Work train.

Abstract

A railway track maintenance work train, it comprises a first train and a second train, moving in the same direction, the last wagon of the first train having a longitudinally mobile gantry, deployable beyond the wagon, its free end being fitted with a support foot adapted for rolling on the track, and supporting a transfer belt inclined downwards from the free end of the gantry equipped with means for removing ballast; the first wagon of the second train having a longitudinally mobile gantry, deployable at the front of the second train, its free end being fitted with a support foot adapted for rolling on the track, and supporting a transfer belt whose free end emerges on the side of the free end of the gantry, at the level of ballasting means.

Description

Title of the invention: Works train.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of work trains, which allow the maintenance of railway tracks, and in particular, but not limited to, the replacement of sleepers and ballast, and has as its subject such a work train.

[0002] Such a work train comprises a certain number of wagons, having specific features depending on the operations to be carried out on the track. They are thus equipped with tools dedicated to certain tasks, including, but not limited to, cranes, de-scaling machines, screeners, tamping machines, levelers, etc. Generally speaking, the leading wagon is equipped with the tools, while the following wagons are used for the transfer and storage of the deposited material and replacement material, and also for the reprocessing of said deposited material for reuse, such as ballast for example.

[0003] The aim is to carry out all the operations successively, or even simultaneously in hidden time for some, in a single pass, such as, for example, the stripping by means of a dynamic plough of the ballast placed under the track, then its reprocessing, the removal of the sleepers from below without removing the rails, the installation of new sleepers, the depositing and tamping of the ballast, then its levelling.

[0004] While the advantage of these work trains is that they allow only the width of one track to be used, which is essential in a tunnel for example, one of the main difficulties to overcome is that the wagons must necessarily move on the track to be treated. Also, the wagons which carry the tools are designed so that the latter can be used in the middle region of the wagon between two bogies, one of which runs on the track to be treated while the other runs on the treated track, the platform of the wagon in said middle region being open for the passage of the tools.

[0005] This does, however, have several drawbacks, in particular that the interval between two bogies is not unlimited and this requires concentrating all the equipment in a reduced space, and also that the height of the platform must be taken into account, in particular when it is necessary to remove the deposited material and then place the replacement material. Indeed, if these operations can be carried out via inclined planes equipped with transfer belts, the fact of having to pass over the platform requires that said inclined planes be of a great length, which is not very compatible with the limited space allocated.

[0006] Wagons are also known comprising a platform on which a gantry can move longitudinally, making it possible to move, for example, old sleepers taken from the track to be treated, or new sleepers to be laid down.

[0007] Also known, in continuation of the above, are wagons equipped with a longitudinally movable gantry, deployable beyond the wagon and the free end of which is designed to rest on the track and to move thereon, such gantries being intended in particular for laying rails, kept suspended from said gantry before being put in place.

[0008] The disadvantage encountered by all work trains is essentially that they have to move on a track which is being treated, therefore not consolidated, and which has to support a significant load, and which consequently can be overstressed.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to propose a work train making it possible to remedy this drawback.

[0010] The work train according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises two trains of several wagons, namely a first train and a second train, moving on the track to be treated, in the same direction, the second train following the first train, the last wagon of the first train comprising a gantry on the one hand longitudinally movable, through rolling feet, and deployable beyond the wagon at the rear of said first train, its free end being provided with a support foot adapted to roll directly on the track, and on the other hand supporting a transfer belt or the like arranged inclined downwards on the side of said free end of the gantry, which is equipped with means for stripping the ballast from the track and removing it to deposit it on said transfer belt or the like with a view to its evacuation on at least the wagon which precedes said last wagon of the first train;while the first wagon of the second train comprises a gantry which is on the one hand longitudinally movable, via rolling feet, and deployable beyond the wagon at the front of said second train, its free end being provided with a support foot adapted to roll directly on the track, and on the other hand supporting a transfer belt or the like, the free end of which opens out on the side of said free end of the gantry, at the level of ballast means.;

[0011] Thus, when the track is the least robust, that is to say when there is no more ballast, it only has to support the rolling end of the gantry of the last wagon of the first train, or the rolling end of the first wagon of the second train, and not part of a wagon.

[0012] Prior to the wise stripping, the sleepers will have been cut and their middle part removed, keeping the blocks, in order to facilitate the wise stripping work. For this purpose, the last wagon of the first train is equipped with saws below.

[0013] It will be noted that between the two operations that the first and second trains allow to be carried out, the sleepers are replaced, by means of a train additional running on a parallel track for example. This consists of unscrewing, removing and removing the blocks, then installing the new sleepers and fixing them.

[0014] The operations of unscrewing, removing and evacuating the blocks are preferably carried out after complete stripping of the ballast.

[0015] According to an additional characteristic of the works train according to the invention, the ballasting means consist of a ballasting and track-wedging box arranged in front of the support leg adapted to roll directly on the track.

[0016] The ballasting is thus carried out in front of the gantry, therefore well in front of the first wagon of the second train.

[0017] According to another additional characteristic of the work train according to the invention, the means for stripping the ballast from the track and removing it, arranged at the free end of the gantry, comprise on the one hand a dynamic plough designed to capture the external ballast to fold it back towards the middle of the track; and on the other hand a shovel whose bucket is capable of acting between the rails up to the bottom of the excavations and of dumping the ballast taken onto the transfer belt or similar.

[0018] According to another additional characteristic of the work train according to the invention, the dynamic plough comprises a chassis on which two arms which extend in a V are articulated.

[0019] According to another additional characteristic of the work train according to the invention, the dynamic plough is optionally associated with a regulator which comprises two lateral arms, deployable transversely to the track, and each comprising a continuous band or chain stretched between two pulleys with vertical axes, and provided externally with radial blades, the two bands or chains being movable in opposite directions, namely that opposite the shovel the blades move from the outside towards the centre.

[0020] According to another additional characteristic of the works train according to the invention, the support leg adapted to roll directly on the track and arranged at one end of the gantries, of the last wagon of the first train and of the first wagon of the second train, is made up of means which can be deployed vertically to come to bear on the track, while said gantries further comprise at least two support legs capable of rolling on the platform, one of which is located at the end opposite that comprising said deployable support leg, while the other is located in an intermediate zone.

[0021] When not in use, that is to say when the gantry is not deployed, the latter rests on the platform through the rolling means, and possibly also through the support means adapted to roll directly on the track, when they are retracted.

[0022] According to another additional characteristic of the work train according to the invention, the transfer belt or similar carried by the gantry of the last wagon of the first train, is suspended from said gantry through a manipulator arm, adapted to adjust the inclination of said transfer belt or similar.

[0023] According to another additional characteristic of the work train according to the invention, the rolling feet of the gantry of the last wagon of the first train, as well as those of the gantry of the first wagon of the second train, each consist of an inverted U-shaped chassis.

[0024] The advantages and characteristics of the work train according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the attached drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

[0025] In the attached drawing:

[0026] [Fig.l]. represents a schematic elevation view of a work train according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.2]. represents a schematic elevation view of the last car of the first train,

[0028] [Fig.3]. represents a schematic elevation view of the same wagon in working configuration,

[0029] [Fig.4]. represents a schematic elevation view of the first wagon of the second train,

[0030] [Fig.5]. represents a schematic elevation view of the same wagon in working configuration.

[0031] [Fig.6] represents a partial schematic perspective view of a tool of the last wagon of the first train.

[0032] [Fig.7] represents a partial schematic perspective view of a tool of the last wagon of the first train

[0033] With reference to [Fig.l], a work train according to the invention can be seen, and more particularly a railway track 1 to be treated, on which this work train runs in direction C, which is composed of two trains, a first train 2 followed by a second train 3.

[0034] The last wagon 20 of the first train 2, also shown in figures 2 and 3, comprises a platform 21 mounted on two bogies 22, and on which platform 21 is mounted longitudinally movable a gantry 4 consisting of a horizontal beam 40 supported by three feet, one of which 41 is arranged at the end of the beam 40 on the side of the rest of the train 2, another foot 42 is arranged at the other end of the beam 40, while the third foot 43 is located in an intermediate zone of the beam 40.

