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Locomotive rail conditioning system alignment verification

  • US 6,588,808 B1
  • Filed: 02/22/2002
  • Issued: 07/08/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of aligning a rail conditioning system installed on a rail vehicle for delivery of a rail conditioning material to a desired location on a rail relative to a wheel of the rail vehicle, the rail conditioning system including a delivery conduit having a nozzle for producing a diffused spray of a material centered along a line of flow directed toward the rail, the method comprising:

  • removing a nozzle from a delivery conduit of a rail conditioning system of a rail vehicle;

    detachably securing a source of light on the delivery conduit in place of the nozzle to unmovingly align the source of light relative to the delivery conduit;

    energizing the source of light to direct a beam of light along a path corresponding to a central line of a flow of material to be delivered by the nozzle;

    detecting impingement of the beam of light on one of a rail and a wheel to assess alignment of the nozzle when installed on the delivery conduit for centering the flow of material on a desired location;

    removing the source of light from the delivery conduit;

    reinstalling the nozzle onto the delivery conduit; and

    delivering a spray of a rail conditioning material to provide a desired coverage of the rail by the rail conditioning material.

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