Railroad Sweeper Assembly

Abstract

A rail sweeper assembly includes a vehicle, a debris removal system, and a first conveyor system. The vehicle is configured to travel on a railroad track. The railroad track includes a pair of railroad rails. The debris removal system is rotatably coupled to the vehicle at a first location and configured to lift debris from the railroad track. The first conveyor system is rotatably coupled to the vehicle at a second location and configured to receive the debris from the debris removal system.

1 . A rail sweeper assembly comprising:
 a vehicle configured to travel on a railroad track;   a debris removal system rotatably coupled to the vehicle at a first location and configured to lift debris from the railroad track; and   a first conveyor system rotatably coupled to the vehicle at a second location and configured to receive the debris from the debris removal system.   
     
     
         2 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the debris removal system includes:
 a debris elevator rotatably coupled to the vehicle at the first location; and   a sweeper head rotatably coupled to the debris elevator at a third location.   
     
     
         3 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the debris elevator includes a plurality of paddles configured to move debris from the railroad track to the first conveyor system. 
     
     
         4 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sweeper head includes a plurality of bristles arranged concentrically around a central axis of the sweeper head and configured to lift debris from the railroad track. 
     
     
         5 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the railroad track includes a pair of rails, and wherein the sweeper head is configured to operate between the pair of rails. 
     
     
         6 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first conveyor system includes:
 a first hopper configured to receive debris from the debris elevator; and   a first conveyor belt configured to move the first hopper.   
     
     
         7 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a second conveyor system coupled to the vehicle at a fourth location and configured to receive the debris from the first conveyor system. 
     
     
         8 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the second conveyor system includes:
 a second hopper configured to receive debris from the first hopper; and   a second conveyor belt configured to move the first hopper.   
     
     
         9 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second conveyor system is configured to rotate three hundred sixty degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a train car coupled to the vehicle, and wherein the second conveyor system deposits debris in the train car. 
     
     
         11 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum system coupled to the vehicle and configured to remove debris inside of a transition area of the railroad track. 
     
     
         12 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum system includes an air compressor and an air spade coupled to the air compressor. 
     
     
         13 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the vacuum system is configured to force a fluid out of the air spade using the air compressor, and the fluid loosens or removes the debris inside the transition area. 
     
     
         14 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the vacuum system is configured to collect the debris inside the transition area. 
     
     
         15 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one side sweeper configured to remove debris from at least one of:
 a railroad rail of the railroad track;   a railroad tie of the railroad track; or   a walking area of the railroad track.   
     
     
         16 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the railroad track includes a pair of rails, and wherein the at least one side sweeper is configured to move the debris into an area in between the pair of rails. 
     
     
         17 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one side sweeper includes a first side sweeper disposed on a first side of the vehicle and a second side sweeper disposed on a second side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a strut coupled to the vehicle and the first conveyor system. 
     
     
         19 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes a set of front hi-rail wheels and a set of rear hi-rail wheels. 
     
     
         20 . The rail sweeper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail sweeper assembly is configured to move between an operating position and transport position.