Conditioning device for cleaning and / or drying a gravel track bed and conditioning method using this conditioning device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conditioning device for cleaning and / or drying and / or tempering a track bed formed from ballast stones according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a conditioning method

[0002] for cleaning and / or drying and / or tempering a track bed formed from ballast stones according to patent claim 13.

[0003] The ballast stones in the trackbed serve to distribute and cushion the dynamic loads of rail vehicles. Weather influences, such as rain, as well as load changes, lead to abrasion or wear of sharp-edged ballast stones and the formation of dirt. The abrasion or crushed ballast stones can remain in the trackbed and penetrate deep into the trackbed.

[0004] It is common practice for hollow spaces in the track bed to be foamed with materials such as polyurethane, thus permanently protecting the ballast from the wear described above, as this makes it more difficult or even impossible for the ballast to be redistributed. Furthermore, the track bed can distribute and absorb loads better when foamed. In order to be able to foam a track bed evenly and with high quality, it is necessary to prepare it accordingly. To do this, it is desirable that the track bed is cleaned of dirt and is appropriately dried and / or pre-tempered in order to achieve the most well-defined moisture level within the track bed and thus the best possible distribution of the foam to be applied.

[0005] EP 1 619 305 B1 discloses a heating bell that is lowered onto a corresponding segment of the track bed prior to foaming in order to dry the segment with hot air. During this process, the heated air escapes laterally from the track bed. Since the process requires the heating bell to be lowered precisely onto the corresponding segment, the heating bell must be moved several times (raising and lowering the heating bell) to dry several segments of a track bed, which significantly slows down the conditioning process. Furthermore, pre-tempered air can escape during the transfer process, partly due to the raising and lowering of the heating bell, but untempered air can also flow in from outside, which makes the entire process energy-inefficient.

[0006] Further devices for conditioning a gravel bed formed from

[0007] Trackbed cleaning is known, for example, from EP 0 337 048 A1, DE 41 08 673 A EP3418450A1, WO2011134967A1, or DE9000529U1. These describe a suction hopper mounted on a rail vehicle, positioned over a trackbed, which is moved. A fan is connected to the suction hopper via a filter system to suck up and filter dirt. Compressed air nozzles are arranged within the suction hopper to stir up dirt particles from the ballast bed. Due to their design, such solutions do not allow for deep cleaning of the ballast bed without destroying the deep structure of the trackbed.

[0008] The technical problem is to create a conditioning device, a conditioning method and a device which enable effective cleaning and / or tempering and / or drying of a track bed over the entire depth of a track bed and which do not have the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0009] The solution to the technical problem is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims.

[0010] A fundamental idea of ​​the invention is to enclose and thus define a partial volume of a track bed using a hood device. Furthermore, the partial volume is processed using negative pressure and / or an air stream and / or by emitting sound waves in such a way that ballast, in particular crushed ballast (fine dust, etc.) and loose (undersized) ballast, which are therefore not arranged in or cannot be assigned to an ordered, packed ballast structure, as well as dirt or moisture, are released from the track bed. This release allows dirt and moisture, in particular crushed ballast, to be quickly and easily removed from the track bed. The track bed is thus effectively cleaned and / or dried by this process, thus conditioned accordingly.

[0011] A conditioning device for cleaning and / or drying a track bed formed from ballast stones is therefore proposed, comprising: a hood device for enclosing a volume, wherein the volume comprises at least a partial volume of the track bed, a vacuum device for generating a negative pressure in the volume and / or a blower device for generating an air flow in the volume and / or a sound device for emitting sound waves into the volume.

[0012] Thus, one or more of the following devices are present: vacuum device, blower device, sound device. Preferably, a vacuum device and a blower device are present, and optionally, the sound device is also present.

[0013] The track bed consists at least partly of ballast, which is preferably compacted. The track bed serves in particular to absorb and distribute forces in the soil. The track bed usually has a top side, a bottom side and side flanks. The distance between the top and bottom sides is referred to as the depth of the track bed. A vertical axis of a Cartesian coordinate system can be oriented normal to the top and bottom of the track bed. Rails and sleepers usually lie on the top side of the track bed in the form of a track grid, which is held in position by the track bed. The rails determine a direction of travel for rail vehicles, with a longitudinal axis of the coordinate system being oriented parallel to this direction of travel. A longitudinal extent of the sleepers is preferably oriented parallel to a transverse axis.The resulting window / compartment on the top side of the track between the sleepers and rails is also called a sleeper window or sleeper compartment. The sleepers are typically spaced at a recurring distance along the longitudinal axis.

[0014] The following directional or locational information, such as "back" and "front," is oriented along the longitudinal axis described above. Directional or locational information, such as "bottom" and "top," is oriented along the vertical axis, and directional or locational information, such as "side," especially "right" and "left," is oriented along the transverse axis.

[0015] The trackbed typically has a trapezoidal cross-section, with the cross-section oriented in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the shorter parallel side located at the top of the trackbed. The non-parallel sides of the trapezoid are preferably located on the side flanks of the trackbed or form them. The side flanks thus define the lateral boundaries of the trackbed. The trackbed may be separated from the soil, or so-called subgrade, at its bottom by a base layer. The base layer is also called a subgrade protection layer and typically consists of a compacted sand-gravel mixture.

[0016] The conditioning device preferably has a frame, which may include beams and / or walls, and which serves as the static base structure of the conditioning device. Thus, the hood, vacuum, fan, and / or sound device, or other parts of the conditioning device, can advantageously be attached to the frame. The frame can be present in addition to the hood device. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the hood device to form the frame.

[0017] Further preferably, the conditioning device can also comprise a lifting device for raising and lowering at least the hood device. The lifting device can comprise hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuators for raising and lowering. Of course, it is also possible for other parts of the conditioning device, such as the vacuum and / or blower and / or sound device, to also be raised and lowered by means of the lifting device. This advantageously protects the conditioning device from damage during travel, particularly during transport from one track section to another.

[0018] The hood device serves to enclose and define a working area, i.e. the volume that is processed or conditioned by the conditioning device. The volume has at least a first volume section that encompasses the partial volume of the track bed that is being conditioned. Preferably, the partial volume corresponds to a track bed section along the longitudinal axis or direction of travel, wherein a length and / or width of the volume is delimited by a longitudinal and transverse dimension of the at least one cover element of the hood device. At the bottom, the volume is delimited in particular by the base layer. In particular, the partial volume can be cleaned and / or dried or conditioned across the entire depth of the track bed by means of the conditioning device.Furthermore, the volume can have an additional volume section for arranging the vacuum and / or blower and / or sound equipment, in particular for arranging the inlets and / or outlets of these equipment. This additional volume section can be located above and / or to the side of the track bed. Thus, the enclosure device can advantageously quickly and effectively enclose a partial volume of the track bed, removing ballast and / or dirt and / or moisture from the partial volume.

[0019] The hood device preferably has at least one cover element, which can be designed as a wall and which delimits the volume, in particular to the front, rear, top, and / or sides, thus enclosing the volume. The hood device can be formed from the cover elements.

[0020] Preferably, the hood device comprises one, several or all of the following cover elements: a front cover element, a rear cover element, two side cover elements and a top cover element.

[0021] A front cover element means a cover element that is positioned at the front in the direction of movement of the conditioning device when it is moved along a track bed. A rear cover element means a cover element that is positioned at the rear in the direction of movement of the conditioning device when it is moved along a track bed. The designation may be reversed if the direction of movement is reversed. In any case, a front and a rear cover element are aligned transversely to the longitudinal extension of the track bed when the conditioning device is in use.

[0022] A lateral cover element is arranged to the side of the track bed when the conditioning device is used and moved along a track bed.

[0023] An upper cover element closes off the hood device at the top, i.e. it limits the space enclosed by the hood device at the top.

[0024] When reference is made below to a cover element, the features described therein may apply to one, several, or all of the cover elements. A cover element may be designed as a wall.

[0025] The cover element can be made of metal. If possible, the hood device has a plurality of cover elements, which are preferably arranged close to the track bed, in particular to the track grid. The cover elements preferably also enclose the side flanks of the track bed. The cover elements therefore preferably cover the side flanks of the track bed. Furthermore, the cover elements can have seals between the hood device and the track bed. Strip brushes are particularly suitable as seals. Their fibers form a sealing curtain that adapts flexibly to the shape of the track bed or track grid, in particular adapts to a surface of the track bed and track grid. The cover elements and / or seals can be arranged in several rows one behind the other to increase the sealing function. The cover elements and / or seals can also have recesses that adapt to the shape of the track bed or track grid.The track bed can be adapted, for example, by creating recesses for the rails. This advantageously prevents ballast, dirt, and / or moisture released from the track bed during conditioning from escaping upwards, forwards, backwards, or laterally into the surrounding area.

[0026] The hood device, in particular the at least one upper and / or the two lateral cover elements, preferably has a longitudinal dimension in a range of at least 2.40 m to a maximum of 6.0 m along the longitudinal axis. In particular, the length of the hood device extends over at least four or at most ten sleeper windows. Further preferably, the hood device, in particular the at least one front, upper and / or rear cover element, has a transverse dimension in a range of at least 2.0 m to a maximum of 3.5 m along the transverse axis, in particular the hood device extends over the maximum width of the track bed. The transverse dimension depends in particular on the standard width (narrow gauge / standard gauge DB / various broad gauges). Further preferably, the at least one upper cover element is in a range of at least 0.2 m to a maximum of 2.0 m to a surface of the track bed orvertically spaced from the track grid. Particularly preferably, the hood device extends across the entire depth of the track bed. The proposed dimension ranges have proven particularly advantageous for the hood device in tests, particularly for a standard gauge with a transverse dimension of 1435 mm. In addition, various transverse dimensions are available for standard widths between 600 mm and 3000 mm.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one cover element is pivotably mounted. One or more of the cover elements can be movably mounted, in particular via hinges, in particular on a previously mentioned frame. The aforementioned lateral cover elements are preferably pivotable about the longitudinal axis. The aforementioned front and / or rear cover elements are preferably pivotable about the transverse axis, so that the cover elements can be folded up during a transfer (manually / mechanically / hydraulicly / pneumatically), thus preventing damage during travel. Alternatively, the cover elements can also be detachably attached to the frame, for example, via screw connections or plug connections.Folding up or removing the conditioning device also improves the portability of the device and allows for easier arrangement in a means of transport, particularly in a standardized transport container - of course, provided the conditioning device has the appropriate dimensions.

[0028] The vacuum device is used to remove ballast and / or dirt and / or moisture from the track bed or from the partial volume of the track bed. The removal of ballast and / or dirt by means of the vacuum device preferably takes place temporally and / or spatially before the use of the blower device. For this purpose, the vacuum device can generate a negative pressure, in particular a pressure gradient, in a part of the volume. For this purpose, the vacuum device can have a fan, which can in particular be electrically driven. The pressure gradient is preferably oriented such that an air flow is created in the volume, which sets the ballast, dirt and / or moisture to be removed in motion. The vacuum device can have one or more inlets for sucking out the air flow and the ballast and / or dirt and / or moisture.The vacuum system can also be made up of multiple parts, for example, to expand the possibilities for arranging inlets. Preferably, one inlet is located on the side of the trackbed, particularly on the flanks. An air stream can advantageously penetrate the trackbed quickly and effectively, allowing ballast and / or dirt and / or moisture to be removed from the trackbed.

[0029] Alternatively or cumulatively, the blower device generates an air flow in the volume. The air flow sets in motion any ballast stones and / or dirt and / or moisture to be removed from the track bed or from the partial volume of the track bed. For this purpose, the blower device can also have one or more fans, which can in particular be electrically driven. The blower device can thus generate an overpressure, in particular a pressure gradient, in a part of the volume. The pressure gradient is preferably oriented such that the air flow penetrates the partial volume, in particular penetrates deep into it, and can exit at the side flanks. The blower device can have one or more outlets for introducing the air flow into the volume. The blower device can also be made up of several parts, for example to expand the possibilities for arranging outlets.An outlet can be arranged, in particular, on the upper side of the trackbed. An air stream can advantageously penetrate the trackbed quickly and effectively, allowing ballast and / or dirt and / or moisture to be removed from the trackbed.

[0030] Preferably, the volume flow generated by the vacuum and / or blower device has a value in a range of 10,000 m 3 / h to 20,000 m 3 / h, particularly preferably a value in a range of 14,000 m 3 / h to 16,000 m 3 / h. These value ranges have proven particularly advantageous in tests for the volume flow depending on the ballast sizes encountered.

[0031] Alternatively or cumulatively, a sound device emits sound waves into the volume, in particular into the partial volume of the track bed. The sound device can have a sound generator for generating the sound waves. The sound waves are in particular ultrasonic waves, with the sound waves lying in a frequency range of 30,000 Hertz to 50,000 Hertz. One or more piezo elements in the sound generator can be used to generate the sound waves. The sound waves penetrate the partial volume of the track bed and cause the ballast stones and / or dirt and / or moisture to vibrate. The vibrations can loosen dirt and / or moisture from the ballast stones.In particular, a cavitation effect can occur, whereby the sound waves, in particular ultrasonic waves, form bubbles, in particular air bubbles, which suddenly dissolve, in particular implode, when they hit a solid surface, thus creating so-called microjets that release dirt and / or moisture from the track bed.

[0032] Preferably, the vacuum and / or blower device and the sonic device are configured as a single active device. The sonic device can then, particularly prior to cleaning and / or drying by means of the vacuum and / or blower device, loosen dirt and / or moisture from the ballast stones. The vacuum and / or blower device then removes the ballast stones and the dirt and / or moisture loosened by the sonic device from the track bed, as previously explained.

[0033] It is also conceivable for the conditioning device to have a separating device for separating metal, such as a metal separator, which separates collected dirt, etc., from the metal and thus advantageously reduces damage to components of the conditioning device caused by dispersed metal particles. The separated metal can be collected in a container, which can also be part of the conditioning device.

[0034] The hood device preferably has a longitudinal dimension that is greater than a transverse dimension. During operation of the conditioning device, the longitudinal dimension of the hood device extends in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the running direction, of the track bed. The longitudinal direction of the track bed is the running direction of the traffic route formed by the track bed.

[0035] Preferably, the sound device and the vacuum and / or blower device are arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the hood device, in particular centrally, wherein the longitudinal axis is preferably an axis that runs parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the hood device, wherein in this case the longitudinal dimension is preferably greater than a transverse dimension of the hood device. A central arrangement within the meaning of this disclosure means that, in particular, the devices are arranged centrally along a transverse and / or longitudinal dimension of the conditioning device. Particularly preferably, the sound device is arranged such that the sound waves penetrate into the partial volume temporally and / or spatially before an air flow.

[0036] Furthermore, the conditioning device can comprise at least one positioning device for setting and / or monitoring a position of the conditioning device or parts thereof. The positioning device can in particular have sensors that enable a current position, speed and / or acceleration of the conditioning device or parts thereof. These sensors serve in particular to align the conditioning device relative to the track bed and / or track grid. For example, the conditioning device can have a position sensor and / or an environment sensor, which makes it possible to position a guide element, which will be explained in more detail below, in such a way that an air flow is directed through at least one sleeper window / compartment. In particular, the guide element can be positioned above a sleeper by means of the positioning device. The positioning and / or environment sensor can be an image capture device, laser scanner or similar.be trained.

[0037] Of course, the conditioning device can also incorporate additional sensors, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, mass, and / or volume flow sensors. This is particularly advantageous for automated cleaning and / or drying of the partial volume.

[0038] The track bed, in particular the partial volume, is preferably considered cleaned when a predetermined mass amount of ballast and / or dirt has been removed from the partial volume of the track bed. The predetermined mass amount can be determined with the aid of preliminary tests. The predetermined mass amount can be measured quickly and effectively, for example, using a mass sensor. A current degree of contamination of the volume flow can also be measured with a contamination sensor, whereby the partial volume is considered cleaned when the measured degree of contamination is lower than a predetermined threshold value. The threshold value can be determined with the aid of preliminary tests. Furthermore, the track bed is preferably considered dried when a predetermined amount of moisture has been removed from at least one partial volume of the track bed or a predetermined amount of moisture is measured in a current volume flow.The predetermined moisture content can be determined through preliminary tests. The predetermined moisture content can be measured quickly and effectively, for example, using a moisture sensor.

[0039] The conditioning device according to the invention is particularly suitable for subsequent foaming of cavities between the remaining ballast stones in the trackbed, as cleaning and / or drying the trackbed can be carried out quickly and effectively. It is also conceivable for a foaming device to be part of the conditioning device, so that the necessary conditioning steps, such as cleaning and / or drying the trackbed, can be carried out (immediately) before foaming. The time interval between conditioning and foaming of the trackbed can, of course, depend on boundary conditions such as drying times.

[0040] It is also conceivable that the foaming device and the conditioning device are part of a tamping unit, so that the steps required for conditioning, such as cleaning and / or drying of the track bed, are carried out immediately after the tamping process (immediately) before the foaming.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the vacuum and blower device are designed as a circulation device, wherein an air flow generated by the blower device can be diverted, in particular directed, preferably sucked away, by a negative pressure generated by the vacuum device. The blower device is preferably arranged centrally in the conditioning device, wherein the blower device generates an air flow that penetrates the partial volume, in particular at an upper side of the track bed. The vacuum device sucks away the air flow penetrating the partial volume upon exiting the partial volume via inlets, in particular on the side flanks or via one or more sleeper windows. For this purpose, the vacuum device can be arranged around a blower device, in particular arranged centrally.The described interaction of the blower and vacuum system can thus create a targeted circulation of the air flow within the volume, which loosens the gravel and / or dirt and / or moisture to be removed from the partial volume and sets them in motion. If the hood device features the aforementioned cover elements, this further offers the advantage that a pressure gradient within the volume can be adjusted particularly precisely, since the cover elements separate or virtually seal off the volume, especially the partial volume, from the environment and thus from the pressure present in the environment.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device has a heat source for introducing heat into the volume, wherein the heat source is formed in particular by at least one infrared radiator. The heat source can be arranged on the hood device. It is also conceivable for the heat source to be part of the vacuum and / or blower device or for heat from the heat source to be supplied to the blower device via a transport line, for example by means of a heated air stream. If heat is introduced into the volume by means of the heat source, more moisture can advantageously be absorbed by the air present in the track bed and moisture can thus evaporate more quickly or the partial volume can be dried more quickly. An air stream, in particular an air stream generated by the vacuum and / or blower device, can preferably be heated by means of the heat source.Particularly preferably, an air stream is heated by the heat source to a temperature in a range of 40°C to 90°C. The temperature of the air stream can be determined, for example, using a temperature sensor arranged in the fan device. The heat source can be designed as a heating convector.

[0043] The heat source is preferably formed by at least one infrared radiator. An infrared radiator emits infrared waves into the volume. In this case, the part of the volume located between the partial volume and the infrared radiator is not heated, so that the radiation power is almost entirely available for heating the partial volume and the heat can penetrate particularly deeply into the partial volume. A further advantage is that a surface of the track bed is heated directly and not by convection, which means that the track bed is heated more quickly and possibly with less power than with an air flow, even at depth. In this way, the heat can be transported quickly and energetically effectively across the entire depth of the track bed, also due to the thermal conductivity of the ballast and / or supported by moisture present in the track bed.This is particularly advantageous in heavily contaminated track beds, as the blocked cavities prevent airflow from penetrating as effectively as in uncontaminated or less contaminated track beds. Furthermore, an infrared heater quietly distributes heat into the partial volume.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the blower device has at least one guide element for introducing the air flow into the partial volume and / or the vacuum device has at least one guide element for discharging the air flow from the partial volume. A guide element can in particular be part of an inlet and / or outlet. The at least one guide element can be made of metal. If the guide element is designed at least as a nozzle or diffuser, a speed of the air flow and / or the pressure gradient in the volume can be advantageously influenced. Preferably, the guide element is arranged such that it directs the air flow at the track grid directly through a sleeper window into the track bed. The air, which has been cleaned and freed of materials after being discharged, but is still heated, can be fed back into the introduction process. This increases energy efficiency and accelerates the air heating process.

[0045] Between two or more guide elements for introducing the air flow, at least one air passage opening is preferably formed or arranged, through which the air flow is introduced into the partial volume. The at least one air passage opening can in particular be formed by the space between two adjacent guide elements.

[0046] Such an air passage opening is preferably arranged at a height of 0.1% to a maximum of 30% of the total height of the hood device, viewed from bottom to top and measured from the lowest point of the hood device. The air passage opening is preferably arranged on a bottom side and / or a top side of the two or more guide elements. This bottom side of the guide elements is preferably arranged at a height of 0.1% of the total height of the hood device and a top side at a maximum height of 30% of the total height of the hood device. Alternatively or cumulatively, the air passage opening can be spaced 0.0 cm to a maximum of 60 cm from a bottom edge of the hood device. The bottom edge to which reference is made designates the lowest bottom edge if the hood device has bottom edges at different heights.This design ensures that the air passage opening can be positioned at the lowest possible height above the track bed when the conditioning device is used in order to introduce air in a targeted manner.

[0047] Between two or more guide elements for discharging the air flow, at least one air passage opening is preferably formed or arranged, through which the air flow is discharged from the partial volume. The at least one air passage opening can in particular be formed by the space between two adjacent guide elements. In particular, an air passage opening of the vacuum device should be closer to the track bed than an air passage opening of the blower device. The distance between the track bed and the air passage opening of the vacuum device is preferably 0.0 cm, particularly preferably in a range between 0.1 cm and 0.5 cm, whereby exchange with the ambient air is avoided as best as possible.Such an air passage opening is preferably arranged at a height of 0.0% to a maximum of 5% of the total height of the hood device, viewed from bottom to top and measured from the lowest point of the hood device. Alternatively or additionally, the air passage opening can be spaced 0.0 cm to a maximum of 15 cm from a lower edge of the hood device. The lower edge to which reference is made designates the lowest lower edge if the hood device has lower edges at different heights. This embodiment ensures that the air passage opening can be arranged at the lowest possible height above the track bed when the conditioning device is used in order to discharge air in a targeted manner.

[0048] Particularly preferably, the at least one guide element is arranged such that the air flow is directed through one or more sleeper windows into the track bed, and / or the air flow is directed from the side flanks or from one or more sleeper windows out of the track bed. Particularly preferably, the at least one guide element guides the air flow through at least four sleeper windows simultaneously into and / or out of the track bed. A guide element can also have the same properties as the cover elements described above. This advantageously increases the effectiveness of the conditioning device, since the guided air flow is not swirled by an undirected flow around the track grid, but can penetrate the partial volume in a targeted manner, in particular without swirling.The guide elements and the previously described cover elements can also be used to protect the track grid from overheating, as heating the track grid would generate high stresses in the rails. Furthermore, the heat can be introduced directly into the partial volume more efficiently in terms of energy. This arrangement of the guide elements is particularly advantageous because the rails have several orders of magnitude better thermal conductivity than ballast, and the guide elements prevent the rails from freely dissipating heat introduced into the track bed, and prevent heat from being transferred to the rails in an energetically inefficient manner.

[0049] Furthermore, the at least one guide element can be V-shaped, gable-roof-shaped or triangular. In particular, a cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one guide element is V-shaped or triangular, wherein the cross-sectional area is arranged in a plane which is oriented, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or orthogonal to a transverse axis of the conditioning device. The air flow can be redirected particularly effectively by means of the described shape of the guide element, in particular guided past a sleeper. In a proper use of the invention, the at least one guide element can be arranged such that an upper side of the described V- or triangular shape faces a sleeper of the track grid, while the tapered side of the V- or triangular shape faces away from the sleeper.In other words, the at least one guide element is particularly V-shaped with an upward-pointing tip (an upside-down V, so that the tip of the V-shape points upwards). This allows the sleeper to be concealed particularly effectively by the at least one guide element, or the air flow can be directed past the sleeper through a sleeper window into the track bed.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the guide element of the blower device and / or the guide element of the vacuum device is / are displaceable relative to the hood device, in particular relative to an outer part of the hood device. Displaceable means that the guide element is translationally movable, preferably along or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hood device. Thus, the guide elements, in particular the aforementioned air passage openings, can advantageously be positioned relative to a sleeper window or above a rail in such a way that an air flow does not have to flow around the track grid to penetrate the partial volume of the track bed.

[0051] This is particularly advantageous when the conditioning device is arranged on a transport means and the hood device, in particular an outer part of the hood device, moves with the transport means, in particular along the longitudinal axis. The guide elements can then be displaced such that movement of the hood device, in particular of the outer part, can be compensated for by keeping the guide elements stationary relative to one or more sill windows. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0052] The conditioning device preferably has a filter for filtering ballast and / or dirt and / or moisture. When removing ballast and dirt in particular, dust can be stirred up from the track bed. Dust can also be stirred up when an air stream is introduced. This stirred up dust can, on the one hand, be hazardous to health if it is inhaled by people in the immediate vicinity of the track bed. In particular, the dust can be alveolar. On the other hand, the dust can also negatively impact the function of the conditioning device, for example because a fan of the vacuum and / or blower device becomes contaminated. The filter can be part of the vacuum and / or blower device and used to filter an air stream. In particular, the filter can filter air extracted from the volume before it escapes into the environment.The conditioning device preferably comprises a plurality of filters, wherein the filters can have different filtering levels. For example, to filter ballast, a first filter can be designed as a metal grid, whereby ballast stones only up to a predetermined grain size can pass through the filter. The metal grid can be arranged in front of an inlet of the vacuum device for removing the ballast stones. Alternatively or cumulatively, a filter designed as a grate can be arranged on one or more sleeper windows, which prevents ballast stones that exceed a minimum grain size, e.g. 5 cm, from being removed from the track bed. This can be advantageous, for example, if deep sweeping has already taken place beforehand, since it prevents further ballast stones that are already lying on the surface of the track bed, for example, from being removed.The grid can be adapted to the geometry of the deep sweep, whereby guideline 820.2010A08 can apply to the deep sweep. This advantageously ensures that only ballast with a predetermined grain size is removed from the trackbed, for example, precisely those ballast stones that do not comply with the infrastructure operator's guidelines. Another filter can be used to filter dirt down to a particle size of 10 µm and can be designed as a fabric filter. This allows dirt and, in particular, the aforementioned dust to be effectively and safely filtered from the air.

[0053] If it is necessary to comply with air pollution control regulations, a filter designed as a fabric filter can also be used, which effectively and safely separates fine dust particles, for example into a collection device.

[0054] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device additionally comprises one or more of the following devices: a receiving device for receiving ballast stones, dirt and / or moisture removed from the track bed, a removal device for removing ballast stones, dirt and / or moisture removed from the track bed.

[0055] The receiving device can be designed as a container or tank and arranged on the frame of the conditioning device. In particular, the receiving device is arranged outside the volume. Preferably, an inlet of the vacuum device is connected to the receiving device, for example via a transport line. In this way, ballast stones and / or dirt and / or moisture removed from the volume can be transported into the receiving device. A pressure gradient prevailing in the transport lines can be sufficient for this purpose. In particular, a transport line can be arranged on or in the previously explained cover element or formed by it. In this way, ballast stones, dirt, and / or moisture can be transported away from the volume, in particular via a side flank of the track bed.With the help of the receiving device, a mass quantity of ballast and / or dirt and / or moisture removed from the track bed can also be advantageously temporarily stored and, in particular, determined, for example, via the weight of the collected mass quantity. In addition, thanks to the receiving device, the mass removed from the volume does not escape into the environment in an uncontrolled manner. The capacity of the receiving device can range from 1 cubic meter to 100 cubic meters. A collecting device for alveolar dust or fine dust can be arranged separately from the receiving device, for example as part of a filter for filtering the air flow, whereby the capacity of the collecting device can be smaller, preferably significantly smaller, than the capacity of the receiving device, for example 0.1 cubic meter.

[0056] Alternatively or cumulatively, the conditioning device comprises a discharge device. The discharge device preferably serves to connect the volume enclosed by the hood device with the environment. For this purpose, the discharge device can direct removed ballast, dirt and / or moisture from the volume into the environment in a controlled manner. For example, the discharge device can serve as an outlet for the vacuum device and direct a previously filtered air stream into the environment in a controlled manner. The discharge device is preferably oriented laterally or longitudinally to the track bed, in the case of a longitudinal orientation in particular in front of or behind the hood device, viewed along the longitudinal axis or longitudinal direction of the hood device, so that removed ballast, dirt and / or moisture are discharged transversely or longitudinally to the direction of travel.In particular, an outlet of the discharge device is arranged in such a way that it cannot protrude into the transverse dimension of another vehicle. It is also conceivable for the discharge device to be used for the controlled emptying of the receiving device. For this purpose, the discharge device can be connected to the receiving device, for example, via transport lines. This results in the technical advantage that the conditioning device can continue cleaning and / or drying a track bed regardless of the capacity of the receiving device.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the conditioning device can include a separating device. The separating device can, for example, use a magnet to separate metal parts, such as tension clamps, rail screws, etc., from the air stream. This advantageously protects components of the conditioning device from damage and protects people in the vicinity of the conditioning device from sharp-edged metal parts, in particular.

[0058] In a further embodiment, the volume enclosed by the hood device comprises the side flanks down to the base layer of the track bed. The side flanks of the track bed can extend from the top of the track bed to the bottom of the track bed and thus down to the base layer. The volume can be enclosed, for example, using the previously explained cover elements up to the base layer of the track bed. An angle of incidence of the cover elements relative to the surface of the side flank can in particular be adjustable, for example using the hinges mentioned above. The cover elements separate the enclosed volume from the environment across the entire depth of the track bed, which is particularly advantageous for adjusting the previously explained pressure gradient within the volume. In particular, the partial volume can thus be cleaned and / or dried more quickly and effectively of ballast, dirt and / or moisture.

[0059] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device is arranged in or on a means of transport and / or vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, or forms this. Since a track bed to be conditioned can be several kilometers long, it is expedient to arrange the conditioning device on a means of transport. Such a means of transport can, for example, be a chassis onto which the conditioning device can be mounted in a modular manner. In particular, such a chassis can be suitable for movement on rails. The conditioning device can, in particular, be supported by a crane on crossbeams and longitudinal beams of the means of transport and / or can be fastened to the means of transport by means of screw connections.

[0060] Alternatively or cumulatively, the conditioning device is arranged on a vehicle. The invention thus also provides an arrangement comprising: the conditioning device and furthermore a vehicle or a means of transport, wherein the conditioning device is arranged on the vehicle or the means of transport, in particular is fastened thereto. The vehicle can differ from the means of transport in particular in that the vehicle comprises an independent drive for locomotion. Otherwise, the above-mentioned statements regarding the means of transport apply to the vehicle. Arranged on a vehicle, the conditioning device can be moved autonomously, i.e. without a railcar. The means of transport and / or vehicle is designed in particular as a rail vehicle for locomotion on rails. The means of transport and / or vehicle is therefore movable on rails. The means of transport and / or vehicle can thus be guided directly by the rails along the track bed.Of course, the conditioning device can also comprise or form the described means of transport and / or the vehicle.

[0061] Preferably, the conditioning device is arranged in a modular manner on the means of transport and / or vehicle. Modular means, in particular, that several conditioning devices can be arranged one behind the other on the means of transport. This means that a larger number of track bed sections can be conditioned in a shorter time, whereby the individual modules could alternatively perform the originally integral functions of the conditioning device separately (suction, heating, drying, sound waves, etc.). It is also conceivable for a conditioning device, for example with a foaming device for foaming, to be arranged in a modular manner on a means of transport and / or vehicle. For this purpose, the conditioning device can have predetermined longitudinal and width dimensions. This allows the use of the conditioning device to be advantageously scaled and / or combined.

[0062] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device has a guide element for moving at least an inner part of the hood device relative to an outer part of the hood device. If the conditioning device is arranged, for example, on a means of transport, the means of transport can move the conditioning device along a track bed. To increase efficiency, it is advantageous if the transport means moves continuously along the track bed in order to avoid repeated braking and starting of the transport means. For effective cleaning and / or drying of the track bed, however, it is advantageous if at least part of the conditioning device remains above a track section or partial volume for a predetermined minimum period.The inventors have recognized this conflict of objectives and therefore propose a guide element which permits such a relative movement between an inner part of the hood device and an outer part of the hood device, whereby the movement of the means of transport and / or vehicle is compensated and a relative standstill can occur between the track bed section and at least the hood device for a minimum period. In particular, a standstill occurs between a track bed section and the inner part of the hood device. The length of the guide element can be selected such that the relative standstill between the track bed section and the hood device, in particular between a track bed section and the inner part of the hood device, is possible for the entire minimum period. The guide element is designed in particular as a linear guide element.The guide element can have a servomotor that enables movement, in particular of the inner part, along the guide element. Preferably, the servomotor can move at least the inner part at a speed that corresponds in magnitude to the speed of travel of the outer part or the means of transport and / or vehicle.

[0063] In particular, the movement of the inner part relative to the outer part is oriented along a longitudinal axis of the hood device.

[0064] The vacuum and / or blower and / or sound device can be arranged in or on the inner part. The inner part can be designed as guide elements or include them. The outer part can be designed as cover elements or include them. It is also conceivable for the inner and outer parts to be designed as frames or to have a frame, with the outer part enclosing, i.e., in particular, framing, the inner part.

[0065] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device has a guide element for moving at least the hood device relative to a means of transport and / or vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle. In this case, a guide element is proposed which allows a relative movement between the means of transport and / or vehicle and at least the hood device, whereby the movement of the means of transport and / or vehicle is compensated and a relative standstill occurs between the track bed section and at least the hood device for a minimum period. The length of the guide element can be selected such that the relative standstill between the track bed section and the hood device is possible for the entire minimum period. The guide element is designed in particular as a linear guide element.The guide element can have a servomotor that enables movement, in particular of the hood device, along the guide element. Preferably, the servomotor can move at least the hood device at a speed that corresponds in magnitude to the travel speed of the means of transport and / or vehicle.

[0066] Further preferably, other parts of the conditioning device, such as the vacuum, blower, and / or sound device, can also be moved along the guide element. The guide element is in particular arranged or movably attached to the frame of the conditioning device.

[0067] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device has a length in a range of 2.4 m to 8.0 m and / or a width in a range of 2.0 m to 3.5 m and / or a height in a range of 0.5 m to 2.5 m. The stated ranges for the length and / or width and / or height of the conditioning device have proven particularly advantageous in prototype development. In particular, the stated ranges enable a modular arrangement of the conditioning device on a means of transport and / or vehicle, preferably on a standard track (1435 mm) in accordance with the EBO regulation.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the conditioning device comprises a device for introducing a surfactant-containing fluid into the volume. In particular, the fluid is introduced into the track bed before a negative pressure is generated or an air stream is introduced. The fluid can in particular be water enriched with surfactants. The device can comprise a tank for holding the fluid and a pump for conveying the fluid from the tank into the volume. The fluid can be introduced into the partial volume via injection nozzles, in particular on an upper side of the track bed. This results in the technical advantage that, when cleaning the track bed, water-insoluble dirt, such as lipid-containing or fatty dirt particles, can be quickly and effectively removed from the surfaces of the ballast stones using the surfactant-containing fluid.The fluid introduced into the partial volume can be removed from the partial volume, particularly by the air flow. The surfactants used can be biodegradable.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the conditioning device comprises a transport line, wherein the transport line fluidically connects an inlet to the vacuum device. The transport line can, in particular, carry an air flow from the inlet to the vacuum device. The transport line can be designed to be flexible, i.e., bendable or non-flexible. For this purpose, the transport line can, for example, be made of polyethylene and be designed as a bellows hose. This allows the transport line to be flexibly arranged in various positions. In particular, the inlet of the vacuum device can be positioned relative to the track bed. For example, the inlet can be positioned on a side flank of the track bed in order to vacuum, in particular, alveolar dust from an area of ​​the track bed, whereby this area of ​​the track bed is cleaned particularly intensively. The inlet should not protrude into oncoming traffic, i.e.It is within a specified clearance profile. Preferably, a filter is arranged at or in front of an outlet of the vacuum system to filter dust from the air stream, preventing dust, especially respirable dust, from escaping into the environment.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum device is detachably attached to the conditioning device, wherein preferably a fan of the vacuum device can also generate a negative pressure outside the hood device. In particular, this makes the vacuum device self-sufficient. For example, an inlet of the vacuum device can be arranged on a track bed section, preferably via the flexible transport line explained above, in such a way that this track bed section can be cleaned particularly intensively. This is advantageous, for example, for post-treating a section of the conditioned track bed after conditioning. For example, remaining contaminants, in particular dust, in a particular area of ​​the track bed can be removed from the area without having to position the entire conditioning device over the area of ​​the track bed to be post-treated.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning device comprises a sensor and / or sensing element, wherein the sensor and / or sensing element is suitable for determining the position of at least one threshold. In particular, the position of the at least one threshold is used to position the hood device over at least one threshold window. This can be achieved, for example, by the positioning device outputting a control signal based on the position to a servomotor, which positions the hood device over at least one threshold window.

[0072] Such a sensing element can in particular have at least one contact switch, wherein the contact switch can detect contact of the sensing element with at least one threshold. Preferably, at least one first contact switch is moved into a lowered position by means of a lever, while a further contact switch remains in a raised position. The lowered position is located below a horizontal plane defined by the upper edge of the thresholds and the raised position is above this horizontal plane. Upon contact of the first contact switch with a first threshold side, the further contact switch is also moved into a lowered position by means of a further lever, wherein this lever is positioned on the threshold side of the threshold opposite the first threshold side. As a result, the first and further contact switches, together with the levers, form a gripper that engages the at least one threshold.For example, a guide element can be positioned over a threshold and held in this position by the gripper.

[0073] Further proposed is a conditioning method with a conditioning device according to one of the embodiments described in this disclosure. The conditioning method comprises, in particular, the following steps: Enclosing a volume by means of a hood device, wherein the volume comprises at least a partial volume of the track bed, generating a negative pressure by means of a vacuum device in the volume and / or generating an air flow by means of a blower device in the volume and / or emitting sound waves into the volume by means of a sound device, removing ballast stones and / or dirt and / or moisture from the volume by means of the negative pressure and / or air flow and / or the sound waves.

[0074] All embodiments of a conditioning device described in this disclosure are suitable for carrying out the conditioning method. The technical effects and advantages resulting from the conditioning device are transferable to the conditioning method.

[0075] The device and / or the conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment described in this disclosure is / are particularly suitable for carrying out one, several, or all steps of a conditioning method according to an embodiment described in this disclosure. All embodiments of a conditioning apparatus and / or a device described in this disclosure are suitable for carrying out the conditioning method.

[0076] In a further embodiment of the conditioning method, the conditioning device is arranged in a moving means of transport, wherein the conditioning device is guided in a countermovement relative to the means of transport by means of a guide element, wherein a relative movement between the track bed and the conditioning device is reduced by means of the countermovement and / or the conditioning device is continuously moved relative to the track bed by means of the guide element. The countermovement serves to compensate for the speed of travel of the means of transport and / or vehicle, thereby at least reducing the relative movement.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, the conditioning device can also be moved continuously relative to the track bed by means of the guide element. It is also conceivable for the transport means to perform a continuous movement. As previously explained, the relative movement can advantageously accelerate the conditioning of a track bed, since frequent braking and starting of the transport means is not necessary. In particular, the precise alignment of the conditioning device over the sleeper window does not need to be performed with the aid of the transport means.

[0078] In the conditioning method according to the invention, the conditioning device is arranged on or in a moving means of transport and / or vehicle, wherein an inner part of the hood device is guided, in particular with the aid of a guide element, in a countermovement relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle. A relative movement between the track bed and the at least one inner part of the hood device is reduced or prevented by means of the countermovement and / or the at least one inner part is moved relative to the track bed, in particular by means of the guide element. The means of transport and / or vehicle preferably moves continuously.

[0079] In a further embodiment of the conditioning method, the at least one inner part has a plurality of guide elements for guiding the air flow through a plurality of sleeper windows into the track bed, wherein in the method a) in a first method period, the guide elements are positioned over sleepers of a first set of adjacent sleepers and a relative movement between the track bed and the at least one inner part of the hood device is prevented by means of the countermovement, so that the air flow is guided through several sleeper windows which are formed between the sleepers of the first set of adjacent sleepers, b) after the first method period, the at least one inner part is moved relative to the track bed, in particular by means of the guide element, such that the guide elements are positioned over sleepers of a second set of adjacent sleepers, wherein the second set of adjacent sleepers contains at least one sleeper which is not contained in the first set of adjacent sleepers,c) in a second process period, a relative movement between the track bed and the at least one inner part of the hood device is prevented by means of the counter-movement and the air flow is directed through a plurality of sleeper windows which are formed between the sleepers of the second set of adjacent sleepers.

[0080] This process can be continued indefinitely. The sequence of steps (b) and (c)) can be repeated, with each repetition changing the set of adjacent thresholds and adding a further processing period.

[0081] A first repetition is as follows: b 2 ) after the second method period, the at least one inner part is moved relative to the track bed such that the guide elements are positioned over sleepers of a third set of adjacent sleepers, wherein the third set of adjacent sleepers contains at least one sleeper which is not contained in the second set of adjacent sleepers, c 2 ) in a third method period, a relative movement between the track bed and the at least one inner part of the hood device is prevented by means of the countermovement and the air flow is guided through a plurality of sleeper windows which are formed between the sleepers of the third set of adjacent sleepers.

[0082] In general, repetition can be expressed as follows: bx ) after the n-th method period, at least one inner part is moved relative to the track bed such that the guide elements are positioned over sleepers of an (m)-th set of adjacent sleepers, wherein the (m)-th set of adjacent sleepers contains at least one sleeper which is not contained in the n-th set of adjacent sleepers, cx ) in an (m)-th method period, a relative movement between the track bed and the at least one inner part of the hood device is prevented by means of the countermovement and the air flow is guided through a plurality of sleeper windows which are formed between the sleepers of the (m)-th set of adjacent sleepers.

[0083] The variables n and m are integers, preferably m = n + 1.

[0084] X denotes one pass of steps ( b) and c) ) and in each subsequent pass the number n and m is increased by at least 1 compared to the previous pass.

[0085] The means of transport and / or vehicle moves continuously, in particular, over the entire process period, in particular continuously relative to the track bed. The entire process period comprises at least the first process period, the interim period after the first process period (i.e., the period in which process step b) above is carried out), and the second process period. Preferably, the means of transport and / or vehicle moves at a constant speed, in particular in the direction of travel. It is also possible for the means of transport and / or vehicle to move or be moved discontinuously. In particular, the means of transport and / or vehicle can remain stationary or almost stationary relative to the track bed. This is particularly advantageous if, for example,the means of transport and / or vehicle is to remain above a section of track bed in order to achieve particularly thorough cleaning and / or drying.

[0086] The inner part or the guide elements, on the other hand, can move or be moved discontinuously, i.e. the relative movement of the inner part and / or the guide elements is discontinuous, particularly relative to the track bed, over the entire process period. In other words: the relative movement between the inner part and / or guide elements and the track bed is prevented in the first and second process periods due to the positioning above the first or second set of sleepers. I.e. the relative speed between the inner part and / or guide elements and the track bed is zero or almost zero in the first and second process periods. After the first process period, in the period between the first and second process periods, the relative movement is not prevented.This is because, after the first processing period, the inner part and / or the guide elements are offset from the first set of adjacent sleepers to the second set of adjacent sleepers, e.g. in an offset movement. This means that the relative speed between the inner part and / or guide elements and the track bed between the first and second processing periods, in the interim period, is e.g. equal to or greater than the speed of travel of the means of transport and / or vehicle. In combination with the described continuous movement of the means of transport and / or vehicle, this results in particularly effective and thorough drying and / or cleaning of the track bed, whereby no acceleration and / or braking of the means of transport and / or vehicle is necessary. This is particularly advantageous if the means of transport and / or vehicle is part of a means of transport and / or vehicle convoy, e.g. a train with several carriages.

[0087] In particular, the first set of adjacent thresholds includes at least one threshold that is not included in the second set.

[0088] Preferably, the first set of adjacent sleepers and the second set of adjacent sleepers have an intersection of adjacent sleepers, i.e. at least one sleeper that is encompassed by both the first set and the second set of adjacent sleepers. As a result, in particular the track bed sections to be conditioned overlap in the first and second method periods, whereby a particularly thorough cleaning and / or drying of the track bed is achieved. However, it is also possible for the first set of adjacent sleepers and the second set of adjacent sleepers to be disjoint, i.e. to have no common sleepers. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, a particularly time-effective drying and / or cleaning is desired, for example because the degree of contamination of the track bed has been determined to be low.Particularly preferably, the inner part is offset by exactly one threshold, in particular in the direction of travel, in particular after the first method period.

[0089] Positioning the guide elements over the sleepers of the first and / or second set of adjacent sleepers comprises, in particular, the guide elements covering or substantially covering the sleepers of the respective set of adjacent sleepers when viewed from above.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, a countermovement of the hood device is generated, particularly during continuous movement of the transport means, whereby the hood device remains stationary over at least one threshold window for a predetermined period of time. Subsequently, the hood device can be set back into a relative movement opposite to the countermovement in order to be moved relative to at least one further threshold window.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, sound waves are emitted into the volume by means of a sound device, wherein the sound waves are emitted temporally and / or spatially before a negative pressure and / or air flow is generated. Thus, the sound waves can advantageously be used to temporarily and / or spatially loosen dirt and / or moisture from the ballast stones in the track bed before the ballast stones and / or dirt and / or moisture are removed from the track bed by means of negative pressure and / or the air flow from the partial volume.

[0092] If the vacuum and blower units are designed as a circulation unit, they can be connected within the conditioning device via transport lines, with an air flow at least partially circulating within the conditioning device. This results in a circulation of the air flow within the conditioning device that is at least partially closed to the environment. Of course, a collection and / or removal unit can also be part of the circulation unit; in particular, the transport lines can conduct gravel, dirt, and / or moisture as well as the air flow within the conditioning device. Furthermore, the pressure gradient within the volume can be adjusted precisely and energy-efficiently, since the air flow does not escape from the volume directly into the environment.If additional heat is introduced into the volume by means of a heat source, this additional heat is not energetically inefficiently removed from the conditioning device when the air flow escapes into the environment, but can be reused due to at least partial circulation. In such a circulation system, the vacuum and blower units can also share a fan to generate the air flow, thus saving energy.

[0093] According to the invention, the conditioning device can be arranged in a moving means of transport and / or vehicle, wherein at least one inner part of the hood device is designed to be guided, in particular with the aid of the at least one guide element, in a counter-movement relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle such that a relative movement, in particular a relative speed, between the track bed and the at least one inner part of the hood device is reduced or prevented by means of the counter-movement.

[0094] Alternatively or cumulatively, the at least one inner part of the hood device is designed to be guided, in particular with the aid of the at least one guide element, in an offset movement relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle, wherein a relative movement, in particular a relative speed, between the track bed and the at least one inner part is increased by means of the offset movement. In particular, the previously explained outer part of the hood device is arranged in a fixed position on the means of transport and / or vehicle, while the inner part of the hood device is movable relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle or can be guided by means of the guide element.

[0095] The countermovement can comprise the at least one sensing element positioning the inner part of the hood device or the at least one guide element in the previously explained at least one position, wherein the relative movement between the inner part and the outer part is generated, for example, by a forward movement of the outer part, wherein the inner part is displaced relative to the outer part, for example, along a linear guide of the guide element. It is also possible for the countermovement to comprise the inner part being actively displaced by means of the guide element, wherein the force required for this is applied, for example, by a servomotor or actuator.

[0096] The countermovement can therefore generate a relative movement between the inner and outer parts, with the inner part moving more slowly than the outer part or not at all relative to the track bed. In particular, the countermovement can compensate for a movement of the outer part, e.g. due to the means of transport and / or vehicle traveling in the direction of travel. In particular, the countermovement is oriented opposite to the direction of travel. Furthermore, the countermovement can be used to position the inner part of the hood device over one or more sleeper windows, in particular stationary relative to a track bed section. In particular, a guide element of the inner part can be arranged over a sleeper, while the outer part moves, for example, with the means of transport and / or vehicle. This enables, for example, a targeted introduction of an air flow through the sleeper windows into the track bed.

[0097] The offset movement can comprise the inner part of the hood device being offset, in particular by means of the at least one guide element, e.g. by at least an integer number of sleepers or sleeper windows along a longitudinal axis of the hood device. The offset movement can therefore comprise an additional movement to a movement of the outer part, which is oriented, for example, in the direction of travel of the means of transport and / or vehicle. In particular, the offset movement is oriented in the direction of travel. The offset movement can therefore generate a relative movement between the outer and inner parts, with the inner part moving, for example, faster than the outer part relative to the track bed. This makes it possible for the inner part to be positioned, e.g. while the means of transport and / or vehicle is traveling, over a second track bed section which is, for example, adjacent to a first, previously conditioned, track bed section in the direction of travel.The offset movement can cause guide elements positioned over sleepers of a first set of adjacent sleepers to be positioned over sleepers of a second set of adjacent sleepers by the offset movement, as previously described with reference to a method according to the invention. A position, in particular a longitudinal dimension, of the first track bed section can be defined, for example, by a first set of adjacent sleepers. A position, in particular a longitudinal dimension, of the second track bed section can be defined, for example, by a second set of adjacent sleepers.

[0098] During both the countermovement and the offset movement, the means of transport and / or vehicle do not necessarily need to be decelerated and / or restarted, allowing continuous movement of the means of transport and / or vehicle. However, the outer part and / or the means of transport and / or the vehicle can also remain stationary, for example, to perform the offset movement.

[0099] In particular, the conditioning device can be designed to perform the countermovement and the offset movement in an alternating fashion. During the countermovement, the inner part can be arranged stationary above one or more threshold windows, for example, for a predetermined period of time, while the outer part moves, for example, with the means of transport and / or vehicle, in particular continuously. During the offset movement, the inner part can then be offset almost immediately, for example, in the direction of travel, with the countermovement beginning again after the offset movement.

[0100] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device and / or the facility comprises at least one actuator for an inner part of the hood device. The actuator is provided in particular for moving the inner part of the hood device. The actuator is further preferably provided for movement, countermovement and / or offset movement of the inner part relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle. Specifically, the actuator is provided for movement, countermovement and / or offset movement relative to an outer part of the hood device. The actuator can in particular be pneumatic, electric and / or hydraulic. The actuator can be designed as a motor, in particular a servomotor. In this case, the movement generated by the actuator can also be or include a relative movement of the inner part to the track bed.

[0101] According to the invention, the at least one inner part has at least one guide element for guiding the air flow through one or more sleeper windows into the track bed, wherein the at least one guide element can be guided along a longitudinal axis of the hood device.

[0102] The at least one guide element can be arranged in a fixed position on the inner part, so that the inner part is stationary relative to the at least one guide element. The longitudinal axis of the hood device can be a longitudinal axis of the previously explained coordinate system and can be oriented, for example, parallel to a direction of travel of a means of transport and / or vehicle and / or parallel to the rails of the track grid.

[0103] According to the invention, the at least one guide element can be arranged in a position above a sleeper of a track grid. This allows an air flow generated by the blower device to be directed around the sleeper by means of the guide element. This at least reduces unnecessary heating of the sleeper.

[0104] Arrangable includes in particular that the at least one guide element can be positioned in the position above the threshold.

[0105] In a further embodiment, the at least one guide element is designed such that it covers or can substantially cover the threshold when viewed from above. Preferably, several guide elements are provided, each of which is designed such that it can cover or substantially cover adjacent thresholds when viewed from above. As a result, an air flow generated by the fan device can be guided around the threshold by means of the guide element. This at least reduces unnecessary heating of the threshold.

[0106] In a further embodiment, a plurality of guide elements are provided, wherein a spacing between two adjacent guide elements corresponds to an extension of a threshold window in the longitudinal direction.

[0107] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device, in particular the hood device, specifically the aforementioned inner part, comprises a plurality of guide elements, wherein a spacing between two adjacent guide elements corresponds to the longitudinal extent of a sill window. Thus, an air flow can be directed directly into the sill windows, while the guide elements conceal the sills from above, thus at least reducing airflow onto the sills.

[0108] The spacing is oriented in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hood device. The spacing between two adjacent guide elements preferably has a value of 20 cm to 150 cm, preferably 30 cm to 120 cm, particularly preferably 50 cm to 100 cm.

[0109] The spacing between two adjacent guide elements preferably corresponds to the distance between two sleepers. Particularly preferably, the spacing can be adapted to the sleeper spacing of the track grid.

[0110] Alternatively or cumulatively, a spacing between two adjacent guide elements corresponds to a threshold spacing between two adjacent sleepers. The threshold spacing is limited in particular by the inner flanks of two adjacent sleepers and / or oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hood device. Alternatively or cumulatively, a spacing corresponds to the shortest distance between adjacent guide elements, preferably in the longitudinal direction or along the longitudinal axis.

[0111] According to the invention, the at least one inner part has a positioning device with at least one sensing element, wherein the at least one sensing element is designed to position the at least one guide element in the position above the sleeper of the track grid and / or the at least one inner part has a positioning device with at least one position sensor for positioning the at least one guide element in the position above the sleeper.

[0112] The at least one pushbutton element can also be referred to as a holding brake. The at least one pushbutton element has already been explained above. The pushbutton element can comprise a contact switch designed as a cantilever and / or a lever designed as an actuator. The actuator or lever can be operatively connected to the contact switch. The at least one pushbutton element is designed to contact a threshold and thus position the at least one guide element above a threshold and to hold it in the position above the threshold for at least a predetermined period of time.

[0113] Preferably, the positioning device, in particular the sensing element and / or the position sensor, is designed to position a plurality of guide elements, in particular simultaneously, in the position above a threshold, in particular above a set of thresholds. In other words: one positioning device, in particular a sensing element and / or a position sensor, is / are sufficient to position a plurality of guide elements above the respective thresholds to be covered. For this purpose, the guide elements can be rigidly connected to one another, e.g., via a frame, preferably a frame of the inner part.

[0114] In a further embodiment, the conditioning device has at least one seal. The at least one seal can be designed as a strip brush. The at least one seal can be arranged on an underside of the at least one guide element. If there are several guide elements, several of the guide elements, preferably all of them, can have a seal. The seal can be designed to at least partially seal a gap between the underside of the guide element and an upper side of a threshold against air flowing through. This ensures that incoming air is guided substantially or completely into the threshold window(s). The sealing effect against air flowing through does not have to be complete, i.e. 100% of the air flow does not have to be held back by the seal. In particular, the seal has a recess for the arrangement of a rail.

[0115] Further proposed is a device for cleaning and / or drying a track bed formed from ballast stones, comprising: a conditioning device according to an embodiment described in this disclosure, a means of transport and / or vehicle movable over the track bed, wherein the conditioning device is arranged on or in the means of transport and / or vehicle, wherein at least one inner part of the hood device is movable relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the means of transport and / or vehicle.

[0116] Movable within the meaning of this disclosure can include that the moved or guided part of the conditioning device or facility is actively or passively movable. Actively movable can include that the moved part is actively stimulated to move, e.g., by means of an actuator. Passively movable can include that the moved part is mounted on another part of the conditioning device or facility and is passively moved, e.g., by a relative movement of the other part. The moved part is, in particular, the inner part of the hood device. The other part can, for example, be the outer part of the hood device. Within the meaning of this disclosure, this can also apply to the terms guideable or movable.

[0117] Movable along a longitudinal axis can include the at least one inner part being movable according to the previously explained countermovement and / or according to the explained offset movement. The longitudinal axis of the means of transport and / or vehicle corresponds in particular to a longitudinal axis of the hood device.

[0118] The cleaning and / or drying device is particularly suitable for performing one, several, or all steps of a conditioning method according to an embodiment described in this disclosure. The technical effects and advantages explained for the conditioning device also apply to the device.

[0119] In a further embodiment, when the means of transport and / or vehicle is moved along the track bed, the inner part is movable in a counter-movement relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle, wherein a relative movement between the track bed and the at least one inner part can be reduced or prevented by means of the counter-movement.

[0120] Preferably, a relative movement between the track bed and the at least one guide element can be reduced or prevented by means of the countermovement

[0121] In a further embodiment, the inner part is movable in a direction of travel of the means of transport and / or vehicle along the track bed relative to the means of transport and / or vehicle.

[0122] The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The figures show: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a conditioning device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a conditioning device according to the invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conditioning device according to the invention, Fig. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of a conditioning method according to the invention, Figs. 5-A to 5-D are longitudinal sectional views of a further embodiment of a conditioning device according to the invention, Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of a conditioning device according to the invention, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conditioning device according to the invention.

[0123] In the following, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same or similar technical features.

[0124] Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a conditioning device KV according to the invention. The conditioning device KV is arranged on a means of transport TM designed as a rail vehicle. The means of transport TM can move along the longitudinal axis X (shown by an arrow) on rails SH. The rails SH, in conjunction with a plurality of sleepers SL, form a track grid which rests on a track bed GB made of ballast stones ST. The sleepers SL are spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis X, with the free space thus created between two sleepers SL being referred to as a sleeper window SF. The track bed GB is limited at the bottom by a base layer TS. The depth of the track bed GB can be measured along the vertical axis Z (shown by an arrow). The vertical axis Z is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0125] The conditioning device KV comprises a hood device HE. The hood device HE has a frame on which a vacuum device VE, a blower device GE, a sound device SE, and parts of the conditioning device KV to be explained in more detail below are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis X. One task of the hood device HE is to enclose a volume VO with at least one cover element AB. For this purpose, the hood device HE additionally has cover elements AB, which separate the volume VO above the track bed GB from the environment 100 to the front, rear, and sides. The cover elements AB are designed to be pivotable (see. Fig. 2 and 3 ) and have seals designed as strip brushes (not shown) which make it difficult for air, gravel, dirt or moisture in particular to escape into the environment 100.

[0126] The volume VO comprises a sub-volume TV, which corresponds to a track bed section to be cleaned and / or dried (indicated by waves). The volume VO also comprises a further volume section VA, in which an inlet EL of the vacuum device VE, an outlet AL of the blower device GE, and the sound device SE are located.

[0127] The sound device SE emits sound waves (represented by several partial circles) into the volume VO. The sound waves cause the ballast stones ST in the track bed GB to vibrate in such a way that dirt and moisture (not shown) are loosened from the ballast stones ST. The sound waves are preferably emitted temporally and / or spatially before an air flow is generated, as this makes it easier for an air flow to remove the dirt loosened by the sound waves from the track bed.

[0128] The vacuum and blower devices VE, GE are designed as a pressure drop device, whereby the two devices VE, GE are connected to each other via transport lines TL in such a way that an air flow can circulate within the conditioning device KV. The air flow is in Fig. 1 represented by corresponding arrows.

[0129] In the blower unit GE, a fan VT generates the air flow. The fan VT can have a heat source designed as a heating convector, which additionally heats the air flow. The heated air flow exits the blower unit GE at the outlet AL. The air flow is then introduced into the sub-volume LE via guide elements LE. An arrangement of the guide elements LE at the outlet AL forms two nozzles, so that when the air flow is introduced into the sub-volume TV, an overpressure is generated. The guide elements LE are positioned in such a way that the air flow can penetrate through the sill windows SF directly into the sub-volume TV without adverse turbulence occurring in the volume VO due to flow around the sills SL. This allows the air flow to penetrate deep into the sub-volume TV and set crushed gravel, dirt and moisture in the sub-volume TV in motion.

[0130] A negative pressure prevails at the inlet EL of the vacuum device VE, and the resulting pressure gradient directs the air flow from the sub-volume TV toward the inlet EL. Additional guide elements LE are arranged in front of the inlet EL, directing the air flow through the sill windows SF directly to the inlet EL of the vacuum device VE. The air flow exiting the sub-volume TV carries with it any removed ballast, dirt, and moisture. The air flow is then extracted via the vacuum device VE along with the ballast, dirt, and moisture (represented by black dots).

[0131] The extracted air stream is fed via transport lines TL to a receiving unit AE designed as a container, which collects the ballast, dirt, and moisture removed from the track bed GB. The air stream circulating in the conditioning unit KV is then guided from the receiving unit AE through a filter FI back to the blower unit GE. The filter FI removes, in particular, dirt and dust from the circulating air stream. In particular, the filter FI can filter respirable dust from the air stream. The filtered air stream can then be fed back into the volume VO via the fan VT.

[0132] Preferably, the transport means TM moves at a constant speed along the longitudinal axis X. In order to be able to clean or dry a specific track section for a predetermined minimum period despite the movement of the transport means TM, the conditioning device KV has a guide element FE designed as a linear guide, with the aid of which the hood device HE and all parts of the conditioning device KV arranged on the hood device HE can be moved relative to the transport means along the longitudinal axis X. The relative movement thus carried out compensates for the movement of the transport means TM such that the hood device HE remains stationary relative to the track bed GB. In this way, a specific track bed section or the partial volume TV can be conditioned for the minimum period.

[0133] The hood device HE preferably has a positioning device (not shown) with at least one sensor designed as a sensing element, which detects the position of a threshold SL. This position is used to align the hood direction HE. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor has two contact switches that contact a threshold SL, allowing the hood device HE to be positioned particularly precisely over a threshold window SF. The contact switches can be designed as sensing rollers.

[0134] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a conditioning device KV according to the invention. The cross-sectional view is oriented in a YZ plane spanned by the transverse and vertical axes Y, Z.

[0135] A frame RH of the conditioning device KV is mounted on a transport means TM designed as a rail vehicle. A blower device GE and a multi-part vacuum device VE are mounted on the frame RH. Furthermore, a hood device HE is mounted on the frame RH. The hood device HE has cover elements AB that can be pivoted via hinges SR.

[0136] The cover elements AB are according to Fig. 2 positioned over the side flanks SK of a track bed GB such that the cover elements AB separate a volume VO, in particular a partial volume TV, from the surroundings 100. The partial volume TV (represented by waves) corresponds to a track bed section of the track bed GB. Furthermore, transport lines TL are arranged on the cover elements AB.

[0137] The blower device GE, mounted on the frame RH, generates an air flow by means of a fan VT, which is introduced into the volume VO, in particular the sub-volume TV, via an outlet AL. The path of the air flow from the blower device GE into the volume VO and through the sub-volume TV is indicated by arrows.

[0138] The transport lines TL connect the inlets EL arranged on each side flank SK with the vacuum device VE. In the volume VO, there is therefore a pressure gradient between the outlet AL and the inlets EL, which is particularly advantageous for sucking ballast, dirt and / or moisture (not shown) out of the track bed GB using the negative pressure generated by the vacuum device VE. An inlet EL can, in particular, extend over the entire depth of the track bed GB. The removal of ballast, dirt and / or moisture via the air stream sucked out of the partial volume TV is shown by arrows and black dots. A receiving device AE or a discharge device are not shown.

[0139] Particularly preferably, at least one transport line TL is designed to be flexible and pivotably mounted on the frame RH or on the vacuum device VE (not shown). This allows the inlet EL of the vacuum device VE to be positioned in various positions on the track bed, particularly outside the partial volume.

[0140] The EL inlet can be positioned using the positioning device, for example. However, manual positioning of the flexible transport line TL or the EL inlet is also conceivable, for example, to thoroughly clean an additional area of ​​the trackbed of dust. This can also be done independently of the conditioning process in a separate process.

[0141] Particularly preferably, a filter FI is arranged at an outlet of the vacuum device VE, whereby, in particular, respirable dust, which is transported to the vacuum device VE via the flexible transport line TL, is filtered out of the air stream and separated into a collecting device (not shown). This can also be done independently of the conditioning process in a separate process.

[0142] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a conditioning device KV according to the invention. Pivotable cover elements AB are arranged on a frame RH of the conditioning device KV. In addition to the Fig. 1 and 2 In the embodiments shown, the cover elements AB in Fig. 3 However, it has several rows of seals DI designed as strip brushes. This advantageously increases the sealing function, i.e., the separation of a volume VO from the environment 100. A vacuum, blower and / or sound device VE GE, SE is shown for the sake of clarity in Fig. 3 not shown.

[0143] Further shows Fig. 3 Four actuators of a lifting device HU, designed as pneumatic cylinders, can raise and / or lower an inner part IN of the hood device HE, which includes guide elements LE. The pneumatic cylinders of the lifting device HU connect an outer part AU of the hood device HE, e.g., the frame RH, with the inner part IN of the hood device HE. This allows the position of the inner part IN to be changed along the vertical axis Z relative to the outer part, for example, to compensate for height differences between the inner part IN and the sleepers SL or the track bed GB.

[0144] Furthermore, Fig. 3 a guide element FE, which can move the inner part IN of the hood device HE relative to the outer part AU of the hood device HE along the longitudinal axis X, i.e., in the longitudinal direction. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0145] Fig. 4 shows a schematic flow diagram of a conditioning method according to the invention with a conditioning device KV according to one of the embodiments described in this disclosure.

[0146] In a first step S1 of the conditioning process, a volume VO is enclosed by means of a hood device HE. The volume VO comprises at least a partial volume TV of a track bed GB formed from ballast stones (see Fig. 1 and 2 ).

[0147] In a further step S2, a vacuum is generated in the volume VO by means of a vacuum device VE. Alternatively or additionally, an air flow is generated in the volume VO by means of a blower device GE. Further alternatively or additionally, sound waves are emitted into the volume VO by means of a sound device SE.

[0148] In a further step S3, ballast stones ST and / or dirt and / or moisture are removed from the volume VO by means of the negative pressure and / or the air flow and / or the sound waves. Thus, the partial volume TV, in particular the track bed GB, can be quickly and effectively cleaned and / or dried using a conditioning device KV according to the invention.

[0149] The Figuren 5-A bis Fig. 5-D show longitudinal sectional views of a conditioning device KV according to the invention with a hood device HE and guide elements LE. Fig. 5-A bis Fig. 5-C the guide elements LE are positioned above a first set SL1 of adjacent thresholds, so that an air flow is directed past the thresholds SL of the first set SL1 directly into the threshold windows SF arranged between the thresholds SL.

[0150] The hood device HE comprises, in particular, cover elements AB and encloses a volume VO. The hood device HE, in particular an outer part AU of the hood device HE, can be fixedly connected to a means of transport TM, in particular a rail vehicle, wherein the means of transport TM can move along the longitudinal axis X.

[0151] In particular, the Fig. 5-A bis Fig. 5-D The four guide elements LE shown are part of an inner part IN of the hood assembly HE. The cover elements AB are part of the outer part AU of the hood assembly HE. The inner part IN can be guided by means of a guide element FE (see Fig. 3 ) relative to the outer part AU, in particular along the longitudinal axis X. The outer part AU can move, for example, with a transport means TM, in particular along the longitudinal axis X.

[0152] Sensor elements (not shown) determine the position of four sleepers SW on the track bed GB. This allows the guide elements LE to be positioned above the four sleepers SL in such a way that an air flow is directed through the air passages of the four guide elements LE directly onto the three sleeper windows SF extending between the sleepers SL and into the track bed GB, without bypassing the sleepers SL or the rails SH.

[0153] Fig. 5-A shows how the outer part AU of the hood device HE moves at a constant speed along the longitudinal axis X, e.g. with a transport means TM, whereby the four guide elements LE are positioned above the four sleepers SL of the first set SL1 adjacent sleepers SL.

[0154] In Fig. 5-B und Fig. 5-C The guide elements LE are then moved by a counter-movement relative to the outer part AU of the hood device HE and against the movement of the means of transport TM. The speed of the counter-movement is selected such that the guide elements LE remain above the four sleepers SL or are stationary relative to the sleepers SL. In this way, the speed of movement of the outer part AU of the hood device HE is compensated. The speed of movement of the outer part AU of the hood device HE as well as a length of the outer part AU of the hood device HE and / or a length of the inner part IN are also selected such that the guide elements LE remain above the four sleepers SL at least until the track bed section of the track bed GB over which the guide elements LE are positioned is completely conditioned. The length of the hood device HE, in particular the outer part AU and / or the inner part IN of the hood device HE, can, for example,a function of the speed of movement of the outer part AU of the hood device HE or of the means of transport TM, a predetermined sleeper spacing of the sleepers SL from one another and / or a predetermined period of time for conditioning the track bed section to be conditioned.

[0155] In Fig. 5-D It is then shown that the guide elements LE, for example after conditioning the track bed section, are moved relative to the hood device HE along the longitudinal axis X (dashed arrow), whereby the four guide elements LE are each offset by at least one sleeper SL. This corresponds to an offset movement in the direction of travel in order to position the guide elements LE over a second set SL2 sleepers SL. As a result, the entire track bed GB can be conditioned section by section without the outer part AU of the hood device HE, in particular the means of transport TM, having to be braked or restarted. It is particularly advantageous that the outer part AU of the hood device HE does not have to be raised or lowered in order to condition the track bed GB section by section and the outer part AU of the hood device HE or part of the conditioning device KV can be moved continuously.

[0156] Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the conditioning device KV. For the sake of clarity, only an inner part IN with a touch element TE and an outer part AU of a hood device HE of the conditioning device KV are shown. The inner part IN has four guide elements LE, which are arranged on a frame RH of the inner part IN. The inner part IN is movable relative to the outer part AU of the hood device HE along a longitudinal axis X (cf. Fig. 3 and Fig. 5A bis Fig. 5D ).

[0157] The Fig. 6 The enlarged section shows that the TE sensing element is located on the inner part IN. The TE sensing element can also be referred to as a holding brake and is used to position the inner part IN along the longitudinal axis X above a track bed section to be conditioned, in particular to position the LE guide element (shown in the enlargement) above the SL sleeper.

