Engine of rail vehicle and method for installing the engine

Abstract

The invention relates to an engine (10) for a rail vehicle, comprising an engine shaft and a housing (22) for the engine shaft, the engine shaft extending in a longitudinal direction (L) between two ends (26, 28) and being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the housing (22) about a longitudinal axis (X), the housing (22) comprising two webs (24, 25) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X). The engine (10) comprises at least one stop device (30) for preventing the engine shaft from axially moving relative to the housing (20), the stop device (30) comprising a locking rod for the engine shaft, the locking rod extending in the longitudinal direction and being mounted in a stop position, preferably a reversible stop position, along the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the locking rod (L) is in direct contact with the engine shaft and prevents an axial movement of the generator shaft relative to the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an engine of a rail vehicle, which comprises an engine shaft and a housing of the engine shaft. The engine shaft can rotate and move relative to the housing. Background Art

[0002] Such engines are used, for example, for installation on bogies of rail vehicles.

[0003] It is known in the prior art to protect such engines and more specifically the engine shaft from induced vibrations, for example due to transportation of the engine between the production site of the engine and the production site of the bogie and between the production site of the bogie and the installation site of the rail vehicle receiving the bogie before or after mounting the engine on the bogie.

[0004] These induced vibrations, for example, produce radial or axial displacements of the engine shaft, thereby causing premature wear of the engine shaft in operation.

[0005] Document FR 3049548 describes an engine for a rail vehicle comprising at least one contact shoe comprising a contact surface with the engine shaft or with a component rotationally coupled to the engine shaft, wherein the shoe extends in a substantially radial direction around the engine shaft and exerts a radial force on the engine shaft in a stop position.

[0006] This contact pad prevents the engine from axle play relative to the casing. However, it does not prevent minor axial displacements of the engine shaft during transportation of the engine. Such minor axial displacements are the main contributor to the Brinell error effect. Summary of the invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to propose an engine for a rail vehicle which allows preventing axial movement of the engine shaft until it is put into service.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to an engine for a rail vehicle, comprising an engine shaft and a housing for the engine shaft, the engine shaft extending in a longitudinal direction between two ends and being mounted so as to be rotatably movable relative to the housing about a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising two webs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,

[0009] The engine comprises at least one stopping device for preventing the engine shaft from moving axially relative to the casing, the stopping device comprising a locking rod of the engine shaft, the locking rod extending in the longitudinal direction and being installed in a stopping position, preferably a reversible stopping position, in which the locking rod is in direct contact with the engine shaft and prevents the generator shaft from moving axially relative to the casing.

[0010] By means of the invention, it is possible to obtain an engine for a rail vehicle comprising an actuating device for the engine shaft which prevents axial movement of the engine shaft and also allows rotation of the engine and thus allows operation of the bogie comprising the engine or of the vehicle comprising the engine during assembly and storage.

[0011] The engine according to the present invention may include one or more of the following features, which may be adopted individually or in any possible technical combination, wherein:

[0012] The stopper in the stop position exerts a compressive force or a tensile force in the longitudinal direction on the engine shaft;

[0013] At least one web of the housing case includes a protective element, and the locking rod passes through an aperture provided in the protective element;

[0014] The engine includes a drive side for placement on one side of the equipment to be driven and an opposite drive side, and the stopper is applied to the opposite drive side;

[0015] The stop device includes a limiting element that limits the locking rod toward a stop position of the locking rod;

[0016] The stop device comprises a beam fixed in a movably manner to the web of the housing, said beam being substantially parallel to said web and provided with a passage opening for the locking rod;

[0017] The restraining element extends between the beam and the restraining element fastening element (54);

[0018] The locking rod comprises a proximal end proximal to the engine shaft and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, a limiting element extends between the distal end and the cap, the cap is provided with a fastening element of the limiting element, the limiting element extends around the distal end of the locking rod, and the stopper in the stop position exerts a compressive force in the longitudinal direction on the engine shaft;

[0019] The locking rod includes a proximal end close to the engine shaft and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, the locking rod includes a fastening element of a limiting element, the limiting element extends around the distal end of the locking rod, the engine shaft is provided with a longitudinal aperture leading to one of the two ends of the engine shaft and receiving the proximal end of the locking rod, and the stopping device in the stopping position applies a tensile force on the engine shaft in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a method for mounting the above-mentioned engine on a bogie of a rail vehicle, comprising the following steps:

[0021] Install the engine in the bogie and the locking rod to the stop position of the engine shaft.

