Heat pipe and turnout

Abstract

To provide a heat pipe capable of suppressing conversion impossibility due to freezing or the like and deformation of a stock rail.SOLUTION: A heatpipe 1 which can be used for a turnout 2 having a stock rail 3 and a tongue rail 6 is provided with a heatpipe body 10 having a first pipe part 10b provided on one end side and a second pipe part 10c provided on the other end side. The first pipe portion 10b is configured to be buried in the ground. The second pipe portion 10c is configured to be able to contact the stock rail 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pipe and a branching device. [Background technology]

[0002] Snow melting devices for railway track switches have been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a snow melting device that includes a heat pipe type floor panel and a heat generating means that generates heat in a heat receiving portion of the heat pipe type floor panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-222702 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, snow melting devices such as those in Patent Document 1 can prevent switches from becoming unable to switch due to freezing or the like, but do not take into consideration the problem of the base rails of switches becoming too hot and deforming due to, for example, extreme summer heat.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat pipe and a branch that can suppress the inability to switch due to freezing and the like and the deformation of the main rail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a heat pipe that can be used in a branch having a base rail and a tongue rail, and includes a heat pipe body having a first pipe section provided at one end and a second pipe section provided at the other end, wherein the first pipe section is configured to be able to be buried underground, and the second pipe section is configured to be able to come into contact with the base rail.

[0007] According to the present invention configured as described above, the first pipe section is configured to be buried underground, and the second pipe section is configured to be in contact with the base rail. Therefore, in winter, when the temperature of the ground is higher than the ambient temperature above ground, the geothermal heat received by the first pipe section is radiated from the second pipe section. The heat radiated from the second pipe section can warm the base rail, preventing, for example, the tongue rail and base rail from freezing together, making the turnout unable to be switched. Furthermore, in summer, when the ambient temperature above ground is higher than the ambient temperature below ground, the heat of the base rail received by the second pipe section is radiated from the first pipe section into the ground. The second pipe section absorbs heat from the base rail, thereby preventing a temperature rise in the base rail, thereby preventing the base rail from becoming too hot and deforming.

[0008] In the present invention, preferably, the base rail has a first base rail and a second base rail, the heat pipe body has a first heat pipe body corresponding to the first base rail and a second heat pipe body corresponding to the second base rail, and a first insulating portion is provided on the outer periphery of the first pipe portion of at least one of the first heat pipe body and the second heat pipe body.

[0009] According to the present invention configured as described above, the first insulating section can prevent the first base rail and the second base rail from shorting out via the first heat pipe body, the second heat pipe body, and the ground, which can prevent, for example, a short circuit between the first base rail and the second base rail from causing a railway signal to turn red, thereby preventing train operations from being disrupted.

[0010] In the present invention, the first insulating portion is preferably provided on the outer periphery of the ground surface side portion of the first pipe portion.

[0011] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the first insulating portion is provided on the outer periphery of the ground surface side portion of the first pipe portion, thereby reducing costs compared to when the first insulating portion is provided on the entire first pipe portion. Furthermore, since the earth resistivity increases with depth from the ground surface, even if the first insulating portion is not provided on the outer periphery of the anti-ground surface side portion of the first pipe portion, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the first base rail and the second base rail via the first heat pipe body, the second heat pipe body, and the ground.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, the base rail has a first base rail and a second base rail, and the second pipe section is formed by the heat pipe main body branching into two parts, so that a one-side second pipe section and an other-side second pipe section are provided, and the one-side second pipe section is configured to be able to contact the first base rail, and the other-side second pipe section is configured to be able to contact the second base rail.

[0013] According to the present invention configured as described above, the second pipe section is formed by bifurcating the heat pipe body into one-side second pipe section and another-side second pipe section, so that the number of first pipe sections to be buried in the ground can be reduced compared to when the one-side second pipe section and the other-side second pipe section each have a first pipe section, thereby shortening the time required to bury the first pipe sections in the ground.

[0014] In the present invention, preferably, a second insulating portion is provided on an outer periphery of at least one of the one-side second pipe portion and the other-side second pipe portion.

[0015] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the second insulating section can prevent the first base rail and the second base rail from shorting out via the heat pipe body, which can prevent, for example, a train traffic light from turning red due to a short circuit between the first base rail and the second base rail, thereby preventing train operations from being disrupted.

[0016] In the present invention, the second pipe section is preferably located outward in the track width direction from the center of the base rail in the track width direction.

[0017] According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of interference between the flange of a train wheel and the second pipe portion, for example.

[0018] In the present invention, the second pipe section is preferably configured to be able to come into contact with the underside of the rail head section of the base rail.

[0019] According to the present invention configured as described above, the second pipe section is configured to be able to come into contact with the underside of the rail head of the base rail, which makes it difficult for snow to adhere to the second pipe section, and therefore makes it difficult for heat radiated from the second pipe section to be used to melt snow adhering to the second pipe section, making it possible to more appropriately warm the base rail with the heat radiated from the second pipe section.

[0020] In the present invention, preferably, the rail structure further comprises a bracket capable of supporting the second pipe section so that the second pipe section comes into contact with the lower surface of the rail head section.

[0021] According to the present invention configured as described above, by using the bracket, it is not necessary to provide holes or the like in the base rail for fixing the second pipe section.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a branch having a base rail, a tongue rail, and a heat pipe, wherein the heat pipe comprises a heat pipe body having a first pipe section provided at one end and a second pipe section provided at the other end, and the heat pipe body is configured such that, when the temperature of the base rail is lower than the temperature of the ground in which the first pipe section is buried, the first pipe section receives heat from the ground and radiates it to the base rail from the second pipe section, and when the temperature of the base rail is higher than the temperature of the ground, the second pipe section receives heat from the base rail and radiates it to the ground from the first pipe section.

[0023] According to the present invention configured as described above, when the temperature of the base rail is lower than the temperature of the ground in which the first pipe section is buried, the geothermal heat received by the first pipe section is radiated from the second pipe section to the base rail. This makes it possible to warm the base rail, thereby preventing, for example, the tongue rail and the base rail from freezing together, making the turnout unable to be switched. Furthermore, when the temperature of the base rail is higher than the temperature of the ground, the heat of the base rail received by the second pipe section is radiated from the first pipe section to the ground. The second pipe section absorbs heat from the base rail, making it possible to suppress a temperature rise in the base rail, thereby preventing deformation of the base rail due to high temperatures. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] A heat pipe and a branch that can suppress switching failure due to freezing and deformation of the base rail can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example in which a heat pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a branching unit; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of a heat pump, (b) is a diagram showing heat transfer from the first pipe section to the second pipe section, and (c) is a diagram showing heat transfer from the second pipe section to the first pipe section. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the first pipe section is buried in the ground. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between underground temperature, outside air temperature, and track temperature. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 according to a modified example. [Figure 8](a) is a diagram showing a modified example in which concrete is filled in a vertical hole, (b) is a diagram showing a modified example in which sand is filled in a casing buried in a vertical hole, and (c) is a diagram showing a modified example in which groundwater is introduced into a casing buried in a vertical hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature.

[0027] 1 shows a heat pipe 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heat pipe 1 is used in a point section P of a turnout 2 of a railway track. In this embodiment, the turnout 2 is a single-opening turnout, and is composed of a point section P, a lead section (not shown), a crossing section (not shown), and a guard section (not shown).

[0028] The point section P of the turnout 2 includes a base rail 3, a sleeper 4, a floor plate 5, a tongue rail 6, and a point device 7.

