Hydraulic switch stand

• US 5,775,647 A
• Filed: 01/31/1997
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Transportation Systems Global Signaling LLC (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Wyatt
• Inventors: Wyatt, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MORANO IV, SAMUEL J
• Application Number:
  US08/792,493
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 246/257, 246/258, 246/285, 246/393, 246/407
• US Class Current: 246/258
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 5/045 using electrically controlled fluid-pressure operated driving means

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side using a hydraulic power source operated using a DC electrical power source preferably in combination with a solar energy charging system. The apparatus has a hydraulic cylinder with a piston operatively connected to the switch points to move the switch points from side-to-side. The hydraulic power source is in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder. A valve for controlling the direction of the movement of the switch points by altering the direction of flow of hydraulic fluid is positioned in fluid communication between the hydraulic power source and the hydraulic cylinder. Preferably, the hydraulic power source is a hydraulic pump operated by a DC electric motor drawing power from a battery. The electrical charge of the battery is preferably replenished or supplemented by use of the solar energy charging system. The solar energy system has at least one solar panel electrically connected to a battery charge regulator which in turn is electrically connected to the battery. The piston and connecting rod are operatively attached to a pivot shaft such that movement of the operating rod along its axis causes a rotation of the main pivot shaft, which translates to movement of the connecting rod along its axis to effect switching of the switch points. A biasing spring is also connected to the pivot shaft to assist in the retraction or extension of the connecting rod and locking it in the extended or retracted position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side, the apparatus comprising:

a pivot shaft;

a connecting rod having a first end operatively connected to the pivot shaft and a second end operatively attached to the switch points such that movement of the connecting rod along its axis moves the switch points from side-to-side;

a hydraulic cylinder having an operating rod that has a first end operatively connected to the pivot shaft and a second end connected to a piston internally disposed in the hydraulic cylinder, the piston defining a portion of two separate pressurizeable chambers within the hydraulic cylinder;

a hydraulic power source in fluid communication with the pressurizeable chambers in the hydraulic cylinder;

a valve positioned in fluid communication between the hydraulic power source and each of the pressurizeable chambers in the hydraulic cylinder for selectively controlling the direction of movement of the operating rod of the hydraulic cylinder;

a biasing spring having a first end pivotally attached to a fixed point and a second end operatively attached to the pivot shaft,

wherein movement of the operating rod along its axis causes a rotation of the main pivot shaft, which translates to movement of the connecting rod along its axis to effect switching of the switch points from side-to-side and

wherein the biasing spring exerts a force against its connection to the pivot shaft to assist in the retraction or extension of the connecting rod and to lock the connecting rod in position after the operating rod has been extended or retracted.

2. The apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic power source comprises

a hydraulic pump,

a DC electric motor, and

a battery having a stored electrical charge,

wherein the hydraulic pump is mechanically connected to and driven by the DC electric motor and the DC electric motor is electrically connected to the battery for drawing the stored electrical charge from the battery.

3. The apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a solar energy charging system, wherein the solar energy charging system replenishes the electrical charge of the battery.

4. The apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the solar energy system comprises

at least one solar panel and

a battery charge regulator,

wherein the at least one solar panel is electrically connected to the battery charge regulator and the battery charge regulator is electrically connected to the battery.

5. The apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a pressure switch for sensing hydraulic fluid pressure, wherein in an over pressure situation where the pressure switch senses a hydraulic fluid pressure greater than a predetermined maximum the pressure switch disconnects a DC electric motor from a DC power source connected to the DC electric motor.

6. An apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side, the apparatus comprising:

a hydraulic cylinder having an operating rod that has a first end operatively connected to the switch points to move the switch points from side-to-side and a second end connected to a piston internally disposed in the hydraulic cylinder, the piston defining a portion of two separate pressurizeable chambers within the hydraulic cylinder;

a hydraulic power source in fluid communication with the pressurizeable chambers in the hydraulic cylinder, wherein the hydraulic power source at least includes

a hydraulic pump,

a DC electric motor, and

a battery having a stored electrical charge;

a valve positioned in fluid communication between the hydraulic power source and each of the pressurizeable chambers in the hydraulic cylinder for selectively controlling the direction of movement of the operating rod of the hydraulic cylinder; and

a solar energy charging system, wherein the solar energy charging system replenishes the electrical charge of the battery, and

a pressure switch for sensing hydraulic fluid pressure, wherein in an over pressure situation where the pressure switch senses a hydraulic fluid pressure greater than a predetermined maximum, the pressure switch disconnects the DC electric motor from the battery,

wherein the hydraulic pump is mechanically connected to and driven by the DC electric motor and the DC electric motor is electrically connected to the battery for drawing the stored electrical charge from the battery.

7. The apparatus for moving railroad switch points from side-to-side, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the solar energy charging system comprises

at least one solar panel and

a battery charge regulator,

wherein the at least one solar panel is electrically connected to the battery charge regulator and the battery charge regulator is electrically connected to the battery.