Lifting machine configured to lift a rail from a railway track

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting machine (100) configured to lift a rail (101) of a railway track, comprising a chassis (1), a movable part (2) mounted for translation relative to the chassis (1) along a main direction (D) and adapted to come into contact with the ground (S) or a sleeper (102), a clamp (4) fixed to the chassis (1) varying between an open configuration in which the clamp (4) has an opening strictly greater than the width of a rail head (103) of the rail (101) to be lifted, and a closed configuration in which the clamp (4) has an opening strictly less than the width of the rail head (103) of the rail (101), an actuator (5) ensuring a displacement of the movable part (2) relative to the chassis (1) along the main direction (D) over a total stroke between a first maximum position and a second maximum position,and a motion transformation mechanism (6) converting the displacement of the moving part (2) towards the second maximum position into a passage of the gripper (4) from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and converting the displacement of the moving part (2) towards the first maximum position into a passage of the gripper (4) from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Lifting machine configured to lift a rail from a railway track Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting machine configured to lift a rail from a railway track, intended to be used in particular during railway infrastructure clearance and maintenance work. State of the art

[0002] In the railway sector, it is known to use a lifting machine to lift a rail from a railway track during track clearance operations. These track clearance operations are carried out periodically to relieve internal stresses accumulated in a railway track rail, particularly during regular track monitoring and maintenance work.

[0003] The accumulation of these stresses is generally linked to several factors, such as climatic conditions (in particular temperature variations) and the natural wear inherent in the intensive use of the rails. Consequently, periodic release of these stresses is necessary for safety reasons (by avoiding the risks of cracking, breakage, or spalling) and to ensure operation under optimal conditions.

[0004] Until now, the rail lifting stage was conventionally carried out simultaneously on both rails using complex, heavy machines and requiring the use of expensive equipment.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to improve the machines used for lifting rails while respecting certain constraints of productivity, cost, and ergonomics. Object of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to lift a rail from a railway track during railway infrastructure clearance and maintenance work, in particular while respecting certain productivity, cost and ergonomic constraints.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a lifting machine configured for lifting a rail from a railway track, comprising: • a chassis, • a movable part mounted to translate relative to the chassis along a principal direction and capable of coming into contact with the ground or a cross member, • a clamp fixed to the chassis, varying between an open configuration in which the clamp has an opening strictly greater than the width of a mushroom-shaped piece of the rail to be lifted, and a closed configuration in which the The clamp has an opening strictly smaller than the width of the rail head. • an actuator ensuring displacement of the moving part relative to the chassis along the main direction over a total stroke between a first maximum position and a second maximum position, • a movement transformation mechanism converting the movement of the moving part towards the second maximum position into a passage of the gripper from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and converting the movement of the moving part towards the first maximum position into a passage of the gripper from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0008] Such a lifting machine is advantageous in that the closing movement of the clamp is combined with the lifting movement, and the opening movement of the clamp is combined with the lowering movement of the rail. This avoids, for example, the need for one actuator associated with the clamp movements and another actuator associated with the lifting / lowering movements of the rail. These features are obviously beneficial in terms of simplicity of design and manufacture, resulting in savings in cost, weight, and size. This allows for a reduction in the weight and price of the lifting machine, facilitating transport, track installation, and use for lifting a single rail.

[0009] The lifting machine may further include one or more of the following features.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the actuator comprises at least one cylinder having a body and a rod capable of sliding relative to the body, the first maximum position corresponding to a retracted configuration of the rod relative to the body and the second maximum position corresponding to an extended configuration of the rod relative to the body.

[0011] Such a lifting machine has the advantages of being compact, reliable and lightweight.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the actuator comprises on the one hand at least one motor having an output shaft, and on the other hand comprises a transmission mechanism which connects the output shaft to the moving part, to ensure the movement of the moving part relative to the chassis.

