METHOD FOR COMPACTING BRACKET OF A TRACK BEDDLING

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a method for compacting ballast of a track bed using a tamping machine that can be moved along the track in the working direction and is equipped with tamping tools for tamping, wherein the tamping tools are assigned to tamping units with linear tamping drives and with displacement sensors for detecting the tamping path and the opening width of the tamping tools, wherein the tamping units, which can be moved vertically independently of one another, are arranged one behind the other in the working direction and can be displaced relative to one another transversely to the working direction using a transverse displacement drive. State of the art

[0002] Tamping units penetrate the ballast of a track bed with tamping tools in the area between two sleepers (intermediate bay), in the area of ​​the sleeper support in the ballast beneath the rail, and compact the ballast through dynamic vibration of the tamping tools between the opposing tamping tools, which can be positioned relative to each other. Tamping units can tampe one, two, or more sleepers in a single work cycle (DE 24 24 829 A, EP 1 653 003 A2). According to the teaching of AT513973A1, the linear actuators are designed in such a way that they not only generate a linear tamping movement, but also simultaneously generate the vibration required by the tamping tools. This allows the tamping speed, the vibration amplitude, its shape, and the frequency to be specified.

[0003] From WO 2011023257 A1 and DE 4001235 A1, track tamping machines are known that have tamping units for simultaneously tamping multiple sleepers. The tamping tines that penetrate the same sleeper compartment are arranged offset from each other. To enable the separate lowering of only one tamping unit, WO 2011023257 A1 provides for the tamping tines of the unit not intended for lowering to be slightly pivoted with the aid of the auxiliary drive, allowing the adjacent unit to be lowered unhindered.

[0004] The movements of a tamping unit include the vertical insertion of the tamping tools into the ballast of the track bed, the adjusting movement in which the tamping tool ends are brought closer together, and the superimposed dynamic vibration that causes the actual compaction of the ballast grains. For the adjusting movement, it is known to use hydraulic cylinders connected via connecting rods to a vibration shaft with eccentricity, which superimpose the vibratory oscillation on the adjusting movement (AT 369 455 B). These vibration shafts and connecting rods are mounted on roller bearings, which require regular, expensive maintenance. Other known solutions use linear vibration generation and adjusting movement via hydraulic cylinders (AT513973A1).

[0005] Conventional tamping units have stationary guide columns mounted on the rail vehicle, along which the units are moved up and down in the tamping box using guides. The guides are located in sections above the assigned rail. To the left and right of the center of the up-and-down tamping box is the vibration shaft, which drives the tamping arms with the tamping tools via auxiliary cylinders connected to the eccentric shaft via connecting rods.

[0006] Single- and double-sleeper switch tamping machines that operate cyclically or continuously are also known. In switch tamping units, the tamping tools are designed to be at least partially pivotable to allow for the movement around track-related obstacles. In double-sleeper switch tamping units, it is common to provide two independent sub-units located on a common sliding frame that can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the machine. The two sub-units can be raised and lowered vertically independently of each other. Independent, fully hydraulic, linear tamping drives that act on each tamping tool individually and are controlled are also known (AT 513 973 A). In particular, the adjustment path is electronically specified with the superimposed shape, amplitude, and frequency of the compaction vibration and measured via an integrated displacement sensor system.

[0007] The penetration resistance of the tamping units depends on the relative position of the tamping tools. The smaller the effective area, the lower the penetration resistance, the lower the stressing forces acting on the tamping unit, and the faster the penetration, allowing the machine to work faster. The compaction process is only initiated when the tamping tools have reached a certain, predetermined depth. Only then is the ballast compacted under the sleeper.

[0008] Another known design for tamping units for two-sleeper tamping machines is one in which the tamping tools are slightly offset in the transverse direction and positioned closer together. This results in a smaller effective penetration surface. This type of unit is known as a center tool tamping unit. Tamping units for switch tamping machines have the problem that, with a center tool arrangement, the tamping tools cannot be swiveled out because they are pivotable. This is why a center tool arrangement is not possible with these tamping units. Railways and machine operators often request so-called universal tamping machines that are equally suitable for switches and lines. While the focus in switches is on precise positioning and tamping of all switch areas, in line tamping the focus is on working speed.Therefore, the trend is toward continuous two-sleeper universal tamping machines with pivoting tamping tools. The disadvantage of these designs is that they cannot form a narrow, effective penetration surface due to the pivoting tamping tools. Description of the invention

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method which avoids the disadvantages mentioned above by providing a possibility for tamping units to form the smallest possible effective penetration surface with the tamping tools during the immersion process, to reduce the penetration forces and to accelerate the penetration process, whereby the working speed of the tamping machine can be increased.

[0010] The invention achieves the stated object in that the tamping units are offset from one another by a distance dV with the transverse displacement drive in order to reduce an effective penetration surface of the tamping tools into the track bed in such a way that the inner tamping tools facing one another of the tamping units arranged one behind the other in the working direction are offset from one another to a gap and that the opening width of the inner tamping tools is increased by an amount such that the inner tamping tools, viewed transversely to the working direction, preferably partially overlap one another, wherein the inner tamping tools are set into synchronous oscillation with the associated linear tamping drives at least when the tamping tools penetrate the track bed in such a way that the inner tamping tools always oscillate synchronously in the working direction.

[0011] During track tamping operation, the two tamping units are offset from each other by the required amount in the transverse direction to the track, and then the tamping tool opening width of the inner tamping tools of the tamping units in the longitudinal direction of the track is opened further. The inner tamping tools, which face each other transversely to the working direction, are offset from each other so that there is a gap between them. The outer tamping tools, which face away from each other transversely to the working direction, i.e. the front and rear tamping tools seen in the working direction, are each offset transversely to the track together with the assigned tamping units and the assigned inner tamping tools. If the inner tamping tools, which face each other, of the tamping units arranged one behind the other in the working direction are offset from each other so that there is a gap between them, then the opening width of the inner tamping tools can be increased without the tamping tools, which are now offset from each other, touching each other.can strike each other, which can lead to various types of damage, including breakage of the tamping tool. The compaction-side ends of the tamping tools, which are offset with a gap, can preferably lie in a common transverse plane of the tamping machine and, if necessary, interlock or completely overlap like the tines of a grab bucket. By having the tamping tools at least approximately, preferably completely, in a common transverse plane of the tamping machine, a minimum of the effective penetration surface can be achieved. This also prevents gravel grains from becoming wedged between facing inner tamping tools of the tamping units arranged one behind the other in the working direction, which can also significantly increase the penetration resistance.

[0012] In order to further reduce the effective area or the penetration resistance, it is intended that the inner tamping tools are set into synchronous oscillation with the associated linear tamping drives at least when the tamping tools penetrate into the track bed, so that the inner tamping tools always oscillate synchronously in the working direction.

[0013] This is possible with electronically controlled, linear-acting, fully hydraulic tamping drives (AT513973A1), as each hydraulic cylinder of the compaction and adjustment drive assigned to one or more tamping tools can be controlled and regulated separately, a feature that is also feasible with eccentric drives. An electronic control system in fully hydraulic tamping drives precisely specifies the oscillation for each tamping tool, so synchronously oscillating drives can always be implemented. The tamping tools of a tamping tool pair assigned to a common tamping unit, i.e., the inner and outer tamping tools assigned to each other, each tamping a common sleeper, can oscillate synchronously in the working direction when penetrating the ballast; however, when tamping, they usually always oscillate in opposite directions.

[0014] In order to be able to tamp switches advantageously, or to be able to take track construction obstacles into account if necessary, it is proposed that if one of the inner tamping tools of a tamping unit is hindered in its vibration by an inner tamping tool of the unit located next to it in the working direction as a result of a track construction obstacle, the opening width of the hindering tamping tool is reduced with the associated linear tamping drive in such a way that the tamping tool can be pivoted out with a drive transverse to the working direction.

[0015] For this purpose, it is recommended that in order to swing out the tamping tool with the drive, at least the opening width of the tamping tool to be swung out is reduced again by the amount of the overlap.

[0016] This means that even in switch tamping operations where pivotable tamping tools are necessary, a tamping tool position with a small, effective penetration surface can be realized in areas that require at least one tamping tool to be pivoted out, by only moving one or the other tool into a parking position and pivoting it out.

[0017] In particular, the opening width of the inner tamping tools, which partially overlap when viewed transversely to the working direction, is reduced by the amount of overlap before the tamping units are moved transversely relative to one another. To do this, any tamping tools that are in the way can be pulled inwards towards the basic or standby position during the pivoting of the tamping tool in question or before pivoting inwards to clear the way for pivoting out before they return to the more open position. If the individual tamping units are to be moved transversely to the track relative to one another, the opening width of the inner picks is automatically reduced beforehand. Of course, the normal position of the tamping tools and the sliding frames of the tamping units relative to one another is also possible.

[0018] The main advantages of the invention are the reduction of the effective penetration area, the lower component stress due to the reduced penetration forces, the increase in working speed and the protection of the ballast. Brief description of the invention

[0019] The subject matter of the invention is shown schematically in the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 shows a continuously operating two-sleeper universal tamping machine in side view, Fig. 2 shows an arrangement of two switch tamping units in a known basic position in side view, Fig. 3 shows an arrangement of the inner tamping tools according to the invention in side view, Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of two switch tamping units from Fig. 2 in plan view and Fig. 5 the arrangement according to the invention Fig.3 in top view. Ways to implement the invention

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a continuously operating universal two-sleeper tamping machine A traveling in the working direction W. This is movable on two bogies 21 on rails 35 and equipped with two driver cabs 30. While the main machine 19 moves continuously forward, the working satellite 20, which is movable on a bogie 22 with its own working drive 28, is moved cyclically forward from one sleeper section to be worked on to the next. A track measuring system 25 is installed to measure the current track geometry. Using the lifting tool 23 and lifting cylinders 26, the track is lifted to the position to be corrected. At the same time, the track is straightened in its directional position using straightening cylinders 27. The control, regulation, and recording of all sensor data is carried out by a machine-integrated computer and control system 24. In the working direction W, two tamping units 3, 4 are provided, arranged one behind the other.

[0021] The tamping machine A is equipped with tamping tools 6, 16, 17, 18 for tamping. The tamping tools 6, 16, 17, 18 are assigned to tamping units 1, 2, 3, 4 with linear tamping drives and with position sensors 34 for detecting the tamping path and the opening width of the tamping tines O1a, O1i, O2a, O2i. The tamping units 1, 2, 3, 4, arranged one behind the other in the working direction W, are vertically displaceable independently of one another and can be displaced transversely to the working direction W with a transverse displacement drive 31.

[0022] The tamping units 3, 4 are mounted on independent sliding frames with a transverse displacement drive 31, allowing the tamping units 3, 4 to be displaced relative to each other by a desired distance transverse to the working direction W. The individual tamping tools 6, 16, 17, 18 are driven individually or in groups by a linear tamping drive 34, which can be controlled independently of each other. These are hydraulic cylinders equipped with displacement sensors 34 that provide the adjustment travel and the compaction vibration. A machine operator has a view of the tamping units 3, 4 via a work cabin 29.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows the tamping units 3, 4 in a known arrangement, which can also be implemented with the tamping machine A shown. The inner tamping tools are arranged such that they are spaced 8 apart from each other so that they do not collide when oscillating against each other. Wedging of gravel grains between facing inner tamping tools cannot be prevented, which further increases the penetration resistance. The tamping tools, which can be pivoted out transversely to the working direction W, are guided by tamping tool arms 12, which are actuated by the linear tamping drives 34. The tamping tool arms 12 with the tamping tools are pivoted about axes 14 for tamping and positioning, thus allowing the opening width of the tamping tools to be adjusted. Each of the tamping tools shown has its own drive 15, with which the tamping tools can be pivoted out transversely to the working direction W.

[0024] Fig.3 shows the arrangement according to the invention in which the two tamping units 3 and 4 are displaced transversely relative to one another in the transverse track direction by a distance so that the tamping tools 16 and 17 can be opened further by a dimension dO1,3i, dO2,4i, wherein the inner tamping tools 16, 17 partially overlap one another as seen transversely to the working direction W. The position O1a, O2a of the two outer tamping tools 6, 18, between which the inner tamping tools 16, 17 are arranged, can remain unchanged if the opening width of the inner tamping tools 16, 17 is increased by the shown dimension dO1,3i, dO2,4i.

[0025] The well-known arrangement from Fig. 2 in top view shows Fig. 4 . The units 1 and 3 as well as 2 and 4 are arranged on an axis transverse to the working direction W and can be displaced transversely to the working direction W, either together or individually, which is particularly necessary for switch tamping, using the transverse displacement drive 31. The inner tamping tools 16, 17 are operated asynchronously 10 in the working direction W, i.e. oscillating in opposite directions, and must therefore be kept a correspondingly large distance Aa from each other. This distance corresponds to at least twice the amplitude A plus a certain safety distance Ak. In the case of synchronous, i.e. rectified, oscillation 11 of the tamping tools, only the safety distance Ak would come into play. With tamping amplitudes of typically 5-10 mm at the ends of the tamping tools, the asynchronous oscillation mode alone results in a distance increased by approximately 20 mm. The effective penetration surfaces 8, 9 are indicated as dash-dotted circles.

