A DRIVE UNIT FOR RAIL LUBRICATING DEVICES AND A METHOD FOR USING THE SAME

Abstract

A drive unit for rail lubricating devices and a method for using the same solves the problem of the using impact of rolling stock wheel to drive lubricating device, and preventing or mitigating peak caused by impact and resulting pressure overload or uncontrolled application of the lubricating medium in different climatic conditions or at different external temperatures by using the impact of at least one wheel of rail vehicles via the pivoting lever (also described as a rocker arm) and the inertia of this motion to operate the lubrication device in such a way that it changes the kinetic-potential energy of the rolling wheel impact into torque without the help of added hydraulic fluid and without creating a negative pressure for the purpose of pushing the medium or dosing.

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. A process for controlling using a lubrication device for applying lubricant to rails supporting vehicle wheels, said process comprising the following steps: a) receiving impact of a moving wheel of a vehicle on a rail onto a pivoting lever of the drive unit of the lubrication device; b) pivoting of the pivoting lever of the said drive unit from a first position to a second position; c) transmission of torque via a drive axle to a flexible shaft, including a torsion element, to control the lubrication device; and, d) return of the said pivoting lever unit from the second position to the first position.

10. The process for controlling the lubricating device according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: e) generating electrical current for signaling, controlling and monitoring the lubricating device.

11. The process for controlling the lubricating device drive unit according to claim 10, further comprising the preliminary step of adjusting a stop adjacent said pivoting lever for the purpose of limiting the movement of said pivoting lever.

12. A drive unit for controlling a lubrication system configured for a rail system supporting vehicle wheels, said drive unit comprising: a) an impact element arranged in a first position proximate at least one said rail; b) a support lever holding said in impact element and configured for movement between said first position and a second position, wherein said first position maintains said impact element in a location where it can be impacted by a vehicle wheel passing over said rail; c) a pivot mechanism configured for moving said support lever between said first and second positions by way of axial motion; d) a return mechanism arranged to force said support lever from said second position to said first position; and, e) a flexible shaft arranged a transfer torque from said pivot mechanism to said lubricating system, said flexible shaft arranged to dampen force from said impact element.

13. The drive unit according to claim 12, wherein said return mechanism comprises a spring.

14. The drive unit according to claim 13, wherein said pivot mechanism comprises a device that can be set to move in only a single direction.

15. The drive unit according to claim 14, further comprising an adjustment screw to limit movement of said support lever.

16. The unit according to claim 15 wherein said impact element is made of an elastic material.

17. The drive unit according to claim 16, further comprising an electrical generator configured to provide control signals for operating said lubrication system.

18. The drive unit according to claim 14, wherein said pivot mechanism includes a clutch means to facilitate the flexible shaft remaining in a position while the pivoting mechanism returns to said first position.

Description

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a rolling stock wheel (1), rail (2), impact element of pivoting lever (3), pivoting lever (4), spring (5), adjustment screw (6), one-way bearing (7), drive axle (8), housing (9) namely in the initial position.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows the rail vehicle wheel (1), rail (2), impact element of pivoting lever (3), pivoting lever (4), spring (5), adjustment screw (6), one-way bearing (7), drive axle (8), housing (9) namely in an intermediate position.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows the rail vehicle wheel (1), rail (2), impact element of pivoting lever (3), pivoting lever (4), spring (5), adjustment screw (6), one-way bearing (7), drive axle (8), housing (9) namely in the final position.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a lubrication device (13), a flexible shaft (10), which preferably has a torsion element (11). The flexible shaft (10) can be connected to the generator (12), which stores the torque peaks.

[0046] Arrows on FIGS. 1 to 3 show direction of rolling stock wheel travel and rolling stock wheel rotation direction for this embodiment. Obviously, this invention works regardless of rolling stock wheel direction of travel or rotation and is shown as an example only.

[0047] The drive unit of the lubricating device (13) in the embodiment works in such a way that the drive unit comprises an impact element of pivoting lever (3) that pushes the pivoting lever (4), whereby the one-way bearing (7) and the drive axle (8) rotate by the same angle.

[0048] When the pivoting lever (4) reaches its final position, the elastic element, preferably the spring (5) returns it to its original or starting position for the collision of the next rolling stock wheel (2) with the help of a released one-way bearing (7) (via a clutch, a lock or some other method known from the state of the art).

[0049] The impact element of pivoting lever (3) is preferably a wheel made of highly resistant plastic or rubber. This material provides better rebound and dampens rolling stock wheel impacts in such a way that, due to its own rotation, it compensates for the shearing forces when the rolling stock wheel impacts, which is especially important at high speeds.

[0050] The torque depends on the speed of the rolling stock wheel (2) and the set height of the impact element of pivoting lever (3), which is adjusted with the adjustment screw (6).

[0051] The impact forces are compensated by a torsion element (preferably a spring) (11), which can form an integral part of the flexible shaft (10), which is used to transfer rotational energy from the pivoting lever (4) to the lubrication device (13).

[0052] On the other hand, the flexible shaft (10) can be connected to the generator (12), which stores the excess torque.

[0053] According to the embodiment, the torque is transmitted from the pivoting lever (4), drive axle (8), torsion element (11), flexible shaft (10) to the lubrication device (13).

[0054] It is necessary to clarify that the drive axis (8), the torsion element (11) and the flexible shaft (10) can form one machine element, for example a shaft, preferably made of flexible material.

[0055] According to the description, the torsional element (11) is a flexible element that enables damping or redistribution of torque or compensation of force peak. This can be a torsion spring, a screw spring, an elastic shaft made of an elastic material (for example, a rubber insert, a synthetic rubber insert or another element that allows the torque that reaches the lubrication device (13) to be more uniform. In this embodiment, torsion spring is used.