[0013] This embodiment is advantageous with regard to the weight of the lifting machine as well as the simplicity of assembly and use.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the motion transformation mechanism is configured so as to subdivide the total stroke into: • a first fraction of the stroke between the first maximum position and an intermediate position, the displacement of the moving part of the from the first maximum position to the intermediate position, causing the clamp to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration. • and a second fraction of stroke between the intermediate position and the second maximum position, during which the clamp occupies the closed configuration.

[0015] Therefore, a single actuator advantageously drives both the lifting / lowering movement of the rail and the opening / closing movement of the clamp. The opening / closing movement of the clamp is advantageously combined with the lifting / lowering movement of the rail. These arrangements ensure the simplicity and safety of operation of the lifting machine and avoid the need for one actuator for the clamp movements and another for the lifting / lowering movements of the rail, which would make the solution heavier, more expensive, bulkier, and more prone to failure.

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the movement transformation mechanism is configured so that the displacement of the moving part from the intermediate position to the first maximum position causes the clamp to switch from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0017] This embodiment has advantages in terms of ease of assembly, cost, weight and safety of the lifting machine; any unintentional opening of the clamp is avoided.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the movement transformation mechanism includes at least one pin fixed to one chosen from the clamp and the moving part, and at least one non-rectilinear opening formed in the other chosen from the clamp and the moving part, the pin being able to slide in a guided manner along said opening during the movement of the moving part relative to the chassis.

[0019] This embodiment has the advantage that the motion transformation mechanism is particularly simple, efficient and inexpensive while being reliable.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the clamp comprises at least two jaws, where at least one jaw is pivotally mounted relative to the chassis, the jaws being separated from each other in the open configuration of the clamp by a first distance strictly greater than the width of the rail head to be lifted, and the jaws being separated from each other in the closed configuration of the clamp by a second distance strictly less than the width of the rail head to be lifted.

[0021] These provisions ensure that the clamp is simple, economical, while being highly efficient in the lifting action and reliable.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the lifting machine comprises a base, the base comprising at least a first leg and a second leg arranged in suitable locations so that the first foot and the second foot come respectively into a first zone located outside the track and into a second zone located between the two rails of the track.

[0023] This arrangement makes the lifting machine particularly suitable for lifting a single rail at a time, which makes it possible to guarantee the compactness and limitation of the weight of the lifting machine, while limiting the power of the components required for lifting.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the lifting machine includes at least one control element in communication with the actuator and accessible by the operator, the at least one control element being configured so that the operator can address a lifting instruction and / or a lowering instruction of the rail.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the base is mobile relative to the moving part along a main axis having a component along the main direction so as to vary between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration.

[0026] These arrangements primarily allow, thanks to the telescopic arrangement between the base, the moving part and the chassis, to limit the overall size of the lifting machine, particularly during the transport phases of the lifting machine. In addition, this also facilitates precise adjustment of the positioning of the base relative to the ground.

[0027] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the lifting machine includes a return element configured to continuously strain the clamp towards one of the open or closed configurations.

[0028] The return mechanism advantageously ensures an adjustment of the opening / closing of the clamp to the parameters of the rail (in particular to the width of the rail head), which simplifies maintenance operations. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings attached and listed below.

[0030] Fig. 1 represents a rear view of a first example of a lifting machine according to the invention, where the moving part is in the first maximum position and the clamp is in an open configuration.

[0031] Figure [Fig. 2] shows a front view of the lifting machine of Figure [Fig. 1] in support on a railway track.

[0032] Fig. 3 represents the front view of the lifting machine of the previous figures, the moving part being in the intermediate position and the clamp being in the closed configuration.

[0033] Fig. 4 represents a detailed view of the lifting machine of Fig. 3, the lifting machine being arranged on a railway track rail.

[0034] Fig. 5 represents a rear view of the lifting machine of the preceding figures, the moving part being in the second maximum position and the clamp being in a closed configuration, the railway track rail thus being lifted.

[0035] Fig. 6 represents a partial rear view of the lifting machine of the preceding figures, where the lifting machine comprises two cylinders offset laterally from each other, the moving part being in the second maximum position and the clamp being in a closed configuration.

[0036] Fig. 7 represents a partial rear view of another example of a lifting machine according to the invention, where the lifting machine comprises a single centrally arranged hydraulic cylinder, the moving part being in the second maximum position and the clamp being in a closed configuration.

[0037] In these figures, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements. The elements shown in the different figures are not necessarily drawn to scale in order to facilitate understanding of the figures. Detailed description

[0038] In the present description, two elements are called "solid" when they are joined to each other by a mechanical fixed connection, making it so that there is no possible movement between the two elements.

[0039] A lifting machine 100 according to the invention, a particular embodiment of which is illustrated in figures 1 to 7, is configured to lift a rail 101 from a railway track.

[0040] The lifting machine 100 comprises a chassis 1 and a movable part 2 mounted to translate relative to the chassis 1 in a main direction D and adapted to come into contact with the ground S or a cross member 102.

[0041] The lifting machine 100 also includes a clamp 4 attached to the chassis 1 varying between an open configuration (visible in figures 1 and 2) in which the clamp 4 has an opening strictly greater than the width of a mushroom 103 of the rail 101 to be lifted and a closed configuration (visible in figures 3 to 7) in which the clamp 4 has an opening strictly less than the width of the mushroom 103 of the rail 101.

[0042] In addition, the lifting machine 100 includes an actuator 5 ensuring the movement of the moving part 2 relative to the chassis 1 along the main direction D over a total stroke between a first maximum position (visible in figures 1 and 2) and a second maximum position (visible in figures 5 to 7).

[0043] Finally, the lifting machine 100 includes a transformation mechanism of movements 6 converting the displacement of the moving part 2 in the direction of the second maximum position into a passage of the gripper 4 from the open configuration to the closed configuration and converting the displacement of the moving part 2 in the direction of the first maximum position into a passage of the gripper 4 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0044] The chassis 1 may have a support member 7 configured to bear on an element external to the lifting machine 100, such as for example on the rail 101, on a ballast (not shown), or on a sleeper 102. According to the particular embodiment, in particular as illustrated, the support member 7 is configured to bear on the rail 101 of the railway track and consists, by way of non-limiting example, of a rolling element, such as for example a roller or a wheel, typically provided with at least one side flange.

[0045] The main direction D, according to which the moving part 2 is mounted for translation relative to the chassis 1, has a vertical component when the support member 7 rests on the rail 101, thus providing the lifting effect. The method of achieving the translational mounting of the moving part 2 on the chassis 1 is not limiting, and those skilled in the art will know how to use any suitable known means.

[0046] The lifting machine 100 thus advantageously combines the opening and closing movements of the clamp 4 with the lifting and lowering movements of the rail 101. This avoids the need for one actuator associated with the opening / closing movements of the clamp 4 and another actuator associated with the lifting / lowering movements of the rail 101. These arrangements are advantageous in terms of simplicity of design and manufacture, resulting in cost savings, weight reduction, and a lower price for the lifting machine 100, as well as facilitating transport, track installation, and use for lifting a single rail.

[0047] In particular, this feature related to the lifting of a single rail makes it possible to lighten the lifting machine 100 by limiting the number and size of equipment used and to increase productivity on site (especially when the release of stresses is required only on a particular section of a single rail and not on both rails simultaneously).

[0048] According to one embodiment, the actuator 5 may comprise at least one cylinder 5a, 5b, 5c having a body and a rod capable of sliding relative to the body. The first maximum position corresponds to a retracted configuration of the rod relative to the body, and the second maximum position corresponds to an extended configuration of the rod relative to the body. This configuration of the actuator 5 has the advantages of being compact and reliable, and of reducing the weight of the lifting machine 100.

[0049] Each cylinder 5a, 5b, 5c used may be a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder, or any other equivalent solution. In particular, In the case of a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, the actuator 5 may also include a hand pump system (then without motorization) or a pump system powered by a motor (electric or thermal for example) associated with the cylinder.

