attached to the rail vehicle and a measurement unit attached to the support provision. The measurement unit includes a frame supported by the support provision, a pressure plate held by the frame and capable of being lowered down to below the formation level and of being lifted up and disposed in its upper rest position such that it is at a level above the track region for preventing interference with line travel and a pressure piston adapted to an opening in said pressure plate and capable of substantially vertical motion relative to the pressure plate for pressing into the subgrade to be tested.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann D. Koehne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:02
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01B; E01B35/00; E01B27/00; E01B27/04; E02; E02D; E02D1/00; E02D1/02; E02D1/022; E01B2203/00; E01B2203/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
Rail vehicle for track investigation comprising means attached to said vehicle for removing supporting material of the track disposed below the rail level; a support provision attached to the rail vehicle; a test unit attached to the support provision including: a frame supported by the support provision; a pressure plate held by the frame and capable of being lowered down and lifted up and disposed in its upper rest position such that it is at a level above the track region for preventing interference with line travel and capable of being lowered down to below the formation level; and a pressure piston adapted to an opening in said pressure plate and capable of substantially vertical motion relative to the pressure plate for pressing into the subgrade to be tested.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
Rail vehicle for track investigation comprising means attached to said vehicle for removing supporting material of the track disposed below the rail level; a support provision attached to the rail vehicle; a test unit attached to the support provision including: a frame supported by the support provision; a pressure plate held by the frame and capable of being lowered down and lifted up and disposed in its upper rest position such that it is at a level above the track region for preventing interference with line travel and capable of being lowered down to below the formation level; and a pressure piston adapted to an opening in said pressure plate and capable of substantially vertical motion relative to the pressure plate for pressing into the subgrade to be tested.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a drive system attached to the rail vehicle for providing power for moving the rail vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the means for removing supporting material includes an excavator; and a narrow gripper built on the excavator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the means for removing supporting material is adapted for clearing of the interspace between crossties including the side areas down to the foundation level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the pressure plate is adapted for providing a steady contact pressure on the surface to be tested.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the test unit is guided for motion horizontally and cross to the direction of motion of the rail vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the supporting provision includes a girder running cross to the direction of motion of the rail vehicle; and a support arm connecting the girder to the rail vehicle and disposed at the end of the rail vehicle body protruding freely beyond the bumpers of the rail vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 7 wherein the girder is connected to the support arm through a jack and can be lowered to the rails while the rail vehicle is lifted up loading with its weight the support arm for providing a reference plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the support provision is located at the same side of the vehicle where the means for removing supporting material is disposed and wherein the support provision and the test unit include a handle for being engaged by the means for removing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 9 wherein the handle is an eyelet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a hydraulic jack disposed vertically between the frame and the pressure plate disposed below the frame said jack engaging the pressure plate with a joint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a displacement pick-up disposed between the frame and the pressure plate for sensing the relative position of the pressure plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein several pressure pistons at a distance from each other are provided in the pressure plate, which in each case pass through corresponding openings in the pressure plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 13 wherein the several pistons upon non-use are retracted and flush with the bottom side of the pressure plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a sensor disposed at the pressure plate for determining physical parameters of the subgrade; and a device for sampling the subgrade material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a hydraulic jack associated with the pressure piston having its case attached to the pressure plate for mounting the pressure piston; and a displacement pick-up signalling the distance of the pressure piston from the bottom face of the pressure plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 16 further comprising a pressure sensor at the input of the hydraulic press; an analog digital converter connected to the pressure sensor; a process computer connected to the analog-digital converter; a plotter connected to the process computer; and a memory unit connected to the process computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 17 further comprising an operator cabin containing the analog-digital converter, the process computer and the memory unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 where the pressure plate is curved substantially corresponding to the radius of the motion described by the means for removing supporting material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The rail vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the pressure piston is provided with a bore at the bottom suitable for receiving a sample from the subgrade.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for investigating the track of a rail system comprising excavating a hole at the interspace between cross-ties of a track with a means disposed on a rail vehicle; moving the rail vehicle into a second position; lowering a test unit attached at the end of said vehicle into the hole; pressing the bottom of the hole with a pressure plate attached to the test unit; and pushing a pressure piston through a hole in the pressure plate into the subgrade.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for investigating the track of a rail system comprising excavating a hole at the interspace between cross-ties of a track with a means disposed on a rail vehicle; moving the rail vehicle into a second position; lowering a test unit attached at the end of said vehicle into the hole; pressing the bottom of the hole with a pressure plate attached to the test unit; and pushing a pressure piston through a hole in the pressure plate into the subgrade.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for investigating according to claim 21 further comprising determining the displacement and the pressure applied of the pressure plate and of the pressure piston; computing the relationship of pressure applied and the displacement of pressure plate and/or pressure piston; and plotting the computed values.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method for investigating according to claim 21 further comprising sensing the properties of the subgrade with test devices attached to the pressure plate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for investigating according to claim 21 further comprising removing the test unit from its position at the end of said vehicle with the same means employed in excavating the hole.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-01-17 | 1987-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-18 | 1991-01-17 | 1991-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-18 | 1995-01-17 | 1995-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |