Patent ID: 6032906
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
A point drive unit for driving railway points to move via a connecting means of the points comprising a connecting rod located generally centrally between and lying parallel with two rails of a railway track, the unit comprising:a housing adapted to be installed between said two rails, the housing having a central longitudinal axis which is generally centrally located between said two rails and generally parallel with the two rails when the unit is in use;a cylinder enclosing a piston assembly which is moveable in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of the housing for driving the points, the cylinder being mounted within the housing at a location laterally offset to one side of said longitudinal axis of the housing;control means mounted within the housing at a location laterally adjacent the cylinder for controlling a supply of fluid to the cylinder to control the movement of the piston assembly; andan offset coupling which couples the piston assembly to said connecting rod so that the piston assembly is laterally offset from the connecting rod.