[0050] The actuator 5 may comprise a cylinder 5c arranged in a central position and / or at least two cylinders 5a, 5b offset laterally from each other to be on either side of the rail 101 in operation. The embodiment using a single centered cylinder 5c is shown in [Fig. 7]. The embodiment using, on the other hand, two lateral cylinders 5a, 5b is shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0051] In a combined or alternative manner, the actuator 5 may include on the one hand at least one motor having an output shaft and on the other hand a transmission mechanism which connects the output shaft to the moving part 2, to ensure the movement of the moving part 2 relative to the chassis 1.

[0052] At least one motor may be electric or thermal and the transmission mechanism may include, for example, a set of toothed wheels, or a belt passing through pulleys, or a drive chain or a worm gear system.

[0053] The actuator 5 may include a reduction mechanism. This reduction mechanism may be integrated into at least one motor to form, in this case, a geared motor. Alternatively, the reduction mechanism may be integrated into the transmission mechanism.

[0054] The motion transformation mechanism 6 is configured so as to subdivide the total stroke into: • a first fraction of stroke between the first maximum position (visible in figures 1 and 2) and an intermediate position (visible in figures 3 and 4), the movement of the moving part 2 from the first maximum position to the intermediate position causes the clamp 4 to switch from the open configuration to the closed configuration, • and a second fraction of the stroke between the intermediate position (visible in Figures 3 and 4) and the second maximum position (visible in Figures 5 to 7), during which the gripper 4 is in the closed configuration.

[0055] Figures 1 and 2 show the moving part 2 in the first maximum position with the gripper 4 in the open configuration. Then, in Figures 3 and 4, the movement of the moving part 2 from the first maximum position to the intermediate position is accompanied by the movement of the gripper 4 from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

[0056] Combining the movement of the gripper 4 with that of the moving part 2, using the same actuator to drive both movements, advantageously allows simplify the design of the lifting machine 100 while ensuring cost, weight and space savings.

[0057] The motion transformation mechanism 6 is configured such that the movement of the moving part 2 from the intermediate position to the first maximum position causes the gripper 4 to move from the closed position to the open position. As can be deduced from Figures 5 to 7, the gripper remains closed during the movement of the moving part 2 from the intermediate position to the second maximum position and vice versa.

[0058] This embodiment has advantages in terms of ease of assembly, cost, weight and safety of the lifting machine 100 (any unintentional opening of the clamp 4 is avoided).

[0059] According to one embodiment, the movement transformation mechanism 6 may include at least one pin 6a fixed to one chosen from the clamp 4 and the moving part 2, and at least one non-rectilinear opening 6b formed in the other chosen from the clamp 4 and the moving part 2, the pin 6a being able to slide in a guided manner along said opening 6b during the movement of the moving part 2 relative to the chassis 1.

[0060] According to the particular example illustrated in figures 1 to 7, at least one pin 6a is fixed to the clamp 4 and at least one opening 6b is fixed to the moving part 2. But this is not limiting in itself and an inverted assembly can quite be envisaged, by providing that at least one pin 6a is fixed to the moving part 2 and at least one opening 6b is fixed to the clamp 4.

[0061] The at least one non-rectilinear opening 6b may, by way of example, have a J-shaped form with at least one vertical component and one lateral component, as can be seen in the figures.

[0062] This embodiment is advantageous in the sense that the movement transformation mechanism 6 is particularly simple, efficient and inexpensive, while also being reliable.

[0063] As illustrated in all the figures and in particular in figures 2 and 4, the clamp 4 may comprise at least two jaws 4a, 4b where at least one jaw, in particular each jaw, is pivotally mounted relative to the frame 1. The jaws 4a, 4b are separated from each other in the open configuration of the clamp 4 by a first distance dl ([Fig.2]) strictly greater than the width of the head 103 of the rail 101 to be lifted, and the jaws 4a, 4b are separated from each other in the closed configuration of the clamp 4 by a second distance d2 ([Fig.4]) strictly less than the width of the head 103 of the rail 101 to be lifted.

[0064] Figures 1 to 7 together show a particular embodiment of the lifting machine 100, where the lifting machine 100 comprises two pins 6a and two J-shaped openings 6b. Each of the two pins 6a is fixed to the clamp 4, in particular by being fixedly fixed to the two jaws 4a, 4b, while the two J-shaped openings 6b, with which the two pins 6a cooperate, are delimited by a piece of the movable part 2.

[0065] The lifting machine 100 may also include a base 3. The base 3 may include, at least a first foot 3a and a second foot 3b arranged in suitable locations so that the first foot 3a and the second foot 3b come respectively into a first zone 81 located outside the track and into a second zone 82 located between the two rails of the track.

[0066] The first zone 81 and the second zone 82 are identified in [Fig. 4] and, in this particular embodiment of the lifting machine 100, allow a single rail to be lifted. This ensures the compactness and weight of the lifting machine 100, while limiting the power of the components required for lifting.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the lifting machine 100 may include at least one control element in communication with the actuator 5 and accessible by the operator, the at least one control element being configured so that the operator can address a lifting instruction and / or a lowering instruction of the rail 101.

[0068] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, at least one control element may include at least one trigger positioned at the handles 8a, 8b of the lifting machine 100, the actuation of this trigger enabling the transmission of a lifting instruction and / or a lowering instruction of the rail 101.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the base 3 is movable relative to the movable part 2 along a principal axis having a component along the principal direction D so as to vary between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration. The movement of the base 3 relative to the movable part 2 can be carried out manually by the operator or by means of a power component separate from the actuator 5 and detailed later.

[0070] The lifting of the rail 101 using the lifting machine 100 can be described according to the following steps: • a first stage illustrated on [Fig.2], in which the movable part 2 is in the first maximum position, the clamp 4 is in the open configuration, and the first foot 3a and the second foot 3b are in the raised configuration relative to the ground S. In this case, the two jaws 4a, 4b of the clamp 4 are separated by the first distance dl, strictly greater than the width of the mushroom 103. • a second stage illustrated in [Fig. 4], in which the moving part 2 is In the intermediate position, ensuring that the first foot 3a and the second foot 3b are always at a distance from the ground S, but closer to it than in the first step. The movement of the moving part from the first maximum position to the intermediate position caused the clamp 4 to move from the open to the closed configuration, visible in [Fig. 4]. The two jaws 4a, 4b of the clamp 4 are then separated by the second distance d2, strictly less than the width of the mushroom 103. • A third step, illustrated in [Fig. 5], in which the moving part 2 is in its second maximum position, the clamp 4 remaining in the closed configuration during the movement of the moving part 2 from the intermediate position to the second maximum position. The first foot 3a and the second foot 3b are in the lowered configuration and positioned against the ground S or against the cross member 102. The two jaws 4a, 4b of the clamp 4 are always separated by the second distance d2, strictly less than the width of the head 103. The rail 101 is raised during this third step.

[0071] These arrangements allow precise adjustment of the positioning of the base 3 relative to the ground S and, thanks to the telescopic arrangement between the base 3, the mobile part 2 and the chassis 1, to further limit the overall size of the lifting machine 100.

[0072] According to another embodiment, the lifting machine 100 may include a power component separate from the actuator 5, and the movement of the base 3 relative to the moving part 2 is ensured by said power component. The power component may, in particular, be a cylinder, for example, hydraulic or electric.

[0073] Alternatively, the movement of the base 3 relative to the moving part 2 can be directly controlled by the operator.

[0074] According to yet another simplified embodiment, the base 3 can be fixed relative to the rest of the movable part 2.

[0075] The lifting machine 100 may include a return element configured to continuously actuate the clamp 4 towards either the open or closed configuration. This return element may be, for example, an elastic joint, a tension spring, a compression spring, a leaf spring, or an elastic spring.