[0158] The pushbutton element TE has two contact switches KS designed as cantilevers. Furthermore, the pushbutton element TE has two actuators AK designed as pneumatic cylinders, whereby each actuator AK is operatively connected to a contact switch KS and the respective contact switch KS can be rotated about the transverse axis Y by means of the respective actuator AK (indicated by arrows). Thus, the respective contact switch KS can, on the one hand (in Fig. 6 not shown) can be arranged above an upper side OB of a threshold SL and, on the other hand, below the upper side OB of the threshold SL. The free ends of the contact switches KS can each be arranged on an outer side AS of a threshold SL or contact it in such a way that the contact switches encompass the threshold SL and the inner part IN is held in a position above the threshold SL.

[0159] Using the TE probe element, the Fig. 6 The guide element LE shown can be positioned directly above a sleeper SL and held in this position due to the mechanical contact made by the contact switches KS. Such a position can also be referred to as a holding position. In the holding position, the inner part IN is stationary, for example, relative to a track section, in particular relative to one or more sleepers SL, while the outer part AU of the hood device HE, arranged on a transport means TM, can move along the longitudinal axis X, in particular continuously.

[0160] The inner part IN can be guided relative to the outer part AU along the longitudinal axis X in a linear guide of the guide element FE (not shown). In the described holding position, a warm air flow can be directed around the sleepers SL using the guide elements LE to condition the track bed section. This can at least reduce unnecessary heating of the sleepers.

[0161] The TE sensing element thus enables precise alignment with the threshold SL and a positive-locking fixation of the inner part IN to the threshold SL on both sides. In particular, positioning is achieved by means of mechanical contact, which reduces the control and regulation effort compared to, for example, contactless positioning. In particular, the need for sensors and / or actuators can be reduced by mechanical contact.

[0162] If necessary, the contact switches KS can be released from the described contact at the threshold SL using the actuators AK and moved from the holding position to a position above the threshold. Such an arrangement can be referred to as an offset arrangement of the contact switches KS. In the offset arrangement, the inner part IN can be offset by one threshold, for example, by means of an offset movement along the longitudinal axis X, without the contact switches coming into contact with the thresholds SL.

[0163] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the conditioning device KV. For the sake of clarity, only one inner part IN with a sensing element TE as well as a lifting device HU and a guide element FE are shown. Of course, several sensing elements TE can also be arranged on the inner part IN, e.g. two sensing elements TE spaced from one another, in particular along a transverse axis Y (not shown). The inner part IN is arranged above a track grid in such a way that the guide elements LE are each arranged directly above the sleepers SL and warm air can be directed directly into a track bed section to be conditioned. The resulting advantages have already been explained above.

[0164] In Fig. 7 Enlarged sections A, B, C, D, and E are also shown.

[0165] Section A of the Fig. 7 shows the TE pushbutton element in a side and cross view. The TE pushbutton element is or the contact switches KS are arranged in a holding position on a threshold SL (see Fig. 6 ).

[0166] Section B of the Fig. 7 shows a guide element LE with a seal DI formed from strip brushes. The seal DI has a recess in which a rail SH is arranged. The seal DI is also flush with the top surface OB of the threshold SL. The seal DI thus seals a gap between the inner part IN and a threshold SL. The seal DI can reduce the unintended escape of warm air, e.g., into the environment 100.

[0167] Section C of the Fig. 7 shows a seal DI formed from strip brushes, which covers and thus seals the inner and outer flanks of a rail SH, particularly along the longitudinal axis X. Seal DI can prevent the rail SH from being unnecessarily heated by warm air.

[0168] One or more of the described seals DI can be arranged on the inner part IN, in particular on an underside of a guide element LE.

[0169] Section D of the Fig. 7 shows a guide element FE with a pneumatic cylinder. The guide element FE connects the inner part IN with an outer part AU of the hood assembly HE. The guide element FE allows the inner part IN to be moved relative to the outer part AU, particularly along a longitudinal axis X.

[0170] Section E of the Fig. 7shows a lifting device HU with a pneumatic cylinder. The lifting device HU also connects the inner part IN with an outer part AU of the hood device HE. The lifting device HU allows the inner part IN to be moved relative to the outer part AU, particularly along a vertical axis Z. List of reference symbols

[0171] 100Environment ASection ABCover element AEReceiving device AKActuator ALOutlet ASOutside of a sleeper AUOutside part of a hood device BSection CSection DSection DISeal ESection ELInlet FEGuide element FIFilter HEHood device HULifting device INInside part of a hood device GBTrack bed GEBlower device KSContact switch KVConditioning device LEGuide element OBTop of a sleeper RHFrame S1First step S2Next step S3Next step SESound device SFSleeper window SHRail SKSide flank SLSleeper SL1First set of adjacent sleepers SL2Second set of adjacent sleepers SRSinge STBallast stones TETest element TLTransport line TMTransport means TSBase layer TVPartial volume VAVolume section VEVacuum device VOVolume VTVentilator XLongitudinal axis YTransverse axis ZVertical axis

Claims

1. Conditioning device (KV) for cleaning and / or drying and / or tempering a track bed (GB) formed from ballast stones (ST) and comprising: - a hood device (HE) for enclosing a volume (VO), wherein the volume (VO) comprises at least a partial volume (TV) of the track bed (GB), - a vacuum device (VE) for generating a negative pressure in the volume (VO) and / or a blower device (GE) for generating an air flow in the volume (VO) and / or a sound device (SE) for emitting sound waves into the volume (VO) characterised in that the conditioning device (KV) can be arranged in or on a transport means (TM) and / or vehicle that can be moved over the track bed (GB), wherein at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) is designed to be guided in a counter-movement relative to the transport means (TM) and / or vehicle in such a way that a relative movement between the track bed (GB) and the at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) is reduced or prevented by means of the counter-movement, wherein the at least one inner part (IN) has at least one guide element (LE) for guiding the air flow through one or more sleeper windows into the track bed, wherein the at least one guide element (LE) can be guided along a longitudinal axis (X) of the hood device (HE), and the at least one guide element (LE) can be arranged in a position above a sleeper (SL) of a track grid, wherein the at least one inner part (IN) has a positioning device with at least one sensing element (TE), wherein the at least one sensing element (TE) is designed to position the at least one guide element (LE) in the position above the sleeper (SL) of the track grid and / or the at least one inner part (IN) has a positioning device with at least one position sensor for positioning the at least one guide element (LE) in the position above the sleeper (SL).

2. Conditioning device (KV) according to claim 1, characterised in that the conditioning device (KV) has a guide element (FE) for moving the at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) relative to an outer part (AU) of the hood device (HE).

3. Conditioning device (KV) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one guide element (LE) is designed such that it covers or can substantially cover the sleeper (SL) when viewed from above, or there are several guide elements (LE) which are designed such that they cover or can substantially cover adjacent sleepers (SL) when viewed from above.

4. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that there are several guide elements (LE), wherein a spacing between two adjacent guide elements (LE) corresponds to an extension of a threshold window (SF) in the longitudinal direction.

5. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vacuum device (VE) and the blower device (GE) are provided and the vacuum and blower devices (VE, GE) are designed as a circulation device, wherein an air flow generated by the blower device (GE) can be discharged by a negative pressure generated by the vacuum device (VE).

6. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conditioning device (KV) has a heat source for introducing heat into the volume (VO).

7. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conditioning device (KV) additionally has one or more of the following devices: - a receiving device (AE) for receiving ballast stones (ST), dirt, dust and / or moisture removed from the track bed (GB), - a discharge device for removing ballast stones (ST), dirt, dust and / or moisture removed from the track bed (GB).

8. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the volume (VO) enclosed by the hood device (HE) comprises the side flanks (SK) up to the base layer (TS) of the track bed (GB).

9. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conditioning device (KV) has a guide element (FE) for moving at least the hood device (HE) relative to the transport means (TM) and / or vehicle.

10. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hood device (HE) has a length in a range from 2.4 m to 8.0 m and / or a width in a range from 2.0 m to 3.5 m and / or a height in a range from 0.5 m to 2.5 m.

11. Conditioning device (KV) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) is movable relative to the transport means (TM) and / or vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the transport means (TM) and / or vehicle.

12. Conditioning device (KV) according to claim 11, characterised in that the inner part (IN) is movable in a direction of travel of the transport means (TM) and / or vehicle along the track bed (GB) relative to the transport means (TM) and / or vehicle.

13. Conditioning method with a conditioning device (KV) according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: a. filling (S1) a volume (VO) of a hood device (HE), wherein the volume (VO) comprises at least a partial volume (TV) of the track bed (GB), b. generating (S2) a negative pressure by means of a vacuum device (VE) in the volume (VO) and / or generating an air flow by means of a blower device (GE) in the volume (VO) and / or emitting sound waves into the volume (VO) by means of a sound device (SE), c. Removing (S3) ballast stones (ST) and / or dirt and / or dust and / or moisture from the volume (VO) by means of negative pressure and / or air flow and / or sound waves wherein the conditioning device (KV) is arranged on or in a moving means of transport (TM) and / or vehicle, wherein the at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) is guided in a counter-movement relative to the means of transport (TM) and / or vehicle, wherein a relative movement between the track bed (GB) and the at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) is reduced or prevented by means of the counter-movement.

14. Conditioning method according to claim 13, characterised in that the at least one inner part (IN) has several guide elements (LE) for guiding the air flow through several sleeper windows into the track bed (GB), and in the method a) in a first process period, the guide elements (LE) are positioned via sleepers (SL) of a first set (SL1) of adjacent sleepers and relative movement between the track bed (GB) and the at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) by means of the counter-movement is prevented, so that the air flow is guided through a plurality of sleeper windows (SF) which are formed between the sleepers (SL) of the first set (SL1) of adjacent sleepers, b) after the first process period, the at least one inner part (IN) is moved relative to the track bed (GB) in such a way that the guide elements (LE) are positioned above sleepers (SL) of a second set (SL2) of adjacent sleepers, wherein the second set (SL2) of adjacent sleepers containing at least one sleeper (SL) which is not contained in the first set (SL1) of adjacent sleepers, c) in a second process period, relative movement between the track bed (GB) and the at least one inner part (IN) of the hood device (HE) is prevented by means of the counter-movement and the air flow is directed through several sleeper windows (SF) which are formed between the sleepers (SL) of the second set (SL2) of adjacent sleepers.