Railway track cutting tool

Abstract

railway track cutting tool (1) extending along a track axis (X), the rails forming a first rail (R1) and a second rail (R2) belonging to a pair of railway track rails, the cutting tool (1) comprising: a carriage (2) having a chassis and railway wheels; a first support (5) mounted on the chassis (2) and movable relative to the chassis (2); a first circular saw (10) carried by the first support (5) and configured to cut the first rail (R1); a first motor (20) for driving the first saw (10) in rotation, a second support (12) mounted on the chassis (2) and movable relative to the chassis (2);a second circular saw (15) carried by the second support (12), arranged symmetrically to the first saw (10) with respect to the track axis (X) and configured to cut the second rail (R2), and a second motor (25) to drive the second saw (10) in rotation, the tool (1) being configured such that a movement of the first support (5) relative to the frame and the rotation of the first saw (10) cause the latter to cut the first rail (R1) and such that a movement of the second support (12) relative to the frame and the rotation of the second saw (15) cause the latter to cut the second rail (R2). Figure of the abstract: Figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Railway track cutting tool technical field

[0001] This disclosure falls within the field of railway work. It relates more specifically to a railway track cutting tool. Previous technique

[0002] In the context of railway track renewal, particularly on so-called conventional lines, i.e., for trains traveling at a speed of approximately 160 km / h, it is known to cut out track sections forming a segment of track, for example, 18 linear meters (lm), comprising sleepers and two rails, and to transport them as a single unit for reuse on other, lower-speed railway lines. To cut out a track section, the two rails are cut at one end of the track section and at the other end of the track section.

[0003] To allow the reuse of track signs, it is necessary that the rail cut be precise and perpendicular to the rails. Such a cut must, for example, be made to comply with the squareness tolerances according to the SNCF reference instructions "rail cutting" before reconditioning the track sign.

[0004] Cutting rails is a known method using an oxy-fuel cutting torch. This presents several problems. Firstly, it is a manual operation. The cut is not clean, straight, or symmetrical. It must therefore be reworked at the factory before reuse, by cutting with an abrasive disc. This creates double handling, since the track panels must then be unloaded at the site's rear depot to be recut, respecting the squareness tolerances of the standard, before being repackaged. Secondly, using a torch generates gas emissions, as a gas cylinder is required. Furthermore, the torch requires certification for handling fire. Finally, the time required to cut each rail is approximately 1 to 2 minutes, which is a relatively long time.

[0005] An alternative is to use a rail saw with an abrasive disc or a power saw. This generates problems similar to those of the blowtorch.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a rail cutting process that allows for immediate reuse, is simple and efficient, and is more environmentally friendly. Summary

[0007] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0008] A railway track cutting tool is proposed, extending along a track axis, the rails forming a first rail and a second rail belonging to a pair of railway track rails, the cutting tool comprising: a. a trolley comprising a chassis and railway wheels; b. a first support mounted on the chassis and movable relative to the chassis; c. a first circular saw carried by the first support and configured to cut the first rail; d. a first motor to drive the first saw in rotation, e. a second support mounted on the chassis and movable relative to the chassis; f. a second circular saw supported by the second stand, positioned symmetrically to the first saw with respect to the track axis and configured to cut the second rail, and g. a second motor to drive the second saw in rotation, the tool being configured such that a movement of the first support relative to the chassis and the rotation of the first saw cause the latter to cut the first rail and such that a movement of the second support relative to the chassis and the rotation of the second saw cause the latter to cut the second rail.

[0009] We thus have a tool which allows the two rails of the pair of rails to be cut precisely using the first and second saws.

[0010] The cutting tool eliminates the drawbacks of previously used methods. In particular, it allows for the direct reuse of rails without recutting, pre-machining, or the need for a second operation at the rear base. Handling is minimized. Furthermore, the cutting tool improves productivity and cutting speed. For example, the cutting time for two rails can be less than 3 minutes, for instance, approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds.

[0011] The two rails can be cut, in other words the two rails of the pair of rails, in a more industrial way than before.

[0012] The cutting tool has a positive impact on the environment. Indeed, it contributes to a circular economy for the recycling of railway track panels and helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

[0013] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0014] The first saw is preferably configured to cut the first rail orthogonally to the track axis. The second saw is preferably configured to cut the second rail orthogonally to the track axis.

