Settling measuring device for railway tracks

Abstract

A deflection measuring device for railway tracks (1), comprising a bracket (2) that can be attached to a railway track (1) by means of a clamping element (3), a measuring rod (4) slidably mounted in / on the bracket (2), at the lower end of which a counter-pressure plate (8) or support for support on a ballast bed (14) or the like is attached or formed, furthermore a measuring scale (6) attached to or integrated into the bracket (2) for reading a deflection of the measuring rod (4) relative to the bracket (2), and a measuring rod resistance element (7) comprising a pressure pin (7a) and a pressure pin locking device (7b) and designed and configured for force- or friction-locked inhibition of the deflection of the measuring rod (4) in such a way that a maximum deflection of the measuring rod (4) achieved when a rail vehicle passes over the railway track (1) is maintained.wherein the deflection measuring device further comprises a lockable pointer element comprising a pointer (9), a measuring rod guide (9a), a constriction gap (9b) and a locking screw (9c).

Description

[0001] The invention comprises an easy-to-install and easy-to-use deflection measuring device for railway tracks for monitoring the maximum rail deflection when a rail vehicle passes over them.

[0002] When the railway line is crossed by rail-bound traffic, the weight of the train is transferred to the rail via the axles and wheels and from there absorbed by the firmly bolted sleepers resting on the ballast and diverted via the ballast.

[0003] It is known that gravel wears down over time due to constant use. Poor subsoil conditions and weather influences can accelerate this wear.

[0004] The wear and tear on the ballast is evident in the sharp edges of the ballast stones, which become rounded from rubbing against each other and can no longer interlock. As a result, the stones shift under load from the sleeper, causing the sleeper to sag downwards along with the track.

[0005] The sagging of the rail increases the stress on the wheel-rail system, as well as on the rail and the track superstructure, until material failure occurs, for example, rail breakage, switch malfunction (failure to close properly), fishplate breakage at insulated joints, sleeper breakage, etc. Furthermore, the ride comfort of passenger trains suffers, as the shocks above a certain intensity can no longer be absorbed by the suspension system of the running gear.

[0006] To prevent rail sagging and thus improve the service life of the track, especially the insulated joints, frogs, points, etc., the track position or rail sag is determined by means of measuring trains running on the rails and, if tolerances are exceeded, the superstructure is repaired by tamping and compacting the ballast or by replacing ballast or sleepers.

[0007] However, deploying a measurement train is not only associated with high financial costs, but also requires operational planning. Furthermore, the measurement data must be analyzed and assigned to the relevant sections of track, and the results must be forwarded to the appropriate specialist and operational departments.

[0008] Another disadvantage of the measuring train is its weight and load distribution, which does not correspond to the real conditions, so that no correct statement about the actual condition of the track superstructure can be made using the measurement data obtained in this way.

[0009] DE D 91 56M AZ discloses a measuring device for use on railway tracks, suitable for indirectly reading the displacement of a measuring rod relative to a support. DE 816 440 B discloses a measuring device with a directly readable scale. DE 203 00 537 U1 discloses a device for attaching mobile barriers to railway tracks. US 4 794 697 A shows a deflection measuring device with a scale and a pointer device; see in particular Fig. 4(b).

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a simple on-site deflection measuring device for railway tracks, which can be installed by maintenance staff during the normal maintenance process and easily read.

[0011] The problem is solved according to the invention by a sinkage measuring device with the features of claim 1.

[0012] Accordingly, a deflection measuring device for railway tracks is provided, comprising a bracket that can be attached to a railway track by means of a tensioning element, a measuring rod slidably mounted in / on the bracket, at the lower end of which a counter-pressure plate or support for support on a ballast bed or the like is attached or formed, furthermore a measuring scale attached to or integrated into the bracket for reading a displacement of the measuring rod relative to the bracket, as well as a measuring rod resistance element, which includes a pressure pin and a pressure pin locking device and is designed and configured for force- or friction-locked inhibition of the displacement of the measuring rod in such a way that a maximum displacement of the measuring rod achieved when a rail vehicle passes over the railway track is maintained.Furthermore, the sinkage measuring device has a lockable pointer element comprising a pointer, a measuring rod guide, a narrowing gap and a locking screw.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claim and the following detailed description.

[0014] The advantages achieved with the invention are in particular: • Measurement of rail deflection at the relevant measuring points. • Measurement of the actual rail deflection instead of the inaccurate sleeper deflection. • High measuring accuracy (maximum 1 mm tolerance) and reliable reading accuracy. • Easy handling and quick installation of the measuring device on the track. • Can also be used at core components and in the area of ​​insulating joints. • Track superstructure repairs can now be planned and carried out efficiently based on reliable facts. • Easy to install on site. • Easy to transport (only about 160 g per unit).

[0015] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. Figure 1 shows a spatial view of a generic subsidence measuring device, here mounted on a railway track. Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of a generic sinkage measuring device with a hook screw and a clamping screw, mounted here on a railway track. Fig. Figure 3 shows the principle of a measuring rod resistance element in the form of a ball pressure screw. Fig. Figure 4 shows the rail depression, readable by the measuring rod in conjunction with the measuring scale. Fig. Figure 5 shows a spatial view of the incursion measuring device according to the invention, here with a lockable pointer for the measuring rod, a handle for the clamping element including spring mechanism. Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the inventive sinking measuring device with all embodiments, here mounted on a railway track and supported with the counter-pressure plate on a ballast bed. Fig. Figure 7 shows a top view of the indentation measuring device according to the invention with all embodiments.

[0016] The sinking measuring device shown in the figures is used to quantitatively record the sinking or lowering of railway tracks relative to a ballast bed when a rail vehicle or train passes over them.

[0017] For example, in Fig. The 5. The deflection measuring device, which is clearly recognizable in its entirety, comprises a housing-like holder 2. On its rear side, facing away from the viewer, the holder has a claw-like recess designed for contact with the flank of a rail foot 15 of a railway rail 1 during normal use. A retaining element, designed as a hook 3a and horizontally displaceable relative to the holder 2 in its normal orientation, engages the rail foot 15 during the measuring operation. The holder 2 rests firmly against and grips one flank of the rail foot 15, while the hook 3a rests against and grips the other flank. A spring 3c integrated into the holder 2 provides tension. This tension can be released, if necessary, for assembly or disassembly using a handle 3b, which in this example is shown as follows. Fig. 5 is arranged on the side of the bracket 2 facing the viewer. The hook 3a, the handle 3b and the spring 3c together with a locking nut 3d form a lockable clamping element 3, by means of which the bracket 2 can be connected firmly and with minimal play to the rail 1 for measuring operation.

[0018] Mounting the deflection measuring device on rail 1 is extremely simple: Simply insert hook 3a at a point easily accessible by partially removing or loosening the ballast under rail 1, hook it onto the rail foot 15, and lock it in place. This condition is in Fig. Figure 6 shows the cross-section and side view. For later disassembly, the locking nut 3d is loosened, the tension is released by pulling or turning the handle 3b, thus releasing the hook and pulling the sinkage measuring device out again.

[0019] In the locked position, bracket 2 is, as mentioned, firmly connected to track 1. If track 1 lowers due to a load and later rises again, bracket 2 follows this lowering and raising movement in the vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 6 indicated by the double arrow. To record this lowering and lifting movement, a measuring rod 4 is mounted vertically and is vertically displaceable in / on the holder 2. The measuring rod 4 is slidably mounted with minimal play in a sleeve-like measuring rod receptacle and protrudes upwards and downwards from the holder 2. At its lower end, the measuring rod 4 is firmly connected to a counter-pressure plate 8, which, during measurement operation, rests over its entire surface on the surrounding ballast bed 14, as shown in Fig. 6. As a result of the aforementioned lowering movement of the railway track 1, the measuring rod 4 moves upwards relative to the holder 2 in the measuring rod receptacle, so that the upper end of the rod projects as far upwards as possible above the holder 2 during the maximum lowering of the railway track 1. The deflection of the measuring rod 4 is as shown in Fig. 4 schematically indicated opposite a measuring scale 6 firmly connected to the holder 2.

