Sensor and apparatus for positioning railroad tie plates along a railroad track and method

1. A method for positioning a replacement railroad tie plate along a railroad, comprising the steps of:

positioning a carrier vehicle on a railroad track;

positioning a feed conveyor on said railroad track for movement with said carrier vehicle;

moving a sensor assembly a first distance in a longitudinal direction of said feed conveyor and relative to a release point, said first distance dependent upon a second distance between two adjacent railroad ties;

moving said carrier vehicle and said feed conveyor along said railroad track;

detecting an in-service tie plate with said sensor assembly; and,

actuating a gate assembly upon said detection of said in-service tie plate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting is performed by a laser sensor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting is performed by an optical sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting is performed by a magnetic sensor.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting is performed mechanically by engaging at least one of said in-service tie plates or said railroad ties.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising dispensing a replacement tie plate on a railroad tie.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising dispensing a replacement tie plate adjacent to a railroad tie.

8. The method of positioning a replacement railroad tie plate along a railroad track, comprising the steps of:

positioning a carrier vehicle and a feed conveyor and railroad track;

adjusting a sensor assembly in a longitudinal direction of said feed conveyor either toward or away from an ejection opening, a distance of said adjustment being dependent upon a distance between two adjacent in-service tie plates;

feeding replacement tie plates from said carrier vehicle to said feed conveyor;

urging said feed conveyor along said railroad track with said carrier vehicle;

detecting in-service tie plates with said sensor assembly;

actuating a gate assembly to release a replacement tie plate upon said detecting.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said actuating is electric.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said actuating is pneumatic.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said actuating is hydraulic.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein said actuating is mechanical.

13. A method for positioning a replacement railroad tie plate along a railroad track, comprising the steps of:

positioning a carrier vehicle and feed conveyor on a railroad track;

adjusting a sensor assembly relative to a release point of said feed conveyor depending on a distance between adjacent railroad ties;

urging said carrier vehicle and said feed conveyor along said railroad track;

feeding tie plates from said carrier vehicle to said feed conveyor;

detecting an in-service tie plate along said railroad track;

actuating a gate-assembly when said in-service tie plate is detected;

depositing a replacement tie plate on one of said railroad tie or an adjacent railroad tie.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting said sensor assembly in a longitudinal direction.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting said sensor assembly in a direction other than longitudinal.

16. The method of claim 13 , said depositing being in a longitudinal direction.

17. The method of claim 13 , said depositing being in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting said feed conveyor based on a size of said replacement tie plate.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising positioning a sensor assembly on a bracket, said sensor assembly being movable relative to said bracket.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising a sensor assembly on a bracket, said bracket being movable relative to said feed conveyor.

21. The method of claim 13 , said actuating being one of electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical.