Locked-axle wheel cradle, system, and method
US11724723B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2022 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61J1/12
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A crane-less locked axle cradle system configured to lift a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the lifted wheel along a rail is presented. The present disclosure discloses a system that can lift the locked-axle wheel off the rail with no crane thereby allowing the train with a locked axle to be transported off the mainline in a shorter period of time. A cradle system can have two parts (male and female members with wedges and rail wheels) that can be mated with each other around a rail wheel. As the male and female members are pulled together, locked wheel engagers can couple with different portions of the locked-axle wheel, causing the locked-axle wheel to lift off the rail given the gradient of the wedge or rotation of the wheel. In another embodiment, the wheel lifting can be assisted by an air bag, hydraulic cylinder, jack, or other.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.