[0035] The feet 41, 42 and 43 are designed to be able to roll on the platform 21 to allow the deployment of the gantry 4 at the rear of the wagon 20, the foot 42 being telescopic to allow its development to the ground so that its end 44, in this case a wheel, comes into contact with the track.

[0036] It will be noted that each of the feet 41, 42 and 43 actually consists of an inverted U-shaped frame, each comprising two legs whose free ends roll on the edges of the platform 21, those 44 of the foot 42 each rolling on a rail.

[0037] It will also be noted that the beam 40 can possibly be doubled.

[0038] It will also be noted that according to a variant, the end 44 may consist of a tracked vehicle, depending on whether or not the track is equipped with rails.

[0039] More particularly in Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the free end of the gantry 4, namely at the rear, is equipped with several tools, and in particular a shovel 45 and a dynamic plough 5, which will be described later.

[0040] In its middle part, the beam 40 supports, by means of a manipulator arm 46, a transfer belt or the like 47 which, when in the working position as seen in [Fig. 3], is inclined from the bottom of the foot 42 to above another transfer belt or the like 23 extending over the wagon 20.

[0041] The wagon 20 thus allows the stripping of track 1 by limiting the pressure on the latter. It should be noted that prior to stripping, the track sleepers will have been cut, for this purpose, the wagon 20 is equipped below with saws 24 arranged in parallel and of which only one is visible in the figures.

[0042] The cutting of the sleepers allows the unhindered use of the shovel 45 between the rails.

[0043] After stripping, the following operation, not shown, can be carried out, which consists of removing the blocks and installing new sleepers, which can be carried out by means of a third train running on a parallel track, while the following ballasting and leveling operation is carried out by the second train 3.

[0044] The first wagon 30 of the second train 3, also shown in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a platform 31 mounted on two bogies 32, and on which platform 31 is mounted longitudinally movable a gantry 6 consisting of a horizontal beam 60 supported by three feet, one of which 61 is arranged at the end of the beam 60 on the side of the rest of the train 3, another foot 62 is arranged at the other end of the beam 60, while the third foot 63 is located in an intermediate zone of the beam 60.

[0045] The feet 61, 62 and 63 are designed to be able to roll on the platform 31 to allow the deployment of the gantry 6 at the front of the wagon 30, the foot 62 being telescopic to allow its development to the ground so that its end 64, in this case a wheel, comes into contact with the track.

[0046] It will be noted that each of the feet 61, 62 and 63 actually consists of an inverted U-shaped frame, each comprising two legs whose free ends roll on the edges of the platform 31, those 64 of the foot 62 each rolling on a rail.

[0047] It will also be noted that the beam 60 can possibly be doubled.

[0048] It will also be noted that according to a variant, the end 64 may consist of a tracked vehicle.

[0049] As can be seen in [Fig. 5], the deployed gantry 6 makes it possible to project to the front of the second train 3, a transfer belt or similar 65, itself supplied with ballast by another transfer belt or similar 33 arranged on the wagon 30, the gantry 6 being equipped in front of the foot 62, with a box 66 for ballasting and wedging the track, distributing the ballast brought by the transfer belt or similar 65.

[0050] The track ballasting and wedging box 66 is arranged in front of the gantry 6, which allows the second train 3 to move without risk on a perfectly ballasted track.

[0051] Referring now to [Fig.6], we can see the dynamic plough 5 which the gantry 4 comprises behind the foot 42.

[0052] This figure also shows the two rails 10 and 11 of track 1, each still fixed to its block, respectively 12 and 13, while the ballast 14 is still present under the blocks 12 and 13 as well as in the bottom of the excavation.

[0053] The dynamic plough 5 comprises a chassis 50 on which two arms 51 and 52 are articulated, which extend substantially in a V-shape in line with the ballast 14 so as to bring it back towards the centre so that it can be removed by the shovel 45, not shown.

[0054] Referring now to [Fig.7], we can see a regulator 7, which can be used optionally to prepare the passage of the dynamic plough 5 under the blocks 12 and 13.

[0055] The regulator 7 comprises a chassis 70, intended to be articulated on the foot 42, not shown, which carries two arms 71 and 72, arranged on either side and capable of taking several positions, namely folded and raised as can be seen in [Fig. 3], or else arranged in alignment with each other on either side of the chassis 70, and in line with the ballast 14 extending under the blocks 12 and 13 as shown in [Fig. 7].

[0056] Each of the arms 71 and 72 is equipped with an endless belt, respectively 73 and 74, stretched between two non-visible shafts, and carrying pallets 75 projecting outwards, these pallets 75 extending in vertical planes when the arms 71 and 72 are in the working position, that is to say in alignment with each other on either side of the chassis 50.

[0057] The belts 73 and 74 are driven in opposite directions, respectively A and B, so that the pallets 75 which face the ballast 14 move from the outside to the inside.

[0058] It will be understood that during the movement C of the first train 2, the regulator 7 recenters the ballast 14 so that it can be evacuated by the shovel 45, not shown in this figure.

[0059] The regulator 7 is intended to prepare the work of the dynamic plough 5, which makes it possible to push the ballast 14.

[0060] The assembly makes it possible to repatriate the ballast 14 from the width of the track 1, towards the center of the latter, where it is taken care of by the shovel 45 which in a continuous movement takes the ballast 14 to deposit it on the transfer belt or similar 47.

Claims

Claims

1. Work train for maintaining railway tracks, including, but not limited to, replacing sleepers and ballast, characterized in that it comprises two trains of several wagons, namely a first train and a second train, moving on the track to be treated, in the same direction, the second train following the first train, the last wagon of the first train comprising a gantry on the one hand movable longitudinally, through rolling feet, and deployable beyond the wagon at the rear of said first train, its free end being provided with a support foot adapted to roll directly on the track, and on the other hand supporting a transfer belt or the like arranged inclined downwards on the side of said free end of the gantry,which is equipped with means for removing the ballast from the track and removing it to place it on said transfer belt or similar for removal onto at least the wagon preceding said last wagon of the first train; while the first wagon of the second train comprises a gantry which is on the one hand longitudinally movable, via rolling feet, and deployable beyond the wagon at the front of said second train, its free end being provided with a support foot adapted to roll directly on the track, and on the other hand supporting a transfer belt or similar whose free end opens onto the side of said free end of the gantry, at the level of ballast means.,

2. Work train according to claim 1 characterized in that the means for removing the ballast from the track and its removal, arranged at the free end of the gantry, comprise on the one hand a dynamic plough designed to capture the external ballast to fold it back towards the middle of the track; and on the other hand a shovel whose bucket is capable of acting between the rails up to the bottom of the excavations and of dumping the ballast taken onto the transfer belt or similar.

3. Work train according to claim 2, characterized in that the dynamic plough comprises a chassis on which two arms are articulated which extend in a V shape.

4. Work train according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized the dynamic plough is optionally associated with a regulator comprising two lateral arms, deployable transversely to the track, and each comprising a continuous tensioned band or chain between two pulleys with vertical axes, and fitted externally with radial blades, the two bands or chains being movable in opposite directions, namely that opposite the shovel the blades move from the outside towards the center.

5. Work train according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support leg adapted to roll directly on the track and arranged at one end of the gantries, of the last wagon of the first train and of the first wagon of the second train, is made up of means which can be deployed vertically to come to bear on the track, while said gantries further comprise at least two support legs capable of rolling on the platform, one of which is located at the end opposite that comprising said deployable support leg, while the other is located in an intermediate zone.

6. Work train according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transfer belt or the like carried by the gantry of the last wagon of the first train, is suspended from said gantry through a manipulator arm, adapted to adjust the inclination of said transfer belt or the like.

7. Work train according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the last wagon of the first train is equipped at the bottom with saws for cutting the sleepers.

8. Works train according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ballasting means consist of a ballasting and track-wedging box arranged in front of the support leg adapted to roll directly on the track.

9. Work train according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rolling feet of the gantry of the last wagon of the first train, as well as those of the gantry of the first wagon of the second train, each consist of an inverted U-shaped chassis.

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