Hydraulic Rail Clamps

The subject rail clamp is used as a parking brake for the trucks operating at sea shores. Refer to figure 1.1

for general arrangement of the clamp. It consists of two main links whose one end is connected to

hydraulic actuator while the other end is fitted with brake pads. Both main links are hinged and supported

by internal frame. The main links are also connected to springs through connecting links. The external

frame is connected to truck. During the parking condition, the truck is held by clamping of the rails by

spring force. To move the truck, rail clamp is release by actuating hydraulic cylinder. The external and internal frames are connected through a floating arrangement to accommodate the misalignment generated during truck movement. During parking condition, the clamp is subjected to a separating force generated due to wind or storm acting on the truck. The objective of the present work was to design a rail clamp of 130 KN capacity.