[0015] The tool is advantageously configured such that the first and second saws cut the first and second rails respectively at the same coordinate on the track axis. This means that there is a plane perpendicular to the track axis to which the cut end of the first rail and the cut end of the second rail belong, after cutting with the tool.

[0016] The first support and the second support can be movable in rotation about a pivot axis relative to the chassis. The pivot axis, which is an axis of rotation, is preferably substantially parallel to the track axis.

[0017] In this case, the tool may include a first drive system configured to move the first support relative to the frame. The first drive system may be configured to lower and raise the first support, and therefore the first saw, with each cut. The tool may include a second drive system configured to move the second support relative to the frame. The second drive system may be configured to lower and raise the second support, and therefore the second saw, with each cut.

[0018] In one example, the first and second drive systems each include at least one cylinder, in particular an electric cylinder.

[0019] The movement of the first and second supports is an oscillating up-and-down motion relative to the frame. During the descent of the support, and therefore of the saw, the rail is cut by the saw. During the ascent of the support, and therefore of the rail, the saw is raised away from the rails, for example, to allow the carriage to be moved to another predetermined location for cutting the rails there.

[0020] The tool advantageously comprises a control system configured to control the movement of the first and second supports, in particular the first and second drive systems, and the operation of the first and second motors. The control system is preferably configured to allow simultaneous cutting of the first and second rails of the rail pair. The control system can specifically control the first and second drive systems so as to control the movement of the first and second supports.

[0021] The first and second saws are advantageously arranged within the tool so as to be located between the first and second rails of the pair of rails when the tool is on the railway track. Thus, the tool has a reduced width.

[0022] The trolley is preferably configured to run on the first and second rails. The trolley can be designed to be placed on the track using a machine or manually.

[0023] The tool may include a first housing covering at least partially the first saw and a second housing covering at least partially the second saw. The first and second housings are advantageously fixed to the first and second supports, respectively. The first and second housings constitute a protective enclosure that preferably covers and almost completely conceals each saw, so as to allow the operation to be carried out safely.

[0024] The tool may include a stopping system configured to hold the carriage stationary at a predefined location on the first and second rails. The stopping system may include at least one clamp configured to grip the first and / or second rail of the rail pair, in particular two such clamps arranged on either side of the first and / or second saw.

[0025] The control system can be configured to control the movement, including the opening and closing, of said at least one clamp.

[0026] According to another aspect, in combination with the above, a method is proposed for cutting a pair of railway track rails comprising a first rail and a second rail, using the tool as defined above, comprising: - Position the trolley at a predefined location on the pair of rails, - to move the first and second supports and to train in rotate the first and second saws so as to cut the first and second rails.

[0027] The cutting of the first rail and the cutting of the second rail are advantageously carried out simultaneously. Alternatively, the cutting of the first rail is carried out before the cutting of the second rail.

[0028] The method may include keeping the trolley stopped at said predefined location, in particular by means of a stopping system, before cutting the first and second rails.

[0029] Thanks to the process using the tool, it is possible, for example, to process 1000 m of railway track, making, for example, 56 cuts of 18 m track panels, in less than 2 hours and 30 minutes. A complete cycle, including cutting, moving, and positioning for the next cut, can last 150 seconds. The cut can be perfectly square, with a tolerance of 1.5 mm or less. The use of a disc cutter forming the first and second saws prevents the formation of sparks, and no abrasive disc is used. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analysis of the accompanying drawings, on which:

[0031] [Fig. 1] is a schematic and perspective view of an example of a tool positioned on rails,

[0032] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic side view of a saw and a support of the example of the tool in [Fig.1].

[0033] [Fig.3] is a schematic and partial cross-sectional view of the tool of the [Fig.l].

[0034] [Fig.4] is a schematic, partial, side-view perspective view of the tool of the [Fig.l]. Description of the implementation methods

[0035] In the various figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements. For the sake of brevity, only the elements that are useful for understanding the described embodiment are shown in the figures and are described in detail below.

[0036] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "superior", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of the tool in its normal position of use.

[0037] Reference is now made to Figures 1 to 4, which show an example of a cutting tool 1 for the two rails of a pair of railway track rails extending along a track axis X. The pair of rails comprises two rails parallel to the track axis X, namely a first rail RI and a second rail R2. Of course, the RI and R2 rails are mounted and fixed on sleepers extending perpendicularly to the track axis X and arranged under the RI and R2 rails, as can be seen and in a manner known per se.

