Lifting column, lifting system and method for lifting a vehicle such as a rail-car

Abstract

A lifting column, lifting system and method for lifting a vehicle, such as a rail-car. The lifting column includes a frame having a movable carrier; a drive operably connected to the frame for the lifting or lowering of the carrier; and a lifter attached to the carrier for lifting the vehicle to be lifted. The lifter includes a positioner for moving of the lifter relative to the carrier.

Claims

1. A lifting column for lifting a vehicle, comprising: a frame comprising a movable carrier; a drive operably connected to the frame for the lifting or lowering of the carrier; a lifter attached to the carrier for lifting the vehicle to be lifted, the lifter comprising a positioner for moving of the lifter relative to the carrier; wherein the lifter comprises one or more lifting arms; and wherein the lifting arms are extendable relative to the carrier.

2. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the lifter comprises a lifting block that is configured such that the lifting block is moveable in a substantially vertical direction relative to the carrier.

3. The lifting column according to claim 2, wherein the carrier comprises a recess for receiving the lifting block.

4. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the lifting arms are configured such that the lifting arms are moveable in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the frame.

5. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising a side shift mechanism configured to position the lifting arms in a substantially sideways direction.

6. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises horizontal positioners configured to move the carrier relative to the frame in a substantially horizontal direction.

7. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising a lock configured to lock the lifter when in use.

8. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising a mover configured to move the lifting column.

9. The lifting column according to claim 8, further comprising a guide and a drive for moving the column in a pit.

10. The lifting system for lifting a vehicle, comprising at least two lifting columns according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a lifting column according to the invention;

(3) FIGS. 2A-C show a lifting system according to the prior art;

(4) FIGS. 3A-C schematically illustrate removing a bogie from a rail-car with the lifting column of FIG. 1;

(5) FIGS. 4A-C schematically illustrate removing the wheels from a bogie with a lifting column according to FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a lifting column according to the invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a further alternative embodiment of a lifting column according to the invention in a pit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Lifting column 2 (FIG. 1) comprises a foot 4 that is positioned on surface 6. Lifting column 2 can be moved over ground surface 6 using main wheel 8 and front wheels 10. Lifting column 2 comprises a mast 12 on which a control box 14 with a display and input device 16 is attached. Control box 14 further comprises transmitter/receiver 18, drive 20 and in the illustrated mobile embodiment battery 22. Furthermore, mast 12 comprises a height sensor 26 for detecting the actual height of the carrier 24 that can be moved along mast 12 using a conventional hydraulic scheme, for example. In particular, sensor 26 enables detecting height differences between carriers 24 of individual lifting columns 2 that jointly lift a vehicle.

(9) In the illustrated embodiment carrier 24 is provided with two lifting arms 28 that are extendable relative to carrier 24. In addition, carrier 24 comprises a lifting block 30 that can be lifted with lift 32. In the illustrated embodiment locking means 34 use a pen to provide additional safety when lifting a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment lifting column 2 communicates with central controller 36 that controls the operation of lifting column 2 and preferably also the joint operation of a pair of lifting columns 2 when lifting a vehicle.

(10) In the illustrated embodiment lifting block 30 is moveable in a substantially vertical direction A. Lifting arms 28 are moveable in a substantially horizontal direction B and, in addition, carrier 24 is moveable with guide 38 in a substantially horizontal direction C relative to lifting arms 28. These possibilities for moving carrier 24, arms 28 and/or block 30 increase the freedom to position lifting block 30 when lifting a load.

(11) In the illustrated embodiment a central controller 36 controls operation of lifting columns 2. In addition thereto, or as an alternative there for, the control can be performed directly on lifting columns 2.

(12) Rail-car 100 (FIG. 2A) comprises a number of shafts 102 connecting a pair of wheels 104. A second shaft 106 connects a second pair of wheels 108. Both the first shaft 102 and the second shaft 106 are connected to bogie 110 with frame 112. Bogie 110 is provided with a number of openings 114 enabling access to components of bogie 110.

(13) According to the prior art a conventional in-ground lifting cylinder 116 (FIGS. 2A-C) is positioned in ground surface 117 and specifically between the rails over which wheels 104, 108 move. When wheels 104, 108 with shafts 102, 106 need to be removed, lifting cylinder 116 lifts bogie 110 after decoupling shafts 102, 106 from bogie 110. After the bogie 110 is lifted (FIG. 2B) the wheels can be rolled away from bogie 110 (FIG. 2C). In the illustrated embodiment first shaft 102 is rolled away to the right hand side while the second shaft 106 is rolled away in the opposite direction towards the left hand side (FIG. 2C). Especially when replacing shaft 106 and all wheels 108 on the left hand side a relatively complex operation for providing a new shaft and/or new wheels is required as cylinder 116 blocks access for a new shaft and new pair of wheels.

(14) A rail-car 100 (FIGS. 3A-C) can be lifted by removing nut 118 from a central pivot of bogie 110 and disconnecting brake lines etc. (not shown). Using lifting column 2 wagon 100 can be lifted from bogie 110, preferably using two mobile lifting columns 2 on one end of rail-car 100. For example, rail-car 100 can be lifted over a substantially vertical distance of 400 mm (FIG. 3B) after which bogie 110 can be rolled away to be surfaced at another location in a direction A (FIG. 3C).

(15) When shaft 102, 106 with wheels 104, 108 needs to be removed from bogie 110, one or more lifting columns 2 are positioned relative to the rail-car 100. When lifting rail-car 100 (FIG. 4A-C) the carrier 24 is positioned relative to the bogie after which lifting means engage the point of contact of bogie 110 and/or housing of rail-car 100. When lifting arms 28 are being used these lifting arms 28 are preferably provided in openings 114 after which carrier 24 can be lifted. Alternative points of contact can also be engaged by lifting arms 28. This enables changing wheels 104, 108 and/or shafts 102, 106 without removing the entire bogie 110.

(16) In case lifting column 2 with lifting arms 28 is being used to lift rail-car 100, lifting block 30 engages the point of contact 118 in the housing or wagon of rail-car 100. Lifting arms 28 engage additional points of contact 120 of bogie 110 (FIG. 4B). When bogie 110 and the housing of rail-car 100 are being lifted, all shafts 102, 106 and the wheels 104, 108 connected thereto can be moved away from the rail-car 100 in the same direction A (FIG. 4C). This provides easy access for removing and/or replacing wheels and shafts as there is no structural element, such as a cylinder, blocking their movements relative to rail-car 100.

(17) For example, lifting block 30 engages the frame of rail-car 100 and lifting arms 28 are positioned in openings of bogie 110 by extending lifting arms 28. This provides additional safety when lifting rail car 100 for changing wheels 104, 108 and/or shafts 102, 106 without removing the entire bogie 110. Alternatively, lifting block 30 engages the frame of rail-car 100 and lifts the frame of bogey 110 to enable changing the entire bogie 110, for example.

(18) Lifting column 152 (FIG. 5) is positioned adjacent railway 154 in the illustrated embodiment. Column 152 is connected to base 155 and comprises hydraulic cylinder 156 that in a retracted position is substantially positioned in-ground. Carrier 158 comprises platform 160 that is provided with lifting arms 162 suitable for engaging a bogie of a rail-car, and lifting block 164 suitable for engaging a frame of a rail-car. In the illustrated embodiment lifting block 164 is moveable in height direction (z-direction) relative to platform 160 of carrier 158. Also, lifting block 164 is moveable in a substantially horizontal direction (y-direction) towards or away from the object to be lifted with moving mechanism 166 comprising a drive and guides. Height adjustments can be locked with locking mechanism 168.

(19) In-ground lifting column 202 (FIG. 6) comprises similar structures and elements as compared to lifting column 2 that is described earlier. Therefore, in-ground lifting column 202 will mainly be described in relation to its relevant and/or its distinguishing elements. Similar elements will be indicated with the same reference numbers.

(20) In the illustrated embodiment in-ground lifting column is partly positioned in pit 204 that is provided with cover 206. Cover 206 can be any conventional cover that is used for in-ground lifting systems. In the illustrated embodiment cover 206 is positioned on one or both ends of pit 204. Alternatively, cover 206 is connected to column 202 such that a substantially continuous coverage of pit 204 is achieved irrespective of the actual position of column 202 in pit 204. Pit 204 is located directly besides railway 208 with its rails 210 and railway sleepers/ties 212. Pit 204 is provided with guide 214 and drive 216 enabling movement of column 202 along pit 204 for positioning relative to a rail-car. It will be understood that in-ground lifting column 202 can alternatively be provided at a specific location, in other words without being moveable. Furthermore, it will be understood that other embodiments of column 202 could also be applied according to the invention, including embodiments of column 2 that only comprise lifting arms 28 or lifting block 30. Furthermore, it will also be understood that lifting column 202 can be positioned between rails 210, optionally in a pit 204. Also, lifting column 202 can be used in other applications such as for lifting road vehicles, for example.

(21) The present invention can be applied to the (wireless) lifting columns as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the invention can also be applied to other types of lifting columns and lifting systems including wired lifting columns.

(22) The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.