RAIL-BOUND MAINTENANCE MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE MACHINE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a track-bound maintenance machine for maintaining a track superstructure with a track grid consisting of sleepers and rails mounted thereon, supported in a ballast bed, comprising a lifting / aligning unit for lifting / aligning the track and a tamping unit for tamping the track. The invention also relates to a method for operating the machine. State of the art

[0002] The superstructure of a railway track is subject to continuous wear and tear due to use and weather conditions, necessitating regular maintenance. For ballasted track, the ballast bed, the track grid consisting of rails and sleepers, as well as points and crossings, require maintenance. To this end, the condition of individual track components and the position of the track grid within the ballast bed are checked at predetermined intervals. This is based on actual track data obtained using various established measuring methods and devices. Work on the track is generally carried out using a track-bound maintenance machine. Such machines are also called track maintenance machines or railway maintenance machines.

[0003] AT 518692 A1 discloses a method for recording track objects and a maintenance system. The maintenance system is used, for example, for track position measurement, track lifting / alignment and tamping, contact wire alignment measurement, or rail profile measurement. First, deviations of the recorded actual state from a predefined target state are evaluated, and correction data is provided. This data is then used to control maintenance units of a track-bound maintenance machine, such as a lifting / alignment unit and a tamping unit.

[0004] EP 0223895 A1 discloses a machine arrangement for the plastic bending of rail ends in the area of ​​rail joints of laid tracks. In various variants A to F, this bending device is equipped with a welding machine, a tamping machine, and a grinding unit for achieving the correct track alignment and for correcting superelevation of the rail joint. The bending device also acts as a track lifting and straightening unit.

[0005] EP 0732451 A1 shows a work vehicle for carrying out track construction work with a vehicle frame supported on rail bogies with coupling devices for detachable connection with a track construction motor vehicle, in particular with a hydraulic coupling for supplying energy to at least one work device from a group comprising, inter alia, a tamping unit, a track lifting and straightening unit and a rail grinding device.

[0006] WO 2012 156417 A1 describes work vehicles with groups of work equipment for a complete work process such as lifting, straightening and tamping work as well as a device for profiling the rail heads by grinding or milling as part of a track grid installation module. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of improving a track-bound maintenance machine of the type mentioned above in such a way that the maintenance of a track section can be carried out to a high standard during short track closures. In particular, the processes of the work to be carried out should be integrated in an optimized manner. Furthermore, it is an objective of the invention to provide a corresponding method.

[0008] According to the invention, these problems are solved by the features of independent claims 1 and 12. Dependent claims specify advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0009] In this system, at least one rail processing unit for continuous rail reprofiling is mounted on the machine frame of the track-bound maintenance machine. A central control unit manages the machine's drive system, and optionally a satellite drive and the working drives of the individual units. This allows the control unit to intervene in the control sequence of the other units according to a predefined control scenario should one unit require a work interruption. In this way, the machine enables both track alignment correction and integrated rail reprofiling during a single work cycle. The elimination of rail defects, particularly existing rolling contact fatigue damage, contributes to greater durability of the corrected track alignment, as trouble-free operation of the rails is achieved once the processed track section is cleared.Without this measure, remaining rail defects would cause vibrations and shocks when the train is traversed, which would quickly lead to a further deterioration of the track condition.

[0010] Another advantage is the optimal working speed achieved by combining track lifting / straightening, tamping, and rail reprofiling in a single maintenance machine. The feed rate of a rail reprofiling tool falls within a speed range typical for track tamping machines, with usual values ​​between 1000 m / h and 2000 m / h. High-performance tamping machines reach working speeds of up to 3000 m / h. This allows all operations to be carried out at the same forward speed without any reduction in the performance of the respective maintenance unit.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment, the rail processing unit is arranged behind the lifting / aligning unit and the tamping unit in one working direction. This ensures that the track bed has a uniform support for the rail reprofiling. Any voids are eliminated by correcting the track alignment and tamping the sleepers. Consequently, the evenly distributed bearing forces of the track bed counteract any vertical stress on the rails during reprofiling.

[0012] Advantageously, the rail processing unit includes a milling tool, which in particular has a milling cutter head with a rotational axis oriented transversely to the machine's longitudinal direction. Sufficiently high material removal rates can be achieved in a single pass with one milling tool, enabling even pronounced rail defects to be eliminated. The tamping of the sleepers immediately prior to milling is particularly advantageous because the milling tool and supporting slide shoes exert downward pressure on the rail. Uniform contact of the track grid, resulting in stable vertical track resistance, leads to a high-quality milling result.

[0013] An improved version of this system involves a rail machining unit comprising several milling tools arranged in series, with a front milling tool designed as a roughing cutter and a rear milling tool as a finishing cutter. This arrangement combines high material removal rates with a sufficiently smooth rail surface. In a special variant, the milling tools arranged in series are assigned to different sections of the rail head profile. This facilitates the continuous machining of turnouts, as the milling tools can be selectively used in the area of ​​the turnout frog and the guide rails to accommodate the limited clearances.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rail processing unit comprises a planing tool which, in particular, has cutting elements that are movable relative to a base body. Due to the positive cutting geometry of the planing tool, no force acts on the rail from above. Furthermore, movable cutting elements enable a cam-like guidance of the cutting edges along the rail head surface. The result of such processing is an almost uniformly smooth surface finish.

[0015] To further improve the quality of the machined rail head surfaces, a smoothing device, in particular a grinding tool, is arranged behind the rail processing unit in the working direction. This smoothing device removes any marks (knife marks) left by the reprofiling tool.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the machine, the lifting / aligning unit and the tamping unit are arranged on separate machine frames, wherein, in particular, at least one of the machine frames is designed as a satellite frame and is displaceable relative to a main frame in the longitudinal direction of the machine by means of a satellite drive. Each machine frame is advantageously supported on at least one rail-mounted chassis. This ensures optimized load distribution. Furthermore, the feed rates of the units can be better coordinated due to the structural decoupling.

[0017] The maintenance measures that can be carried out with the machine are further improved if at least one stabilization unit is arranged behind the tamping unit in the direction of travel. The stabilization unit sustainably stabilizes the restored track alignment by anticipating track settlement. The machine-integrated reprofiling of the rails results in a particularly durable treatment of the track superstructure.

[0018] An improved machine design proposes that a first machine section comprises the lifting / aligning unit and the tamping unit, and that a second machine section, coupled to the first, comprises the rail processing unit for reprofiling the rails. This allows for a modular system in which different versions of a tamping machine section can be combined with different versions of a rail reprofiling machine section.

[0019] In a further advantageous development of this variant, a power supply unit is installed on one machine section, with the other machine section connected to the power supply unit via a supply line. Furthermore, other system components of one machine section can be shared with the other. For example, data from an assistance system located in the tamping machine section can also be used in the rail reprofiling machine section. The shared assistance system serves for the automated or semi-automated control of all units.

[0020] This embodiment of the invention is further improved by providing a detachable connection between the supply line of the machine parts, wherein the second machine part includes an energy storage device and the energy storage device can be charged via the supply line. In this way, the second machine part for rail reprofiling can be operated temporarily independently of the first machine part. The energy requirement of the rail processing unit is significantly lower than the energy requirement of the tamping machine part. Therefore, supplying energy from the energy storage device for the duration of at least one work cycle is easily possible.

[0021] In the inventive method for operating the maintenance machine, the track grid on a track section is lifted and aligned by means of the lifting / aligning unit, the sleepers of the track grid are tamped by means of the tamping unit, and the rails of the track grid are reprofiled by means of the rail processing unit. With this integrated working method, the correction of the track alignment and the restoration of a defect-free railhead surface are achieved for the first time in a single operation.

[0022] In an advantageous further development of the method, the lifting / aligning unit and the tamping unit are moved forward in the working direction during successive work cycles, while the rail processing unit for reprofiling the rails is continuously moved in the working direction at a speed adapted to the duration of the work cycles. In this way, the continuous rail processing is optimally coordinated with the cyclic tamping of the sleepers.

