Tamping device for compacting ballast

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 machine running on rails (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 together. Each of the tampers (4, 5) comprises an arm (40, 50) mounted on a shaft (30) itself pivotally mounted on a shaft (10) along a horizontal axis (X) perpendicular to the crosspiece (10), extended by a curved tooth (42, 52), of curvature coaxial with the horizontal axis (X), the tampers (4, 5) are associated with motor means (11, 33), one of which (11) allows them to pivot to plunge the curved tooth (42, 52) into the ballast (24), and another motor means (33) allowing the tampers (4, 5) to move closer to or further away from each other. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Tamping device for compacting ballast

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

[0002] Some railway track maintenance operations require the replacement of ballast, which means having to compact it. For this purpose, tamping devices are used, which comprise metal elements or tampers that are immersed in the ballast and vibrated in order to lower the smaller elements and fill the gaps.

[0003] Manual tamping devices are known which take the general form of a pneumatic hammer equipped at its active end with a tamper. In practice, at least two tamping devices are used simultaneously, one on each side of a sleeper, in order to carry out, in addition to vibration, in a movement of movement towards each other, the stirring and tightening of the ballast under said sleeper.

[0004] Tamping devices are also known, consisting of construction site machinery running on rails, comprising at least one pair of tampers each consisting 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 to be brought together towards each other and to be vibrated.

[0005] Tamping devices are also known which are mounted on a construction machine running on rails, comprising on either side of said machine a series of tampers capable of being driven vertically into the ballast and making it possible to treat several sleepers simultaneously.

[0006] These existing tamping devices carry out compaction by gravity, through stirring and vibrations, 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, if manual tamping devices allow processing between sleepers and under rails, this is not possible with machines such as that 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 operations to be carried out for stirring, tightening, vibrating and packing the ballast, between the sleepers and even under the rails, as well as a construction machine running on rails equipped with such a tamping device.

[0009] The tamping device used for compacting ballast according to the invention is of the type mounted on the chassis of a construction machine running on rails, comprising two tampers designed to be driven into the ballast on either side of a sleeper, and to be brought towards each other, and it is characterized in that each of said tampers comprises an arm, one end of which is mounted on a shaft itself pivotally mounted on a shaft along a horizontal axis perpendicular to said sleeper, while its other end is extended by a curved tooth, of curvature coaxial with said horizontal axis, and in that said tampers, which are parallel, are associated with motor means, one of which allows them to pivot to, alternately, plunge said curved tooth into said ballast by its free end, then extract it, and another motor means allowing said tampers to move towards or away from each other compared to each other.

[0010] It will be understood that the pivoting movement allows the curved teeth to be engaged in the ballast, while the bringing together of the tampers allows the compaction of the ballast wherever it is.

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

[0012] According to an additional characteristic of the tamping device according to the invention, the motor means for driving in and moving the tamping tools closer or further apart are adapted to generate vibrations, simultaneously or independently.

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

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

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

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

[0017] According to another additional characteristic of the tamping device according to the invention, the hydraulic cylinder is associated with a control making it possible to generate vibrations.

[0018] According to another additional characteristic of the tamping device according to the invention, the motor means generating the movement of bringing the tampers closer or further away from each other, 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 said two tampers can slide, and on the other hand an eccentric bearing secured 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 chassis shaft, while said two tampers are connected to said pivoting shaft through screw / nut systems of reverse pitch.

[0019] According to another additional characteristic of the tamping device according to the invention, the hydraulic cylinder generating the movement of bringing the tamping tools closer to or further away from each other is associated with a control making it possible to generate vibrations.

[0020] Advantageously, the shaft which crosses transversely the two tampers and to which the hydraulic cylinder generating the movement of bringing the tampers towards or away from each other is secured, is the same as that on which the hydraulic cylinder which generates the pivoting of the tampers is applied.

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

[0022] The advantages and characteristics of the tamping device 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.

[0023] In the attached drawing:

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

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

[0027] [Fig.4]. represents a partial schematic view in perspective and in section, of the same construction machine equipped with a tamping device according to the invention, in the same configuration of use of [Fig.l],

[0028] [Fig.5]. represents a partial schematic view in perspective and in section, of 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 view in perspective and in section, of the same construction machine equipped with a tamping device according to the invention, in the same configuration of use of [Fig.3],

[0030] With reference to these figures 1, 2 and 3, one can see a part of a chassis 1 of a construction machine running on a railway track 2 of which one can mainly see, 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 tires, a beam 22 and a side rail 23, the whole resting on ballast 24.

[0031] In Figures 4, 5 and 6 we can also see 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 to the beam 22 and the rail 21, that is to say in alignment with the wheels, not shown, of the construction machine.

[0033] The tamping device 3 comprises, as is more particularly visible in figures 4, 5 and 6, two tampers 4 and 5, mounted on a shaft 30, itself pivotally mounted on a shaft 10 of axis X, parallel to the beam 22 and to the rail 21 and arranged vertically thereto, and capable of pivoting axially on the chassis 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, the curvature of which is coaxial with the axis X of the bearing 41, respectively 51.

[0035] The tampers 4 or 5 thus have a hook shape, consisting of a rectilinear 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 the point 43, respectively 53, directed downwards, so that a pivoting along X of the tampers 4 and 5, causes the curved teeth 42 and 52 to retract into the ballast 24 by the points 43 and 53, in a generally oblique movement, as is apparent from the figures.

[0037] The pivoting movement of the tampers 4 and 5 is generated by a motor means, in this case a hydraulic cylinder 11 whose cylinder 12 is integral with the chassis 1, eccentrically relative to the axis X, and whose rod 13 is integral with 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 integral with the shaft 30. The teeth 42 and 52 can thus be immersed in the ballast 24, on either side of the crosspiece 20.

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

[0039] With particular reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, it can be seen that the shaft 30 comprises two threaded zones 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 towards or away from each other, depending on the direction of rotation, of the bearings 41 and 51 and therefore of the tampers 4 and 5.

[0040] The pivoting of the shaft 30, independently of its pivoting on the shaft 10, is generated by a hydraulic jack 33, the cylinder 34 of which is integral with the shaft 30 by means of an eccentric bearing 35, while its rod 36 is integral with 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 bringing together 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, to compact the latter 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 raising and / or the bringing together or moving away of the tampers 4 and 5, to vibrate 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.

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