BACKGROUND

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to railroad switch equipment, specifically to a railroad track switch machine with an external state indicator.

[0002] In general, a railroad point, also referred to a turnout, is a mechanical installation at a section of railroad track where the track diverges into two separate tracks, which are a straight track and a diverging track. The point consists of a set of blades that move laterally between two positions to direct an oncoming train onto either the straight or diverging track (for ease of reference, the set of blades will be referred to simply as the “point” hereafter).

[0003] The movement of the points is operated by a railroad track point machine, also known as a point motor, switch machine or switch motor. In the past, point machines were purely mechanical, employing hand-thrown levers or rod/wires to operate the point machine at a distance. Over the years, improvements in rail infrastructure have necessitated more powerful point machines driven hydraulically or electrically. Modern point machines employ at least one electrical motor to move the point between its two positions. The operation of a point machine is well known to one of skill in the art and will not be discussed in greater detail.

[0004] Point machines are an essential part of the safe operation of a railway by operating and locking the points. When power is unavailable or other disruptions occur to the electrical operation, it is necessary to manually operate the point machine, usually by means of levers or cranks. Such a manual operation introduces a risk, as when points are cranked, it is impossible to see inside the machine to make sure the locking features are properly engaged. SUMMARY

[0005] Briefly described, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to railroad switch equipment, specifically to a railroad track switch machine with a state indicator.

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a cover assembly for an electric switch machine comprising an external state indicator configured to display one or more internal states of the switch machine.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrical switch machine comprising an electric motor and a gearbox for operating switches and rods for movement of a point, and a cover assembly for the gearbox, wherein the cover assembly comprises an external state indicator configured to display one or more internal states of the switch machine.

BRIED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a gearbox of an electrical switch machine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a gearbox cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an external state indicator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a coupling for an external state indicator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a shaft for an external state indicator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an external state indicator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates perspective view of another embodiment of a coupling for an external state indicator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The components and materials described hereinafter as making up the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components and materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 1, gearbox 100 of an electrical switch machine operates with other components for movement of a point. Such other components are for example an electric motor, switches, and rods. The gearbox 100 includes a section 102 for connecting an electric motor. Gearbox 100 includes a housing 104 and gearbox cover 110, herein simply referred to as the cover 110. The cover 110 can be mounted to the housing 104, for example by way of screws or bolts 112.

[0017] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover 110 comprises an external state indicator 120 configured to display one or more internal states of the switch machine. The external state indicator 120 is disposed on an outside of the cover 110 such that the state indicator 120 and states are visible when the switch machine is in operation. The external state indicator 120 is herein also referred to as phase indicator 120.

[0018] The phase indicator 120 is configured to display multiple (internal) states of the switch machine, the multiple states including switch states and lock states. The multiple states of the switch machine are indicated via position indicators 130 on the cover 110. The position indicators 130 can be for example markings that correspond to the states of the machine.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cover 120 without the external phase indicator 120, and shows the position indicators (markings) 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d which correspond to the states of the switch machine. In an example, marking 130a corresponds to a first switch state and marking 130b relates to first lock state. The marking 130c relates to a second switch state (position) and the marking 130d to a second lock state. This way, it is easily visible for railroad crews or maintenance personnel, in which state (position) the switch machine currently is.

[0020] The cover 120 further comprises opening 122 for arranging an indicator shaft and coupling to connect the phase indicator 120 to the gear mechanism of the gearbox (see also FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). When the gear mechanism of the gearbox 100 is in operation, and since the phase indicator 120 is coupled to the gear mechanism, specifically to a (vertical) main crank shaft of the gear mechanism, the state indicator 120 moves as the main crank shaft of the gear mechanism moves. The cover 120 further comprises an opening 114 for manually operating the point machine. For example, a lever or cranks can be coupled to the point machine via opening 114, in case power is unavailable for electrical operation of the point machine.

[0021] With reference to FIG. 3, in an example, the phase indicator 120 is configured as a disk to perform a rotary motion when the switch machine is operated. The external phase indicator comprises a tip or point 124 that moves and when reached a certain state or position, points to the corresponding state 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d (see also FIG. 1). It should be noted that the state indicator 120 and the markings 130 may be embodied in many ways, for example with different shapes, colors, letters etc.

[0022] Further, the external phase indicator 120 comprises an opening 126 for receiving an indicator shaft 140, as illustrated in an example in FIG. 4. The external phase indicator 120 is coupled via the indicator shaft 140 and a coupling 150 (see FIG. 5) to a component of the gear mechanism, specifically to the main crank shaft of the gear mechanism. The cover assembly may further comprise one or more bearings for coupling the cover assembly to the gear mechanism.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an external state indicator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a luminous or electrically lit state indicator 120 allows the indicator’s position to be discernible in low light conditions. More specifically, the indicator 120 comprises luminous paint applied to specific areas of the indicator 120, specifically the tip 124 and to the position indicators (states) 130a, 130b, 130c and 130d on the gearbox cover 110. Thus, it is easily visible, for example at night, in which position or state the point machine is.

[0025] In other examples, the indicator 120 and/or position indicators (markings) 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d may be electrically lit and can comprise for example one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other lamps that are battery powered or powered via power from the point machine itself. Further, the cover 110 and/or indicator 120 may comprise two polarised transparent plates to block a light at specific indicator angles. Here, two (opposite) polarised transparent plates may be arranged on top of the indicator 120 and block or direct a light from a lamp that is arranged between the transparent plates, towards the states/positions 130a-130d.

[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates perspective view of another embodiment of a coupling for an external state indicator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [0027] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a magnetic or spring detent coupling is provided between gearbox main crank shaft 160 and indicator shaft 140. Such a detent coupling allows for simple removal and replacement of the gearbox cover 110 while ensuring correct alignment of indicator position with the crank shaft 160 and thus the point machine’s state. The detent coupling may also function as an overload breakaway such that a malfunction or deliberate interference of the indicator cannot affect proper operation of the machine.

[0028] In our example, the detent coupling comprises connectors (arms) 170 and 180. Each connector or arm 170, 180 comprises a magnetic section at an end, wherein the magnetic section may comprise a magnet. Arm 170 comprises magnet 172 at an end that is opposite to where the arm 170 is coupled to main crank shaft 160. Arm 180 comprises magnet 182 at an end that is opposite to an end of the arm 180 where the arm is coupled to the indicator shaft 140.

[0029] When mounting the coupling 150 to the main crank shaft 160 of the point machine, the arm 170 is mounted to the main crank shaft 160 before the coupling 150 is mounted. The arm 170 is held in place via its magnet 172 that attaches to a magnetic area in the gearbox 100. The arm 182 is arranged between coupling 150 and indicator shaft 140, wherein the magnet 182 of arm 180 connects with the magnet 172 of arm 170 due to their magnetic attraction.

[0030] The described cover 110 for a gearbox of a railroad track switch machine provides a mechanism for externally displaying states of the switch machine, specifically switch states and lock states. The displaying of the states is important when the switch machine is operated manually, due to for example loss of power. Without such an external phase indicator 120, the crew/person manually operating the switch machine would not be able to know what a current state/position of the switch machine is. The cover assembly with cover 110 is designed so that it can be easily retrofitted to existing switch machines. An existing cover without a state indicator can be removed and replaced with the described cover 110 including external phase indicator 120. Further, the external state indicator 120 can assist in a setup of the switch machine as well as a maintenance guide for adjustments.

[0031] While embodiments have been disclosed in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims.