METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MILLING OF RAILROAD TRACK

Abstract

A milling system for milling a track surface with at least one rotatable milling plate. A modular blade system for each milling plate allows individual blades to be removed and replaced when an individual blade becomes dull or broken. The blade system also allows the milling plates to be oriented in both Type 2 and Type 3 configurations depending upon track surroundings and the presence of encumbrance. The milling plates can be mounted to a positioning assembly for adjusting the relative distance between the milling plate and the track surface as well as the angle at which the milling plate engages the track surface. The milling system can include a depth guide so as to physically prevent the milling plate from cutting too deeply into the track surface.

Claims

1-20.(canceled)

21. A railway milling system, comprising: a rail car including at least one positioning assembly; and at least one milling module including a milling plate, wherein the milling plate comprises a circular plate body defining a milling side and a positioning side, the positioning side rotatably coupled to the positioning assembly, the milling side including a plurality of milling blade assemblies positioned around a perimeter edge of the milling side, wherein each milling blade assembly presents an angled milling surface for individually engaging a rail surface; wherein the positioning assembly selectively positions the milling plate with respect to the rail surface such that each of the angled milling surfaces sequentially mills a facet on the rail surface as the milling plate is rotated.

22. The railway milling system of claim 21, wherein the positioning assembly orients the milling plate with respect to the rail surface such that the rail surface is sequentially engaged by the angled milling surfaces at a periphery of the milling plate.

23. The railway milling system of claim 22, wherein the angled milling surfaces engage the rail surface in an orientation that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis as defined by the rail surface.

24. The railway milling system of claim 22, wherein an axis of rotation of the milling plate is offset from a longitudinal axis as defined by the rail surface.

25. The railway milling system of claim 21, wherein the positioning assembly orients the milling plate with respect to the rail surface such that the rail surface is sequentially engaged by the angled milling surfaces simultaneously at two locations of the milling plate.

26. The railway milling system of claim 25, wherein the angled milling surfaces engage the rail surface at the two locations in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis as defined by the rail surface.

27. The railway milling system of claim 25, wherein a longitudinal axis as defined by the rail surface bisects the milling plate.

28. The railway milling system of claim 21, wherein the at least one milling module includes a motor for rotating the milling plate.

29. The railway milling system of claim 21, further comprising: a plurality of milling modules and wherein each milling module is selectively positioned to engage and mill a unique facet of the rail surface.

30. The railway milling system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of milling modules cooperatively engage and mill an entire rail profile of the rail surface.

31. A railway milling system for milling a rail profile of a rail surface, comprising: a rail car including a plurality of positioning assemblies; and a plurality of milling modules, the number of milling modules corresponding to the number of positioning assemblies, each milling module including a motor and a milling plate, the milling plate defined by a positioning side and a milling side, wherein the positioning side of each milling plate is operably coupled to the corresponding positioning assembly and wherein the milling side includes a plurality of milling blade assemblies positioned about a periphery of the milling plate with each milling blade assembly defining an angled milling surface, wherein the motor of each milling module directs the corresponding milling plate to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein each positioning assembly selectively positions the corresponding milling module such that each milling plate engages a unique facet of the rail profile; and wherein each of the unique facets combines to define a milled rail profile as the rail car traverses the track surface and each milling module sequentially engages the rail surface.

32. The railway milling system of claim 31, wherein the axis of rotation of each milling plate is offset from a longitudinal axis of the rail surface such that the milling plate engages the rail surface at a single location on a periphery of the milling side.

33. The railway milling system of claim 31, wherein the axis of rotation of each milling plate allows each milling plate to engage the rail surface simultaneously at two locations on a periphery of the milling side, and wherein the two locations define the same unique facet.

34. The railway milling system of claim 33, wherein a longitudinal axis as defined by the rail surface bisects the each milling plate.

35. That railway milling system of claim 31, further comprising: a locomotive for directing the rail car along the rail surface.

36. A railway milling system, comprising: a rail car including at least one positioning assembly; and at least one milling module including a milling plate, wherein the milling plate comprises a circular plate body defining a milling side and a positioning side, the positioning side rotatably coupled to the positioning assembly, the milling side including a plurality of milling blade assemblies positioned around a perimeter edge of the milling side, wherein each milling blade assembly presents an angled milling surface for individually engaging a rail surface; wherein the positioning assembly selectively positions the milling plate with respect to a rail such that each of the angled milling surfaces sequentially mills a facet on the rail surface as the milling plate is rotated, the positioning assembly configured to present the milling plate to the rail surface in either a Type 2 or Type 3 milling configuration, wherein the Type 2 milling configuration includes engaging the rail surface simultaneously at two locations on a periphery of the milling side, and wherein the two locations define the same unique facet; and wherein the Type 3 milling configuration includes engaging the rail surface at a single location on a periphery of the milling side.

37. The railway milling system of claim 36, wherein the axis of rotation of the milling plate in the Type 3 milling configuration is offset from a longitudinal axis defined by the rail surface.

38. The railway milling system of claim 37, wherein the angled milling surfaces engage the rail surface in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the rail surface when the milling plate engages the rail surface in the Type 3 milling configuration.

39. The railway milling system of claim 36, wherein the angled milling surfaces engage the rail surface in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the rail surface when the milling plate engages the rail surface in the Type 2 milling configuration.

40. The railway milling system of claim 39, wherein the longitudinal axis defined by the rail surface bisects the milling plate when the milling plate engages the rail surface in the Type 2 milling configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention can be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in combination with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective, bottom view of a milling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the milling plate of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, bottom perspective view of the milling plate of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a bottom, perspective view of a milling blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view of the milling blade of FIG. 4.