[0022] Connect the engine shaft to the bogie's drive unit,

[0023] Remove the locking lever in the longitudinal direction before or after coupling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given by way of example only and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] - Figure 1 A three-quarter perspective view of a portion of an engine of a rail vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of a section in a longitudinal plane of the engine;

[0027] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-section of a portion of the engine located in a longitudinal plane of the engine axis;

[0028] - Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view in a longitudinal plane of an engine according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] - Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross section of a part of an engine located in the longitudinal plane of the engine axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , describing an engine 10 including an engine shaft 20 and a housing 22 for the engine shaft 20 , wherein the housing 22 forms a protective box for the engine shaft 20 .

[0031] Throughout the following text, the term “longitudinal” is defined relative to the direction along which the engine shaft 20 extends.

[0032] In the longitudinal direction L, the engine 10 includes a driving side E for placement on a side of a device to be driven and an anti-driving side N.

[0033] Preferably, engine 10 includes an air cooling system.

[0034] The housing 22 comprises two webs or end caps 24, 25 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. One of the webs 24 of the housing 22 is located on the drive side E and the other of the webs 25 is located on the opposite drive side N.

[0035] For example, at least one web 25 of the casing 22 comprises a protective element 26. In the example shown, the protective element 26 is a grille. The protective element 26 allows preventing the introduction of foreign bodies into the air cooling system of the engine 10.

[0036] The motor shaft 20 extends between two ends 27 , 28 and is mounted so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis X relative to the casing 22 .

[0037] The engine 10 includes at least one stop device 30 that prevents axial movement of the engine shaft 20 relative to the casing 22 .

[0038] Preferably, the stop means 30 are applied to the drive opposite side N.

[0039] This allows the immobilizer 20 to be kept in position with respect to the engine 10 when the engine 10 is mounted on the bogie and the drive side of the engine 10 is coupled to the part to be driven of the bogie. In addition, the immobilizer 30 thus remains accessible to the operator when the engine is mounted on the bogie.

[0040] The stopper device 30 located at the stop position exerts a compressive force or a tensile force in the longitudinal direction L on the engine shaft 10 .

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the stop device 30 includes a locking rod 32 of the engine shaft 20. The locking rod 32 extends along the longitudinal direction L and is installed in a reversible stop position along the longitudinal direction L, where the locking rod 32 is in direct contact with the engine shaft 20 and prevents the engine shaft 20 from axially moving relative to the housing 22.

[0042] The locking lever 32 is passed, for example, through an orifice 34 provided in the web 25 extending on the opposite drive side N, for example through the protective element 26 if necessary.

[0043] The stop device 30 comprises, for example, a beam 36 movably fixed to the web 25 of the housing cassette 22. The beam 36 is, for example, substantially parallel to the web 25. The beam 36 is provided with a through opening 38 for the locking rod 32. The beam 36 allows the stop device 30 to be kept in place.

[0044] The stop device 30 comprises, for example, a limiting element 40 which limits the locking lever towards the stop position of the stop device 30. The limiting element 40 is any system which exploits the elasticity of a solid or fluid, for example allowing the application of a longitudinal repulsive force. The limiting element 40 is, for example, a spring. As a variant, the limiting element 40 is a stack of elastic washers, a spring sheet, an elastomeric component or a permanent magnet system. Figures 1 to 3 In the first embodiment shown, the stop device 30 comprises a cap 42. The cap 42 receives the limiting element 40 and comprises a rod 44 formed in the cap 42 and extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0045] The locking lever 32 includes a proximal end 46 proximate to the motor shaft 20 and a distal end 48 opposite the proximal end 46 .

[0046] The distal end 48 is provided with a longitudinal receiving aperture 50 complementary to the rod 44 formed in the cap 42. The distal end 48 has a flange 52 provided at the periphery of the longitudinal receiving aperture 50.

[0047] The limiting element 40 extends longitudinally around the rod 44. The limiting element 40 bears against the flange 52 of the locking rod 32 on the one hand and against the cap 42 on the other hand.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the cap 42 is also equipped with a fastening element 54 of the restraining element 40. The fastening element 54 is, for example, a screw fixed to the cap 42 on the one hand and to the beam 36 on the other hand. The fastening of the fastening element 54 is preferably adjustable. This allows the fastening force to be varied depending on the mass of the engine shaft 20 and the assumed lateral acceleration when transporting the engine 10.

