US20120074239A1 - Train rail and train tracks - Google Patents
Train rail and train tracks Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120074239A1 US20120074239A1 US13/237,964 US201113237964A US2012074239A1 US 20120074239 A1 US20120074239 A1 US 20120074239A1 US 201113237964 A US201113237964 A US 201113237964A US 2012074239 A1 US2012074239 A1 US 2012074239A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- train
- rail head
- piezoelectric plate
- piezoelectric
- receiving groove
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000002033 PVDF binder Substances 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JRPBQTZRNDNNOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N barium titanate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[Ba+2].[O-][Ti]([O-])([O-])[O-] JRPBQTZRNDNNOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910002113 barium titanate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910021523 barium zirconate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DQBAOWPVHRWLJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N barium(2+);dioxido(oxo)zirconium Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-][Zr]([O-])=O DQBAOWPVHRWLJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- AJNVQOSZGJRYEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N digallium;oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Ga+3].[Ga+3] AJNVQOSZGJRYEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NKZSPGSOXYXWQA-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxido(oxo)titanium;lead(2+) Chemical class [Pb+2].[O-][Ti]([O-])=O NKZSPGSOXYXWQA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004134 energy conservation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001195 gallium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GQYHUHYESMUTHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N lithium niobate Chemical compound [Li+].[O-][Nb](=O)=O GQYHUHYESMUTHG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- -1 modified barium zirconate titanate Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920002981 polyvinylidene fluoride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
- E01B5/00—Rails; Guard rails; Distance-keeping means for them
- E01B5/02—Rails
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02N—ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H02N2/00—Electric machines in general using piezoelectric effect, electrostriction or magnetostriction
- H02N2/18—Electric machines in general using piezoelectric effect, electrostriction or magnetostriction producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a rail used for train tracks and train tracks having the same.
- Train tracks usually consist of pairs of rails connected end to end. Many modern trains are powered by electricity supplied by overhead wires or additional rails and are guided by many electronic devices along the tracks, such as indicator lights all adding up to tremendous amount of electricity being used.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a train track including two train rails, according to a first exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one rail of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another rail, according to a second exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view of yet another rail, according to a third exemplary embodiment.
- a train track 100 includes two train rails 10 and a number of ties 20 .
- the two train rails 10 are laterally spaced apart one from the other by a distance sufficient to establish the desired gauge of the train track 100 .
- the ties 20 are parallel to each other and arranged between the two train rails 10 .
- Each tie 20 is perpendicular to the two train rails 10 .
- each train rail 10 is approximately I-shaped in cross-section.
- Each train rail 10 includes an upper rail head 12 , a lower rail head 14 , a web 16 connecting the upper rail head 12 to the lower rail head 16 , a first piezoelectric plate 17 , and a second piezoelectric plate 18 .
- the upper rail head 12 has an upper curved surface 120 to engage with the wheels of a train (not shown) and defines a first receiving groove 122 .
- the first receiving groove 122 is arranged within the upper rail head 12 and the length direction of the first receiving groove 122 coincides with the length direction of the train rail 10 .
- the first piezoelectric plate 17 is received in the first receiving groove 122 .
- the depth of the first piezoelectric plate 17 is less than half of the depth of the upper rail head 12 .
- the lower rail head 14 is substantially parallel to the upper rail head 12 .
- the lower rail head 14 defines a second receiving groove 142 .
- the second receiving groove 142 is arranged within the upper rail head 12 and the length direction of the second receiving groove 142 coincides with the length direction of the train rail 10 .
- the second piezoelectric plate 18 is received in the second receiving groove 142 .
- the depth of the second piezoelectric plate 18 is less than half of the depth of the lower rail head 14 .
- first piezoelectric plate 17 and the second piezoelectric plate 18 are made of piezoelectric material, such as organic piezoelectric material, inorganic piezoelectric material, or compound piezoelectric material.
- the organic piezoelectric material may be polyvinylidene fluoride.