[0023] FIG. 6a is a side view of a milling plate engaging a track surface in a Type 2 configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6b is a top, hidden view of the milling plate of FIG. 6a.

[0025] FIG. 6c is a front view of the milling plate of FIG. 6a illustrating milling an entire profile of a track surface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 7a is a front, partially hidden view of a pair of milling plates engaging a track surface in a Type 3 configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7b is a partially hidden top view of the two milling plates of FIG. 7a.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective top view of a portion of a milling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a side view of the milling system of FIG. 8.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a front view of the milling system of FIG. 8.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a perspective, front view of the milling system of FIG. 8. While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a representative embodiment of a milling plate 6 according to the present invention generally comprises a plurality of blade slots 10 each having a corresponding adjustable vice grip 12 and milling blade 14. The plurality of blade slots 10 are generally positioned proximate to a perimeter edge 11 of the plate 6 and each blade slot 10 further comprises a threaded slot bore (not shown) along one side of the slot 10. Each adjustable vice grip 12 further comprises a threaded vice bore 18 corresponding to the threaded slot bore of one of the plurality of slots 10. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an embodiment of the milling blade 14 can comprise a generally rectangular shape having an angled milling surface 19 for milling the track surface

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, each milling blade 14 is insertable into a corresponding slot 10 and retained by the adjustable vice grip 12. The adjustable vice grip 12 further comprises a flat side 20 for aligning the vice grip 12 with the side of the slot 10 and an angled side 22 for engaging the milling blade 14. A threaded set screw 24 is insertable through the threaded bore 18 of the vice grip 12 and into the threaded bore 16 of the corresponding slot 10. As the set screw 24 is tightened, the angled side 22 of the vice grip 14 will tighten against the milling blade 14 to lock the milling blade 14 within the slot 10.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 6a-6c and 7a-7c, in operation, the milling plate 6 is positioned proximate to a rail track 100 such that the at least one milling blade 14 engages a facet of a track surface 102. In a Type-2 configuration, the milling plate 6 is positioned such that the rail track 100 bisects the milling plate 6 and is simultaneously engaged by at least two milling blades 14 positioned on opposite sides of the milling plate 6 as shown in FIGS. 6b and 6c. Alternatively, in a Type-3 configuration, the milling plate 6 is positioned such that rail track 100 intersects the milling plate 6 proximate to the periphery of the milling plate 6 as shown in FIG. 7b. Once positioned proximate to the rail track 100, the milling plate 6 can be rotated to quickly mill and smooth the track surface 102. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an amount of brake horsepower required to rotate the milling plate 6 can be monitored to ensure the milling blades 14 do not cut into the track surface 102. If the brake horsepower required to rotate the milling plate 6 exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating that the milling blades 14 are cutting into the track surface 102, a control system can be configured to automatically trigger cutoff of the milling operation so as to prevent further damage to the track surface 102.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 8-11, various embodiments of a milling system 2 can further comprise a rail car 30 for supporting and positioning at least one milling module 4. The rail car 30 generally comprises a frame 32, a plurality of rail wheels 34 and a positioning assembly 36. The frame 32 further comprises at least two vertical supports 38 supporting an elevated portion 40 between the vertical supports 38. The rail wheels 34 are mounted to a wheel assembly 39 that is operably connected to the vertical supports 38 so as to support the frame 32 and allow the rail car 30 to be pulled down the rail track 100. The positioning assembly 36 can further comprises a positioning platform 42, at least one vertical positioning assembly 44 and at least one horizontal positioning assembly 46. The positioning platform 42 is hung below the frame 32. Each vertical positioning assembly 44 further includes a rotatable positioning arm 48 and a vertical piston assembly 50. Similarly, the horizontal positioning assembly 46 includes a horizontal piston assembly 52. The vertical and horizontal piston assemblies 50, 52 can be electrically or hydraulically actuated. The vertical positioning assembly 44 and horizontal positioning assembly 46 are each operably attached to the positioning platform 42 as well as the milling module 4 such that extension of a piston arm in both the vertical piston assembly 50 and horizontal piston assembly 52 controls the movement and orientation of the milling module 4 relative to the rail track 100. Each milling module 4 includes a motor 55 operably coupled to the milling plate 6. The brake horsepower required to operate motor 55 can be continually monitored by a control system, such as, for example, a remotely located control system to monitor the state of the milling operation. For instance, higher brake horsepower readings can be an indication that milling plate 6 is cutting too deeply into the track surface 102. In certain instances, the control system can continually monitor and shutdown milling module 4 if a brake horsepower setpoint for motor 55 is above or below the setpoint.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 9-12, at least one milling module 4 is mounted to the positioning platform 42. The vertical piston assembly 50 is affixed to the positioning platform 42 and is adapted to adjust the relative distance between the milling plate 6 and the track surface 102 by extending or retracting the piston arm which is coupled to rotatable positioning arm 48. The horizontal piston assembly 52 is affixed to the positioning platform 42 as well as the milling module 4 so as to adjust the angle at which the milling plate 6 intersects the track surface 102.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention, the positioning assembly 36 can further comprise at least one depth guide 56 for preventing damage to the track surface. The depth guide 56 can further comprise at least one wheel 58 for continually contacting the track surface 102 as the milling system 2 is pulled down the track. The depth guide 56 operably engages the track surface 102 and can physically prevent the vertical positioning assembly 44 from directing the milling module 4 past a predetermined height from the track surface 102 so as to prevent the milling plate 6 from cutting too deeply into or otherwise damaging the track surface.

[0038] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail. It is understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.