MUMBAI, India, July 13 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641082509 A) filed by Dr. Shankar Badiger; Dr. Ravi Kumar B N; Mr. Kiran Kumar Rokhade; Mr. Renuka Prasad G K; Dr. Manjunatha Chary G H; Dr. Amith Kumar S J; Mr. Shivanandappa N D; Mrs. Vinutha A; and Mr. Dhanush D M on July 04, 2026, for Track Side Twin Suction-Based Cleaning Wagon.

Inventors include Dr. Ravi Kumar B N; Mr. Kiran Kumar Rokhade; Mr. Renuka Prasad G K; Dr. Shankar Badiger; Dr. Manjunatha Chary G H; Dr. Amith Kumar S J; Mr. Shivanandappa N D; Mrs. Vinutha A; and Mr. Dhanush D M.

The application for the patent was published on July 10, 2026, under issue no. 28/2026.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Rail Edge Cleaner (REC), an automated wagon-mounted suction-based system designed to collect lightweight waste—such as plastic bottles, cups, food wrappers, bags, and paper—accumulated along the sides of railway tracks. The system comprises adjustable suction pipes mounted on both sides of the wagon, connected to a blower motor, cyclone separator, and multi-stage filtration unit, which together enable efficient collection, separation, and storage of debris in an onboard collection chamber. The suction mechanism operates at moderate suction capacity, optimized for lightweight materials, ensuring minimal energy consumption while achieving high debris collection efficiency of approximately 65–75%, with the filtration system capturing over 70% of separated waste to prevent blowback. A qualitative analysis of waste composition, suction performance, and material behavior under varying airflow conditions is conducted to validate system effectiveness and guide design optimization. Height and terrain sensors enable adjustable nozzle positioning to accommodate varying ground conditions without disturbing ballast or track infrastructure. This invention eliminates the need for manual trackside cleaning, reducing labor costs and worker safety risks, while improving cleanliness along railway corridors. The system is scalable, energy-efficient, and can be integrated into existing maintenance trains or deployed as a dedicated cleaning unit, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution suited to large-scale railway networks such as Indian Railways.

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