[0076] Said return member ensures an adjustment of the opening / closing of the clamp 4 to the parameters of the rail 101, in particular an adjustment to the width of the mushroom 103. This simplifies maintenance operations. Such a return member can be used as a substitute for the motion transformation mechanism 6 equipped with minus one 6a pawn and at least one 6b opening, or in combination.

Claims

Claims

1. Lifting machine (100) configured to lift a rail (101) of a railway track, comprising: - a chassis (1), - a movable part (2) mounted in translation relative to the chassis (1) in a main direction (D) and capable of coming into contact with the ground (S) or a sleeper (102), - a clamp (4) secured to the chassis (1) varying between an open configuration in which the clamp (4) has an opening strictly greater than the width of a rail head (103) of the rail (101) to be lifted, and a closed configuration in which the clamp (4) has an opening strictly less than the width of the rail head (103) of the rail (101), - an actuator (5) ensuring a movement of the movable part (2) relative to the chassis (1) in the main direction (D) over a total stroke between a first maximum position and a second maximum position,- a movement transformation mechanism (6) converting the movement of the movable part (2) in the direction of the second maximum position into a passage of the clamp (4) from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and converting the movement of the movable part (2) in the direction of the first maximum position into a passage of the clamp (4) from the closed configuration to the open configuration.,

2. Lifting machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (5) comprises at least one cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c) having a body and a rod capable of sliding relative to the body, the first maximum position corresponding to a retracted configuration of the rod relative to the body and the second maximum position corresponding to an extended configuration of the rod relative to the body.

3. Lifting machine (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the actuator (5) comprises on the one hand at least one motor having an output shaft, and on the other hand comprises a transmission mechanism which connects the output shaft to the movable part (2), for ensure the movement of the moving part (2) relative to the chassis (1).

4. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement transformation mechanism (6) is configured so as to subdivide the total stroke into: - a first fraction of stroke between the first maximum position and an intermediate position, the movement of the movable part (2) from the first maximum position to the intermediate position causing the clamp (4) to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, - and a second fraction of stroke between the intermediate position and the second maximum position, during which the clamp (4) occupies the closed configuration.

5. Lifting machine (100) according to claim 4, wherein the movement transformation mechanism (6) is configured so that the movement of the movable part (2) from the intermediate position to the first maximum position causes the clamp (4) to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

6. Lifting machine (100) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the movement transformation mechanism (6) comprises at least one pin (6a) secured to one chosen from the clamp (4) and the movable part (2), and at least one non-rectilinear opening (6b) formed in the other chosen from the clamp (4) and the movable part (2), the pin (6a) being able to slide in a guided manner along said opening (6b) during the movement of the movable part (2) relative to the chassis (1).

7. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the clamp (4) comprises at least two jaws (4a, 4b), where at least one of the two jaws is pivotally mounted relative to the chassis (1), the jaws (4a, 4b) being separated from each other in the open configuration of the clamp (4) by a first distance (dl) strictly greater than the width of the head (103) of the rail (101) to be lifted, and the jaws (4a, 4b) being separated from each other in the closed configuration of the clamp (4) by a second distance (d2) strictly less than the width of the head (103) of the rail (101) to be lifted.

8. A lifting machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a base (3), the base (3) comprising at least a first leg (3a) and a second leg (3b) arranged at locations suitable for the first leg (3a) and the second leg (3b) to come respectively into a first zone (81) situated outside the track and in a second zone (82) located between the two rails of the track.

9. A lifting machine (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one control element in communication with the actuator (5) and accessible by the operator, the at least one control element being configured such that the operator can issue a lifting instruction and / or a lowering instruction to the rail (101).

10. A lifting machine (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the base (3) is movable relative to the movable part (2) along a main axis having a component along the main direction (D) so as to vary between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration.

11. A lifting machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a return member configured to permanently bias the clamp (4) towards one of the open configuration or the closed configuration.

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