[0026] Fig. 5 shows the arrangement according to the invention Fig. 3 . In order to reduce an effective penetration area 8, 9 of the tamping tools 16, 17 into the track bed, the tamping units 1, 3 and 2, 4 are offset from one another by a distance dV using the transverse displacement drive 31 such that the mutually facing inner tamping tools 16, 17 of the tamping units 1, 3 and 2, 4 arranged one behind the other in the working direction W are offset from one another with a gap. In addition, the opening width of the inner tamping tools 16, 17 is increased by a dimension dO1,3i, dO2,4i such that the inner tamping tools 16, 17 at least partially overlap one another when viewed transversely to the working direction W.

[0027] The effective penetration surfaces 8, 9 are compared with those in Fig. 4 shown penetration surfaces 8, 9 of standard operation. According to the invention, the tamping tools 16, 17 oscillate synchronously, i.e., in unified oscillation 11, which is why the tamping tools 16, 17 can be moved closer together as if they were oscillating against each other. If the tamping tools were moved asynchronously 10, they would collide. The tamping units 1 and 2, as well as 3 and 4, are displaced relative to each other by the distance dV in the transverse track direction, and the inner tamping tool opening width is opened wider by dO1,3i and dO2,4i. The opening width of the outer tamping tools 6 and 18 O1a and O2a, however, can remain unchanged.

[0028] If one of the inner tamping tools 32 of a tamping unit 3 is hindered in its vibration by an inner tamping tool 33 of the unit 4 located next to it in the working direction W as a result of a rail construction obstacle, the opening width of the hindering tamping tool 33 can be reduced via control electronics 24 with the associated linear tamping drive in such a way that the tamping tool 32 can be pivoted out transversely to the working direction W with the drive 15.

[0029] It is also possible to automatically return the tamping units 1, 2, 3, 4 to the basic position by means of a control request from the machine operator. Fig. 4 If the position is Fig. 5If the machine operator requests that the tamping units be moved transversely V relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the track, the inner tamping tools 16, 17 are automatically closed to such an extent that they can be moved V relative to each other while maintaining the safety distance Ak. After the movement, the tamping tools 16, 17 can be opened further again, since this position is only required during the plunging process to achieve a smaller effective penetration area 8, 9.

Claims

1. Method for compacting ballast of a trackbed by means of a tamping machine (A) which can move on the track in the working direction (W) and is equipped with tamping tools (6, 16, 17, 18) for tamping, wherein the tamping tools (6, 16, 17, 18) are associated with tamping units (1, 2, 3, 4) with linear tamping drives and with displacement sensors (34) for detecting the tamping path and the opening width of the tamping picks (O1a, O1i, O2a, O2i), wherein the tamping units (1, 2, 3, 4), which can be displaced vertically independently of one another, are arranged one behind the other in the working direction (W) and can be displaced relative to one another transversely to the working direction (W) by means of a transverse displacement drive (31), characterized in that the tamping units (1, 3 and 2, 4), in order to reduce an effective penetration area (8, 9) of the tamping tools (16, 17) into the trackbed, are displaced relative to one another by a distance dV with the transverse displacement drive (31) such that the mutually facing inner tamping tools (16, 17) of the tamping units (1, 3 and 2, 4), which are arranged one behind the other in the working direction (W), are offset in a staggered manner relative to one another and that the opening width of the inner tamping tools (16, 17) is increased by an amount (dO1, 3i, dO2, 4i) such that the inner tamping tools (16, 17) preferably partially overlap one another when viewed transversely to the working direction (W), wherein the inner tamping tools (16, 17) are set into synchronous oscillation (11) by the associated linear tamping drives, at least when the tamping tools (16, 17) penetrate into the trackbed, in such a way that the inner tamping tools (16, 17) always oscillate synchronously in the working direction (W).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that if one of the inner tamping tools (32) of a tamping unit (3) is impeded in its oscillation as a result of a rail construction obstacle by an inner tamping tool (33) of the adjacent unit (4) in the working direction (W), the opening width of the impeding tamping tool (33) is reduced with the associated linear tamping drive in such a way that the tamping tool (32) can be pivoted out with a drive (15) transversely to the working direction (W).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that, for pivoting out the tamping tool (32) with the drive (15), at least the opening width of the tamping tool (32) to be pivoted out is reduced again by the amount (dO1, 3i, dO2, 4i) of the overlap.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening width of the inner tamping tools (16, 17), which partially overlap each other when viewed transversely to the working direction (W), is reduced by the amount (dO1, 3i, dO2, 4i) of the overlap before the tamping units (1, 3 and 2, 4) are displaced transversely relative to one another.