Intelligent on-board rail lubrication system for curved and tangent track
US4930600A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16N29/02
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In railroad operations, a method and apparatus for optimizing on-board rail lubrication for both curved and tangent track. The apparatus is mounted on the car body of the last locomotive of a locomotive consist behind the last axle. A lubricating device applies two different lubricants, one on the crown of the rail and the other on the gage side. The amount and type of the crown lubricant are chosen such that the crown lubricant is totally consumed by the passage of the train wheels. The amount of application of the two lubricants is controlled by a microprocessor. A new sensor has been devised which measures degree of rail curve and estimates the angle of attack of the wheel on the rail by converting lateral displacement into either of the two quantities. This value is provided to the microprocessor. Other sensors measuring speed, temperature, humidity, etc. provide input signals to the microprocessor. This invention not only reduces the friction coefficient between the wheel flanges and the rail but also reduces the forces between the wheel flanges and the rail. Both rail and wheel wear are reduced while simultaneously also reducing the fuel consumed in the train.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.