International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 07 | July 2023
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Design for Overcoming Terrain Variation and Wheel Fouling in Track Systems Abhishek Velekar1, Omkar Akolkar2, Mihir Karle3, Omkar Nalawade4, Abhishek Gandhe5 1 Department of mechanical Engineering, PVG’s College of Engineering and Technology, Pune, Maharashtra, India
---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Indian railways fish plate joint, which was found to be Abstract - This research paper presents the design and
designed to lay tracks on a flat surface, which is often impractical and expensive.
development of an innovative solution for addressing the challenges of terrain variation and wheel fouling in track systems. The study encompasses multiple design stages, starting from an initial design inspired by Indian railways, which highlighted limitations in terrain adaptability and wheel fouling prevention. Subsequent design iterations led to the incorporation of an earlobe design, utilizing mild steel as the material. Rigorous testing and simulations were conducted to validate the design's performance and structural integrity. While significant progress was achieved in mitigating fouling issues and optimizing track performance, further refinements are required to completely overcome the persistent fouling problem. The findings of this research provide a basis for future improvements in track system design, ensuring efficient and reliable operation in diverse terrain conditions.
The existing design of the fish plate joint was not able to cope with terrain variations, leading to unstable track joints. Therefore, a new design for the rail track joint assembly was developed that incorporates the flexibility to accommodate ground undulations ranging from -10° to 10° while still being stable under load conditions. The objective of this research is to develop a rail track joint assembly that can adapt to varying terrains, improving its stability and safety in challenging environments. The outcomes of this study could have practical applications in industries that require similar assemblies for joining square sections, such as solar panel cleaning or agriculture machinery. Such designs could help reduce costs associated with the infrastructure that requires flat surfaces.
Key Words: Cleaning Robot, Solar panel cleaning robot: Fish plate joint, Galvanised Mild Steel, Terrain adaptation, Wheel fouling, Structural integrity, Durability, Optimization, Track performance, ANSYS simulations
1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this research is to introduce an assembly designed to aid in the cleaning of solar panels, thereby increasing their efficiency and profitability for consumers. The assembly consists of a rail track that allows for the transfer of a solar cleaning robot from one-panel array to another. Solar fields are often located in desert regions where sand accumulation poses a significant Fig. 1. Fishplate joint in railways
A Comprehensive Study on an Extended Design Approach for Improved Performance and Reliability challenge to panel efficiency. The joint assembly is capable of withstanding a total weight of 510kgs, including the transfer trolley (450kgs) and the cleaning robot (60kgs). The components of the assembly are constructed from mild steel plates and a nylon bush. The objective of this study is to develop a reliable and robust assembly that can keep the rail tracks assembled with varying elevations and terrain
The Indian railways use the I section, specifically the Dudley section, for their rail track joint assembly. However, in our design, we opted for square sections made of galvanized mild steel. This decision was made after considering several factors, including cost-effectiveness, ease of manufacturing, and overall durability of the assembly. The square sections provide the necessary strength and stability for the rail tracks to withstand varying terrain angles. By utilizing square sections of galvanized mild steel in our design, we aim to create a cost-effective and durable solution for rail track joint assemblies that can be implemented in challenging environments.
2. Idea and Assumptions The aim of this research was to design an assembly for a rail track joint that could accommodate different terrains with height differences. The investigation involved analyzing the
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