Stuffing machine for stuffing under sleepers of a track

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a tamping machine for tamping under the sleepers of a track, comprising a machine frame supported on rail bogies and a satellite frame arranged between the rail bogies, which is supported at the rear on its own rail bogie with respect to a working direction and is longitudinally displaceable at the front with respect to a frame guide connected to the machine frame and on which a tamping unit is arranged between its own rail bogie and the frame guide, wherein the satellite frame can be supported against the machine frame by means of a support device. State of the art

[0002] A tamping machine of this type for continuous operation is known from AT 413 554 B. A longitudinally movable satellite is mounted on a main machine, the satellite comprising a tamping unit and a lifting and aligning unit. During operation, the main machine travels continuously along a track to be tamped on rail-mounted bogies. The satellite moves cyclically from sleeper to sleeper in the working direction, with only the satellite being stopped for the duration of a tamping operation. In this way, the entire mass of the tamping machine does not need to be cyclically decelerated and accelerated again. The satellite includes its own rail-mounted bogie, above which a support device is arranged to brace the satellite against the machine frame. This is intended to prevent the satellite from lifting off the bogie while the tamping tines of the tamping unit are entering the ballast bed. Description of the invention

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of improving a tamping machine of the type mentioned above in such a way that an optimal tamping process is ensured with a lightweight satellite unit, regardless of the condition of the gravel bed.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Dependent claims specify advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The support device is arranged directly above the tamping unit. In this way, the weight of the main machine is used to exert a support force directly on the tamping unit via the support device. This avoids a leverage effect on the satellite frame with respect to the frame guide and its own rail chassis. In contrast, the support known from the prior art, located above the rail chassis, causes a leverage effect when the tamping unit is lowered, resulting in a bending stress on the satellite frame. The solution according to the invention enables a particularly lightweight construction of the satellite frame. This minimizes the energy required for accelerating and decelerating the satellite during a tamping cycle.On the other hand, it is ensured that the lightweight satellite's track assembly does not lift off the rails when the tamping unit is lowered and its tamping picks penetrate the ballast. This guarantees optimal tamping even with heavily encrusted ballast, while also making the tamping machine particularly energy-efficient.

[0006] In a further advantageous embodiment, the tamping unit is designed as a series tamping unit with several rows of separately height-adjustable tamping units, optionally for the simultaneous tamping of several sleepers or for the tamping of individual sleepers. With each additional row of tamping units, the counterforces acting on the tamping picks from the ballast bed during a simultaneous tamping process increase. In a hard ballast bed, this increase in counterforces exceeds the increase in weight due to the additional tamping units. Therefore, positioning the support device directly above a series tamping unit is particularly advantageous.

[0007] Advantageously, such a row tamping unit is combined with a further development of the support device, which comprises at least two pressure units spaced apart from each other in the working direction and which can be activated separately. Each pressure unit exerts its own support force, with a front pressure unit assigned to a front row of tamping units and a rear pressure unit assigned to a rear row of tamping units. The arrangement of two pressure units for three rows of tamping units is particularly efficient. When only the front tamping units are lowered, only the front pressure unit is activated; when only the rear tamping units are lowered, only the rear pressure unit is activated. When only the middle tamping units are lowered, both pressure units are activated.In this way, the support force is always applied approximately via the tamping units in use. Examples of separately lowering tamping units of a three-row in-line tamping unit are known from AT 524005 A1. Separate activation of tamping units is also useful in the area of ​​a turnout or when there are obstacles on the track.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the respective pressure unit comprises a first sliding element that can be positioned against a second sliding element. The contacted sliding surfaces are, in particular, horizontally oriented, thus also enabling lateral sliding movements. For example, the first sliding element can be lowered on the satellite frame, or the second sliding element can be raised on the machine frame. This allows the support effect of the respective pressure unit to be deactivated during a transfer movement of the tamping machine, so that all spring travel of the rail bogies can be utilized. Furthermore, the respective support force can be varied using adjustable means.

[0009] The respective pressure unit of another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one rotatable rolling element, which is particularly capable of rolling along a longitudinal guide aligned in the working direction. As the satellite moves relative to the main machine, the rolling element associated with the satellite frame rolls on a counter surface arranged on the machine frame and thereby transmits the support force directly to the associated tamping units. Alternatively, the respective pressure unit is arranged on the machine frame and the counter surface on the satellite frame.

[0010] Advantageously, at least one rolling element is arranged in the associated pressure unit in a height-adjustable manner by means of a drive. This height adjustability allows, on the one hand, the temporary deactivation of the respective pressure unit. This is useful during a transfer of the tamping machine to ensure that the suspension travel of the rail bogies can be used without hindrance. On the other hand, the support effect of the support device can be adjusted by adjusting the height of at least one rolling element.

[0011] In a further improvement, at least one rolling element is guided in a guide rail mounted on the machine frame. This allows the movements of the contacting elements to be precisely coordinated, thereby minimizing wear.

[0012] In a further development, the respective pressure unit is arranged on a console, with the console being located on the satellite frame. This console is positioned in such a way that the relative movements between the satellite and the main machine are not obstructed and the support forces are transferred directly to the tamping units.

[0013] The console is sensibly mounted on a crossbeam of the satellite frame. This also allows for a central positioning of the support device directly above the tamping unit, even in the transverse direction to the track. An alternative design uses split pressure units, with each part of the respective pressure unit mounted on two lateral longitudinal beams of the satellite frame.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the console is mounted so that it can be laterally displaced on the crossbeam of the satellite frame. This enables a particularly stable design of the support structure for a tamping machine with a centrally located machine frame. Alternatively, a counter element of the respective pressure unit is mounted so that it can be laterally displaced on the machine frame. This lateral displacement allows the satellite to swing freely relative to the main machine when cornering. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. These show, in schematic representation: Fig. 1 Tamping machine on a track. Fig. 2 Satellite of the tamping machine according to... Fig. 1Fig. 3 Support device in a front view Fig. 4 Support device in a side view Fig. 5 Support device in an oblique view Fig. 6 Satellite with alternative support device Description of the embodiments

[0016] A tamping machine 1 is used to tamp a track 2. Using a lifting and aligning unit 3, a track grid, consisting of sleepers 4 and rails 5 attached to them, is lifted from a ballast bed 6 and aligned laterally. The new track position is fixed by a tamping unit 7, which pushes ballast under the sleepers 4 and compacts it. The illustrated tamping machine 1 is designed for continuous operation. For this purpose, the tamping machine 1 essentially consists of two parts: a main machine 8 and a satellite unit 9.

[0017] During operation, the main machine 8 moves continuously along the track 2 to be tamped on rail bogies 10 in a working direction 11. Only the satellite 9 moves cyclically from sleeper 4 to sleeper 4. The lifting and aligning unit 3 and the tamping unit 7 are arranged on a frame 12 of the satellite 9. This satellite frame 12 is supported at a rear end on its own rail bogie 10 with respect to the working direction 11 and is longitudinally displaceable at a front end via a frame guide 13 to a machine frame 14 of the main machine 8.

[0018] During a tamping operation, tamping units 15 of the tamping unit 7 are positioned above the respective sleeper 4 and lowered. During this process, vibrating tamping picks 16 of the respective tamping unit 15 penetrate the ballast bed 6. During this penetration process, the ballast bed 6 exerts counterforces on the tamping picks 16, and these reaction forces can be very high if the ballast bed 6 is heavily contaminated.

[0019] According to the invention, a support device 17 is therefore arranged directly above the tamping unit 7. "Above the tamping unit 7" means an arrangement in a longitudinal region 18 between the outer mountings 19 of the tamping unit 7 on the satellite frame 12. In this way, the stress on the satellite frame 12 caused by bending moments is largely avoided. Ideally, the position of the support device 17 results in a support force that is directed downwards in the region of a central vertical axis 20 of the tamping unit 7. This support force, together with the weight of the satellite 9, counteracts the reaction forces of the ballast bed 6 during the tamping unit 7's penetration process.

[0020] Fig. 2Figure 9 shows the satellite with a row tamping unit 7 for simultaneously tamping three sleepers 4 positioned directly behind one another. The row tamping unit 7 comprises three rows arranged one behind the other, each with separately laterally movable and height-adjustable tamping units 15. Each row contains four tamping units 15, with two tamping units 15 assigned to each rail 5 of the track 2. During a tamping operation, the tamping picks 16 of the tamping units 15 penetrate the ballast bed 6 on both sides of the respective rail 5. The sum of the reaction forces occurring is approximately three times higher than with a simple tamping unit 7 for tamping a single sleeper 4.

[0021] With such reaction forces, the weight of satellite 9 may be insufficient as a counterforce to hold the rail chassis 10 of satellite 9 against track 2. Therefore, the weight of the main vehicle 8 is also utilized via the support device 17, allowing the satellite frame 12 to be constructed with a lighter design. In such a satellite frame 12, the operator's cabin 21 is located not on satellite 9, but on the main machine 8. The lightweight construction of the satellite frame 12 is based on a detailed strength calculation, whereby, for example, openings 22 in the frame plates resulted in weight savings. Overall, the reduced weight facilitates the approval of the tamping machine 1 for track classes with low permissible axle loads. Furthermore, during the cyclical forward movement from sleeper 4 to sleeper 4, the energy required for accelerating and decelerating the mass is low.

[0022] The Figures 2 to 5Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the support device 17 with an exemplary rolling bearing. The satellite frame 12 comprises a crossbeam 23, which connects the longitudinal beam 24 of the satellite frame 12 and on which a console 25 is laterally displaceable. Specifically, the console 25 is mounted on two superimposed guide rods 26 of the crossbeam 23. The degree of lateral displacement is dimensioned such that the satellite 9 can pivot relative to the main machine 8 when negotiating a curve with the minimum permissible curve radius. For example, a corresponding secant offset is 250 millimeters on each side.

[0023] On console 25, a front and a rear pressure unit 27 are arranged relative to the working direction 11. The support force of the front pressure unit 27 acts from above on the front tamping units 15, and the support force of the rear pressure unit 27 acts from above on the rear tamping units 15. In this way, the pressure units 27 are assigned to the rows of the row tamping unit 7. The activation of the respective pressure unit 27 occurs according to the activation of the assigned tamping units 15 during a tamping process. This largely prevents bending moments in the satellite frame 12.

[0024] Each pressure unit 27 includes a vertical guide 28 for a respective roller holder 29. A pressure roller, configured as a rotatable rolling element 30, is mounted in each roller holder 29. Furthermore, each roller holder 29 is coupled to a drive 31 for adjusting the height of the associated rolling element 30. This allows the respective rolling element 30 to be positioned against a longitudinal guide 32 attached to the machine frame 14 for operation of the tamping machine 1. It is also advantageous to maintain a constant support force of the associated pressure unit 27 by means of the respective drive 31. For example, the drive 31 is a hydraulic cylinder that is activated with a constant system pressure. In this way, vertical relative movements of the satellite 9 with respect to the main machine 8 are compensated for during processing of the track 2 in the area of ​​gradient changes (changes in the longitudinal inclination of the track 2).

[0025] Lateral guidance of the respective rolling element 30 is provided by means of lateral slide rails 33. The longitudinal guide 32 and the slide rails 33 form a guide rail. Advantageously, the respective rolling element 30 rolls on a replaceable wear plate 34 of the longitudinal guide 32.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the respective rolling element 30 is pressed against the longitudinal guide 32 of the machine frame 14 by means of a spring-loaded guide, whereby the spring action can be locked. During operation, a corresponding lock is engaged so that the satellite frame 12 is supported against the machine frame 14. During transfer movements, the lock is released, allowing relative movement between the satellite frame 12 and the machine frame 14.

[0027] The required length of the longitudinal guide 32 depends on the maximum travel distance that the satellite 9 covers relative to the main machine 8 during operation. This depends on various factors, such as the intended operating speed of the main machine 8, the intended duration of a complete tamping cycle, and the maximum number of sleepers 4 to be tamped simultaneously.

[0028] Fig. 6Figure 1 shows an alternative configuration of satellite 9. The support device 17 comprises two pressure units 27, each with a first sliding element 35 on the satellite frame 12 and a second sliding element 36 on the machine frame 14. The respective second sliding element 36 has a smaller sliding surface than the first sliding element 35 and can be adjusted against the first sliding element 35 by means of an associated drive 31. For example, the drive 31 with the associated sliding element 35 is designed as a plunger cylinder with connections to a hydraulic system of the tamping machine 1.

[0029] During operation, the second sliding elements 36 slide on the first sliding element 35 both longitudinally and transversely, so that the support remains upright during relative movements of the satellite 9 with respect to the main machine 8. Preferably, both sliding elements 35, 36 have replaceable wear plates 34.

Claims

1. A tamping machine (1) for tamping sleepers (4) of a track (2), with a machine frame (14) supported on rail running gears (10) and a satellite frame (12) arranged between the rail running gears (10), which is with respect to a working direction (11) supported at the rear on its own rail running gear (10) and at the front by means of a frame guide (13) and is connected to the machine frame (14) in a longitudinally shiftable manner at the front, and on which a tamping unit (7) is arranged between its own rail running gear (10) and the frame guide (13), with the satellite frame (12) being able to be supported with respect to the machine frame (14) by means of a supporting device (17), characterized in that the supporting device (17) is arranged directly above the tamping unit (7).

2. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tamping unit (7) is designed as an inline tamping unit with a plurality of rows of separately height-adjustable tamping unit segments (15), either for simultaneously tamping a plurality of sleepers (4) or for tamping individual sleepers (4).

3. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the supporting device (17) comprises at least two pressure units (27) that are spaced apart from each other in the working direction (11) and can be activated separately.

4. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the respective pressing unit (27) comprises a first sliding element (35) which can be pressed against a second sliding element (36).

5. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the respective pressing unit (27) comprises at least one rotatable rolling element (30), which in particular can be rolled on a longitudinal guide (32) aligned in the working direction (11).

6. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one rolling element (30) is arranged in the assigned pressing unit (27) so as to be height-adjustable by means of a drive (31)7. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the respective rolling element (30) is guided in a guide rail (32, 33) arranged on the machine frame (14).

8. A tamping machine (1) according to one of the claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the respective pressing unit (27) is arranged on a bracket (25) and that the bracket (25) is arranged on the satellite frame (12).

9. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the bracket (25) is arranged on a transverse carrier (23) of the satellite frame (12).

10. A tamping machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the bracket (25) is mounted on the transverse carrier (23) of the satellite frame (12) to shift transversely.