[0038] To replace a section of track, called a track panel, which has for example a length of 18 meters, we seek to cut the rails RI and R2 using the cutting tool 1, preferably at the same level, i.e. at the same coordinate, in two predefined locations, one of which is the one that is visible on [Fig.1], at one end of the track panel that will be extracted from the railway.

[0039] The tool 1 comprises a trolley 2. In this example, the trolley 2 has a chassis 3, generally rectangular or square in shape, mounted on railway wheels 4, four in number in this example, suitable for running on rails RI and R2 to move the trolley 2 along the railway track. The railway wheels 4 are, in this example, arranged under the four corners of the chassis 3, as can be seen. The trolley 2 can be placed on the track using a machine or manually.

[0040] The tool 1 further comprises a first support 5 mounted on the chassis 3 and movable relative to the chassis 3. In this example, the first support 5 comprises a frame 6 articulated around an axis of rotation 8 on an arm 7 fixed on the chassis 3 or, in another example, forming part thereof.

[0041] The tool 1 also includes a first circular saw 10, in the form of a disc cutter, carried by the first support 5 and configured to cut the first rail RI of the pair of rails, orthogonally to the track axis X. In the illustrated example, the first saw 10 has a rotation axis 9 around which it is driven in rotation.

[0042] The tool 1 also includes a second support 12 mounted on the frame 3 and movable relative to the frame 3, as well as a second circular saw 15 carried by the second support 12, configured to cut the second rail R2 of the pair of rails, orthogonally to the track axis X. The second support 12 is identical to the first support 5 except that it supports the second saw 15. Thus, in this example, the second support 12 has a frame articulated about an axis of rotation on an arm fixed to the frame 3 or, in another example, forming part thereof. The second saw 15 is driven in rotation about a central axis of rotation.

[0043] The second saw 15 is arranged symmetrically to the first saw 12 with respect to the track axis X. In this example, the first and second saws 10 and 15 are arranged between the rails RI and R2 when the tool 1 is arranged on the railway track as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0044] The tool 1 also includes a first motor 20, electric in this example, for driving the first saw 10 in rotation, and a second motor 25, electric in this example, for driving the second saw 15 in rotation. Each first and second motor 20 and 25 includes a reduction gear 21 and 26, respectively, with the axis of rotation of the saw 10, respectively 15. In the illustrated example, the first, respectively the second, support 5, 12 supports the motor 20, respectively 25 and the reduction gear with the axis of rotation of the saw.

[0045] The tool 1 is configured such that a movement of the first support 5 relative to the chassis 3 and the rotation of the first saw 10 cause the latter to cut the first rail RI and such that a movement of the second support 12 relative to the chassis 3 and the rotation of the second saw 15 cause the latter to cut the second rail R2.

[0046] In the illustrated example, tool 1 is configured so that the first and second saws RI and R2 cut respectively the first and second rails RI and R2 at the same coordinate on the track axis X. Thus, there is a plane orthogonal to the track axis X which includes the end of the first rail RI and the end of the second rail R2 after cutting at said ends.

[0047] The first support 5 and the second support 12 are movable in rotation around a pivot axis relative to the chassis 3.

[0048] To drive the supports 5 and 12 into motion, the tool 1 includes a first drive system 40 configured to drive the first support 5 into motion relative to the chassis 3 and a second drive system, identical, configured to drive the second support 12 into motion relative to the chassis 3.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the first and second drive systems 40 each include at least one cylinder, in particular an electric cylinder.

[0050] The tool 1 includes a control system 30 configured to control the movement of the first and second supports 5 and 12 and the operation of the first and second motors 20 and 25. The control system 30 is housed in an electrical cabinet 31, which is positioned and fixed to the frame 3 of the trolley 2. The electrical cabinet 31 can also house batteries for powering the motors 20, 25 and the drive systems 40. The control system 30 is configured to control, in the illustrated example, the simultaneous cutting of the first and second rails RI and R2 of the rail pair. The control system 30 includes an electrical power regulation cabinet to ensure continuous rotation of the first and second saws without jamming.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the tool 1 further comprises a stopping system 35, more clearly visible in Figures 3 and 4, configured to hold the trolley 2 stationary at a predefined location on the track. In this example, the stopping system 35 comprises at least one clamp 36 configured to grip the first RI rail; in this example, two clamps 36 arranged on either side of the first saw 10.

[0052] Similarly, even if not visible, the stop system 35 is present on the side of the second rail R2, in order to hold the carriage 2 in a predefined position. In this example, the stop system 35 includes at least one clamp 36 configured to clamp the second rail R2, in this example two clamps 36 arranged on either side of the second saw 10.

[0053] The clamps 36 are mounted on the chassis 3 on articulated arms 37 and their opening and closing to grip the rails RI and R2 is controlled in this example manually using a manual lever control 50.

[0054] Still in this example, the tool 1 comprises a first housing 45 fixed relative to the railway track and covering at least partially the first saw 10, and a second housing 46 fixed relative to the railway track and covering at least partially the second saw 15. The housings 45 and 46 are fixed to their respective supports 5 and 12 by means of fixing arms 16 and 17. The housings 45 and 46 are fixed to their respective supports 5 and 12 during movement. The housing 46 is shown in [Fig. 1]. partially raised, which allows access to saw 15, for example in a maintenance context.

[0055] To cut the RI and R2 rails of the rail pair, the carriage 2 is first positioned at a predefined location on the rail pair. Then, the first and second supports 5 and 12 are rotated by acting on the electric actuator of each drive system 40, and the first and second saws 10 and 15 are rotated so as to cut the first and second RI and R2 rails of the rail pair.

[0056] Preferably, the cutting of the first rail RI and the cutting of the second rail R2 are carried out simultaneously at said predefined location.

Claims

Demands

1. A railway track cutting tool (1) extending along a track axis (X), the rails forming a first rail (RI) and a second rail (R2) belonging to a pair of railway track rails, the cutting tool (1) comprising: a. a trolley (2) comprising a chassis (3) and railway wheels (4); b. a first support (5) mounted on the chassis (3) and movable relative to the chassis (3); c. a first circular saw (10) carried by the first support (5) and configured to cut the first rail (RD; d. a first motor (20) to drive the first saw (10) in rotation, e. a second support (12) mounted on the chassis (3) and movable relative to the chassis (3); f. a second circular saw (15) carried by the second support (12), arranged symmetrically to the first saw (10) with respect to the track axis (X) and configured to cut the second rail (R2), and g. a second motor (25) to drive the second saw (10) in rotation, the tool (1) being configured such that a movement of the first support (5) relative to the frame (3) and the rotation of the first saw (10) cause the latter to cut the first rail (RI) and such that a movement of the second support (12) relative to the frame (3) and the rotation of the second saw (15) cause the latter to cut the second rail (R2).

2. Tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tool (1) is configured such that the first and second saws (10, 15) cut the first and second rails (RI, R2) respectively at the same coordinate on the track axis (X), orthogonally to the track axis (X).

3. Tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first support (5) and the second support (12) are movable in rotation about a pivot axis relative to the chassis.

4. Tool (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a first drive system (40) configured to drive in motion the first support (5) relative to the chassis and a second drive system (41) configured to drive in motion the second support (12) relative to the chassis (3).

5. Tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second drive systems (40, 41) each comprise at least one cylinder, in particular an electric cylinder.

6. Tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control system (30) configured to control the movement of the first and second supports (5, 12), in particular the first and second drive systems, and the operation of the first and second motors (20, 25), the control system (30) being in particular configured to allow simultaneous cutting of the first and second rails (RI, R2) of the rail pair.

7. Tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second saws (10, 15) are arranged within the tool (1) so as to be located between the first and second rails (RI, R2) of the pair of rails when the tool (1) is on the railway track.

8. Tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a stop system (35) configured to hold the trolley (2) in place at a predefined location on the first and second rails (RI, R2), the stop system (35) comprising at least one clamp (36) configured to clamp the first and / or second rail (RI; R2) of the pair of rails, in particular two such clamps (36) arranged on either side of the first saw (10) and / or the second saw (15).

9. A method for cutting a pair of railway track rails comprising a first rail and a second rail, using the tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - positioning the carriage (2) at a predefined location on the pair of rails, - moving the first and second supports (5, 12) and rotating the first and second

10. saws (10, 15) so as to cut the first and second rails (RI, R2). Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the cutting of the first rail (RI) and the cutting of the second rail (R2) are carried out simultaneously.

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