Non-contact rail heater with insulating skirt

摘要

A track rail heating assembly that is adapted to position a heater element in spaced relation proximate to a surface of a track rail of a railroad. The assembly includes at least one heating element, and a housing that is operable to at least partially surround the heating element while positioning the heating element near to track rail. The hood positions the heating element relative to the rail section such that a gap exists between the heating element and the rail section. As the heating element does not contact the rail, the heating element cannot form an electrical by-pass for signals passing through the rail section. The assembly further incorporates a flexible barrier that at least partially isolates a side surface of the track rail from ambient conditions to reduce heat loss.

主权项

1. A rail heating apparatus for heating a portion of a track rail, comprising:
an elongated channel member having recessed surface adapted to face a length of a track rail, the channel member having at least one edge of the recessed surface adapted for disposition proximate to a length of said track rail, an elongated electrical heater element, wherein the elongated heater is attached within the recessed surface of the channel member, wherein the channel member suspends the elongated heater element proximate to said length of said track rail and out of contact from a surface of said track rail when said channel member is supported proximate to said track rail; a least a first support element adapted to support the channel member and the elongated heater element above a foot portion of said track rail; a flexible skirt member attached to at least a portion of a length of the channel member wherein the skirt member extends from the channel member to a position proximate to at least one of said foot portion of said track rail and a support surface underlying said track rail when the channel member is supported proximate to said track rail.