[0023] According to the invention, the lifting / aligning unit, the tamping unit, the rail processing unit for reprofiling the rails, a machine drive, and optionally a satellite drive are controlled in a coordinated manner via a central control unit. The central control unit enables automated or semi-automated operation of the maintenance machine. Interruptions or variations in the tamping cycles and rail processing are also taken into account. As soon as one unit deviates from normal operation, the control of the other unit(s) is adjusted accordingly.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the process, a machine section containing the rail reprofiling unit is decoupled from another machine section containing the lifting / aligning unit and the tamping unit during operation and driven by its own drive system. The rail reprofiling unit temporarily functions as a drone. During this detached phase, the drone continues to use control data from the tamping unit. Optionally, the drone remains connected to the tamping unit via a flexible power supply line, thus eliminating the need for an energy storage system. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. These show, in schematic representation: Fig. 1 Maintenance machine for lifting, straightening, and tamping a track, as well as for rail reprofiling. Fig. 2 Maintenance machine with several milling tools. Fig. 3 Maintenance machine for lifting, straightening, tamping, and stabilizing a track, as well as for rail reprofiling. Fig. 4 Maintenance machine with a detachable machine part for rail reprofiling. Fig. 5 Machine according to Fig. 4 In the uncoupled state, Fig. 6: Maintenance machine with a rail processing unit for rail reprofiling on a satellite frame Description of the embodiments

[0026] The respective in the Figures 1-6The illustrated maintenance machine 1 is movable on rail bogies 2 on a track 3 and comprises a lifting / aligning unit 4 for lifting and aligning the track and a tamping unit 5 for tamping the track. The track superstructure 3 comprises a track grid 7 supported in a ballast bed 6 with rails 9 fastened to sleepers 8. A rail processing unit 11 for the continuous reprofiling of the rails 9 of the track 3 is arranged on a machine frame 10. In the simplest case, the machine frame 10 is a longitudinal beam supported at its ends by rail bogies 2. For the purposes of this invention, the machine frame 10 may also be a self-supporting car body.

[0027] The Figures 1 to 5Each figure shows a maintenance machine 1 that moves continuously forward in a working direction 12 during operation. The lifting / aligning unit 4 and the tamping unit 5 are arranged to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction 33 of the machine relative to a main frame 13. For example, a separate machine frame 14 is designed as the frame of a so-called satellite. This satellite frame is supported at one rear end on its own rail chassis 2 and is displaceably mounted at one front end on the main frame 13. A satellite drive enables relative movement of the satellite, including the lifting / aligning unit 4 and the tamping unit 5, relative to the main frame 13. During operation, cyclic tamping processes are carried out using the tamping unit 5. The track grid 7 is held in place by the lifting / aligning unit 4 and moved into the predetermined track position by actuators.This position is fixed by means of the tamping unit 5, whereby vibrating tamping picks are inserted into the ballast bed 6 between the sleepers 8 and aligned with each other. In this way, the ballast grains are set in motion and pushed under the sleepers 8.

[0028] During a tamping cycle, the satellite with the tamping unit 5 remains positioned above the sleepers 8 currently being tamped. The main machine carrying the satellite moves continuously forward in the working direction 12. As soon as a tamping operation is completed, the satellite overtakes the main machine and stops above the next sleeper 8 to be tamped. In this way, the maintenance machine 1, together with the rail processing unit 11 for rail reprofiling, moves continuously forward.

[0029] The illustrated variants include multi-part machine frames 10, 13, 14. In a simpler variant not shown, the machine frame 10, on which the rail processing unit 11 is mounted, forms the main frame 13 of the maintenance machine 1. Advantageously, the maintenance machine 1 includes an assistance system disclosed in AT 519739 A1. In this system, a sensor device 15 is arranged on the front face of the maintenance machine 1, viewed in the direction of travel 12. This sensor device 15 includes, for example, a laser rotary scanner 16, a color camera 17, and several laser line scanners 18. During forward travel, the laser rotary scanner 16 provides a three-dimensional point cloud of the track 3 and its surroundings. The laser line scanners 18 are directed at the rails 9. The color camera 17 continuously captures photographic images of the track 3.

[0030] The data acquired by the sensor device 15 are processed in a computing unit 19 and stored in a suitable storage unit. First, a three-dimensional model of track 3 and its surroundings is calculated from the point cloud and the color representations. Using object recognition as disclosed in the aforementioned AT 518692 A1, sleepers 8, sleeper bays, rails 9 including rail defects, and obstacles are identified in the model.

[0031] Typically, over time, the passage of trains on rails 9 leads to surface damage (head checks), squats, overrunning, slip waves, or corrugations. Camera recordings detect such rolling contact fatigue damage to the rails 9. If necessary, eddy current, ultrasonic, or magnetic resonance methods with their respective sensors are also used to detect various rail defects. The extent of the detected damage determines the necessary material removal by the rail processing unit 11.

[0032] InSubsequently, the suitability of units 4, 5, and 11 is checked for each track section where a work operation is to be carried out. For example, accessible sleeper bays are determined for the tamping unit 5. The best possible rail gripping positions are determined for the lifting / aligning unit 4. For the rail processing unit 11, a cutting depth for the cutting tools to be used is determined based on the identified rail defects. To avoid collisions with detected obstacles, the working position of the respective unit 4, 5, or 11 is automatically changed if necessary. For example, individual tools of the rail processing unit 11 are raised to form a ramp and then re-engaged with the assigned rail 9 after encountering an obstacle.

[0033] According to the invention, a central control unit 21 is arranged to control a machine drive 20, the satellite drive, and various working drives of the units 4, 5, 11. This unit continuously receives data from the computing unit 19 and adapts the control of the units 4, 5, 11, as well as the travel speeds of the main machine and the satellite, to the conditions of the track 3. As soon as an interruption of work is necessary for a unit 4, 5, 11, the central control unit 21 intervenes in the control sequence of the other units 4, 5, 11 according to a predetermined control scenario.

[0034] Advantageously, a respective drive control unit 22 translates the specifications of the central control unit 21 into concrete control signals for actuating the working drives. Additional cameras 17 are advantageously arranged for remote control and monitoring of the units 4, 5, 11.

[0035] The track alignment is corrected by means of a so-called control computer 23. During track alignment correction, the track geometry is continuously measured by a measuring system 24 arranged on the machine 1, using measuring strings and / or optical measuring devices. To achieve the desired track alignment, the control computer 23 specifies previously determined target values. The working drives of the lifting / aligning unit 4 are controlled accordingly so that the measured track geometry is adjusted to the desired track alignment.

[0036] Furthermore, the maintenance machine 1 includes a power supply unit 25. In a simple version, a diesel engine supplies the necessary energy for the travel drives 20 and the working drives of units 4, 5, and 11 via a generator and / or a pump distribution gearbox. Advantageously, a hybrid solution is provided in which a combustion engine is only used when an overhead line for supplying electrical energy is unavailable. When an active overhead line is available, an electric motor is supplied via a current collector 26, a high-voltage module, a transformer, and a power converter. A pump distribution gearbox is coupled to both the combustion engine and the electric motor. Connected hydraulic pumps are components of a hydraulic system for supplying hydrostatic travel drives 20 and hydraulic working drives.

[0037] The present invention enables particularly efficient energy management because only one energy supply unit 25 is required for the combined track maintenance work. The position of the energy supply unit 25 within the maintenance machine 1 can be adapted to the specific configurations of the individual units 4, 5, 11.

[0038] In the machines 1 according to the Figures 1 and 2The power supply unit 25 is arranged in a first machine part 27. This front machine part 27 comprises the lifting / aligning unit 4 and the tamping unit 5, thus forming a tamping machine part. A second machine part 28 is coupled to the tamping machine part. The latter comprises the rail processing unit 11 and is connected to the power supply unit 25 via a supply line 29. In the simplest case, the rail processing unit 11 is a grinding unit, preferably with several grinding wheels arranged in series. However, a large number of such grinding wheels are necessary to ensure sufficient material removal in a single pass.

[0039] In Fig. 1The rail machining unit 11 in the second machine part 28 comprises a tool 30 for peripheral milling or planing. In peripheral milling, the rail head surface is machined by the circumferentially operating cutting edges of the tool 30. The tool circumference determines the surface finish. The present invention also includes rail machining units 11 for face milling or profile milling. In face milling, the rail head surface is machined by cutting edges arranged on the end face of the tool. Profile milling represents a combination of peripheral and face milling. The transitions from peripheral cutting edge to face cutting edge are gradual. Face milling and profile milling are particularly suitable for smoothing the rail surface after peripheral milling.

[0040] Each tool 30 comprises a base body in which replaceable cutting edges are mounted. Advantageously, the base body has separately removable sectors around its circumference. When installed, the sectors are connected to a base via precise centering. This allows additional sectors to be fitted with new or turned cutting inserts when removed. Once the cutting edges on the tool 30 are worn, only the entire sectors are replaced in an exchange device 31. This significantly reduces the time required because the cutting inserts do not need to be changed directly on the tool 30.

[0041] Rail surfaces are typically milled with cutting edges that have a negative rake angle. For peripheral or profile milling, a jointed tool with a centered cutting edge is advantageously used. This jointing process ensures that all circumferentially arranged cutting edges protrude uniformly. Runout errors are eliminated, resulting in a particularly smooth machined surface.

[0042] In the example shown in Fig. 1Each rail 9 is assigned a large milling tool 30, for example, with an outer diameter of approximately 1500 mm. This results in very shallow cutting marks, so that subsequent smoothing can sometimes be omitted. Each milling tool 30 comprises a milling cutter head 32 with a rotary axis 34 oriented transversely to the machine's longitudinal direction 33. A housing of the milling cutter head 32 is pivotably mounted on the machine frame 10 about a pivot axis 35 oriented parallel to the rotary axis 34. The housing, including the milling cutter head 32, can be pivoted about this pivot axis 35 relative to the assigned rail 9 by means of an actuator 36. For machining the rails 9, the respective milling cutter head 32 is lowered onto the assigned rail 9 by pivoting it downwards.

[0043] The milling cutter head 32 is moved against the rail 9 by means of sliding shoes 37. The sliding shoes 37 are arranged in the working direction 12 in front of and behind the milling cutter head 32 and support the housing together with the milling cutter head 32 on the associated rail 9. By means of a further actuator 38, the milling cutter head 32 can be adjusted relative to a sliding shoe 37, thereby allowing the desired cutting depth to be set.

[0044] In counter-rotation machining, the front sliding shoe 37 is hollow to collect the material chips. A suction device connected to the sliding shoe 37 conveys the material chips into a collection container 39. The collection container 39 is advantageously arranged on the second machine part 28. The collection container 39 is emptied through a side opening after completion of a machining operation.

[0045] To eliminate wear marks resulting from peripheral milling, a smoothing device 40 is arranged downstream of the rail processing unit 11 in the working direction 12. This is, for example, a grinding tool with sliding stones 41 that are moved cyclically back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the rail. Alternatively or additionally, other grinding tools can be used, such as a belt sander 42. The smoothing device 40 can also include grinding media for peripheral, profile, or face grinding. Another alternative is a unit for face milling or profile milling. These milling techniques leave no disruptive wear marks.

[0046] The same arrangement is also used in peripheral planing. In this case, the cutter head 32 is equipped with cutting edges that have a positive rake angle. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting edges are attached to rams that are radially displaceable within a base body. During a planing operation, the engaged cutting edges are guided approximately in the longitudinal direction of the rail by means of a cam control arranged within the cutter head 32. With such a modified peripheral planing tool, engagement marks are largely avoided.

[0047] In the event of a necessary work interruption of the tamping machine section 27, the central control unit 21 intervenes in the control of the milling tool 30. The same applies if a predetermined tamping cycle time is exceeded, for example, if a sleeper 8 has to be tamped several times until the optimal compaction of the ballast is achieved. Advantageously, a method for automatically checking the ballast compaction described in AT 520056 A1 is used. This enables the automatic prediction of longer tamping cycles. Consequently, the feed rate of the rail processing can be adjusted in a timely manner.

[0048] In the event of a prolonged interruption or delay of the tamping process, the milling tool 30 is disengaged, and the exact location of the interruption is recorded. A safety buffer for the relative movement of the satellite with respect to the main machine is used to guide the milling tool 30 out of the material engagement along a ramp. Subsequently, the satellite, or if necessary the entire machine 1, is reset, and the rail machining is resumed at the recorded location using an engagement ramp.

[0049] Machine 1 in Fig. 2 largely corresponds to machine 1 in Fig. 1with a different rail processing unit 11 for rail reprofiling. Instead of one large milling or planing tool 30, three smaller milling tools 30 for peripheral milling are arranged per rail 9, for example with an outer diameter of approximately 600 mm. Various milling tools 30 can be combined in different configurations. In one configuration, all milling tools 30 assigned to a rail 9 cover the profile section of the rail head profile to be machined. The foremost milling cutter 32 is designed as a roughing cutter, and the two following milling cutters 32 are designed as finishing cutters. This combination enables particularly high material removal rates in a single pass.

[0050] In an alternative configuration, the milling cutter heads 32, arranged one behind the other, are assigned to different profile sections of the rail head profile to be machined. This combination enables different machining operations by engaging either all or only individual milling cutter heads 32 with the assigned rail 9. This allows, for example, rapid adaptation to different rail profiles. In a turnout or crossing area, individual milling cutter heads 32 can be raised to avoid collisions with a switch frog or a crossing rail 9.

[0051] The suspension of the individual milling tools 30 on the machine frame 10 essentially corresponds to the design of the large milling tool 30 according to Fig. 1A smoothing device 40 is also arranged downstream of the rail processing unit 11. A separate exchange device 31 is provided for replacing milling tools 30 with worn cutting edges. Here, the entire milling cutter heads 32 are exchanged and fitted with new or re-cutting inserts. Due to its smaller size, several replacement milling cutter heads 32 can be carried here. This allows for quick tool changes to adapt to different rail head profiles.

[0052] Maintenance machine 1 in Fig. 3The system includes an extension for track stabilization. For this purpose, a third machine section 43 is arranged between the first machine section 27 for track lifting / alignment and tamping, and the second machine section 28 for rail reprofiling. The third machine section 43 is connected to the first machine section 27 via an articulated connection and includes the power supply unit 25. Two stabilization units 44 are attached to the associated machine frame 10. These are lowered onto the rails 9 during operation. Vibrations are transmitted to the track bed 7 via splayed flanged wheels and rail clamps to stabilize it in the ballast bed 6 after tamping.

[0053] The stabilization units 44 transform the ballast stones into an even denser structure. This stabilization process anticipates settlement of the track bed 7, which would otherwise occur uncontrollably due to subsequent rail traffic. This creates optimal conditions for rail reprofiling. The stabilized support of the track bed 7 provides perfectly uniform counter-pressure during rail milling. This allows for large milling depths with correspondingly increased pressure on the rails 9 without compromising the quality of the work.

[0054] In an advantageous further development, the stabilization units 44 are used to check the rail fastenings of the track section being worked on. A modified spreading drive is employed within each unit 44. Specifically, the spreading drive is configured to apply a modulated spreading force to the rails 9. Therefore, the spreading drive does not merely serve to press the flanged wheels against the inside of the respective rail head without play. Rather, a variable spreading force is applied, which is subsequently related to a measured track gauge or track gauge difference. The track gauge or track gauge difference is measured using a suitable measuring device, which, for example, includes an electromechanical displacement sensor coupled to the spreading axis.The change in track gauge caused by a change in spreading force subsequently provides information about the condition of the respective rail fastening. This improves the quality of rail processing because loose rail fastenings are detected in a timely manner. If necessary, the feed rate of the milling tool 30 is adjusted to compensate for reduced fastening stability of a rail section.

[0055] The in Fig. 3 The second machine part 28 shown, with the rail processing unit 11, essentially corresponds to the one in Fig. 1 A large milling tool 30 is arranged on each rail 9. A belt sander 42 is used here as a final smoothing device 40.

[0056] The Figures 4 and 5Figure 1 also shows a maintenance machine 1 with stabilization units 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the second machine part 28 can be temporarily uncoupled from the third machine part 42. During operation, the second machine part 28 functions as a drone. For this purpose, the second machine part 28 has its own drive system 20 and its own control unit 45. The drone is powered by the power supply unit 25 via a supply line 29.

[0057] In one variant, the drone remains connected to the other machine parts 27, 43 via the supply line 29 during operation. The supply line 29 is, for example, extendable and arranged in a cable drum 46. Control data is advantageously transmitted via radio modules 47 over an air interface. Control data, in particular speed specifications and data on track defects and obstacles in track 3, are transmitted to the drone via the central control unit 21.

[0058] Another drone variant includes an electrical energy storage device 48, which can be charged via the power supply unit 21 using the supply line 29. During operation, the supply line 29 is temporarily disconnected via a plug connection, and the drone is powered from the energy storage device 48. The capacity of the energy storage device 48 is designed to allow continuous rail reprofiling to be carried out during a track closure.

[0059] During operation, both the plug connector of the supply line 29 and a coupling device 49 are automatically disconnected and connected. This eliminates the need for personnel on track 3 to uncouple and couple the drone. When uncoupled, a danger zone around the drone is monitored by cameras 17. Additionally, the drone is equipped with optical and acoustic warning devices 50.

[0060] Another variant of the maintenance machine 1 is in Fig. 6 This vehicle assembly moves cyclically forward in working direction 12 during operation. During a tamping cycle, machine 1 stops for the duration of the tamping operation. The first machine section 27 includes an additional lifting unit 51, in addition to the lifting / aligning unit 6. This allows a diverging rail 9 in a turnout area to be gripped and lifted along with it. The tamping unit 5 is equipped with swiveling tamping picks for tamping turnouts.

[0061] The second machine section 28 houses the power supply unit 25 and the rail processing unit 11 for rail reprofiling. The power supply unit 25 also supplies the tamping machine section 27. The rail processing unit 11 comprises two milling tools 30 arranged one behind the other for each rail 9, with a large outer diameter (approx. 1500 mm) for peripheral or profile milling. Preferably, the front milling tool 30 is designed as a roughing cutter. The rear milling tool 30 is a finishing cutter that operates with a shallow depth of cut. This achieves a high surface quality with negligible machining marks. Smoothing by means of a separate smoothing device 40 is therefore unnecessary.

[0062] To enable continuous processing of the rails 9 despite the cyclical forward movement of machine 1, the rail processing unit 11 is mounted on its own machine frame 10. With a rear support on a rail chassis 2 and a front movable support on a main frame 13, this arrangement forms a satellite. During operation, the satellite is moved continuously along the track 3 at a constant feed rate by means of its own drive 20. The feed rate, the respective tamping cycle duration, and the relative movement between the main machine and the satellite are coordinated by the central control unit 21.

[0063] During rail machining, the supports of the rail bogies 2 are activated. This blocks the spring travel between the rail wheels and the bogie frame, as well as between the rail bogies 2 and the machine frames 10, 13, 14. For example, a hydraulic cylinder is arranged as a support element on each wheel suspension on the respective bogie frame, and another hydraulic cylinder is arranged on the associated spring plate or axle bearing. Blocking the hydraulic flow activates the support, ensuring a precise positioning of the machining tools 30 relative to the rails 9.

[0064] For local tracking, a position detection system is advantageously installed on the maintenance machine 1. This system includes, for example, a fixed-point detection device, which is disclosed in AT 518579 A1. This enables the determination of an absolute track position. Further components of the position detection system include, for example, an odometer, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a GNSS receiver 52. The precise local and spatial tracking of the maintenance machine 1 allows for a comparison with previously acquired track data as well as location-specific logging of the work results.

[0065] All the maintenance machines 1 shown are exemplary combinations of the individual system components or machine parts 27, 28, 43. The invention also includes further combinations. In particular, the illustrated assemblies 4, 5, 11, 40, 44, 51 can be arranged in different sequences, configurations, and compositions.

Claims

1. An on-track maintenance machine (1) for maintaining a superstructure with a track panel (7) formed of sleepers (8) and rails (9) fixed thereon that is supported on a ballast bed (6), comprising a lifting and lining unit (4) for track lifting and lining and a tamping unit (5) for track tamping, wherein at least one rail treatment unit (11) for continuous reprofiling of the rails (9) is arranged on a machine frame (10) of the maintenance machine, characterized in the arrangement of a machine traction drive (20) and a central control device (21) which is designed in this way for the actuation of the machine traction drive (20) as well as working-mode drives of the lifting and lining unit (4), the tamping unit (5), and the rail treatment unit (11) and, if necessary, a satellite drive, that in case of an interruption of work is necessary for one work unit (4, 5, 11) the central control device (21) is used to intervene according to a specified control scenario of the other work units (4, 5, 11).

2. A maintenance machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail treatment unit (11) is arranged downstream of the lifting and lining unit (4) and the tamping unit (5) in a working direction (12).

3. A maintenance machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rail treatment unit (11) comprises a milling tool (30), which in particular has a milling cutter head (32) with an axis of rotation (34) aligned transversely to a longitudinal direction (33) of the machine.

4. A maintenance machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rail treatment unit (11) comprises several milling tools (30) arranged one behind the other and that in particular a front milling tool (30) is designed as a roughing cutter and a rear milling tool (30) is designed as a finishing cutter.

5. A maintenance machine (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rail treatment unit (11) comprises a planing tool (30) which, in particular, has cutting bodies that are designed to be movable in relation to a base body.

6. A maintenance machine (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a smoothing device (40), in particular a grinding tool (41, 42), is arranged downstream of the rail treatment unit (11) in the working direction (12).

7. A maintenance machine (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lifting and lining unit (4) and the tamping unit (5) are arranged on a separate machine frame (14) and that in particular, at least one of the machine frames (10, 14) is designed as a satellite frame shiftable in relation to a main frame (13) in the longitudinal direction (33) of the machine by means of a satellite drive.

8. A maintenance machine (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a stabilizing unit (44) is arranged downstream of the tamping unit (5) in the working direction (12).

9. A maintenance machine (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a first machine section (27) comprises the lifting and lining unit (4) and the tamping unit (5) and that a second machine section (28) coupled to the first machine section (27) comprises the rail treatment unit (11) for reprofiling the rails (9).

10. A maintenance machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that an energy supply device (25) is set up on one machine section (27, 28, 43) and that the other machine section (27, 28) is connected to the energy supply device (25) via a supply line (29).

11. A maintenance machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the supply line (29) has a detachable connection between the machine sections (27, 28, 43), that the second machine section (28) comprises an energy storage (48) and that the energy storage (48) is chargeable via the supply line (29).

12. A method for operating a maintenance machine (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the track panel (7) is lifted and lined on a track section by means of the lifting and lining unit (4), wherein the sleepers (8) of the track panel (7) are tamped by means of the tamping unit (5), and wherein the rails (9) of the track panel (7) are reprofiled by means of the rail treatment unit (11), characterized in that working-mode drives of the lifting and lining unit (4), the tamping unit (5), the rail treatment unit (11) for reprofiling the rails (9), the machine traction drive (20) and, if necessary, a satellite drive are actuated in a coordinated manner via the central control device (21) and that in case of an interruption of work is necessary for one of the work units (4, 5, 11), intervention in the control sequence of the other work units (4, 5, 11) according to a specified control scenario takes place by means of the central control device.

13. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the lifting and lining unit (4) and the tamping unit (5) are moved forward in the working direction (12) during successive work cycles and that the rail treatment unit (11) for reprofiling the rails (9) is moved continuously in the working direction (12) at a speed adapted to a duration of the work cycles.

14. A method according to one of the claims 12 or 13, characterized in that a machine section (28) with the rail treatment unit (11) for reprofiling the rails (9) is uncoupled from another machine section (27) with the lifting and lining unit (4) and the tamping unit (5) during a work operation and is powered with its own traction drive (20).