A compacting machine for compacting the underside of track ties

Abstract

The invention relates to a compaction machine (1) for compacting the underside of sleepers (4) of a track (2), comprising a machine frame (14) supported on rail bogies (10) and satellite frames (12) arranged between the rail bogies (10), the satellite frames (12) being supported at their rear in relation to the working direction (11) on the own rail bogie (10) and at their front connected to the machine frame (14) via frame guides (13) so as to be longitudinally shiftable, the satellite frames (12) having a compaction device (7) arranged on them between the own rail bogies (10) and the frame guides (13), the satellite frames (12) being supportable relative to the machine frame (14) by means of a support device (17), in this case arranged directly above the compaction device (7). In this way, the weight of the main machine (8) is used to exert a bearing force on the support device (17) directly on the compaction device (7), and leverage applied to the satellite frame (12) is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ramming machine for ramming the underside of railway sleepers, comprising a machine frame supported on a rail trolley and a satellite frame arranged between the rail trolleys. The satellite frame is supported by a specific rail trolley at the rear with respect to the working direction and is longitudinally shiftably connected to the machine frame via a frame guide at the front. A ramming device is arranged between the specific rail trolley and the frame guide on the satellite frame. The satellite frame can be supported with respect to the machine frame using a support device.

Background Art

[0002] A ramming machine of the type described at the beginning for a continuous working method is known from Austrian Patent Invention No. 413554. A longitudinally shiftable satellite is arranged on the main machine, and the satellite includes a ramming device and a lift and correction unit. During operation, the main machine continuously moves along the track to be rammed using the rail trolley. The satellite moves periodically in the working direction from sleeper to sleeper, and only the satellite is stopped during the duration of the ramming process. In this way, it is not necessary to periodically brake and accelerate the entire mass of the ramming machine. The satellite includes its own rail trolley, and above it, a support device for supporting the satellite with respect to the machine frame is arranged. Thereby, detachment of the satellite in the area of the rail trolley should be avoided while the ramming pick of the ramming device sinks into the ballast bed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The problem underlying the present invention is to improve a ramming machine of the type described at the beginning in a lighter structural form using a satellite without depending on the state of the ballast bed so that an optimal ramming process is ensured.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0004] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. The dependent claims show advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005] Here, the support device is arranged directly above the ramming device. In this way, the weight of the main machine is utilized for directly exerting a supporting force on the ramming device on the support device. The lever action on the frame guide and the inherent rail carriage, which is loaded on the satellite frame, is avoided. In contrast, the support above the rail carriage, known from the prior art, causes a lever action and, as a result, bending stress in the satellite frame when the ramming device descends. The solution according to the present invention enables, on the one hand, a particularly lightweight structural form of the satellite frame. Thereby, the energy to be consumed for accelerating and braking the satellite during the ramming cycle is minimized. On the other hand, it is ensured that the rail carriage of the lightweight-structured satellite does not lift off the rail when the ramming device descends and the ramming pick of the ramming device penetrates into the ballast bed. Therefore, even in the case of strongly rammed ballast, an optimal ramming process is ensured, and in this case, the ramming machine can operate particularly energy-efficiently.

[0006] In an advantageous development, the ramming device is configured as a row-type ramming device having a plurality of rows of ramming units that are selectively height-adjustable separately for simultaneously ramming the lower sides of a plurality of sleepers or for ramming the lower sides of individual sleepers. By using each additional row of ramming units, the reaction force acting on the ramming picker from the ballast bed during the simultaneous penetration process increases. In the case of a hard ballast bed, this increase in the reaction force exceeds the increase in gravity due to the additional ramming units. Therefore, it is particularly reasonable to arrange the support device directly above the row-type ramming device.

[0007] Such columnar compaction devices are advantageously combined with a development of a support device that includes at least two pressing units spaced apart from each other in the working direction and individually activatable. In this case, each pressing unit causes a specific support force. Here, the front pressing unit is assigned to the front row of the compaction unit, and the rear pressing unit is assigned to the rear row of the compaction unit. The arrangement of two pressing units for a three-row compaction unit is particularly effective. When the front compaction unit descends alone, only the front pressing unit is activated. When the rear compaction unit descends alone, only the rear pressing unit is activated. When the central compaction unit descends alone, both pressing units are activated. In this way, the application of the support force is always carried out approximately above the compaction unit in the use state. An example regarding the individual descent of the compaction units of a three-row compaction device is known from Austrian Patent Application Publication No. 524005. The individual activation of the compaction units is also significant in the area of the diverter or the area of obstacles in the track.

[0008] In an advantageous variant of the invention, each pressing unit includes a first sliding element, and the first sliding element is adjustable with respect to the second sliding element. The contacting sliding surfaces are particularly oriented in the horizontal direction, which also enables lateral sliding. For example, the first sliding element is arranged to be lowered onto a satellite frame, or the second sliding element is arranged to be raised onto a machine frame. Thereby, the support action of each pressing unit can be interrupted during the conveying travel of the compaction machine, so that all spring strokes of the rail carriage are available. Also, each support force can be changed using controllable adjustment means.

[0009] In another preferred variant of the invention, each pressing unit comprises at least one rotatable rolling element, which can roll on a longitudinal guide oriented in the working direction. While the satellite moves relative to the main machine, the rolling element assigned to the satellite frame rolls on a counter surface arranged on the machine frame and thereby transmits a supporting force directly to the assigned compaction unit. Alternatively, each pressing unit is arranged on the machine frame and the counter surface is arranged on the satellite frame.

[0010] Advantageously, at least one rolling element is arranged in an adjustable height manner in the assigned pressing unit by means of a drive. This height adjustability allows, on the one hand, the respective pressing unit to be temporarily deactivated, which is advantageous in that the spring stroke of the rail carriage can be utilized without impeding the delivery travel of the compaction machine. On the other hand, the height adjustment of the at least one rolling element allows the support effect of the support device to be adjusted.

[0011] In a further refinement, at least one rolling element is guided in a guide rail arranged on the machine frame, so that the movement of the elements in contact with one another can be precisely adjusted relative to one another, thereby minimizing wear.

[0012] In one development, each pressing unit is arranged on a console, which is arranged on the satellite frame in such a way that the relative movement between the satellite and the main machine is not hindered and the supporting forces are transmitted directly to the compaction unit.

[0013] Advantageously, the console is arranged on the lateral supports of the satellite frame, which allows the support device to be centrally located directly above the compaction device, also transversely to the track. In an alternative embodiment, a divided pressing unit is provided, in which each part of the pressing unit is arranged via two longitudinal supports on the sides of the satellite frame.

[0014] In a preferred development, the console is mounted on the lateral supports of the satellite frame so as to be laterally shiftable. This allows for a particularly stable structure of the support device in compaction machines with a centrally located machine frame. Alternatively, the opposing elements of each pressing unit are mounted on the machine frame so as to be laterally shiftable. This lateral shiftability allows for unhindered turning of the satellite outwards relative to the main machine when driving around corners.

[0015] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a compaction machine on track. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic view of a satellite of the compaction machine according to FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the support device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a support device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a support device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a satellite having an alternative support device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The compaction machine 1 is used to compact the track 2. Using a lifting and straightening unit 3, the track grid consisting of sleepers 4 with rails 5 fixed thereon is lifted from the ballast bed 6 and oriented laterally. The new track position is fixed by shifting the ballast underneath the sleepers 4 and compacting it using a compaction device 7. The compaction machine 1 shown is arranged for continuous operation. For this purpose, it consists essentially of two parts, in particular a main machine 8 and a satellite 9.

[0018] During working operation, the main machine 8 moves continuously in the working direction 11 on a rail carriage 10 along the track 2 to be compacted. Only the satellite 9 moves cyclically from sleeper 4 to sleeper 4. The lifting and straightening unit 3 and the compaction device 7 are arranged on a frame 12 of the satellite 9. At its rear end in relation to the working direction 11, this satellite frame 12 is supported on its own rail carriage 10 and at its front end is connected via frame guides 13 to the machine frame 14 of the main machine 8 so that it can be shifted longitudinally.

[0019] During the compaction process, a compaction unit 15 of the compaction device 7 is positioned above each sleeper 4 and lowered, whereupon the vibrating compaction pick 16 of each compaction unit 15 penetrates into the ballast bed 6. During this penetration process, the ballast bed 6 exerts a reaction force on the compaction pick 16, which may be very high if the ballast bed 6 is heavily soiled.

[0020] Therefore, according to the invention, a support device 17 is arranged directly above the compaction device 7. "Above the compaction device 7" means arranged in the longitudinal region 18 between the outer fixing parts 19 of the compaction device 7 on the satellite frame 12. In this way, loading of the satellite frame 12 by bending moments is largely avoided. Ideally, the position of the support device 17 results in a downwardly directed support force in the region of the central vertical axis 20 of the compaction device 7. This support force acts together with the gravity of the satellite 9 against the reaction force of the ballast bed 6 during the penetration process of the compaction device 7.

[0021] 2 shows a satellite 9 equipped with a row compaction device 7 for simultaneously compacting the undersides of three sleepers 4 positioned directly one behind the other. For this purpose, the row compaction device 7 has three rows arranged one behind the other, each with its own laterally shiftable and height-adjustable compaction units 15. Each row contains four compaction units 15, with two compaction units 15 assigned to each rail 5 of the track 2. During the compaction process, the compaction picks 16 of the compaction units 15 sink into the ballast bed 6 on both sides of the respective rail 5. The total reaction force generated here is approximately three times higher than in a simple compaction device 7 for compacting the undersides of individual sleepers 4.

[0022] In the case of such a reaction force, the weight of the satellite 9 may be insufficient to hold the rail bogie 10 of the satellite 9 on the track 2. Therefore, the weight of the main vehicle 8 is shared on the support device 17, which allows the satellite frame 12 to be implemented with a lighter construction. In particular, in a satellite frame 12 configured in this way, the operating booth 21 is not arranged on the satellite 9 but on the main machine 8. The lightweight construction of the satellite frame 12 is based on detailed strength calculations, and weight is reduced, for example, by through-holes 22 in the frame metal sheeting. Overall, the low weight helps the compaction machine 1 to be approved for route classes with low permissible axle loads. Furthermore, less energy is consumed for accelerating and decelerating the mass during the cyclic forward movement from sleeper 4 to sleeper 4.

[0023] 2 to 5 show an exemplary embodiment of a support device 17 with rolling bearings. Here, the satellite frame 12 includes a lateral support 23, which connects the longitudinal supports 24 of the satellite frame 12 and is supported on a console 25 so as to be laterally shiftable. Specifically, the console 25 is supported on two guide rods 26 arranged above and below the lateral support 23. The measure of lateral shiftability is selected here so that the satellite 9 can be swiveled relative to the main machinery 8 when passing through a curve with a minimum permissible radius of curvature. For example, the corresponding secant offset on each side is 250 millimeters.

[0024] Front and rear pressing units 27 are arranged on the console 25 in the working direction 11. The support force of the front pressing unit 27 acts on the front compaction unit 15 from above, and the support force of the rear pressing unit 27 acts on the rear compaction unit 15 from above. In this way, the pressing units 27 are assigned to the rows of the row compaction device 7. The activation of each pressing unit 27 takes place depending on the activation of the assigned compaction unit 15 during the compaction process. This effectively prevents bending moments in the satellite frame 12.

[0025] Each pressing unit 27 includes a vertical guide 28 for a respective roller holder 29. In each roller holder 29, a pressing roller is supported as a rotatable rolling element 30. Each roller holder 29 is connected to a drive 31 for adjusting the height of the assigned rolling element 30. This allows the respective rolling element 30 to be adjusted relative to a longitudinal guide 32 fixed to the machine frame 14 before starting operation of the compaction machine 1. It is also advantageous to keep the support force of the assigned pressing unit 27 constant by means of the respective drive 31. For example, the drive 31 is a hydraulic cylinder actuated by a constant system pressure. In this way, the vertical movement of the satellite 9 relative to the main machine 8 is compensated during processing of the track 2 in areas of gradient change (changes in the longitudinal inclination of the track 2).