[0020] A measuring rod resistance element 7 ensures that the measuring rod 4 does not drop downwards again after reaching its maximum deflection when the track 1 moves upwards again. This is achieved by pressing as in Fig.Figure 3 shows a spring-loaded pressure pin 7a mounted in the holder 2, preferably with a rotatably mounted ball 12 at its tip. The pressure pin moves radially towards the measuring rod 4, which is mounted in the measuring rod holder, and fixes the measuring rod 4 at its height by friction in its resting state. The spring force is selected such that when the railway track 1 is lowered during the passage of a rail vehicle or train, the friction caused by the ball 12 in conjunction with the spring 13 is easily overcome, and the measuring rod 4 rises relative to the holder 2. However, it is prevented from falling back down or lowering due to its own weight. In this way, the maximum deflection of the measuring rod 4 is effectively stored or held in place.

[0021] To insert and adjust the measuring rod 4 in the measuring rod holder, the spring force on the ball 12 can be compensated as required by means of the screw-like pressure pin locking device 7b, so that the measuring rod 4 is freely movable in the measuring rod holder in this case.

[0022] To accurately read the (maximum) deflection of the measuring rod 4 on the measuring scale 6, a pointer element is detachably attached to the measuring rod 4. The pointer element comprises a pointer 9, a measuring rod guide 9a, a narrowing gap 9b, and a locking screw 9c. Using the locking screw 9c, which is designed, for example, as a knurled screw, the pointer element, which sits on and surrounds the measuring rod 4, can be loosened for setting or calibrating the zero point and moved downwards or upwards relative to the measuring rod 4. The locking screw 9c is then tightened again.

[0023] In summary, by mounting the deflection measuring device to the railway rail 1, the maximum rail deflection can be reliably determined by simply reading the measuring scale 6 when a rail vehicle passes over it. For this purpose, the deflection measuring device advantageously consists of, among other things, a bracket 2, a clamping element 3, a measuring rod 4, a measuring scale 6, a measuring rod resistance element 7, and a counter-pressure plate 8.

[0024] The assembly on the railway track is carried out using the tensioning element 3, ideally consisting of a hook 3a, a handle 3b, a spring 3c and a locking nut 3d.

[0025] The advantage of the design using spring 3c is that assembly is made easier, since the measuring device remains hanging on the rail foot 15 due to the spring force and only needs to be screwed on using the handle 3b, in which the locking screw or locking nut 3d is ideally integrated.

[0026] The measuring rod resistance element 7, which in a suitably designed configuration has a pressure pin 7a with a pressure-side ball 12 that is pressed radially against the measuring rod 4 by a spring 13, ensures that the measuring rod 4 remains at its maximum deflection. This allows the maximum deflection to be easily read later, once the rail vehicle has passed and the track 1 is safely accessible again. The detachable attachment of the pointer 9 to the measuring rod 4 allows for simple calibration or zero-point setting. Reference symbol list 1 railway track 2 brackets 3 tensioning elements 3a Hook 3b handle 3c spring 3D locking nut 4 measuring rod 6 measuring scale 7 Measuring rod resistance element 7a Push pin 7b Pushpin safety device 8 Counter-pressure plate 9 hands 9a Measuring rod feedthrough 9b Narrowing gap 9c Locking screw 11 Ball pressure screw 12 balls 13 spring 14 gravel bed 15 rail foot

Claims

[1] A deflection measuring device for railway tracks (1), comprising a bracket (2) that can be attached to a railway track (1) by means of a clamping element (3), a measuring rod (4) that is slidably mounted in / on the bracket (2), at the lower end of which a counter-pressure plate (8) or support for support on a ballast bed (14) or the like is attached or formed, furthermore a measuring scale (6) attached to or integrated into the bracket (2) for reading a displacement of the measuring rod (4) relative to the bracket (2), and a measuring rod resistance element (7) that comprises a pressure pin (7a) and a pressure pin locking device (7b) and is designed and configured to resist the displacement of the measuring rod (4) by force or friction in such a way that a maximum displacement of the measuring rod (4) achieved when a rail vehicle passes over the railway track (1) is maintained,wherein the deflection measuring device further comprises a lockable pointer element comprising a pointer (9), a measuring rod guide (9a), a constriction gap (9b) and a locking screw (9c). [2] Sinkage measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping element (3) comprises a hook (3a), a handle (3b), a spring (3c) and a lock nut (3d).

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