- the inorganic piezoelectric material may be piezotransistor or piezoceramics.
- the piezotransistor includes quartz crystal, lithium gallium oxide, lithium germinate, lithium niobate and lithium tantalite.
- the piezoceramics includes barium titanate, barium zirconate titanate, modified barium zirconate titanate, and modified lead titanate.
- the compound piezoelectric material includes a polymer base, organic piezoelectric material and inorganic piezoelectric material. The organic piezoelectric material and the inorganic piezoelectric material are embedded in the polymer base.
- the pressure of the trains can provide additional electric energy for charging the battery and/or powering the electronic devices on the train track 100 , achieving good energy conservation.
- a train rail 30 according to a second exemplary embodiment, is shown.
- the differences between the train rail 30 of this embodiment and the train rail 10 of the first embodiment are: the first and second receiving grooves are omitted, and two piezoelectric plates 32 are arranged at opposite sides of the web 36 perpendicular to the upper and lower rail heads.
- a train rail 40 according to a third exemplary embodiment, is shown.
- the differences between the train rail 40 of this embodiment and the train rail 10 of the first embodiment are: the first receiving groove is omitted, the second receiving groove 442 is exposed at the lower rail head 44 , and the second piezoelectric plate 48 is received in the second receiving groove 442 and is exposed at the lower rail head 44 .
Abstract
A train rail includes an upper rail head, a lower rail head, a web, and at least one piezoelectric plate. The lower rail head is substantially parallel to the upper rail head. The web perpendicularly connects the upper rail head to the lower rail head. The at least one piezoelectric plate is positioned in the train rail and configured for producing electric power under pressure.
Description
- 1. Technical Field
- The present disclosure relates to a rail used for train tracks and train tracks having the same.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Train tracks usually consist of pairs of rails connected end to end. Many modern trains are powered by electricity supplied by overhead wires or additional rails and are guided by many electronic devices along the tracks, such as indicator lights all adding up to tremendous amount of electricity being used.
- Therefore, it is desirable to provide a train rail and train tracks having the same, which can overcome or at least alleviate the above-mentioned problems.
-
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a train track including two train rails, according to a first exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one rail ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another rail, according to a second exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of yet another rail, according to a third exemplary embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , atrain track 100, according to a first exemplary embodiment, includes twotrain rails 10 and a number ofties 20. The twotrain rails 10 are laterally spaced apart one from the other by a distance sufficient to establish the desired gauge of thetrain track 100. Theties 20 are parallel to each other and arranged between the twotrain rails 10. Eachtie 20 is perpendicular to the twotrain rails 10. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thetrain rails 10 are approximately I-shaped in cross-section. Eachtrain rail 10 includes anupper rail head 12, alower rail head 14, aweb 16 connecting theupper rail head 12 to thelower rail head 16, a firstpiezoelectric plate 17, and a secondpiezoelectric plate 18. - The
upper rail head 12 has an uppercurved surface 120 to engage with the wheels of a train (not shown) and defines afirst receiving groove 122. The first receivinggroove 122 is arranged within theupper rail head 12 and the length direction of the first receivinggroove 122 coincides with the length direction of thetrain rail 10. The firstpiezoelectric plate 17 is received in thefirst receiving groove 122. The depth of the firstpiezoelectric plate 17 is less than half of the depth of theupper rail head 12. - The
lower rail head 14 is substantially parallel to theupper rail head 12. Thelower rail head 14 defines asecond receiving groove 142. The second receivinggroove 142 is arranged within theupper rail head 12 and the length direction of the second receivinggroove 142 coincides with the length direction of thetrain rail 10. The secondpiezoelectric plate 18 is received in the second receivinggroove 142. The depth of the secondpiezoelectric plate 18 is less than half of the depth of thelower rail head 14. - Wires (not shown) connected to the first
piezoelectric plate 17 and the secondpiezoelectric plate 18 extend through thetrain rails 10 to connect electronic devices or a storage battery on thetrain track 100. Each of the firstpiezoelectric plate 17 and thepiezoelectric plate 18 is made of piezoelectric material, such as organic piezoelectric material, inorganic piezoelectric material, or compound piezoelectric material. In this embodiment, the organic piezoelectric material may be polyvinylidene fluoride. The inorganic piezoelectric material may be piezotransistor or piezoceramics. The piezotransistor includes quartz crystal, lithium gallium oxide, lithium germinate, lithium niobate and lithium tantalite. The piezoceramics includes barium titanate, barium zirconate titanate, modified barium zirconate titanate, and modified lead titanate. The compound piezoelectric material includes a polymer base, organic piezoelectric material and inorganic piezoelectric material. The organic piezoelectric material and the inorganic piezoelectric material are embedded in the polymer base. - Pressure on the
train rails 10 from passing trains will be applied to the firstpiezoelectric plate 17 and thepiezoelectric plate 18. Then, the twopiezoelectric plates piezoelectric plates train track 100. Thus, the pressure of the trains can provide additional electric energy for charging the battery and/or powering the electronic devices on thetrain track 100, achieving good energy conservation. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-3 , atrain rail 30, according to a second exemplary embodiment, is shown. The differences between thetrain rail 30 of this embodiment and thetrain rail 10 of the first embodiment are: the first and second receiving grooves are omitted, and twopiezoelectric plates 32 are arranged at opposite sides of theweb 36 perpendicular to the upper and lower rail heads. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-4 , atrain rail 40, according to a third exemplary embodiment, is shown. The differences between thetrain rail 40 of this embodiment and thetrain rail 10 of the first embodiment are: the first receiving groove is omitted, the second receivinggroove 442 is exposed at thelower rail head 44, and the secondpiezoelectric plate 48 is received in the second receivinggroove 442 and is exposed at thelower rail head 44. - The advantages of the second and third embodiments are similar to those of the first embodiment.
- It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set fourth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims (16)
1. A train rail comprising:
an upper rail head;
a lower rail head substantially parallel to the upper rail head;
a web perpendicularly connecting the upper rail head to the lower rail head; and
at least one piezoelectric plate positioned in the train rail and configured for producing electric power under pressure.
2. The train rail as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate comprises a first piezoelectric plate and a second piezoelectric plate, the first piezoelectric plate is arranged within the upper rail head, and the second piezoelectric plate is arranged within the lower rail head.
3. The train rail as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the upper rail head defines a first receiving groove, the lower rail head defines a second receiving groove, the first piezoelectric plate is received in the first receiving groove, and the second piezoelectric plate is received in the second receiving groove.
4. The train rail as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the length direction of the first receiving groove coincides with the length direction of the train rail, and the length direction of the second receiving groove coincides with the length direction of the train rail.
5. The train rail as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the depth of the first piezoelectric plate is less than half of the depth of the upper rail head, and the depth of the second piezoelectric plate is less than half of the depth of the lower rail head.
6. The train rail as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate comprises two piezoelectric plates arranged at opposite sides of the web, the piezoelectric plates being perpendicular to the upper rail head and the lower rail head.
7. The train rail as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate comprises one piezoelectric plates arranged at the lower rail head and is exposed at the lower rail head.
8. The train rail as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of organic piezoelectric material, inorganic piezoelectric material, and compound piezoelectric material.
9. A train track comprising:
two train rails parallel to each other and laterally spaced apart one from the other, each train rail comprising:
an upper rail head;
a lower rail head substantially parallel to the upper rail head;
a web perpendicularly connecting the upper rail head to the lower rail head; and
at least one piezoelectric plate positioned in the train rail and configured for producing electric power under pressure; and
a plurality of ties parallel to each other and arranged between the two train rails, each tie being perpendicular to the two train rails.
10. The train track as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate comprises a first piezoelectric plate and a second piezoelectric plate, the first piezoelectric plate is arranged within the upper rail head, and the second piezoelectric plate is arranged within the lower rail head.
