Tamping device used for ballast compaction

Abstract

Title: Tamping device for compacting ballast Tamping device (3) for compacting ballast (24) of the type mounted on the chassis (1) of a construction vehicle traveling on rails (25), comprising two tamping blocks (4, 5) designed to be driven into the ballast (24) on either side of a sleeper (20), and to be brought together. Each of the tampers (4, 5) comprises an arm (40, 50) mounted on a shaft (30), itself pivotally mounted on a shaft (10) about a horizontal axis (X) perpendicular to the cross member (10). The arm extends into a curved tooth (42, 52) with a curvature coaxial to the horizontal axis (X). The tampers (4, 5) are associated with drive means (11, 33), one of which (11) allows them to pivot in order to plunge the curved tooth (42, 52) into the ballast (24), and another drive means (33) allows the tampers (4, 5) to move closer together or further apart. Figure for the abbreviated version: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Tamping device for compacting ballast

[0001] The present invention relates to a tamping device for compacting ballast under sleepers in the field of railway work, as well as a construction vehicle traveling on rails equipped with such a device.

[0002] Certain railway track maintenance operations require the replacement of the ballast, which implies compacting it. For this purpose, tamping devices are used, which include metal elements or tamping blocks that are plunged into the ballast and vibrated in order to bring down the smallest elements and fill the voids.

[0003] Manual tamping devices are known, generally consisting of a pneumatic hammer equipped at its working end with a tamping tool. In practice, at least two tamping devices are used simultaneously, one on each side of a sleeper, in order to achieve, in addition to vibration, the stirring and compaction of the ballast under said sleeper in a movement towards each other.

[0004] Tamping devices are also known, consisting of construction equipment running on rails, comprising at least one pair of tampers each made up of a tooth-shaped element, as described in WO2020182393, the two tampers of a pair being intended to be driven into the ballast on each side of a sleeper, then brought together in the direction of each other and set into vibration.

[0005] Tamping devices mounted on a construction vehicle traveling on rails are also known, comprising on either side of said vehicle, a series of tamping devices capable of being driven vertically into the ballast and allowing several sleepers to be treated simultaneously.

[0006] These existing tamping devices achieve compaction by gravity, through stirring and vibration, but whatever the tamping device considered, even manual, the horizontal movement is that of a more or less vertical tooth, of reduced width, so that the tightening or pinching is carried out on a small portion of ballast.

[0007] On the other hand, while manual tamping devices allow processing between sleepers and under rails, this is not possible with machines such as the one described in WO2020182393, since they only process vertically.

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy these various drawbacks by proposing a tamping device used for compacting ballast, enabling the operation of stirring, tightening, vibrating and compacting ballast between sleepers and even under rails, as well as a construction vehicle running on rails equipped with such a tamping device.

[0009] The ballast compaction device according to the invention is of the type mounted on the chassis of a rail-mounted construction vehicle, comprising two tampers designed to be driven into the ballast on either side of a sleeper and brought together. It is characterized in that each tamper comprises an arm, one end of which is mounted on a shaft itself pivotally mounted on a shaft about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the sleeper, while its other end extends into a curved tooth with a curvature coaxial to the horizontal axis. The parallel tampers are associated with drive means, one of which allows them to pivot in order to alternately drive the curved tooth into the ballast by its free end and then extract it, and another drive means allowing the tampers to be moved closer together or further apart. compared to the other.

[0010] It will be understood that the pivoting movement allows the curved teeth to engage in the ballast, while the approach of the tamping blocks allows the ballast to be compacted wherever it is.

[0011] On the other hand, when the two tampers are brought together, the pinching of the ballast is carried out over the entire length of the penetration of the curved teeth.

[0012] According to an additional feature of the tamping device according to the invention, the drive means for driving and bringing together or moving away the tamping blocks are adapted to generate vibrations, simultaneously or independently.

[0013] According to another additional feature of the tamping device according to the invention, the pivoting shaft which carries the tamping tools is positioned above a rail.

[0014] Such an architecture allows the curved teeth to plunge into the ballast, under the rail.

[0015] According to another additional feature of the tamping device according to the invention, the drive means generating the pivoting of the tampers consists of a hydraulic cylinder connecting the chassis of the construction equipment to a shaft passing transversely through the two tampers near the junction of the tooth to the arm.

[0016] Lengthening or shortening the hydraulic cylinder allows, respectively, the curved teeth to be plunged into the ballast or brought out of it.

[0017] According to another additional feature of the tamping device according to the invention, the hydraulic cylinder is associated with a control enabling the generation of vibrations.

[0018] According to another additional feature of the tamping device according to The invention, the driving means generating the movement of bringing the tampers closer together or further apart, consists of a hydraulic cylinder which extends between, on the one hand, a shaft which crosses transversely the two tampers near the junction of the tooth to the arm, and on which shaft the said two tampers can slide, and on the other hand, an eccentric bearing fixed to the pivoting shaft carrying the two tampers, so that the lengthening or shortening of said hydraulic cylinder allows the pivoting of said pivoting shaft on the shaft of the frame, while said two tampers are linked to said pivoting shaft through reverse-threaded screw / nut systems.

[0019] According to another additional feature of the tamping device according to the invention, the hydraulic cylinder generating the movement of bringing the tamping blocks closer together or further apart is associated with a control allowing the generation of vibrations.

[0020] Advantageously, the shaft which crosses transversely through the two tampers and to which is attached the hydraulic cylinder generating the movement of bringing the tampers closer together or further apart, is the same as that on which is applied the hydraulic cylinder which generates the pivoting of the tampers.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a construction vehicle traveling on rails equipped with a tamping device as defined above, and which is characterized in that it comprises two tamping devices, arranged side-by-side each above a rail of the track on which said construction vehicle travels.

[0022] The advantages and characteristics of the tamping device according to the invention will become clearer from the following description, which relates to the attached drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

[0023] In the attached drawing:

[0024] [Fig. 1]. represents a partial schematic view in elevation and section of a construction machine equipped with a tamping device according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.2]. represents a partial schematic view in elevation and section, of the same construction equipment fitted with a tamping device according to the invention, in another configuration of use,

[0026] [Fig. 3]. represents a partial schematic view in elevation and section, of the same construction equipment fitted with a tamping device according to the invention, in another configuration of use,

[0027] [Fig.4]. represents a partial schematic perspective and cross-sectional view of the same construction machine equipped with a tamping device according to the invention, in the same operating configuration of the [Fig.1],

[0028] [Fig. 5]. represents a partial schematic perspective and cross-sectional view of the the same construction machine equipped with a tamping device according to the invention, in the same usage configuration of [Fig.2],

[0029] [Fig. 6]. represents a partial schematic perspective and cross-sectional view of the same construction machine equipped with a tamping device according to the invention, in the same operating configuration of the [Fig.3],

[0030] With reference to these figures 1, 2 and 3, we can see part of a chassis 1 of a construction vehicle travelling on a railway track 2, of which we see mainly, and partially in figures 1, 2 and 3, a sleeper 20 and a rail 21, as well as in this case, in the particular case of a metro on rubber tires, a beam 22 and a side rail 23, all resting on ballast 24.

[0031] Figures 4, 5 and 6 can also be seen the other part of track 2, namely a rail 25, a beam 26 and a side rail 27.

[0032] The chassis 1 is equipped with a tamping device 3 according to the invention, which is arranged vertically on the beam 22 and the rail 21, i.e. in line with the wheels, not shown, of the construction equipment.

[0033] The tamping device 3 comprises, as can be seen more particularly in figures 4, 5 and 6, two tamping devices 4 and 5, mounted on a shaft 30, itself pivotally mounted on a shaft 10 of axis X, parallel to the beam 22 and the rail 21 and arranged vertically from them, and capable of pivoting axially on the frame 1.

[0034] The tampers 4 and 5 each comprise an arm 40, respectively 50, mounted on the shaft 30, through a bearing 41, respectively 51, at the other end of which extends a curved tooth 42, respectively 52, whose curvature is coaxial with the X axis of the bearing 41, respectively 51.

[0035] The tampers 4 or 5 thus have a hook shape, consisting of a straight part, the arm 40 or 50, extended by a curved part, the tooth 42 or 52.

[0036] The curved tooth 42, respectively 52, is arranged with point 43, respectively 53, directed downwards, so that a pivoting about X of the rammers 4 and 5 causes the curved teeth 42 and 52 to re-enter the ballast 24 by the points 43 and 53, in a generally oblique movement, as can be seen from the figures.

[0037] The pivoting movement of the tampers 4 and 5 is generated by a drive means, in this case a hydraulic cylinder 11 whose cylinder 12 is fixed to the frame 1, eccentrically with respect to the X-axis, and whose rod 13 is fixed to a shaft 14 which transversely connects the two tampers 4 and 5, passing through them near the connection between the arms 40 and 50 with the curved teeth 41 and 51, in bearings 44 and 54 respectively. The hydraulic cylinder 11 thus makes it possible to rotate the shaft 30 on the shaft 10, knowing that, as will be seen later, the bearings 41 and 51 are fixed to the shaft 30. The teeth 42 and 52 can thus be immersed in the ballast 24, on either side of the cross member 20.

[0038] On the other hand, by managing the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 11, it is It is possible to make it vibrate, so teeth 42 and 52 can vibrate the ballast 24 on each side of the crossbeam 20.

[0039] With particular reference to figures 4, 5 and 6, it can be seen that the shaft 30 has two threaded areas 31 and 32, with reversed pitches, with which the bearings 41 and 51 cooperate in screw-nut connections, so that a rotation of the shaft 30 generates the movement in approach or in separation, depending on the direction of rotation, of the bearings 41 and 51 and therefore of the tamping blocks 4 and 5.

[0040] The pivoting of the shaft 30, independently of its pivoting on the shaft 10, is generated by a hydraulic cylinder 33, whose cylinder 34 is fixed to the shaft 30 by means of an eccentric bearing 35, while its rod 36 is fixed to the shaft 14, on which the bearings 44 and 54 and thus the tampers 4 and 5 can slide.

[0041] Thus, the teeth 42 and 52 of the tampers 4 and 5 can be driven into the ballast 24 under the action of the hydraulic cylinder 11, passing on either side of the sleeper 20 under the rail 21, while the approach of the tampers 4 and 5, generated by the hydraulic cylinder 33 which causes the pivoting of the shaft 30, as can be seen in [Fig.6], allows, when the teeth 42 and 52 are plunged into the ballast 24, the latter to be compacted under the sleeper 20, under the rail 21.

[0042] On the other hand, by managing the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 33, it is possible to make it vibrate in the transverse direction.

[0043] The management of the hydraulic cylinders 11 and 33 can thus allow, simultaneously with the sinking or lifting and / or the approach or relocation of the tampers 4 and 5, the vibration of the ballast 24.

[0044] As can be seen in figures 4, 5 and 6, the chassis 1 is adapted to receive a second tamping device 3, to treat the ballast 24 at the level of the rail 25.

Claims

Claims

1. Tamping device (3) for compacting ballast (24) of the type mounted on the chassis (1) of a construction machine running on rails (21, 25), comprising two tampers (4, 5) designed to be driven into the ballast (24) on either side of a sleeper (20), and to be brought towards each other, characterized in that each of said tampers (4, 5) comprises an arm (40, 50) one end (41, 51) of which is mounted on a shaft (30) itself pivotally mounted on a shaft (10) along a horizontal axis (X) perpendicular to said sleeper (10), while its other end is extended by a curved tooth (42, 52), of curvature coaxial with said horizontal axis (X), and in that said tampers (4, 5), which are parallel, are associated with motor means (11, 33), one of which (11) allows their pivoting to, alternately, plunge into said ballast (24) said curved tooth (42, 52) by its free end (43, 53), then extract it,and another motor means (33) allowing said tampers (4, 5) to move closer to or further away from each other.

2. Tamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving means for driving (11) and moving the tampers (4, 5) closer or further apart (33) are adapted to generate vibrations, simultaneously or independently.

3. Tamping device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the pivoting shaft (30) which carries the tampers (4, 5) is positioned above a rail (21, 25).

4. Tamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motor means generating the pivoting of the tampers (4, 5), consists of a hydraulic cylinder (1)1) connecting the chassis (1) of the construction machine to a shaft (14) passing transversely through the two tampers (4, 5) near the junction of the tooth (42, 52) to the arm (40, 50).

5. Tamping device according to claim 4, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (11) generating the pivoting of the tampers (4, 5) is associated with a control making it possible to generate vibrations.

6. Tamping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the motor means generating the movement of bringing the tampers (4, 5) closer to or further away from each other, consists of a hydraulic cylinder (33) which extends between on the one hand a shaft (14) which transversely crosses the two tampers (4, 5) near the junction of the tooth (42, 52) to the arm (40, 50), and on which shaft (14) said two tampers (4, 5) can slide, and on the other hand an eccentric bearing (35) integral with the pivoting shaft (30) carrying the two tampers (4, 5), so that the lengthening or shortening of said hydraulic cylinder (33) allows the pivoting of said pivoting shaft (30) on the shaft (10) of the chassis (1), while said two tampers (4, 5) are connected to said pivoting shaft (30) through screw / nut systems of reverse pitch.

7. Tamping device according to claim 6, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (33) generating the movement of bringing the tampers (4, 5) closer to or further away from each other is associated with a control making it possible to generate vibrations.

8. Tamping device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the shaft (14) which transversely passes through the two tampers (4, 5) and to which the hydraulic cylinder (33) generating the movement of bringing the tampers (4, 5) closer to or further from each other is secured, is the same as that on which the hydraulic cylinder (11) which generates the pivoting of the tampers (4, 5) is applied.

9. Construction machine running on rails, characterized in that it comprises two tamping devices (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, each arranged side by side above a rail (21, 25) of the track (2) on which said construction machine moves.

Images