[0049] In order to reach the stop position, the fastening element 54 is tightened by applying the desired force, the cap 42 compresses the limiting element 40, the rod 44 is longitudinally displaced to the inside of the longitudinal receiving orifice 50 of the locking rod 32, and the locking rod 32 itself abuts against the engine shaft 20 and drives the engine shaft 20 toward the drive side E of the engine 10 and stops the engine shaft 10 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0050] Thus, the stopper device 30 exerts a compressive force on the engine shaft 20 in the longitudinal direction L and centered on the longitudinal axis X and prevents a slight axial displacement of the engine shaft 20 in the housing 22 .

[0051] Preferably, the actuating device 30 in the stopped position allows the engine shaft 20 to rotate about its axis X.

[0052] To disassemble the stop device 30, the fastening element 54 is loosened, the cap 42 releases the restraining element 40, and the rod 22 is longitudinally displaced toward the outside of the locking rod 32, which is itself longitudinally displaced toward the outside of the engine shaft 20. The beam 36 is then removed.

[0053] The engine shaft 20 is no longer prevented from axial movement.

[0054] The second embodiment according to the present invention will now be referred to Figure 4 and Figure 5 Only the elements different from the first embodiment are described, and the other elements are identical to the first embodiment. The identical elements in the two embodiments have the same reference numerals.

[0055] In this embodiment, the engine shaft 20 is provided with a longitudinal aperture 29 leading to an end 27 of the engine shaft 20 located on the opposite drive side N of the engine 10, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The longitudinal orifice 29 is, for example, centered on the longitudinal axis of rotation X of the engine shaft 20. According to the example shown, the longitudinal orifice 29 is non-through. As an example, the longitudinal orifice 29 is a through-going orifice.

[0056] The longitudinal bore of the engine shaft 20 is threaded.

[0057] The proximal end 46 of the locking rod 32 is threaded. The proximal end 46 is threadedly fixed in the longitudinal aperture 29 of the motor shaft 20. The locking rod 32 passes through an aperture 34 provided in the protective element 26 of the motor shaft 20, for example.

[0058] The restraining element 40 is a spring that extends around a distal end 48 of the locking rod 32 .

[0059] The distal end 48 of the locking rod 32 comprises a fastening element 54 of the limiting element 40. The fastening element 54 is, for example, a nut.

[0060] The tightening of the fastening element 54 is preferably adjustable. This allows the tightening force to be varied depending on the mass of the engine shaft 20 and the lateral accelerations envisaged when transporting the engine 10.

[0061] The assembly formed by the locking lever 32 and the limiting element 40 rests on a ball bearing 60, such as Figure 5 As shown, the locking lever 32 and the limiting element 40 are thereby allowed to rotate at a lower speed relative to the engine shaft 20. As a variant, the limiting element rests on a thrust ball bearing.

[0062] To reach the stop position, the fastening element 54 is tightened by applying the desired force, the limiting element 40 is compressed, and the locking rod 32 screwed into the longitudinal opening 29 of the engine shaft 20 drives the engine shaft 20 toward the drive opposite side N of the engine 10 and stops the engine shaft 20 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0063] Therefore, the stopper 30 at the stop position exerts a force on the motor shaft 20 along the longitudinal direction L and centered on the longitudinal axis X, and prevents a small axial displacement of the motor shaft 20 in the housing 22. Preferably, the stopper 30 at the stop position allows the motor shaft 20 to rotate around its axis X.

[0064] To disassemble the stop device 30, the fastening element 54 is loosened, the limiting element 40 is released, and the locking rod 32 is longitudinally displaced toward the outside of the engine shaft 20. Then, the beam 36 is removed. Axial movement of the engine shaft 20 is no longer prevented.

[0065] The actuating device 30 according to the invention can be mounted on or removed from the engine 10 when the engine 10 is mounted on the bogie, as is known.

[0066] The method for mounting the engine 10 on the bogie of a rail vehicle according to the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0067] The engine 10 is mounted in the bogie, the locking rod 32 is therefore in the stop position of the engine shaft 20, thereby preventing the engine shaft 20 from axially moving relative to the housing 22,

[0068] Then, the engine shaft 20 is connected to the driving device of the bogie.

[0069] The locking lever 32 is removed before or after coupling.

[0070] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of removing the beam 36 .

[0071] The immobilizing device 30 of the engine 10 according to the invention thus effectively prevents an axial displacement of the engine shaft 20 with a preload adapted to the mass of the engine shaft 20 and to the foreseeable transport conditions.

[0072] The immobilizer 30 can be used for transporting the engine 10 alone, transporting an engine mounted on a bogie, and transporting an engine under a vehicle.

[0073] The immobilizing device 30 also allows the engine 10 to rotate and thus allows the bogie including the engine 10 or the vehicle including the engine 10 to be operated during assembly installation or storage storage.

[0074] The immobilizer 30 may also be removed while the vehicle to which it is mounted is in operation and then reinstalled for long-term storage of the engine 10, bogie or vehicle including the engine 10 or for maintenance when necessary when transporting the engine 10 or bogie including the engine 10.

Claims

1. An engine (10) for a rail vehicle, comprising an engine shaft (20) and a housing (22) of the engine shaft (20), the engine shaft (20) extending between two ends (27, 28) in a longitudinal direction (L) and being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the housing (22) about a longitudinal axis (X), the housing (22) comprising two webs (24, 25) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), It is characterized in that The engine (10) comprises at least one stop device (30) for preventing axial movement of the engine shaft (20) relative to the housing (22), the stop device (30) comprising a locking rod (32) of the engine shaft (20), the locking rod (32) extending along the longitudinal direction (L) and mounted in a stop position along the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the locking rod (32) is in direct contact with the engine shaft (20) and prevents axial movement of the engine shaft (20) relative to the housing (22), the stop device (30) further comprising a limiting element (40) which limits the locking rod (32) towards the stop position of the stop device, Therein, at least one web (25) of the housing (22) comprises a protective element (26), wherein the locking rod (32) passes through an aperture (34) provided in the protective element (26), and The locking rod (32) includes a proximal end (46) close to the engine shaft (20) and a distal end (48) opposite to the proximal end (46), the limiting element (40) extends between the distal end (48) and the cap (42), the cap (42) is provided with a fastening element (54) of the limiting element (40), and the stopping device (30) in the stopping position applies a compressive force on the engine shaft (20) along the longitudinal direction (L).

2. The engine (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The engine (10) comprises a driving side (E) for placement on a side of a device to be driven and an anti-driving side (N), and wherein the stopper (30) is applied to the anti-driving side (N).

3. The engine (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The stop device (30) comprises a beam (36) fixed in a movably manner to the web (25) of the housing (22), the beam (36) being substantially parallel to the web (25), the beam (36) being provided with a through hole (38) for the locking rod (32).

4. The engine (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The restraining element (40) extends between the beam (36) and a fastening element (54) of the restraining element (40).

5. An engine (10) for a rail vehicle, comprising an engine shaft (20) and a housing (22) of the engine shaft (20), the engine shaft (20) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) between two ends (27, 28) and being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the housing (22) about a longitudinal axis (X), the housing (22) comprising two webs (24, 25) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), It is characterized in that The engine (10) comprises at least one stop device (30) for preventing axial movement of the engine shaft (20) relative to the housing (22), the stop device (30) comprising a locking rod (32) of the engine shaft (20), the locking rod (32) extending along the longitudinal direction (L) and mounted in a stop position along the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the locking rod (32) is in direct contact with the engine shaft (20) and prevents axial movement of the engine shaft (20) relative to the housing (22), the stop device (30) further comprising a limiting element (40) which limits the locking rod (32) towards the stop position of the stop device, Therein, at least one web (25) of the housing (22) comprises a protective element (26), wherein the locking rod (32) passes through an aperture (34) provided in the protective element (26), and The locking rod (32) includes a proximal end (46) close to the engine shaft (20) and a distal end (48) opposite to the proximal end (46), the locking rod (32) includes a fastening element (54) of the limiting element (40), the limiting element (40) extends around the distal end (48) of the locking rod (32), the engine shaft (20) is provided with a longitudinal aperture (29) leading to one of the two ends (27, 28) of the engine shaft (20) and receiving the proximal end (46) of the locking rod (32), and wherein the stopping device (30) in the stopping position applies a tensile force on the engine shaft (20) along the longitudinal direction (L).

6. A method for mounting an engine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 on a bogie of a rail vehicle, comprising the following steps: The engine (10) is installed in the bogie, and the locking rod (32) is installed to the stop position of the engine shaft (20). Connecting the engine shaft (20) to the driving device of the bogie, The locking bar (32) is removed in the longitudinal direction (L) before or after coupling.

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