11. The train track as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the upper rail head defines a first receiving groove, the lower rail head defines a second receiving groove, the first piezoelectric plate is received in the first receiving groove, and the second piezoelectric plate is received in the second receiving groove.
12. The train track as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the length direction of the first receiving groove coincides with the length direction of the train rail, and the length direction of the second receiving groove coincides with the length direction of the train rail.
13. The train track as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the depth of the first piezoelectric plate is less than half of the depth of the upper rail head, and the depth of the second piezoelectric plate is less than half of the depth of the lower rail head.
14. The train track as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate comprises two piezoelectric plates arranged at opposite sides of the web, the piezoelectric plates being perpendicular to the upper rail head and the lower rail head.
15. The train track as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate comprises one piezoelectric plates arranged at the lower rail head and is exposed at the lower rail head.
16. The train track as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the at least one piezoelectric plate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of organic piezoelectric material, inorganic piezoelectric material, and compound piezoelectric material.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TW099132408 | 2010-09-24 | ||
TW099132408A TW201213638A (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2010-09-24 | Rail |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120074239A1 true US20120074239A1 (en) | 2012-03-29 |
Family
ID=45869660
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/237,964 Abandoned US20120074239A1 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2011-09-21 | Train rail and train tracks |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120074239A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW201213638A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9024510B1 (en) * | 2012-07-09 | 2015-05-05 | The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) | Compliant electrode and composite material for piezoelectric wind and mechanical energy conversions |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3581084A (en) * | 1967-11-10 | 1971-05-25 | Sumitomo Electric Industries | Piezoelectric wheel-axle detector |
US4458171A (en) * | 1982-01-11 | 1984-07-03 | Piezo Electric Products, Inc. | Piezoelectric relay with tapered magnetic detent |
US4461968A (en) * | 1982-01-11 | 1984-07-24 | Piezo Electric Products, Inc. | Piezoelectric relay with magnetic detent |
US20070096598A1 (en) * | 2004-05-12 | 2007-05-03 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Drive device for ultrasonic linear motor |
US20080231970A1 (en) * | 2007-03-19 | 2008-09-25 | New Scale Technologies | Linear drive systems and methods thereof |
US20090195226A1 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-08-06 | Innowattech Ltd. | Power Harvesting From Apparatus, System And Method |
US20090195124A1 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-08-06 | Innowattech Ltd. | Energy harvesting from airport runway |
-
2010
- 2010-09-24 TW TW099132408A patent/TW201213638A/en unknown
-
2011
- 2011-09-21 US US13/237,964 patent/US20120074239A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3581084A (en) * | 1967-11-10 | 1971-05-25 | Sumitomo Electric Industries | Piezoelectric wheel-axle detector |
US4458171A (en) * | 1982-01-11 | 1984-07-03 | Piezo Electric Products, Inc. | Piezoelectric relay with tapered magnetic detent |
US4461968A (en) * | 1982-01-11 | 1984-07-24 | Piezo Electric Products, Inc. | Piezoelectric relay with magnetic detent |
US20070096598A1 (en) * | 2004-05-12 | 2007-05-03 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Drive device for ultrasonic linear motor |
US20080231970A1 (en) * | 2007-03-19 | 2008-09-25 | New Scale Technologies | Linear drive systems and methods thereof |
US20090195226A1 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-08-06 | Innowattech Ltd. | Power Harvesting From Apparatus, System And Method |
US20090195124A1 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-08-06 | Innowattech Ltd. | Energy harvesting from airport runway |
US7812508B2 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2010-10-12 | Innowattech Ltd. | Power harvesting from railway; apparatus, system and method |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9024510B1 (en) * | 2012-07-09 | 2015-05-05 | The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) | Compliant electrode and composite material for piezoelectric wind and mechanical energy conversions |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TW201213638A (en) | 2012-04-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FOXSEMICON INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY, INC., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHANG, KUO-CHENG;REEL/FRAME:026944/0705 Effective date: 20110920 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |