Method for replacing embedded railway tracks and cutting device

EP4702189A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-03-04PREMENTIS
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-26
Publication Date
2026-03-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for replacing embedded railway rails are inefficient due to the need to destroy the substrate, which disrupts traffic and is time-consuming, and current cutting devices are not versatile enough to handle non-rectilinear routes or various materials used in rail embedding.

Method used

A method using a tubular projection head with abrasive mineral material of high hardness driven by high-pressure fluid to cut through the substrate on both sides of the rail, allowing for precise cutting and lifting of railway track segments, and a cutting device with adjustable projection heads to accommodate different rail geometries and materials.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient replacement of embedded railway rails without destroying the substrate, allowing for versatile cutting in any material and geometry, reducing downtime and improving maintenance efficiency by allowing for curved or spiral track replacements.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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    Figure EP2024061546_31102024_PF_FP_ABST
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Abstract

The invention relates to a method for replacing railway tracks, using a cutting device that sprays an abrasive mineral material and is driven by a high-pressure driving fluid.
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Description

[0001]METHOD FOR REPLACING RAILS OF EMBEDDED RAILWAYS AND CUTTING DEVICE The present invention relates to the field of replacing embedded railway rails. Typically in urban environments, railway rails, for trams, metros, trains, etc. are embedded for various reasons, such as safety in order to avoid the formation of obstacles on the roadway, but also because embedded railways require less maintenance and also typically allow the laying of vibration-absorbing substances around the rails. Vibration-absorbing substances, in particular lateral vibrations, are thus typically elastomers, such as, for example, rubber particles or other elastomers, aggregated using a polymer or elastomer matrix. Thus, the railway is quieter. Embedded railways are therefore preferred in urban environments,but can also be found in other environments, such as, for example, the Channel Tunnel railway. The railway is therefore embedded in a substrate which can be asphalt, concrete, pavement, etc. Currently, when the rails are at the end of their life or need to be replaced, the substrate in which the rails of the railway are embedded is thus destroyed to allow access to the rails and thus be able to replace them, which has several disadvantages because it is necessary to interrupt the traffic of the railway, remove the broken substrate, replace the rails and replace the substrate and this type of work is time-consuming (see for example CN 105507094). More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for replacing rails of an embedded railway comprising a first rail and a second rail spaced from the first by a predetermined and substantially constant distance to form two parallel rails of railway,said first and second railway rails being rails embedded in a solid structure or an embedded railway slab, said method comprising the steps of: - A determination of a railway segment of which a segment of first and / or second rail is to be replaced, said railway segment comprising at least a first section comprising the first rail and a second section comprising the second rail - A first cut of said solid structure or railway slab, on one side of said first rail forming a first side of the first section and a second cut of said solid structure or railway slab on the other side, opposite said side of said first rail, forming a second side of the first section, - A third cut of said solid structure or railway slab and possibly of said first rail, in a non-parallel direction,preferably in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said first rail, forming a third side of said first slice, and a fourth cut of said solid structure or railway slab, and possibly of said first rail, opposite the third cut, in a non-parallel direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said first rail, forming a fourth side of said first slice, opposite said third side, - A lifting of said first slice of railway segment, and - A positioning of a new segment of first rail in replacement of said segment of first rail removed with the lifting of said first slice of railway segment,with formation of a space to be filled - Filling of said space to be filled with a filler material A method of the same type is known for example from document KR101628135 which describes a machine for cutting the resin for fixing a rail of an embedded railway track. This machine comprises a circular blade and a wheel which moves in the rail. The circular blade thus makes it possible to saw on either side of the rail the resin which has made it possible to seal the rail in the substrate. Unfortunately, this cutting machine, although it can provide a solution to avoid the complete replacement of the railway track substrate, does not allow it to follow lines which are not straight and is not versatile, namely that it is only intended for rails sealed in resin. High-pressure fluid cutting techniques are also known, such as for example documents FR 3 105 051,or US4761039. The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a method for replacing embedded railway rails that is versatile, i.e. adaptable regardless of the rail sealing material and regardless of the geometry of the railway. To solve this problem, the invention provides a method as indicated above, characterized in that said first and second cuts are made by projection by a tubular projection head of abrasive mineral material having a hardness on the Moh's scale greater than 6.5, more particularly greater than 7 and less than or equal to 10, driven by a high-pressure fluid, and in that the railway track segment has a straight, curved or clothoid path. As can be seen,the method according to the present invention uses a projection of abrasive material by a high-pressure fluid which allows a cut on either side of the rail to be replaced. Indeed, according to the present invention, the segment of railway track which requires the replacement of a segment of first rail or a segment of second rail or both, is identified. A first slice around the first rail and comprising the first rail is determined as well as a second slice which is located around the second rail and comprises the second rail. Then, the substrate formed of a solid structure or a railway slab is cut, on one side of the first rail, forming the edge or the longitudinal side of the first slice and on the other side of the first rail, forming the second edge or longitudinal side of the first slice by projection by a tubular projection head of abrasive mineral material having a hardness on the Moh's scale greater than 6.5,more particularly greater than 7 and less than or equal to 10, driven by a high-pressure fluid. This abrasive material projected by a high-pressure fluid allows the cutting of any type of substrate whether it is hardened steel reinforcing the concrete slab, concrete, a filling resin, a rubber part, paving, asphalt or even plastics of rail fastening systems such as the NABLA or PANDROL systems in a clean manner and with sufficient depth to be able to proceed with the lifting of the first section. The projection of abrasive mineral material by a tubular projection head makes it possible to follow the layout of the railway track and therefore the versatility of the method according to the present invention, whether the first section is around a straight or curved or clothoid rail. Then, the transverse edges of the first section are made by a third and a fourth cut. Sometimes, the rail is also cut transversely,sometimes the transverse edges are located at locations where two end-to-end rails are juxtaposed and in this case the two end-to-end rails are separated, without being cut (but the substrate). Thus, the first slice is formed and can be lifted by a lifting device and a new segment of first rail is placed to replace the segment of first rail removed with formation of a space to be filled which is then filled with a filler material. Advantageously, in the method for replacing rails of embedded railway track according to the present invention, the high pressure fluid is a fluid compressed to a pressure of between 2500 and 3500 bar, more particularly to a pressure of between 2600 and 3200 bar, even more particularly between 2700 and 3100 bar. Preferably, in the method according to the present invention,the high pressure fluid is a high pressure liquid phase because the liquid phase makes it possible to reduce dust emissions linked to cutting. Advantageously, according to the present invention, the abrasive material belongs to the group of silicates according to the Struntz classification, more particularly to the subgroup of neosilicates according to the Struntz classification, more particularly to classification IX. Preferably, said mineral abrasive material is chosen from the group comprising jades, peridots, spodumenes, quartz, zircons, garnets, tourmalines, spinels, beryls, topazes, corundums, diamonds, moissanites, silicon carbides. The mineral abrasive material is preferably a garnet, more particularly almandine garnet. In the method for replacing embedded railway track rails according to the present invention, said railway track segment also comprises a third slice,located between the first and second slice. This will be the case, for example, if the second rail must also be replaced, in which case it will be preferable to cut a first slice in the immediate environment of the first rail and a second slice later in the immediate environment of the second rail, a third slice located between the first and second slice is thus determined, and the third slice remains in place, without requiring its removal or destruction. In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the present invention, said new segment of first rail is embedded in a prefabricated beam, which is positioned to replace said segment of first rail removed with said first slice of rail segment. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, said first and said second cuts are carried out at a speed of between 3 and 15 m / hour,more particularly between 10 and 14 m / hour, more particularly between 11 and 13 m / hour. More particularly, the speed is variable depending on the layout of the railway track in such a way that the straight-line speed is predetermined in a straight line and adjusted according to the radius of curvature or clothoid of the layout of the railway track. More particularly, according to the present invention, said first and said second cuts are carried out to a depth of between 0.10 and 0.35 m, more particularly between 0.15 and 0.30 m, measured between the upper surface of the railway track and the depth of said first and said second cut. Advantageously, according to the present invention, the abrasive mineral material is carried at a rate of 0.8 to 1.5 kg / min, more particularly at a rate of 0.9 to 1.3 kg / min by the high-pressure fluid projected at a flow rate of between 14 and 40 l / min,more particularly between 20 and 35 l / min. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the abrasive mineral material are angular or sub-angular particles. The shape of the particles of the abrasive mineral material has an influence on the depth to which it penetrates into the coating and the underlying substrate. Typically, abrasive materials have a shape which is classified according to its angularity. So-called angular particles (angular or sub-angular) produce sharp anchor jets as opposed to rounded particles (rounded or sub-rounded) which are not well suited for forming anchor jets or cutting coatings or substrates. According to the present invention, advantageously, said third and / or said fourth cut(s) is / are carried out by projection of abrasive mineral material having a hardness on the Moh's scale greater than 6.5, more particularly greater than 7 and less than or equal to 10,driven by a high-pressure fluid. According to the present invention, the abrasive mineral material has a particle size between 150 and 500 µm, preferably between 160 and 450 µm, more particularly between 180 and 350 µm or between 200 and 400 µm. By the terms "particle size between X and Y" within the meaning of the present invention, it is meant that 95% of the abrasive material passes through the meshes of a sieve of Y but not through a sieve of X. Other embodiments of the method according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims. The invention also relates to a device for cutting embedded railway track rails, comprising a carriage movable along said railway track, comprising a rigid chassis, and provided with at least a first projection head comprising an inlet for a drive fluid,arranged to be in fluid communication with a reservoir of drive fluid and an inlet for an abrasive mineral material, arranged to be in communication with a reservoir of abrasive mineral material, said first projection head comprising an outlet for abrasive mineral material driven by said drive fluid, said first projection head being oriented substantially vertically downwards, so as to project said abrasive mineral material substantially vertically downwards. As can be seen, the device according to the present invention therefore comprises a carriage movable on the railway track,and comprising a rigid chassis. The rail cutting device according to the present invention is therefore mobile and moves as the cutting progresses. The cutting of the rail segment is carried out by means of a high-pressure projection of an abrasive material driven by a fluid via the first projection head. The projection head equipped with the abrasive material outlet is integral with the carriage, more particularly fixed to the chassis. Typically, the chassis is a mobile three-dimensional structure which possibly carries a platform on which technical components of the chassis are fixed. The first projection head is, for its part, preferably also connected to the chassis,but on a lowered portion in order to minimize the distance along a vertical axis between the top of the substrate (solid structure or railway slab) in which the rail is embedded and the output end of the first projection head. The first projection head fixed to the carriage, in such a way that the output of the first projection head is positioned above the cutting line to be made in the substrate to form a first side of the first slice of the railway segment which includes the first rail to be replaced. In a particular embodiment, said first projection head is mounted on a support bracket, substantially vertical, which allows simple adjustment of the position of the first projection head. The position of the head is in fact preferably adjustable in height. In another particular embodiment according to the present invention,the embedded railway track cutting device further comprises a second projection head comprising an inlet for a drive fluid, arranged to be in fluid communication with a drive fluid reservoir, identical to or different from said drive fluid reservoir arranged to be in fluid communication with the inlet for the drive fluid of the first projection head, and an inlet for an abrasive mineral material, arranged to be in communication with a reservoir of abrasive mineral material, identical to or different from said reservoir of abrasive mineral material arranged to be in communication with the inlet for the abrasive mineral material of the first projection head, said second projection head comprising an outlet for abrasive mineral material driven by said drive fluid, said second projection head being oriented substantially vertically downwards,so as to project said abrasive mineral material substantially vertically downwards, the outlet of the first projection head and the outlet of the second projection head being separated from each other by a distance d1, measured along a horizontal line, transversely to the railway track and perpendicular to the direction of projection of the abrasive mineral material, said distance d1 being greater than the width of said rail segment to be replaced. The second projection head is, for its part, preferably also connected to the chassis, on a lowered part in order to minimize the distance along a vertical axis between the top of the substrate (solid structure or railway slab) in which the rail is embedded and the outlet end of the second projection head. The second projection head fixed to the carriage,such that the outlet of the second projection head is positioned above the cutting line to be made in the substrate to form a second side of the first slice of the railway track segment which comprises the first rail to be replaced. As can then be seen, when the embedded railway track rail cutting device comprises two projection heads (a first and a second projection head), the first and the second projection heads, in particular the outlet of the first projection head and the outlet of the second projection head are separated from each other by a distance d1, measured along a horizontal line, transverse to the railway track and perpendicular to the direction of projection of the abrasive mineral material, said distance d1 being greater than the width of said rail segment to be replaced,so as to cut a section of railway track containing the rail segment to be replaced. In a particular embodiment of the embedded railway track rail cutting device, said second projection head is mounted on a substantially vertical support leg, which allows simple adjustment of the position of the second projection head. The position of the head is in fact preferably adjustable in height. In another particular embodiment of the embedded railway track rail cutting device, said support leg of the first projection head and said support leg of the second projection head are slidably mounted in at least one slide, preferably in two slides, which allows the versatility of the device so that it adapts to several widths of rails, but also to several widths of sections to be cut. More particularly,the embedded railway track rail cutting device also comprises adjustment means connected to the chassis so as to adapt the height of the chassis or the spacing of the chassis wheels on the basis of measurements made by a sensor. This makes it possible to adjust the height of the chassis or the spacing of the wheels according to the wear of the rails. The cutting device further comprises, in a preferred embodiment, suction means arranged to suck up the particles of abrasive material at the rear of the carriage and laterally, relative to the direction of travel of the carriage. In a particular embodiment of the embedded railway track rail cutting device, said carriage is provided with at least 4 guide wheels rotating in said railway track rails and at least one drive wheel, also rotating in one of said railway track rails, connected to a motor mounted on said chassis. In this way,the rigidity of the chassis is reinforced and the precision of the cutting increased, this then perfectly following the layout of the railway track on which the trolley moves. The engine allowing the advancement of the trolley is preferably of variable power ranging from 1000 to 3000 rpm, more particularly from 1200 to 2400 rpm. The trolley also comprises in a preferred embodiment a diesel / pump group for pumping and putting under high pressure the drive fluid. Typically, the diesel / pump group has a power of 175 to 300 kW. The spacing of the trolley wheels is adjustable in width so that it adapts to several types of railway tracks. Indeed, in practice, but without being limited to it, railway rails are often spaced at a distance ranging from 1430 to 1470 mm, while tram rails may be spaced at 1000 mm or 1435 mm in some cities. Preferably, the frame includes an opening,preferably made on a platform placed on the chassis, allowing the passage of said outlet of the first projection head. More particularly, according to the present invention, the chassis comprises an opening allowing the passage of the outlet of the first and second projection heads. In a particular embodiment, the embedded railway track cutting device according to the present invention, comprises a U-shaped profile comprising two side walls and a base wall, said base wall, preferably lowered, having a longitudinally pierced orifice, parallel to said side walls, forming said opening allowing the passage of the outlet of the first and second projection heads, as well as two grooves, on either side of said opening and parallel to it,forming the two slides in which said support legs of the first projection head and the second projection head are slidably mounted, said base wall being connected to the chassis. More particularly, according to the present invention, said base wall, preferably lowered, is arranged to be spaced from the upper surface of the railway track by a distance of between 0.8 and 1.5 cm. The distance between the outlet of the injection head and the surface to be cut is typically between 0.8 and 1.2 cm, more particularly between 0.9 and 1.1 cm, typically around 1 cm. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the embedded railway track rail cutting device comprises said drive fluid reservoir connected to pressurizing means, and possibly said abrasive mineral material reservoir. In another preferred embodiment according to the present invention,the diameter of the outlet of the first projection head, preferably the diameter of the outlet of the first projection head and of the second projection head is between 2 and 4 mm, more particularly between 2.5 and 3.5 mm, typically 3 mm. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the first and second projection heads are rotatably mounted around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of movement of said carriage and parallel to an axis of rotation of wheels of the carriage, the axis of rotation passing through a fixing point on the legs so as to have an angle of inclination of the projection heads imparted by a rotation around the axis of rotation of maximum +30° or -30°, preferably an angle of maximum +15° or -15°,preferably in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of advance of the carriage. This makes it possible, for example, to produce a jet oriented in the direction opposite to the advance of the carriage which facilitates cutting by preventing the cutting line from filling up by vertical accumulation of abrasive material. When suction means are present on the carriage, the abrasive material projected backwards and by rebound laterally when the injection heads are inclined in the direction opposite to the advance of the carriage, is thus sucked up by the lateral and rear suction means of the carriage. Other embodiments of the device for cutting embedded railway track rails according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims. Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description given below, in a non-limiting manner and with reference to the drawings. In the drawings,Figure 1 shows an embedded railway track before cutting and after cutting. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cutting device according to the present invention, provided with a protective cover and connected pipes. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device according to Figure 2, but without a protective cover and in which the pipes are not connected. Figure 4 is a rear view of the device according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front of the carriage showing the first and second projection heads. In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references. The present invention relates first of all to a method for replacing embedded railway track rails. As can be seen in Figure 1,an embedded railway track 1 comprises a first rail R1 and a second rail R2. The first rail R1 is spaced from the second rail R2 by a predetermined and substantially constant distance D to form two parallel railway track rails. The first and second rails R1 and R2 are embedded in a substrate 2, either a solid structure or a slab. The rails R1 / R2 may be directly embedded in the concrete, such as, for example, reinforced concrete or may have been placed in a channel formed in the concrete slab, in a course of filling or elastomeric materials 3. The railway track with embedded rails may be divided into at least two sections T1, T2, preferably three sections T1, T2,T3. The first section comprises the first rail and a portion of the concrete slab or substrate around the first rail R1. The second section T2 comprises the second rail R2 and a portion of the concrete slab or substrate 2 around the second rail R2. When only one rail R1 is to be replaced, the embedded rail railway will be subdivided into two sections T1 and T2, whereas when both rails R1 and R2 of the railway are to be replaced, the railway will be subdivided into three sections T1, T2, T3, the third section T3 being arranged between the first section T1 and the second section T2 and remaining intact during the operation of replacing the first rail R1 and the second rail R2. The method according to the present invention is a method for replacing a damaged segment of railway comprising firstly determining a segment of railway of which a segment of first and / or second rail is to be replaced,said railway track segment comprising at least a first section comprising the first rail and a second section comprising the second rail. Once the segment on which intervention is required has been identified, the method comprises a first cut of said solid structure or slab 2 of railway track, on one side of said first rail R1 forming a first side of the first section T1 and a second cut of said solid structure or slab 2 of railway track on another side, opposite said side of said first rail R1, forming a second side of the first section T1. Then, the method comprises a third cut of said solid structure or slab 2 of railway track1 and possibly of said first rail R1, in a non-parallel direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said first rail R1, forming a third side of said first section T1,and a fourth cut of said solid structure or slab 2 of railway track 1, and possibly of said first rail R1, opposite the third cut, in a non-parallel direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said first rail R1, forming a fourth side of said first slice T1, opposite said third side. In other words, the transverse edges of the first slice T1 are made by a third and a fourth cut. Sometimes the rail is also cut transversely, sometimes the transverse edges are located at locations where two end-to-end rails R1 are juxtaposed and in this case the two end-to-end rails R1 are separated, without being cut (but the substrate). Once the slice T1 has been cut, the method comprises lifting said first slice T1 of railway track segment 1 to remove it (illustrated in Figure 1B),and positioning a new segment of first rail R1 to replace said segment of first rail R1 removed with the lifting of said first section T1 of railway track segment 1, with formation of a space to be filled and then, filling of said space to be filled with a filling material. In the method according to the present invention, said first and said second cuts are made by projection by a tubular projection head of abrasive mineral material having a hardness on the Moh's scale greater than 6.5, more particularly greater than 7 and less than or equal to 10, driven by a high-pressure fluid. This abrasive material projected by a high-pressure fluid allows the cutting of any type of substrate whether it is hardened steel reinforcing the concrete slab, concrete, a filling resin, a rubber part, paving,asphalt in a clean manner and of sufficient depth to be able to proceed with the lifting of the first section. The projection of abrasive mineral material by a tubular projection head makes it possible to follow the layout of the railway track and therefore the versatility of the method according to the present invention, whether the first section is around a straight or curved rail. The high-pressure fluid is a fluid, preferably a liquid phase, compressed to a pressure of between 2500 and 3500 bar, more particularly to a pressure of between 2600 and 3200 bar, even more particularly between 2700 and 3100 bar. The abrasive mineral material belongs to the group of silicates according to the Struntz classification, more particularly to the subgroup of neosilicates according to the Struntz classification, more particularly to classification IX. Preferably, said mineral abrasive material is chosen from the group comprising jades, peridots, spodumenes, quartz,zircons, garnets, tourmalines, spinels, beryls, topazes, corundums, diamonds, moissanites, silicon carbides. The abrasive mineral material is preferably a garnet, more particularly almandine garnet. In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the present invention, said new segment of first rail is embedded in a prefabricated beam, which is positioned to replace said segment of first rail removed with said first rail segment slice. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, said first and said second cuts are carried out at a speed of between 3 and 15 m / hour, more particularly between 10 and 14 m / hour, more particularly between 11 and 13 m / hour. More particularly, according to the present invention, said first and said second cuts are carried out to a depth of between 0.10 and 0.35 m,more particularly between 0.15 and 0.30 m, measured between the upper surface of the railway track and the depth of said first and said second cut. Advantageously, according to the present invention, the abrasive mineral material is carried at a rate of 0.8 to 1.5 kg / min, more particularly at a rate of 0.9 to 1.3 kg / min by the high-pressure fluid projected at a flow rate of between 14 and 40 l / min, more particularly between 20 and 35 l / min. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the abrasive mineral material is angular or sub-angular particles. According to the present invention, advantageously, said third and / or said fourth cut(s) is / are carried out by projection of abrasive mineral material having a hardness on the Moh's scale greater than 6.5, more particularly greater than 7 and less than or equal to 10, carried by a high-pressure fluid. According to the present invention,the abrasive mineral material has a particle size between 150 and 500 µm, preferably between 160 and 450 µm, more particularly between 180 and 350 µm or between 200 and 400 µm. In the method according to the present invention, the first section is thus cut and replaced. Then, once the work on the first rail has been carried out, if the second rail must also be replaced, the cutting of the second section is then initiated (illustrated in Figure 1B), preferably in the opposite direction. The railway track segments 1 on which the replacement of one or both rails R1 / R2 must be carried out can thus measure several meters, for example 6 m, 10 m, and much more. According to the present invention, at least the first and second cuts are carried out by a device for cutting embedded railway track rails as illustrated in the following figures. As can be seen in Figure 2, the rail cutting device R1,R2 of embedded railway track 1 comprises a carriage 4 movable along said railway track1, comprising a rigid chassis 5 mounted on wheels 15, 16 and provided with a first projection head 6 and a second projection head 6 each comprising an inlet 7 for a drive fluid, arranged to be in fluid communication with a drive fluid reservoir (not shown) via a tubing 10 illustrated in Figure 3. The tubing 10 of the first projection head 6 and the tubing 10 of the second projection head are in fluid communication with a drive fluid supply pipe 11, which is connected to a source of drive fluid, or drive fluid reservoir not shown. Each of the first and second projection heads 6 also comprises an inlet 8 for an abrasive mineral material,arranged to be in communication with a reservoir of abrasive mineral material by means of a tube 12. The tube 12 of the first projection head 6 and the tube 12 of the second projection head are in fluid communication with a mineral abrasive material supply pipe 13, which is connected to a source or reservoir of abrasive mineral material not shown. Each of the first and second projection heads 6 further comprises an outlet 14 of abrasive mineral material driven by said drive fluid. Said first projection head being oriented substantially vertically downwards, so as to project said abrasive mineral material substantially vertically downwards. For the purposes of the present invention, the terms substantially vertically downwards mean that the jet of abrasive mineral material is oriented vertically or slightly inclined at an angle of maximum +30° or -30°,preferably by an angle of maximum +15° or -15°. The first and / or second projection head 6 is / are fixed by fixing means on support legs 9 so as to be positioned vertically with the abrasive mineral material outlet facing downwards, or in a slightly inclined manner. The heads can be rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of movement of said carriage and parallel to an axis of rotation of wheels 15, 16 of the carriage, the axis of rotation passing through the fixing point on the legs 9. The angle of inclination of the projection heads 6 is therefore imparted by a rotation about the axis of rotation of maximum +30° or -30°,preferably by an angle of maximum +15° or -15°. The rotation is carried out in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of advance of the carriage 4. The rigid chassis 5 is a mobile three-dimensional structure which carries a platform 17 on which technical components of the chassis are fixed. The first projection head 6 as well as the second projection head 6 are connected to the chassis 5, but on a lowered part 18 in order to minimize the distance along a vertical axis between the top of the substrate 2 (solid structure or railway slab) in which the rail R1 is embedded and the end of the outlet 14 of the first projection head 6 and of the second projection head 6. The first projection head 6 is fixed to the carriage 4,such that the outlet 14 of the first projection head 6 is positioned above the cutting line to be made in the substrate 2 to form a first side of the first slice T1 of the railway track segment which comprises the first rail to be replaced. The second projection head 6 is fixed to the carriage 4, such that the outlet 14 of the second projection head 6 is positioned above the cutting line to be made in the substrate 2 to form a second side of the first slice T1 of the railway track segment 1 which comprises the first rail R1 to be replaced. The outlet 14 of the first projection head 6 and the outlet 14 of the second projection head 6 are separated from each other by a distance d1 (shown in FIG. 1B), measured along a horizontal line, transverse to the railway track and perpendicular to the direction of projection of the abrasive mineral material,said distance d1 being greater than the width of said rail segment R1 to be replaced. The distance d1 is greater than the width of said rail segment R1 to be replaced, so as to cut a section of railway track T1 containing the rail segment R1 to be replaced. The chassis 5 comprises an opening 25, preferably made on the platform 17 placed on the chassis 5, allowing the passage of said outlet 14 of the first projection head 6 and of the second projection head 6. As can be seen in Figure 3, the carriage 4 also comprises a protective cover 29 covering the first and second projection heads 6 and through which the pipes 10 and 12 pass. In the particular embodiment of the device for cutting embedded railway track rails illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 and as can be seen in detail in Figure 5,said support leg 9 of the first projection head 6 and said support leg 9 of the second projection head 6 are slidably mounted in at least one slide 17, preferably in two slides 17, which allows the versatility of the device so that it adapts to several rail widths. As can be seen in Figure 2, the trolley is also provided with at least 4 guide wheels 18 rotating in said railway rails and at least one driving wheel 15, possibly 2 driving wheels 15, 16, also rotating in one of said railway rails, connected to a motor 19 mounted on said chassis 5. As can be seen more precisely in Figure 4, the motor drives drive means 20 which rotate the axle 21 connected to the wheels 15 and 16. The trolley comprises an electrical control box 22 and a battery 23 whose power is approximately 3500 W to 4000 W. As can be seen in detail in Figure 5,the embedded railway track rail cutting device 1 according to the present invention, comprises a U-shaped profile 26 comprising two side walls 27 and a base wall 28. The base wall 28, preferably lowered, has a longitudinal pierced orifice 25, parallel to said side walls, forming said opening 25 allowing the passage of the outlet 14 of the first 6 and of the second projection head 6, as well as two grooves 24, on either side of said opening 25 and parallel to it, forming the two slides 24 in which said support legs 9 of the first projection head 6 and of the second projection head 6 are slidably mounted, said base wall 28 being connected to the chassis 5. More particularly, according to the present invention, said base wall 28, preferably lowered, is arranged to be spaced from the upper surface of the railway track by a distance between 0.8 and 1,5 cm. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the embedded railway track rail cutting device comprises said drive fluid reservoir connected to pressurizing means, and optionally said abrasive mineral material reservoir. In another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the diameter of the outlet of the first projection head, preferably the diameter of the outlet of the first projection head and of the second projection head is between 2 and 4 mm, more particularly between 2.5 and 3.5 mm, typically 3 mm. EXAMPLES.- Example 1.- Using a laboratory pilot,A straight segment of embedded railway track with a height of 180 mm was cut. A high-pressure pump was used to feed a projection head connected to a water source and to a source of abrasive mineral material consisting of almandine garnet available from the company Evonik under the trade name Garnet HS whose chemical composition is an iron aluminum silicate (Fe3Al2(SiO4)3) and whose oxide equivalent content is as follows: SiO236-44% Al2O318-22% Fe2O328-35% CaO 0 to 2% The abrasive mineral material used has a hardness on the Moh's scale of approximately 8 and has predominantly sub-angular particles. The abrasive mineral material used had a specific mass of 4.1 kg / dm³ and a bulk density of 2.4 kg / dm³. The particles of the abrasive mineral material were passed through an 80 mesh sieve,corresponding to 177 µm and fed at a rate of 1 kg / min. The cutting was carried out with a projection head feed speed of 1 mm / sec, or 3.6 m / h. The outlet diameter of the projection head was 0.9 mm. The pressure used for the water projection was 3000 bar and the water flow rate was 20.5 l / min. The slice containing the rail was successfully cut over the entire height of the embedded rail. Example 2.- The protocol of example 1 was reproduced on an embedded rail with a thickness of 180 mm but this time the cutting was carried out at a projection head feed speed of 3 mm / sec, or 10.8 m / h. The slice containing the rail was cut to a depth of 180 mm. Example 3.- The protocol of example 1 was reproduced on a recessed rail with a thickness of 180 mm, but this time the cutting was carried out at a projection head feed speed of 3 mm / sec, i.e. 10,8 m / h. The outlet diameter of the spray head was 0.8 mm. The pressure used for spraying the water was 2800 bar and the water flow rate was 15.6 l / min. The section containing the rail was cut to a depth of 180 mm, i.e. completely. Example 4.- The protocol of Example 3 was reproduced but using an embedded rail with a height of 215 mm. The section containing the rail was cut to a depth of 200 mm. Example 5.- Example 4 was reproduced, but this time the cutting was carried out at a spray head feed speed of 1 mm / sec, i.e. 3.6 m / h. The outlet diameter of the spray head was 0.8 mm. The section containing the rail was successfully cut to the entire height of the embedded rail. Example 6.- The trolley illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 was used on a 4.5 m long segment of straight embedded railway track containing two projection heads,located on either side of the rail to form a cut edge. The abrasive mineral material was the same as that described in Example 1, but the particle size was between 0.18 mm and 0.35 mm. The following conditions were used: The cutting was carried out with a forward speed of the projection head of 3 mm / sec, or 10.8 m / h. The outlet diameter of the projection head was 0.8 mm. The pressure used for the water projection was 2800 bar and the water flow rate was 31.2 l / min. The edge was successfully cut to a depth of 200 mm. Example 7.- Example 6 was reproduced on a curved embedded track, 6 m long. The cutting was carried out with a projection head feed speed of 2.8 - 3 mm / sec, or 10.08 – 10.8 m / h. The projection head outlet diameter was 0.8 mm. The slice was successfully cut to a depth of 200 mm. It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims,

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) comprising a first rail (R1) and a second rail (R2) spaced from the first by a predetermined and substantially constant distance (D) to form two parallel rails of railway track, said first and second rails (R1, R2) of railway track (1) being rails embedded in a solid structure or a slab (2) of embedded railway track, said method comprising the steps of: - Determining a segment of railway track of which a segment of first (R1) and / or second rail (R2) is to be replaced, said segment of railway track comprising at least a first section (T1) comprising the first rail (R1) and a second section (T2) comprising the second rail (R2), - A first cutting of said solid structure or slab (2) of railway track (1),on one side of said first rail (R1) forming a first side of the first slice (T1) and a second cut of said solid structure or slab (2) of railway track (1) on another side, opposite said side of said first rail (R1), forming a second side of the first slice (T1), - A third cut of said solid structure or slab (2) of railway track (1) and possibly of said first rail (R1), in a non-parallel direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said first rail (R1), forming a third side of said first slice (T1), and a fourth cut of said solid structure or slab (2) of railway track (1), and possibly of said first rail (R1), at, opposite the third cut, in a non-parallel direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said first rail (R1), forming a fourth side of said first slice (T1), opposite said third side, - A lifting of said first slice (T1) of railway track segment, and - A positioning of a new segment of first rail (R1) in replacement of said segment of first rail (R1) removed with the lifting of said first slice (T1) of railway track segment, with formation of a space to be filled - A filling of said space to be filled with a filling material, characterized in that said first and said second cuts are made by projection by a tubular projection head of abrasive mineral material having a hardness on the Moh's scale greater than 6.5, more particularly greater than 7 and less than or equal to 10,driven by a high-pressure fluid and in that the railway track segment has a straight, curved or clothoid path.

2. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to claim 1, in which the high-pressure fluid is a compressed fluid at a pressure of between 2500 and 3500 bar, more particularly at a pressure of between 2600 and 3200 bar, even more particularly between 2700 and 3100 bar.

3. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the high-pressure fluid is a high-pressure liquid phase.

4. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the abrasive material belongs to the group of silicates according to the Struntz classification, more particularly to the subgroup of neosilicates according to the Struntz classification, more particularly to classification IX.

5. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said segment of railway track (1) also comprises a third section (T3), located between the first (T1) and the second section (T2).

6. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said new segment of first rail (R1) is embedded in a prefabricated beam, which is positioned to replace said segment of first rail (R1) removed with said first section (T1) of segment of rail track (1). 7.Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and said second cuts are carried out at a speed of between 3 and 15 m / hour, more particularly between 10 and 14 m / hour, more particularly between 11 and 13 m / hour.

8. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and said second cuts are carried out to a depth of between 0.10 and 0.35 m, more particularly between 0.15 and 0.30 m, measured between the upper surface of the railway track and the depth of said first and said second cut.

9. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the abrasive mineral material is carried to. at a rate of 0.8 to 1.5 kg / min, more particularly at a rate of 0.9 to 1.3 kg / min by the high pressure fluid projected at a flow rate of between 14 and 40 l / min, more particularly between 20 and 35 l / min.

10. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said third and / or said fourth cut(s) is / are carried out by projection of abrasive mineral material having a hardness on the Moh's scale greater than 6.5, more particularly greater than 7 and less than or equal to 10, driven by a high pressure fluid.

11. Method for replacing rails (R1, R2) of an embedded railway track (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the abrasive mineral material has a particle size between 150 and 500 µm, preferably between 160 and 450 µm, more particularly between 180 and 350 µm or between 200 and 400 µm. 12.

13. Device for cutting rails (R1, R2) of embedded railway track (1), comprising a carriage (4) movable along said railway track (1), comprising a rigid chassis (5), and provided with at least a first projection head (6) comprising an inlet (7) for a drive fluid, arranged to be in fluid communication with a reservoir of drive fluid and an inlet (8) for an abrasive mineral material, arranged to be in communication with a reservoir of abrasive mineral material, said first projection head (6) comprising an outlet (14) of abrasive mineral material driven by said drive fluid, said first projection head (6) being oriented substantially vertically downwards, so as to project said abrasive mineral material substantially vertically downwards.

14. Device for cutting rails (R1, R2) of a built-in railway track (1) according to one of claims 12 or 13, further comprising a second projection head (6) comprising an inlet (7) for a drive fluid, arranged to be in fluid communication with a reservoir of drive fluid, identical to or different from said reservoir of drive fluid, arranged to be in fluid communication with the inlet (7) for the drive fluid of the first projection head (6), and an inlet (8) for an abrasive mineral material, arranged to be in communication with a reservoir of abrasive mineral material, identical to or different from said reservoir of abrasive mineral material arranged to be in communication with the inlet for the abrasive mineral material of the first projection head (6),said second projection head (6) comprising an outlet (14) of abrasive mineral material driven by said drive fluid, said second projection head (6) being oriented substantially vertically downwards, so as to project said abrasive mineral material substantially vertically downwards, the outlet (14) of the first projection head (6) and the outlet (14) of the second projection head (6) being separated from each other by a distance d1, measured along a horizontal line, transversely to the railway track (1) and perpendicular to the direction of projection of the abrasive mineral material, said distance d1 being greater than the width of said rail segment to be replaced.

15. Device for cutting rails (R1, R2) of embedded railway track (1) according to claim 14, wherein said second projection head (6) is mounted on a support leg (9), substantially vertical., 16. Device for cutting rails (R1, R2) of embedded railway track (1) according to claim 15 and claim 13, wherein said support leg (9) of the first projection head (6) and said support leg (9) of the second projection head (6) are slidably mounted in at least one slide (17), preferably in two slides (17).

17. Device for cutting rails of embedded railway track according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein said carriage (4) is provided with at least 4 guide wheels (18) rotating in said rails (R1, R2) of railway track (1) and at least one drive wheel (15), also rotating in one of said rails (R1, R2) of railway track (1), connected to a motor (19) mounted on said chassis (5). 18.

19. A device for cutting embedded railway track rails according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the frame (5) comprises an opening (25) allowing the passage of said outlet (14) of the first projection head (6). 20.A device for cutting embedded railway track rails according to claim 19, comprising a U-shaped profile (26) comprising two side walls (27) and a base wall (28), said base wall (28) having a longitudinal pierced orifice (25), parallel to said side walls (27), forming said opening (25) allowing the passage of the outlet (14) of the first and second projection heads (6), as well as two grooves (24), on either side of said opening (25) and parallel thereto, forming the two slides (24) in which said support legs (9) of the first projection head are slidably mounted. projection (6) and the second projection head (6), said base wall (28) being connected to the chassis (5).

21. Device for cutting rails (R1, R2) of embedded railway track (1) according to claim 20, wherein said base wall (28) is arranged to be spaced from the upper surface of the railway track (1) by a distance of between 0.8 and 1.5 cm.

22. Device for cutting rails (R1, R2) of embedded railway track (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 21, comprising said drive fluid reservoir connected to pressurizing means, and optionally said reservoir of abrasive mineral material. 23.A recessed railway track rail cutting device according to any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the diameter of the outlet of the first projection head, preferably the diameter of the outlet of the first projection head and the second projection head is between 2 and 4 mm, more particularly between 2.5 and 3.5 mm, typically 3 mm.Device for cutting embedded railway track rails according to any one of claims 12 to 23, in which the first and second projection heads (6) are rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the direction of movement of said carriage and parallel to an axis of rotation of wheels (15, 16) of the carriage (4), the axis of rotation passing through a fixing point on the legs (9) so as to have an angle of inclination of projection heads (6) imparted by a rotation about the axis of rotation of maximum +30° or -30°, preferably of an angle of maximum +15° or -15°, preferably in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of advance of the carriage (4).