A system and method is disclosed for predicting and comparing wear scenarios in a rail system. The method can include generating and running a contact model of the interaction between a rail and a train car to produce a simulated loading on the rail for a predetermined time period; generating and running a wear model based on the material properties and/or friction modifier properties of the rail using the simulated loading to produce a simulated wear profile of the rail for the predetermined time period; obtaining a grinding profile to be performed on the rail during the predetermined time period; and generating an updated rail profile by modifying the rail profile by the simulated wear profile and the grinding profile. The method can predict and compare crack growth over time, and provide a financial model and comparison of costs and benefits for different maintenance protocols for the rail system.

A grinding machine, manually displaceable on a track in a longitudinal direction of the track, for grinding rails of the track. The grinding machine includes a support frame which is designed for rolling on the rails via guide rollers and which carries an energy module and a work module. The work module has a pivotable grinding unit. The grinding unit includes an electric motor and a grinding tool powered by the same. The grinding unit is supported in a motor frame for pivoting about a longitudinal axis, and the motor frame is adjustably mounted relative to the support frame.

A grinding machine, manually displaceable on a track in a longitudinal direction of the track, for grinding rails of the track. The grinding machine includes a support frame which is designed for rolling on the rails via guide rollers and which carries an energy module and a work module. The work module has a pivotable grinding unit. The grinding unit includes an electric motor and a grinding tool powered by the same. The grinding unit is supported in a motor frame for pivoting about a longitudinal axis, and the motor frame is adjustably mounted relative to the support frame.

A suction device includes a plurality of radial fans. Each respective radial fan has a suction opening for drawing in particles that are removed during processing, and an outlet opening for discharging the particles into a collection device. Each radial fan has a fan wheel driven in a rotationally movable manner about a rotation axis. The fan wheel has a circumferential face and an impact face. The impact face faces the suction opening for radially redirecting the particles that strike the impact face. The suction device further includes at least one collection channel circumferentially and partially surrounding the fan wheel of each respective radial fan. The circumferential faces of the fan wheels of adjacent radial fans delimit a roller gap. The collection channel opens in the roller gap.

Provided is a road-rail dual purpose quick disassembly and assembly type rail grinding maintenance robot, including a left robot grinding unit, a right robot grinding unit and quick unit connecting devices. The two robot grinding units are fixedly connected to the left and right sides of the quick unit connecting devices by the quick unit connecting devices so as to achieve quick assembly and disassembly of the robot. Each of the robot grinding units includes a robot grinding device, a rail walking device, road walking devices, a frame, a shell component and an electric control component. The robot grinding device is fixedly installed on the inner side of the upper part of the frame. The rail walking device and the road walking devices are fixedly installed at the bottom of the frame. The degree of intelligent and flexible of rail grinding operation can be significantly improved.

Provided is a road-rail dual purpose quick disassembly and assembly type rail grinding maintenance robot, including a left robot grinding unit, a right robot grinding unit and quick unit connecting devices. The two robot grinding units are fixedly connected to the left and right sides of the quick unit connecting devices by the quick unit connecting devices so as to achieve quick assembly and disassembly of the robot. Each of the robot grinding units includes a robot grinding device, a rail walking device, road walking devices, a frame, a shell component and an electric control component. The robot grinding device is fixedly installed on the inner side of the upper part of the frame. The rail walking device and the road walking devices are fixedly installed at the bottom of the frame. The degree of intelligent and flexible of rail grinding operation can be significantly improved.

Rail grinders and related methods of rail grinding in which custom grinding patterns are continually updated based upon an operational status of the rail grinder. The rail grinder includes a plurality of individual grinding modules that are individually arranged to generate the custom grinding patterns for individual rail segments. The custom grinding patterns allow the rail grinder to grind a desired rail profile for each rail segment in a minimum number of grinder passes and at a maximum operating speed for the rail grinder. Utilizing a variety of inputs including current rail conditions, desired rail profile, rail segment type, available grinding modules and grinding module style, a processing system either on-board or remotely located from the rail grinder can iteratively develop a custom grinding pattern that is temporally unique to each rail segment.

Rail grinders and related methods of rail grinding in which custom grinding patterns are continually updated based upon an operational status of the rail grinder. The rail grinder includes a plurality of individual grinding modules that are individually arranged to generate the custom grinding patterns for individual rail segments. The custom grinding patterns allow the rail grinder to grind a desired rail profile for each rail segment in a minimum number of grinder passes and at a maximum operating speed for the rail grinder. Utilizing a variety of inputs including current rail conditions, desired rail profile, rail segment type, available grinding modules and grinding module style, a processing system either on-board or remotely located from the rail grinder can iteratively develop a custom grinding pattern that is temporally unique to each rail segment.

The present disclosure relates to a railroad track tool apparatus. The apparatus comprises a tool configured to perform an operation to the rail of the railroad track, a clamp assembly, and a coupling. The clamp assembly is moveable between a clamped position and an unclamped position to removably couple the tool with the rail. The clamp assembly is moveable along the rail. The coupling is configured to couple the tool to the clamp assembly. The coupling comprises a pivot, a linkage assembly comprising an arm coupled to the pivot, and a head coupled to the linkage assembly. The coupling is configured such that the tool is moveable between an inner side and an outer side of the rail, rotatable toward and away from the inner side or the outer side of the rail, and rotatable toward and away from an underside of the rail.

The present disclosure relates to a railroad track tool apparatus. The apparatus comprises a tool configured to perform an operation to the rail of the railroad track, a clamp assembly, and a coupling. The clamp assembly is moveable between a clamped position and an unclamped position to removably couple the tool with the rail. The clamp assembly is moveable along the rail. The coupling is configured to couple the tool to the clamp assembly. The coupling comprises a pivot, a linkage assembly comprising an arm coupled to the pivot, and a head coupled to the linkage assembly. The coupling is configured such that the tool is moveable between an inner side and an outer side of the rail, rotatable toward and away from the inner side or the outer side of the rail, and rotatable toward and away from an underside of the rail.