Electrically insulating railway end post, and method of repairing such a railway end post

Abstract

An electrically insulating railway end post (100) adapted for placement between ends (10a, 20a) of a pair of railway rails (10, 20), each of said rails comprising a head section (11, 21), a foot section (13, 23) and a relatively narrow intermediate web section (12, 22) connecting the head section and the foot section, said end post comprising: a first portion (110) and a second portion (120) detachably attached to each other via interlocking elements, wherein the second portion comprises a foot section of the end post; wherein the first portion is provided with a sealant holding section (111a,111b,111c) comprising a plurality of recesses (112a, 112b, 112c) for receiving therein a liquid sealant (160), wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured, wherein the first portion (110), including the plurality of recesses, is adapted for insertion between two ends (10a, 20a) of a pair of railway rails. The application further relates to a method of repairing such a railway end post, and to a first portion for such an end post.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrically insulating railway end post. Such an end post may be inserted between two rail ends, e.g. between two ends of rails for a train or metro, to help keep the rail ends spaced apart and electrically insulated from each other. The rails themselves usually are fixed with respect to each other by fish plates on either side of the rails. The invention further relates to a method for repairing such a railway end post that has already been inserted between two rail ends.Background of the invention

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2015 016 866 describes a method for repairing a rail insulation joint that has been damaged due to overrolling of adjacent rail ends. The known method aims to allow a damaged insulating layer to be completely and robustly restored without having to replace the entire insulating joint or parts thereof. The known method includes, inter alia, creating a gap between rail ends at the location of the insulating joint by grinding a top portion of the insulating joint as well as any overrolled portions of the rail ends, subsequently sealing sides of the gap against leakage of insulation material, and introducing a suitable high-strength insulation material into the gap and adjusting protruding new insulating material to the rail contour by grinding using a suitable tool. Separate anchoring elements of an adhesive material may be placed in recesses that are provided in the insulation joint that is being repaired, to fix the high strength insulation material with respect to the old rail insulation joint or part of said old rail insulation joint.

[0003] A drawback of the known method is that it typically takes a relatively large amount of time to repair an insulating joint. It is an object of the invention to provide an electrically insulating railway end post, and a method for repairing such an end post, which at least partially overcome this drawback.Summary of the invention

[0004] To this end, according to a first aspect the invention provides an electrically insulating railway end post adapted for placement between ends of a pair of railway rails, each of said rails comprising a head portion, a foot section and a relatively narrow intermediate web section connecting the head section and the foot section, said end post comprising: a first portion and a second portion detachably attached to each other via interlocking elements, wherein the second portion comprises a foot section of the end post; wherein the first portion is provided with a sealant holding section comprising a plurality of recesses for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured, wherein the first portion, including the plurality of recesses, is adapted for insertion between two ends of a pair of railway rails. That is, the first portion, which comprises the sealant holding section with the plurality of recesses, can be inserted from a position in which it is not between the two railway ends, e.g. spaced apart from the railway ends by at least 10 cm, to a position in which it is between the two railway ends and detachably attached to the second portion. The invention thus allows a worn first portion to be easily removed and replaced by a new first portion, without having to remove the second portion from between the rail ends, and without having to grind away a portion of the end post. In particular, when the end post is installed between two rail ends, with the second portion of the railway end post held between fish plates that hold the rail ends together, the first portion may be replaced without having to remove the fish plates.

[0005] Once a new first portion has been detachably attached to the second portion, the liquid sealant may be poured onto the sealant holding section and into the plurality of recesses, and the sealant is allowed to cure. For instance, the liquid sealant, when it is being poured into the sealant holding section, may have a viscosity before curing of between 45 and 55 Pascal, at 23 C and 50% relative humidity, e.g. as measured according to ISO-289-1:2015. However, it will be understood that many sealants exist which are sufficiently liquid to allow them to be poured onto the sealant holding section, but which are sufficiently viscous to substantially prevent the bulk of the substantially liquid material to flow out of the sealant holding section and out of the plurality of recesses. Due to this viscosity the majority of liquid sealant is substantially prevented from flowing out from between the rail ends prior to curing. Thus, the sealant may be poured without first having to seal the sides of the gap using tape or the like.

[0006] Within about 1 minute of pouring the sealant, a scraper may be used to scrape any excess sealing off the rail ends, and to shape sealing to substantially conform to the shape of the rail ends. Preferably, the scraper comprises a substantially rectangular edge in which a recess is provided, the recess being arranged for forming a bump in the sealant which extends between 2 mm and 4 above the surface of the adjacent rail ends. When the sealant has cured, this bump in the cured sealant helps to reduce noise when a wheel of a railway car travels from one rail end, across the bump, to the other rail end.

[0007] After the sealant has cured to a substantially solid state, there is a form fit between the recesses and the sealant, in this manner substantially preventing the sealant from releasing from the first portion.

[0008] The invention allows the first portion to be replaced multiple times, while the second portion remains in place between the railway ends. A second portion of the end post may for example remain in place between the two rail ends until either of both of the rails are removed.

[0009] In an embodiment the end post is adapted for placement between fish plates that are provided on either side of the pair of railway rails, wherein the foot section has a width, and wherein the second portion, on either side of a plane which extends normal to the width direction and divides the width into equal parts, comprises a shoulder section, each of the shoulder sections comprising a lower surface adapted for being supported on an upper side of a corresponding fish plate. The second portion is thus substantially prevented from falling downwards between the fish rails when the first portion is removed. When detaching the first portion from the second portion, the first portion may be lifted upwards relative to the second portion while the second portion remains substantially in place with respect to the rail ends. For instance, a screwdriver or the like may be inserted between the first and second portion and subsequently be tilting, in order to detach the first portion from the second portion.

[0010] The fish plates typically fit against the head section, foot section and intermediate web section of said rails. Preferably, when mounted between the two rail ends and the fish plates, the lower surface of each shoulder section contacts the upper side of a corresponding fish plate.

[0011] In an embodiment the end post is adapted for placement between fish plates that are provided on either side of the pair of railway rails, wherein the foot section has a width, and wherein the first portion, on either side of a plane which extends normal to the width direction and divides the width into equal parts, comprises a shoulder section, each of said shoulder sections comprising a lower surface)adapted for being supported on an upper side of a corresponding fish plate. Thus, when attached to the second portion, the first portion is supported on the fish plates as well as on the second portion. Preferably, when mounted between the two rail ends and the fish plates, the lower surface of each shoulder section contacts the upper side of a corresponding fish plate. Typically, the lower surfaces of the shoulder sections of the first portion transition smoothly into the corresponding lower surfaces of the shoulder sections of the second portion.

[0012] In an embodiment the shoulder sections of the first portion extend on either side of the plurality of recesses, wherein the shoulder sections each comprise an upper surface adapted for supporting thereon a liquid sealant. The upper surfaces help to prevent liquid sealant from streaming off the first portion.

[0013] In an embodiment the interlocking elements comprise one or more first elements and one or more second elements, wherein said first elements are adapted for interlocking with the second elements, wherein the first portion comprises the one or more first elements, and the second portion comprises the one or more second elements. The first and second interlocking elements typically are adapted for form-fitting with each other. Preferably, the first and second interlocking elements form a click connection.

[0014] In an embodiment the second portion comprises a foot section and a relatively narrow web section, wherein the second portion is provided with one or more of the first elements, and wherein the first portion is provided with one or more of the second elements. The one or more fist elements of the second portion in particular may be arranged at least partially between the two shoulders of the second section. Likewise, the one or more fist elements of the first portion may be arranged at least partially between the two shoulders section.

[0015] In an embodiment said one or more first elements or second elements comprise a relatively narrow proximate section which merges into a relatively wide distal section, and wherein the other of said one or more first elements or second elements comprise at least one accommodation section for accommodating said proximate section and said distal section therein in a substantially form-fitting manner. The relatively wide distal section preferably is substantially disc shaped, to allow easy insertion of said distal section into the recess, and the narrow neck preferably has a maximum opening diameter that is less than the diameter of the disc-shaped distal section.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first portion is provided with one or more first elements comprising a relatively narrow proximate section which merges into a relatively wide distal section, and the second portion is provided with the one or more second elements comprising the accommodation section for accommodating said proximate section and said distal section therein in a substantially form-fitting manner.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the second portion is provided with the one or more first elements comprising the relatively narrow proximate section which merges into a relatively wide distal section, and the first portion is provided with the one or more second elements comprising the accommodation section for accommodating said proximate section and said distal section therein in a substantially form-fitting manner.

[0018] In an embodiment the plurality of recesses is arranged over an arc of at least 250 degrees. The recesses are thus arranged for receiving the sealant at an upper side of the first portion, as well as at two lateral sides of the first portion.

[0019] In an embodiment the plurality of recesses comprises at least 8 recesses, preferably at least 12 recesses. When cured, the sealant is thus held in place relative to the first portion at multiple positions. Preferably, a first number of recesses is arranged at an upper side of the first portion, and a second number of recesses is arranged at each of the two lateral sides of the first portion, with both the first and second numbers being at least 3. More preferably, the first number of recesses at the upper side is at least twice the second number of recesses at either lateral side.

[0020] In an embodiment one or more of the plurality recesses comprises a cavity with a relatively wide open section which merges into a relatively narrow opening for receiving therein the liquid sealant. This shape helps to retain the cured sealant within the relatively wide open section and the relatively narrow openings of the recesses in a form fitting manner. The surfaces of the relatively wide open section and relatively narrow opening preferably are substantially smooth. This facilitates filling the open section and narrow opening with the liquid sealant. The relatively wide open section preferably is substantially disc shaped.

[0021] In an embodiment one or more of the plurality of recesses comprises a cavity having a narrow neck opening which, in use, debouches in an upward and / or sideward facing outer surface of the first portion.

[0022] In an embodiment the first portion is provided with a distally extending lever, for facilitating detaching the first portion from the second portion when the first and second portion are installed between rails ends and fish plates. Preferably, the lever is adapted for, in use when the end post is inserted between fish plates and the rail way ends, extending above one of said fish plates. More preferably, the lever extends beyond a surface of the shoulder of the first portion that is adapted for supporting the sealant thereon.

[0023] In an embodiment, the first and second portion are substantially rigid, e.g. made from or comprising a material such as Nylon 66 and / or epoxy fibre-glass, e.g. epoxy fibre glass G10.

[0024] In an embodiment the first and / or second portion is made from a material having a Young modulus E of at least 400 MPa, a measured according to standard ISO 527-1:2019.

[0025] In an embodiment the first and / or second portion are substantially made from or comprise epoxy fibre-glass, e.g. with a Young modulus E of at least 4000 MPa, and Nylon 66, e.g. with a Young Modulus E of at least 1500.

[0026] In an embodiment the first and second portion have a thickness of between 5 and 18 mm. The thickness extends normal to the width direction of the foot section and normal to the longitudinal direction of the relatively narrow web section. Preferred values of the thickness include 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm, all + / - 5%.

[0027] In an embodiment the plurality of recesses comprises at least 8 recesses, more preferably at least 10 recesses. Thus, several form-fitting connections between the cured sealant and the plurality of recesses may be provided, e.g. over an arc over which the plurality of recesses extends.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method of repairing a railway end post according to the first aspect of the invention between rail ends of a pair of railway rails, wherein the method comprises: grinding out any overrolled portion of the rail ends and detaching the first portion of the end post from the second portion of the end post while leaving the second portion between the rail ends; attaching a new first portion to the second portion between the ends of the pair of railway rails, wherein the new first portion is provided with a sealant holding section comprising a plurality of recesses for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured; and filling the plurality of recesses of the new first portion of the end post with a liquid sealant, preferably a liquid elastomeric sealant; using a scraper to scrape off liquid sealant from the top surface and lateral surfaces of each of the rail ends and simultaneously smoothe the outer surface of the liquid sealant between the rail ends; and letting the liquid sealant cure to a substantially solid form.

[0029] Optionally, between the steps of attaching a new first portion and filling the plurality of recesses of the first portion with liquid sealant, the method further comprises the steps of: applying a surface cleaner, and applying a joint primer.

[0030] In an embodiment the entire method is carried out while fish plates are connected on either side of the pair of rails.

[0031] In an embodiment the scraper comprises a substantially straight edge in which a recess is provided, and wherein using said scraper to scrape off liquid sealant from the upper surface and lateral surfaces of the rail ends and to substantially smoothe the liquid sealant between said rail ends comprises: placing the edge of the scraper in contact with the first lateral surface of the first rail end and a first lateral surface of the second rail end, and such that the recess is substantially aligned with the gap between the rail ends; moving the scraper from the first lateral surfaces of the first and second rail end, over the top surfaces of said rail ends, and to the second lateral surfaces of the first and second rail end, such that any excess liquid sealant is substantially scraped off said surfaces of the rail ends, and such a bump of sealant is formed between the rail ends.

[0032] In an embodiment the bump projects between 2 and 4 mm relative to the adjacent upper surface and / or relative to the adjacent lateral surfaces of each rail end. Thus, when seen in cross-sectional side view in a plane normal to the longitudinal direction of the rails, the bump projects beyond the lateral surfaces and the top surfaces of the rails.

[0033] In an embodiment the bump has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the end post and / or wherein the recess in the scraper has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the end post. The width of the bump generally is along the direction of the thickness of the end post.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a first portion for a railway end post according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the first portion is provided with a sealant holding section comprising a plurality of recesses for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured, and wherein the first portion is adapted to be detachably attached to the second portion of the railway end post via interlocking elements. Such a first portion is particularly useful when repairing a railway end post according to the first aspect of the invention, e.g. using the method of the second aspect of the invention.Brief description of the drawings

[0035] Embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated in the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like structures, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows an exploded view of a prior art system which an electrically insulating railway end post is placed between two rails which are clamped together using fish plates;. Figs. 2A and 2B show a first embodiment of an insulating railway end post according to the invention, respectively with the first and second portion detached from each other and attached to each other; Figs. 3A and 3B show a second embodiment of an insulating railway end post according to the invention, respectively with the first and second portion detached from each other and attached to each other; Fig. 4 show a third embodiment of an insulating railway end post according to the invention; Figs. 5A-5E illustrate how a first portion of an end post of the invention may be attached to a second portion of an end post of the invention, while the second portion is held between two rail ends; Fig. 6A shows two rail ends between which an end post of Fig. 2A has been inserted, wherein sealant which has been poured onto the plurality of recesses, has been shaped while still substantially liquid, and subsequently has been cured; Fig. 6B shows a front side view of one rail end of Fig. 6A, next to a longitudinal side view of both rail ends and the end post of Fig. 6A. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] Fig. 1A shows an exploded view of a pair or rails 10, 20, here each shown only partially. The rails 10,20 have respective facing ends 10a, 20b that are proximate to each other. When in use, the two rail ends 11, 21 are held together using fish plates 30,40. A prior art insulating railway end post 50 is placed between the two rail ends 11,21 to space these apart from each other and electrically insulate these from each other. During regular use of the rails, the fish plates 30,40 on either side of both rails 10,20 are bolted together using bolts (not shown) which pass through bolt holes 35, 36, 45,46 in the fish plates 30,40 and bolt holes 15,26 in the rails 10,20. Typically, during use, the end post 50 contacts both the rail ends 10a,20a. The fish plates and bolts are attached in a known a manner such that they do not form an electrical conductor between the rails 10,20.

[0037] Over time, the rail ends may deform due to rail vehicles travelling across the rails. For instance, the rail ends may become overrolled such that one rail end approaches the other rail end and exerts considerable pressure on the end post. This may cause the end post 50, especially the top portion thereof, to deform and / or become damaged. When this happens, either the end post has to be replaced in its entirety, or the top of the end post has to be repaired.

[0038] Figs. 2A and 2B show an electrically insulating railway end post 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The end post 100 comprises a first portion 110, and a second portion 120, which are in Fig. 2A are shown to be detached from each other, and which in Fig. 2B are shown to be attached to each other. The second portion 120 comprises a relatively wide foot section 123 having a width W1 of about 14 cm. The foot section 123 transitions into a relatively narrow web section 122 having a width W2 which is about one fifth of the width W1. At an end of the second portion which is distal to the foot section 123, two shoulder sections 124, 125 are provided, each of the shoulder sections comprising a lower surface 124a, 125a for being supported on a fish plate. The shoulder sections 124,125 prevent the second portion 120 from falling downwards between the fish plates, which is particularly desirable when the first portion is detached from the second portion. In the example shown the shoulder sections 124, 125 together have a width W3 of about 4 cm which is greater than the width W2 of the relatively narrow portion 122.

[0039] Arranged partially between the shoulder sections 124, 125 is an accommodation section 127 for receiving therein a narrow-necked protrusion 117 of the first portion 110 in a substantially form-fitting manner. The narrow-necked protrusion 117 and accommodation section 127 form first and second mutually interlocking elements for forming a form-fit click-connection between the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 to attach these together, as shown in Fig. 2B.

[0040] The second portion 120 has a length L1 of about 13 cm along the length direction of the relatively narrow portion web 122, the length direction being normal to the width direction. When the first and second portion are attached to each other, they have a combined length L2, which is larger than the length L1, and in the example shown is about 15,1 cm.

[0041] The first portion 110 is further provided with a sealant holding section 111a, 111b, 111c which comprises a plurality of recesses 112a, 112b, 112c for holding therein a liquid sealant so that the sealant may cure therein to form a form-fit connection between the solidified cured sealant and the sealant holding section. The recesses 112a, 112b, 112c are arranged along an arc of about 270 degrees, so that liquid sealant may enter recesses 112b at the upper side of the sealant holding section, and may also enter recesses 112a, 112c at the lateral sides of the sealant holding section. Though not shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the sealant is shown in Fig. 5E.

[0042] The first portion 110 is provided with two shoulders sections 114, 115 together have a combined width which is greater than the combined width of the shoulder sections 124, 125 of the second portion. Each of the shoulder sections 114, 115 of the first portion 110 has a lower surface 114a,115a for being supported on an upper side of a fish plate. The shoulder sections 114, 115 further are provided with an upper surface 114b,115b, for supporting sealant thereon in liquid form as well as in cured form. When an end post 100 is placed between rail ends and fish plates with the first portion 110 and second portion 120 attached to each other, liquid sealant (not shown) can easily be poured onto the first portion to enter recesses 112a, 112b, 112c, without having to modify the first portion 110. Prior to pouring the liquid sealant, the lateral sides of the gap between the rail ends are preferably sealed against leakage of the liquid sealant, e.g. by applying tape to bridge the gap between both the lateral sides of the head sections of the first and second rail end, e.g. the manner described DE 10 2015 016 866. After the sealant is allowed to cure, the solidified cured sealant forms a form-lock with the first portion 110.

[0043] Figs. 3A and 3B show an electrically insulating railway end post 300 according to a second embodiment of the invention, with second portion 320 of the end post 300 arranged between and supported by fish plates 30,40. Fig. 3A shows the end post 300 with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 attached to each other, and Fig. 3B shows the end post with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 detached from each other. Similar to the embodiment of Figs. 2A and 2B, the first portion 310 comprises sealant holding portions 311a, 311b, 311c which each comprise one or more recesses 312 for holding liquid sealant therein. The recesses 312 each have a relatively narrow open side which transitions into a relatively wide interior volume, i.e. the maximum opening diameter of each recess 312 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the interior volume of each recess. Thus, when the sealant is cured a form-fit connection between the liquid sealant and the first portion is formed.

[0044] The first portion 310 further is provided with an accommodation section 317 for receiving therein a narrow-necked protrusion 327 of the second portion 320 in a substantially form-fitting manner, to form a click-connection between the first and second portion. The second portion 320 comprises a relatively wide foot section and a relatively narrow intermediate web section 322.

[0045] The first portion 310 further comprises two shoulder sections 314,315 of which shoulder section 315 is slightly wider than shoulder section 314 and is provided with a distally extending lever 314a. The lever 314a extends further beyond the fist plate 30 than shoulder section 315 extends beyond fish plate 315. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, the lever 314a facilitates detaching the first portion 310 from the second portion, e.g. using a screwdriver 80 which can be inserted between a top surface of fish plate 30 and a lower surface of the lever 314a. By subsequently moving the screwdriver 80 in a counterclockwise direction, the first portion 310 can easily be detached from the second portion 320.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows an electrically insulating railway end post 400 according to a third embodiment of the invention, in which interlocking elements 417, 427 are arranged near a foot section 423 of the end post 400. The interlocking elements comprise a protrusion 417 at a distal end of narrow web section 422 of portion 410 of the end post, which protrusion is adapted to be inserted in an accommodation section 427 in foot section 423, to form a form-fitting click-connection between the first and second portion. The first portion 410 is further provided with a plurality of recesses 411a,411b,411c for receiving therein a liquid sealant. Shoulder sections 414, 415 of the first portion are adapted for supporting sealant on an upper side thereof. A lower sides of each shoulder sections is adapted for being supported on an upper surface of a fish plate.

[0047] Figs. 5A-5E illustrate how a railway end post 100 according to the first embodiment may be repaired if a cured sealant 160 held on the first portion, or the first portion itself, has been damaged. Fig. 5A shows a side view in which the outline of rail end 20a is still visible, and wherein the sealant 160 that is held by the first portion has been damaged. Though in Figs. 5B-5E, the outline of rail end 20a has been omitted for reasons of clarity, it should be understood that this rail end 20a still is present.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the first portion 110 is detached from the second portion 120 by inserting the tip of a screwdriver 80 between the fish plate 30 and the shoulder of the first portion, and then pushing the screwdriver 80 downwards, so that the fish plate 30 provides a fulcrum for lifting the first portion 110 off the second portion 120. The shoulder sections 124, 125 of the second portion remain supported on the fish plates, thus preventing the second portion from falling out from between the fish plates 30,40. Next, as illustrated in Fig. 5C and 5D, a new first portion 110' is attached to the second portion 120, by pressing the new first portion 110' onto the second portion until a click-connection is made. Only after the new first portion is attached to the second portion, is a liquid sealant 160' inserted into the plurality of openings 112a, 112b, 112c and onto the upper surfaces of shoulder sections 114,115 and allowed to cure, as shown in Fig. 5E. The liquid sealant is allowed to cure, after which the end post repair is completed.

[0049] Fig. 6A illustrates how the liquid sealant, once it has been poured onto the recesses of an end post of the invention, can be shaped. While the sealant 160" is still liquid, typically within one or two minutes from pouring the liquid sealant onto the recesses, the sealant is shaped using a scraper 90. The scraper comprises a substantially straight edge 91, in which a recess 91a is formed. In order to shape the sealant 160", the scraper 90 is first placed with its straight edge 91 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rails 10,20, against first lateral surfaces 11c and 21c of the rails, and with the recess 91a substantially aligned to the middle of the gap between the rail ends. Next, the scraper 90 is moved while maintaining contact with the rails, from the first lateral surfaces 11c, 21c of the rails, over top surfaces 11a, 21a of the rails 10,20, and subsequently over second lateral surfaces 11a,21a of the rails. In this way the sealant 160" is shaped such that, in the longitudinal side view shown in Fig. 6B, it comprises a small bump 161" which substantially extends along the thickness of the end post and has a height of about 3 mm. The bump 161" helps to reduce noise when a wheel passes from one rail, via the cured sealant 160", to the other rail.

Examples

first embodiment

[0038]Figs. 2A and 2B show an electrically insulating railway end post 100 according to the invention. The end post 100 comprises a first portion 110, and a second portion 120, which are in Fig. 2A are shown to be detached from each other, and which in Fig. 2B are shown to be attached to each other. The second portion 120 comprises a relatively wide foot section 123 having a width W1 of about 14 cm. The foot section 123 transitions into a relatively narrow web section 122 having a width W2 which is about one fifth of the width W1. At an end of the second portion which is distal to the foot section 123, two shoulder sections 124, 125 are provided, each of the shoulder sections comprising a lower surface 124a, 125a for being supported on a fish plate. The shoulder sections 124,125 prevent the second portion 120 from falling downwards between the fish plates, which is particularly desirable when the first portion is detached from the second portion. In the example shown the shoulder se...

second embodiment

[0043]Figs. 3A and 3B show an electrically insulating railway end post 300 according to the invention, with second portion 320 of the end post 300 arranged between and supported by fish plates 30,40. Fig. 3A shows the end post 300 with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 attached to each other, and Fig. 3B shows the end post with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 detached from each other. Similar to the embodiment of Figs. 2A and 2B, the first portion 310 comprises sealant holding portions 311a, 311b, 311c which each comprise one or more recesses 312 for holding liquid sealant therein. The recesses 312 each have a relatively narrow open side which transitions into a relatively wide interior volume, i.e. the maximum opening diameter of each recess 312 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the interior volume of each recess. Thus, when the sealant is cured a form-fit connection between the liquid sealant and the first portion is formed.

[0044]The first portion 310...

third embodiment

[0046]Fig. 4 shows an electrically insulating railway end post 400 according to the invention, in which interlocking elements 417, 427 are arranged near a foot section 423 of the end post 400. The interlocking elements comprise a protrusion 417 at a distal end of narrow web section 422 of portion 410 of the end post, which protrusion is adapted to be inserted in an accommodation section 427 in foot section 423, to form a form-fitting click-connection between the first and second portion. The first portion 410 is further provided with a plurality of recesses 411a,411b,411c for receiving therein a liquid sealant. Shoulder sections 414, 415 of the first portion are adapted for supporting sealant on an upper side thereof. A lower sides of each shoulder sections is adapted for being supported on an upper surface of a fish plate.

[0047]Figs. 5A-5E illustrate how a railway end post 100 according to the first embodiment may be repaired if a cured sealant 160 held on the first portion, or the...

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrically insulating railway end post. Such an end post may be inserted between two rail ends, e.g. between two ends of rails for a train or metro, to help keep the rail ends spaced apart and electrically insulated from each other. The rails themselves usually are fixed with respect to each other by fish plates on either side of the rails. The invention further relates to a method for repairing such a railway end post that has already been inserted between two rail ends.Background of the invention

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2015 016 866 describes a method for repairing a rail insulation joint that has been damaged due to overrolling of adjacent rail ends. The known method aims to allow a damaged insulating layer to be completely and robustly restored without having to replace the entire insulating joint or parts thereof. The known method includes, inter alia, creating a gap between rail ends at the location of the insulating joint by grinding a top portion of the insulating joint as well as any overrolled portions of the rail ends, subsequently sealing sides of the gap against leakage of insulation material, and introducing a suitable high-strength insulation material into the gap and adjusting protruding new insulating material to the rail contour by grinding using a suitable tool. Separate anchoring elements of an adhesive material may be placed in recesses that are provided in the insulation joint that is being repaired, to fix the high strength insulation material with respect to the old rail insulation joint or part of said old rail insulation joint.

[0003] A drawback of the known method is that it typically takes a relatively large amount of time to repair an insulating joint. It is an object of the invention to provide an electrically insulating railway end post, and a method for repairing such an end post, which at least partially overcome this drawback.Summary of the invention

[0004] To this end, according to a first aspect the invention provides an electrically insulating railway end post adapted for placement between ends of a pair of railway rails, each of said rails comprising a head portion, a foot section and a relatively narrow intermediate web section connecting the head section and the foot section, said end post comprising: a first portion and a second portion detachably attached to each other via interlocking elements, wherein the second portion comprises a foot section of the end post; wherein the first portion is provided with a sealant holding section comprising a plurality of recesses for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured, wherein the first portion, including the plurality of recesses, is adapted for insertion between two ends of a pair of railway rails. That is, the first portion, which comprises the sealant holding section with the plurality of recesses, can be inserted from a position in which it is not between the two railway ends, e.g. spaced apart from the railway ends by at least 10 cm, to a position in which it is between the two railway ends and detachably attached to the second portion. The invention thus allows a worn first portion to be easily removed and replaced by a new first portion, without having to remove the second portion from between the rail ends, and without having to grind away a portion of the end post. In particular, when the end post is installed between two rail ends, with the second portion of the railway end post held between fish plates that hold the rail ends together, the first portion may be replaced without having to remove the fish plates.

[0005] Once a new first portion has been detachably attached to the second portion, the liquid sealant may be poured onto the sealant holding section and into the plurality of recesses, and the sealant is allowed to cure. For instance, the liquid sealant, when it is being poured into the sealant holding section, may have a viscosity before curing of between 45 and 55 Pascal, at 23 C and 50% relative humidity, e.g. as measured according to ISO-289-1:2015. However, it will be understood that many sealants exist which are sufficiently liquid to allow them to be poured onto the sealant holding section, but which are sufficiently viscous to substantially prevent the bulk of the substantially liquid material to flow out of the sealant holding section and out of the plurality of recesses. Due to this viscosity the majority of liquid sealant is substantially prevented from flowing out from between the rail ends prior to curing. Thus, the sealant may be poured without first having to seal the sides of the gap using tape or the like.

[0006] Within about 1 minute of pouring the sealant, a scraper may be used to scrape any excess sealing off the rail ends, and to shape sealing to substantially conform to the shape of the rail ends. Preferably, the scraper comprises a substantially rectangular edge in which a recess is provided, the recess being arranged for forming a bump in the sealant which extends between 2 mm and 4 above the surface of the adjacent rail ends. When the sealant has cured, this bump in the cured sealant helps to reduce noise when a wheel of a railway car travels from one rail end, across the bump, to the other rail end.

[0007] After the sealant has cured to a substantially solid state, there is a form fit between the recesses and the sealant, in this manner substantially preventing the sealant from releasing from the first portion.

[0008] The invention allows the first portion to be replaced multiple times, while the second portion remains in place between the railway ends. A second portion of the end post may for example remain in place between the two rail ends until either of both of the rails are removed.

[0009] In an embodiment the end post is adapted for placement between fish plates that are provided on either side of the pair of railway rails, wherein the foot section has a width, and wherein the second portion, on either side of a plane which extends normal to the width direction and divides the width into equal parts, comprises a shoulder section, each of the shoulder sections comprising a lower surface adapted for being supported on an upper side of a corresponding fish plate. The second portion is thus substantially prevented from falling downwards between the fish rails when the first portion is removed. When detaching the first portion from the second portion, the first portion may be lifted upwards relative to the second portion while the second portion remains substantially in place with respect to the rail ends. For instance, a screwdriver or the like may be inserted between the first and second portion and subsequently be tilting, in order to detach the first portion from the second portion.

[0010] The fish plates typically fit against the head section, foot section and intermediate web section of said rails. Preferably, when mounted between the two rail ends and the fish plates, the lower surface of each shoulder section contacts the upper side of a corresponding fish plate.

[0011] In an embodiment the end post is adapted for placement between fish plates that are provided on either side of the pair of railway rails, wherein the foot section has a width, and wherein the first portion, on either side of a plane which extends normal to the width direction and divides the width into equal parts, comprises a shoulder section, each of said shoulder sections comprising a lower surface)adapted for being supported on an upper side of a corresponding fish plate. Thus, when attached to the second portion, the first portion is supported on the fish plates as well as on the second portion. Preferably, when mounted between the two rail ends and the fish plates, the lower surface of each shoulder section contacts the upper side of a corresponding fish plate. Typically, the lower surfaces of the shoulder sections of the first portion transition smoothly into the corresponding lower surfaces of the shoulder sections of the second portion.

[0012] In an embodiment the shoulder sections of the first portion extend on either side of the plurality of recesses, wherein the shoulder sections each comprise an upper surface adapted for supporting thereon a liquid sealant. The upper surfaces help to prevent liquid sealant from streaming off the first portion.

[0013] In an embodiment the interlocking elements comprise one or more first elements and one or more second elements, wherein said first elements are adapted for interlocking with the second elements, wherein the first portion comprises the one or more first elements, and the second portion comprises the one or more second elements. The first and second interlocking elements typically are adapted for form-fitting with each other. Preferably, the first and second interlocking elements form a click connection.

[0014] In an embodiment the second portion comprises a foot section and a relatively narrow web section, wherein the second portion is provided with one or more of the first elements, and wherein the first portion is provided with one or more of the second elements. The one or more fist elements of the second portion in particular may be arranged at least partially between the two shoulders of the second section. Likewise, the one or more fist elements of the first portion may be arranged at least partially between the two shoulders section.

[0015] In an embodiment said one or more first elements or second elements comprise a relatively narrow proximate section which merges into a relatively wide distal section, and wherein the other of said one or more first elements or second elements comprise at least one accommodation section for accommodating said proximate section and said distal section therein in a substantially form-fitting manner. The relatively wide distal section preferably is substantially disc shaped, to allow easy insertion of said distal section into the recess, and the narrow neck preferably has a maximum opening diameter that is less than the diameter of the disc-shaped distal section.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first portion is provided with one or more first elements comprising a relatively narrow proximate section which merges into a relatively wide distal section, and the second portion is provided with the one or more second elements comprising the accommodation section for accommodating said proximate section and said distal section therein in a substantially form-fitting manner.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the second portion is provided with the one or more first elements comprising the relatively narrow proximate section which merges into a relatively wide distal section, and the first portion is provided with the one or more second elements comprising the accommodation section for accommodating said proximate section and said distal section therein in a substantially form-fitting manner.

[0018] In an embodiment the plurality of recesses is arranged over an arc of at least 250 degrees. The recesses are thus arranged for receiving the sealant at an upper side of the first portion, as well as at two lateral sides of the first portion.

[0019] In an embodiment the plurality of recesses comprises at least 8 recesses, preferably at least 12 recesses. When cured, the sealant is thus held in place relative to the first portion at multiple positions. Preferably, a first number of recesses is arranged at an upper side of the first portion, and a second number of recesses is arranged at each of the two lateral sides of the first portion, with both the first and second numbers being at least 3. More preferably, the first number of recesses at the upper side is at least twice the second number of recesses at either lateral side.

[0020] In an embodiment one or more of the plurality recesses comprises a cavity with a relatively wide open section which merges into a relatively narrow opening for receiving therein the liquid sealant. This shape helps to retain the cured sealant within the relatively wide open section and the relatively narrow openings of the recesses in a form fitting manner. The surfaces of the relatively wide open section and relatively narrow opening preferably are substantially smooth. This facilitates filling the open section and narrow opening with the liquid sealant. The relatively wide open section preferably is substantially disc shaped.

[0021] In an embodiment one or more of the plurality of recesses comprises a cavity having a narrow neck opening which, in use, debouches in an upward and / or sideward facing outer surface of the first portion.

[0022] In an embodiment the first portion is provided with a distally extending lever, for facilitating detaching the first portion from the second portion when the first and second portion are installed between rails ends and fish plates. Preferably, the lever is adapted for, in use when the end post is inserted between fish plates and the rail way ends, extending above one of said fish plates. More preferably, the lever extends beyond a surface of the shoulder of the first portion that is adapted for supporting the sealant thereon.

[0023] In an embodiment, the first and second portion are substantially rigid, e.g. made from or comprising a material such as Nylon 66 and / or epoxy fibre-glass, e.g. epoxy fibre glass G10.

[0024] In an embodiment the first and / or second portion is made from a material having a Young modulus E of at least 400 MPa, a measured according to standard ISO 527-1:2019.

[0025] In an embodiment the first and / or second portion are substantially made from or comprise epoxy fibre-glass, e.g. with a Young modulus E of at least 4000 MPa, and Nylon 66, e.g. with a Young Modulus E of at least 1500.

[0026] In an embodiment the first and second portion have a thickness of between 5 and 18 mm. The thickness extends normal to the width direction of the foot section and normal to the longitudinal direction of the relatively narrow web section. Preferred values of the thickness include 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm, all + / - 5%.

[0027] In an embodiment the plurality of recesses comprises at least 8 recesses, more preferably at least 10 recesses. Thus, several form-fitting connections between the cured sealant and the plurality of recesses may be provided, e.g. over an arc over which the plurality of recesses extends.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method of repairing a railway end post according to the first aspect of the invention between rail ends of a pair of railway rails, wherein the method comprises: grinding out any overrolled portion of the rail ends and detaching the first portion of the end post from the second portion of the end post while leaving the second portion between the rail ends; attaching a new first portion to the second portion between the ends of the pair of railway rails, wherein the new first portion is provided with a sealant holding section comprising a plurality of recesses for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured; and filling the plurality of recesses of the new first portion of the end post with a liquid sealant, preferably a liquid elastomeric sealant; using a scraper to scrape off liquid sealant from the top surface and lateral surfaces of each of the rail ends and simultaneously smoothe the outer surface of the liquid sealant between the rail ends; and letting the liquid sealant cure to a substantially solid form.

[0029] Optionally, between the steps of attaching a new first portion and filling the plurality of recesses of the first portion with liquid sealant, the method further comprises the steps of: applying a surface cleaner, and applying a joint primer.

[0030] In an embodiment the entire method is carried out while fish plates are connected on either side of the pair of rails.

[0031] In an embodiment the scraper comprises a substantially straight edge in which a recess is provided, and wherein using said scraper to scrape off liquid sealant from the upper surface and lateral surfaces of the rail ends and to substantially smoothe the liquid sealant between said rail ends comprises: placing the edge of the scraper in contact with the first lateral surface of the first rail end and a first lateral surface of the second rail end, and such that the recess is substantially aligned with the gap between the rail ends; moving the scraper from the first lateral surfaces of the first and second rail end, over the top surfaces of said rail ends, and to the second lateral surfaces of the first and second rail end, such that any excess liquid sealant is substantially scraped off said surfaces of the rail ends, and such a bump of sealant is formed between the rail ends.

[0032] In an embodiment the bump projects between 2 and 4 mm relative to the adjacent upper surface and / or relative to the adjacent lateral surfaces of each rail end. Thus, when seen in cross-sectional side view in a plane normal to the longitudinal direction of the rails, the bump projects beyond the lateral surfaces and the top surfaces of the rails.

[0033] In an embodiment the bump has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the end post and / or wherein the recess in the scraper has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the end post. The width of the bump generally is along the direction of the thickness of the end post.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a first portion for a railway end post according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the first portion is provided with a sealant holding section comprising a plurality of recesses for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured, and wherein the first portion is adapted to be detachably attached to the second portion of the railway end post via interlocking elements. Such a first portion is particularly useful when repairing a railway end post according to the first aspect of the invention, e.g. using the method of the second aspect of the invention.Brief description of the drawings

[0035] Embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated in the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like structures, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows an exploded view of a prior art system which an electrically insulating railway end post is placed between two rails which are clamped together using fish plates;. Figs. 2A and 2B show a first embodiment of an insulating railway end post according to the invention, respectively with the first and second portion detached from each other and attached to each other; Figs. 3A and 3B show a second embodiment of an insulating railway end post according to the invention, respectively with the first and second portion detached from each other and attached to each other; Fig. 4 show a third embodiment of an insulating railway end post according to the invention; Figs. 5A-5E illustrate how a first portion of an end post of the invention may be attached to a second portion of an end post of the invention, while the second portion is held between two rail ends; Fig. 6A shows two rail ends between which an end post of Fig. 2A has been inserted, wherein sealant which has been poured onto the plurality of recesses, has been shaped while still substantially liquid, and subsequently has been cured; Fig. 6B shows a front side view of one rail end of Fig. 6A, next to a longitudinal side view of both rail ends and the end post of Fig. 6A. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] Fig. 1A shows an exploded view of a pair or rails 10, 20, here each shown only partially. The rails 10,20 have respective facing ends 10a, 20b that are proximate to each other. When in use, the two rail ends 11, 21 are held together using fish plates 30,40. A prior art insulating railway end post 50 is placed between the two rail ends 11,21 to space these apart from each other and electrically insulate these from each other. During regular use of the rails, the fish plates 30,40 on either side of both rails 10,20 are bolted together using bolts (not shown) which pass through bolt holes 35, 36, 45,46 in the fish plates 30,40 and bolt holes 15,26 in the rails 10,20. Typically, during use, the end post 50 contacts both the rail ends 10a,20a. The fish plates and bolts are attached in a known a manner such that they do not form an electrical conductor between the rails 10,20.

[0037] Over time, the rail ends may deform due to rail vehicles travelling across the rails. For instance, the rail ends may become overrolled such that one rail end approaches the other rail end and exerts considerable pressure on the end post. This may cause the end post 50, especially the top portion thereof, to deform and / or become damaged. When this happens, either the end post has to be replaced in its entirety, or the top of the end post has to be repaired.

[0038] Figs. 2A and 2B show an electrically insulating railway end post 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The end post 100 comprises a first portion 110, and a second portion 120, which are in Fig. 2A are shown to be detached from each other, and which in Fig. 2B are shown to be attached to each other. The second portion 120 comprises a relatively wide foot section 123 having a width W1 of about 14 cm. The foot section 123 transitions into a relatively narrow web section 122 having a width W2 which is about one fifth of the width W1. At an end of the second portion which is distal to the foot section 123, two shoulder sections 124, 125 are provided, each of the shoulder sections comprising a lower surface 124a, 125a for being supported on a fish plate. The shoulder sections 124,125 prevent the second portion 120 from falling downwards between the fish plates, which is particularly desirable when the first portion is detached from the second portion. In the example shown the shoulder sections 124, 125 together have a width W3 of about 4 cm which is greater than the width W2 of the relatively narrow portion 122.

[0039] Arranged partially between the shoulder sections 124, 125 is an accommodation section 127 for receiving therein a narrow-necked protrusion 117 of the first portion 110 in a substantially form-fitting manner. The narrow-necked protrusion 117 and accommodation section 127 form first and second mutually interlocking elements for forming a form-fit click-connection between the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 to attach these together, as shown in Fig. 2B.

[0040] The second portion 120 has a length L1 of about 13 cm along the length direction of the relatively narrow portion web 122, the length direction being normal to the width direction. When the first and second portion are attached to each other, they have a combined length L2, which is larger than the length L1, and in the example shown is about 15,1 cm.

[0041] The first portion 110 is further provided with a sealant holding section 111a, 111b, 111c which comprises a plurality of recesses 112a, 112b, 112c for holding therein a liquid sealant so that the sealant may cure therein to form a form-fit connection between the solidified cured sealant and the sealant holding section. The recesses 112a, 112b, 112c are arranged along an arc of about 270 degrees, so that liquid sealant may enter recesses 112b at the upper side of the sealant holding section, and may also enter recesses 112a, 112c at the lateral sides of the sealant holding section. Though not shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the sealant is shown in Fig. 5E.

[0042] The first portion 110 is provided with two shoulders sections 114, 115 together have a combined width which is greater than the combined width of the shoulder sections 124, 125 of the second portion. Each of the shoulder sections 114, 115 of the first portion 110 has a lower surface 114a,115a for being supported on an upper side of a fish plate. The shoulder sections 114, 115 further are provided with an upper surface 114b,115b, for supporting sealant thereon in liquid form as well as in cured form. When an end post 100 is placed between rail ends and fish plates with the first portion 110 and second portion 120 attached to each other, liquid sealant (not shown) can easily be poured onto the first portion to enter recesses 112a, 112b, 112c, without having to modify the first portion 110. Prior to pouring the liquid sealant, the lateral sides of the gap between the rail ends are preferably sealed against leakage of the liquid sealant, e.g. by applying tape to bridge the gap between both the lateral sides of the head sections of the first and second rail end, e.g. the manner described DE 10 2015 016 866. After the sealant is allowed to cure, the solidified cured sealant forms a form-lock with the first portion 110.

[0043] Figs. 3A and 3B show an electrically insulating railway end post 300 according to a second embodiment of the invention, with second portion 320 of the end post 300 arranged between and supported by fish plates 30,40. Fig. 3A shows the end post 300 with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 attached to each other, and Fig. 3B shows the end post with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 detached from each other. Similar to the embodiment of Figs. 2A and 2B, the first portion 310 comprises sealant holding portions 311a, 311b, 311c which each comprise one or more recesses 312 for holding liquid sealant therein. The recesses 312 each have a relatively narrow open side which transitions into a relatively wide interior volume, i.e. the maximum opening diameter of each recess 312 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the interior volume of each recess. Thus, when the sealant is cured a form-fit connection between the liquid sealant and the first portion is formed.

[0044] The first portion 310 further is provided with an accommodation section 317 for receiving therein a narrow-necked protrusion 327 of the second portion 320 in a substantially form-fitting manner, to form a click-connection between the first and second portion. The second portion 320 comprises a relatively wide foot section and a relatively narrow intermediate web section 322.

[0045] The first portion 310 further comprises two shoulder sections 314,315 of which shoulder section 315 is slightly wider than shoulder section 314 and is provided with a distally extending lever 314a. The lever 314a extends further beyond the fist plate 30 than shoulder section 315 extends beyond fish plate 315. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, the lever 314a facilitates detaching the first portion 310 from the second portion, e.g. using a screwdriver 80 which can be inserted between a top surface of fish plate 30 and a lower surface of the lever 314a. By subsequently moving the screwdriver 80 in a counterclockwise direction, the first portion 310 can easily be detached from the second portion 320.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows an electrically insulating railway end post 400 according to a third embodiment of the invention, in which interlocking elements 417, 427 are arranged near a foot section 423 of the end post 400. The interlocking elements comprise a protrusion 417 at a distal end of narrow web section 422 of portion 410 of the end post, which protrusion is adapted to be inserted in an accommodation section 427 in foot section 423, to form a form-fitting click-connection between the first and second portion. The first portion 410 is further provided with a plurality of recesses 411a,411b,411c for receiving therein a liquid sealant. Shoulder sections 414, 415 of the first portion are adapted for supporting sealant on an upper side thereof. A lower sides of each shoulder sections is adapted for being supported on an upper surface of a fish plate.

[0047] Figs. 5A-5E illustrate how a railway end post 100 according to the first embodiment may be repaired if a cured sealant 160 held on the first portion, or the first portion itself, has been damaged. Fig. 5A shows a side view in which the outline of rail end 20a is still visible, and wherein the sealant 160 that is held by the first portion has been damaged. Though in Figs. 5B-5E, the outline of rail end 20a has been omitted for reasons of clarity, it should be understood that this rail end 20a still is present.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the first portion 110 is detached from the second portion 120 by inserting the tip of a screwdriver 80 between the fish plate 30 and the shoulder of the first portion, and then pushing the screwdriver 80 downwards, so that the fish plate 30 provides a fulcrum for lifting the first portion 110 off the second portion 120. The shoulder sections 124, 125 of the second portion remain supported on the fish plates, thus preventing the second portion from falling out from between the fish plates 30,40. Next, as illustrated in Fig. 5C and 5D, a new first portion 110' is attached to the second portion 120, by pressing the new first portion 110' onto the second portion until a click-connection is made. Only after the new first portion is attached to the second portion, is a liquid sealant 160' inserted into the plurality of openings 112a, 112b, 112c and onto the upper surfaces of shoulder sections 114,115 and allowed to cure, as shown in Fig. 5E. The liquid sealant is allowed to cure, after which the end post repair is completed.

[0049] Fig. 6A illustrates how the liquid sealant, once it has been poured onto the recesses of an end post of the invention, can be shaped. While the sealant 160" is still liquid, typically within one or two minutes from pouring the liquid sealant onto the recesses, the sealant is shaped using a scraper 90. The scraper comprises a substantially straight edge 91, in which a recess 91a is formed. In order to shape the sealant 160", the scraper 90 is first placed with its straight edge 91 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rails 10,20, against first lateral surfaces 11c and 21c of the rails, and with the recess 91a substantially aligned to the middle of the gap between the rail ends. Next, the scraper 90 is moved while maintaining contact with the rails, from the first lateral surfaces 11c, 21c of the rails, over top surfaces 11a, 21a of the rails 10,20, and subsequently over second lateral surfaces 11a,21a of the rails. In this way the sealant 160" is shaped such that, in the longitudinal side view shown in Fig. 6B, it comprises a small bump 161" which substantially extends along the thickness of the end post and has a height of about 3 mm. The bump 161" helps to reduce noise when a wheel passes from one rail, via the cured sealant 160", to the other rail.

Examples

first embodiment

[0038]Figs. 2A and 2B show an electrically insulating railway end post 100 according to the invention. The end post 100 comprises a first portion 110, and a second portion 120, which are in Fig. 2A are shown to be detached from each other, and which in Fig. 2B are shown to be attached to each other. The second portion 120 comprises a relatively wide foot section 123 having a width W1 of about 14 cm. The foot section 123 transitions into a relatively narrow web section 122 having a width W2 which is about one fifth of the width W1. At an end of the second portion which is distal to the foot section 123, two shoulder sections 124, 125 are provided, each of the shoulder sections comprising a lower surface 124a, 125a for being supported on a fish plate. The shoulder sections 124,125 prevent the second portion 120 from falling downwards between the fish plates, which is particularly desirable when the first portion is detached from the second portion. In the example shown the shoulder se...

second embodiment

[0043]Figs. 3A and 3B show an electrically insulating railway end post 300 according to the invention, with second portion 320 of the end post 300 arranged between and supported by fish plates 30,40. Fig. 3A shows the end post 300 with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 attached to each other, and Fig. 3B shows the end post with its first portion 310 and second portion 320 detached from each other. Similar to the embodiment of Figs. 2A and 2B, the first portion 310 comprises sealant holding portions 311a, 311b, 311c which each comprise one or more recesses 312 for holding liquid sealant therein. The recesses 312 each have a relatively narrow open side which transitions into a relatively wide interior volume, i.e. the maximum opening diameter of each recess 312 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the interior volume of each recess. Thus, when the sealant is cured a form-fit connection between the liquid sealant and the first portion is formed.

[0044]The first portion 310...

third embodiment

[0046]Fig. 4 shows an electrically insulating railway end post 400 according to the invention, in which interlocking elements 417, 427 are arranged near a foot section 423 of the end post 400. The interlocking elements comprise a protrusion 417 at a distal end of narrow web section 422 of portion 410 of the end post, which protrusion is adapted to be inserted in an accommodation section 427 in foot section 423, to form a form-fitting click-connection between the first and second portion. The first portion 410 is further provided with a plurality of recesses 411a,411b,411c for receiving therein a liquid sealant. Shoulder sections 414, 415 of the first portion are adapted for supporting sealant on an upper side thereof. A lower sides of each shoulder sections is adapted for being supported on an upper surface of a fish plate.

[0047]Figs. 5A-5E illustrate how a railway end post 100 according to the first embodiment may be repaired if a cured sealant 160 held on the first portion, or the...

Claims

1. Electrically insulating railway end post (100; 300; 400) adapted for placement between ends (10a, 20a) of a pair of railway rails (10, 20), each of said rails comprising a head section (11, 21), a foot section (13, 23) and a relatively narrow intermediate web section (12, 22) connecting the head section and the foot section, said end post comprising: a first portion (110; 310; 410) and a second portion (120; 310; 410) detachably attached to each other via interlocking elements, wherein the second portion comprises a foot section of the end post; wherein the first portion is provided with a sealant holding section (111a, 111b, 111c) comprising a plurality of recesses (112a, 112b, 112c) for receiving therein a liquid sealant (160), wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured, and wherein the first portion (110), including the plurality of recesses, is adapted for insertion between two ends (10a, 20a) of a pair of railway rails.

2. Railway end post according to claim 1, adapted for placement between fish plates (30, 40) that are provided on either side of the pair of railway rails (10, 20), wherein the foot section has a width (W1), and wherein the second portion (120), on either side of a plane (P) which extends normal to the width direction and divides the width (W1) into equal parts, comprises a shoulder section (124,125), each of the shoulder sections comprising a lower surface (124a,125a) adapted for being supported on an upper side of a corresponding fish plate (30,40).

3. Railway end post according to claim 1 or 2, adapted for placement between fish plates (30, 40) that are provided on either side of the pair of railway rails (10, 20), wherein the foot section has a width (W1), and wherein the first portion (110), on either side of a plane (P) which extends normal to the width direction and divides the width (W1) into equal parts, comprises a shoulder section (114,115), each of said shoulder sections comprising a lower surface (114a, 114b) adapted for being supported on an upper side of a corresponding fish plate, preferably wherein the shoulder sections (114,115) of the first portion extend on either side of the plurality of recesses, said shoulder sections each comprising an upper surface adapted for supporting thereon a liquid sealant.

4. Railway end post according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the interlocking elements comprise one or more first elements (117; 317; 417) and one or more second elements (127; 317; 427), wherein said first elements are adapted for interlocking with the second elements, wherein the first portion (110; 310; 410) comprises the one or more first elements, and the second portion (120; 320; 420) comprises the one or more second elements, preferably wherein the second portion (120; 320) comprises a foot section (123) and a relatively narrow web section (122).

5. Railway end post according to claim 4, wherein said one or more first elements (117) or second elements (327) comprise a relatively narrow proximate section which merges into a relatively wide distal section, and wherein the other (127; 317) of said one or more first elements or second elements comprise at least one accommodation section for accommodating said proximate section and said distal section therein in a substantially form-fitting manner.

6. Railway end post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of recesses (112a, 112b, 112c) is arranged over an arc of at least 250 degrees.

7. Railway end post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of recesses comprises at least 8 recesses, preferably at least 10 or at least 12 recesses.

8. Railway end post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the plurality recesses comprises a cavity with a relatively wide open section which merges into a relatively narrow opening for receiving therein the liquid sealant.

9. Railway end post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second shoulder section (314, 315) of the first portion (310) is provided with a distally extending lever (314a), for facilitating detaching the first portion from the second portion (320) when the first and second portion are installed between rails ends and fish plates.

10. Railway end post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion has a Young modulus E of at least 400 MPa, as measured according to ISO 527-1:2019.

11. Method of repairing a railway end post according to any one of the preceding claims between rails ends of a pair of railway rails, comprising: grinding out any overrolled portion of the rail ends (10a,20a) and detaching the first portion (110; 310; 410) of the end post from the second portion of (120; 320; 420) the end post while leaving the second portion between the rail ends; attaching a new first portion (110') to the second portion between the ends of the pair of railway rail, wherein the new first portion is provided with a sealant holding section (111a,111b,111c) comprising a plurality of recesses (112a, 112b, 112c) for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured; filling the plurality of recesses of the first portion of the new end post with a liquid sealant (160'); using a scraper (90) to scrape off liquid sealant from the top surface (11a, 21a) and lateral surfaces (11b,11c,12b,12c) of each of the rail ends and simultaneously smoothe the outer surface of the liquid sealant between said rail ends; and letting the liquid sealant cure to a substantially solid form.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the scraper (90) comprises a substantially straight edge (91) in which a recess (91a) is provided, and wherein using said scraper to scrape off liquid sealant from the upper surface and lateral surfaces of the rail ends and to substantially smoothe the liquid sealant between said rail ends comprises: placing the edge of the scraper in contact with the first lateral surface (11c) of the first rail end and the first lateral surface (21c) of the second rail end, and such that the recess is substantially aligned with the gap between the rail ends; moving the scraper from the first lateral surfaces (11c, 21c) of the first and second rail end, over the top surfaces (11a,21a) of said rail ends, and to the second lateral surfaces (11b,21b) of the first and second rail end, such that any excess liquid sealant is substantially scraped off said surfaces of the rail ends, and such a bump of sealant is formed between the rail ends.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the bump projects between 2 and 4 mm relative to the adjacent upper surface and / or relative to the adjacent lateral surfaces of each rail end.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the bump has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the end post and / or wherein the recess in the scraper has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the end post.

15. First portion (110; 310; 410) for a railway end post according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the first portion is provided with a sealant holding section comprising a plurality of recesses for receiving therein a liquid sealant, wherein the recesses are configured to provide a form fit between the sealant and the recesses when the sealant is cured; and wherein the first portion is adapted to be detachably attached to the second portion of the railway end post via interlocking elements.

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