[0026] The lateral guidance of each rolling element 30 is effected by means of lateral sliding strips 33, the longitudinal guides 32 thereby forming guide rails together with these sliding strips 33. Advantageously, each rolling element 30 rolls on an exchangeable friction plate 34 of the longitudinal guide 32.

[0027] In an alternative configuration, each rolling element 30 is pressed against a longitudinal guide 32 of the machine frame 14 by means of a spring-loaded guide, in which case the spring action can be blocked. During work operation, a corresponding block is provided, whereby the satellite frame 12 is supported relative to the machine frame 14. During delivery travel, this block is released, whereby relative movement between the satellite frame 12 and the machine frame 14 is possible.

[0028] The required length of the longitudinal guide 32 is adjusted according to the maximum travel distance that the satellite 9 will travel relative to the main machine 8 during working operation. This depends on various factors, such as the expected working speed of the main machine 8, the expected duration of a complete compaction cycle, and the maximum number of sleepers 4 whose undersides will be compacted simultaneously.

[0029] 6 shows an alternative configuration of the satellite 9. The support device 17 here comprises two pressing units 27, each with a first sliding element 35 on the satellite frame 12 and a second sliding element 36 on the machine frame 14. Each second sliding element 36 has a smaller sliding surface than the first sliding element 35 and is adjustable relative to the first sliding element 35 by means of an assigned drive 31. For example, the drive 31 together with the associated sliding element 35 is configured as a plunger cylinder with a connection to the hydraulic system of the compaction machine 1.

[0030] During operation, the second sliding element 36 slides longitudinally and laterally on the first sliding element 35, thereby maintaining support during relative movement of the satellite 9 with respect to the main machine 8. Preferably, both sliding elements 35, 36 have interchangeable friction plates 34.

Claims

1. A tamping machine (1) for tamping the underside of sleepers (4) of a track (2), comprising: a machine frame (14) supported on a rail carriage (10); and a satellite frame (12) disposed between the rail bogies (10), The satellite frame (12) is supported at its rear in the working direction (11) on a dedicated rail carriage (10) and at its front is connected to the machine frame (14) via a frame guide (13) so as to be longitudinally shiftable, and a compaction device (7) is arranged on the satellite frame (12) between the dedicated rail carriage (10) and the frame guide (13); The satellite frames (12) can be supported relative to the machine frame (14) by means of support devices (17), A compaction machine (1) characterized in that the support device (17) is arranged directly above the compaction device (7).

2. 2. The compaction machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the compaction device (7) is configured as a row-type compaction device having a plurality of rows of individually height-adjustable compaction units (15) for selectively compacting the undersides of a plurality of sleepers (4) simultaneously or for compacting the undersides of individual sleepers (4).

3. 3. A compaction machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein the support device (17) comprises at least two pressing units (27) spaced apart from one another in the working direction (11) and actuable separately.

4. 4. The compaction machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein each pressing unit (27) comprises a first sliding element (35), which is adjustable relative to a second sliding element (36).

5. 4. The compaction machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein each pressing unit (27) comprises at least one rotatable rolling element (30), which is capable of rolling on a longitudinal guide (32) oriented in particular in the working direction (11).

6. 6. The compaction machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein at least one rolling element (30) is arranged height-adjustably in the assigned pressing unit (27) by means of a drive (31).

7. 7. A compaction machine (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each rolling element (30) is guided in a guide rail (32, 33) arranged on the machine frame (14).

8. 7. A compaction machine (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each pressing unit (27) is arranged on a console (25), which is arranged on the satellite frame (12).

9. A compaction machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the console (25) is arranged on a lateral support (23) of the satellite frame (12).

10. 10. A compaction machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein the console (25) is supported on the lateral supports (23) of the satellite frames (12) so as to be laterally shiftable.

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