[0029] The base rail 3 includes a first base rail 3a and a second base rail 3b. The first base rail 3a and the second base rail 3b are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined distance (e.g., 1067 mm) between them. In this embodiment, the direction in which the first base rail 3a and the second base rail 3b are arranged side by side is defined as the track width direction.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the base rail 3 is inverted T-shaped and includes a head portion 3c, a web portion 3d, and a bottom portion 3e. When a train (not shown) runs on the base rail 3, the wheels WH of the train (not shown) come into contact with the head portion 3c. A flange F for preventing derailment is provided on the outer periphery of the wheel WH at the inner portion in the track width direction.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of sleepers 4 (made of, for example, concrete) are arranged side by side along the extension direction of the base rail 3. A metal floor plate 5 having a pair of first and second floor plates 5a and 5b is attached to the upper surface of each sleeper 4. The pair of first and second floor plates 5a and 5b are arranged on the upper surface of the sleeper 4 at a predetermined distance from each other in the track width direction.

[0032] Furthermore, a base rail 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the floor plate 5 using a fastener 8. More specifically, a first base rail 3a is fixed to the upper surface of the first floor plate 5a using a fastener 8 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, a second base rail 3b is fixed to the upper surface of the second floor plate 5b using a fastener 8.

[0033] A tongue rail 6 is arranged on the inner side of the main rail 3 in the track width direction. The tongue rail 6 includes a first tongue rail 6a corresponding to the first main rail 3a and a second tongue rail 6b corresponding to the second main rail 3b. The first tongue rail 6a is able to slide on the upper surface of the first deck plate 5a. The second tongue rail 6b is able to slide on the upper surface of the second deck plate 5b.

[0034] The point device 7 is, for example, an electric point device having an electric motor (not shown). The point device 7 is configured to switch the route of the train by switching the tongue rail 6. More specifically, the point device 7 is configured to be able to switch, using an electric motor (not shown), between a first state in which the first tongue rail 6a is in contact with the first base rail 3a and the second tongue rail 6b is not in contact with the second base rail 3b (there is a gap between the second tongue rail 6b and the second base rail 3b), and a second state in which the first tongue rail 6a is not in contact with the first base rail 3a (there is a gap between the first tongue rail 6a and the first base rail 3a) and the second tongue rail 6b is in contact with the second base rail 3b.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the heat pipe 1 will be described.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3(a), the heat pipe 1 has a heat pipe body 10 made of metal (for example, aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, titanium, or copper). The heat pipe body 10 is a tube with a circular cross section perpendicular to its extension direction, and both ends are sealed. In this embodiment, for convenience, the heat pipe body 10 corresponding to the first basic rail 3a will be referred to as the first heat pipe body 10A, and the heat pipe body 10 corresponding to the second basic rail 3b will be referred to as the second heat pipe body 10B.

[0037] The heat pipe body 10 has a hollow portion 10a filled with a working fluid (for example, water, ethanol, or naphthalene) inside. The heat pipe body 10 also has a wick structure 11 inside.

[0038] The heat pipe body 10 also includes a first pipe section 10b provided at one end in the extension direction of the heat pipe body 10, a second pipe section 10c provided at the other end in the extension direction of the heat pipe body 10, and an intermediate pipe section 10d provided between the first pipe section 10b and the second pipe section 10c.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the first pipe section 10b is buried in the ground. As a result, the outer surface of the first pipe section 10b is in contact with soil, stones, etc. in the ground. In this embodiment, two vertical holes H, for example, 13 to 20 meters deep, are excavated in the ground at a position adjacent to the turnout 2 (for example, a position 5 m or more away from the center of the two base rails 3 in the track width direction to the outside). The first pipe section 10b of the first heat pipe body 10A is buried in one of the vertical holes H, and the first pipe section 10b of the second heat pipe body 10B is buried in the other vertical hole H.

[0040] Furthermore, a first insulating portion 13 for preventing short circuits in the track circuit is provided on the outer periphery of the first pipe portion 10b of the second heat pipe body 10B on the ground surface side. For example, insulating tape is wound around the outer periphery of the first pipe portion 10b as the first insulating portion 13. The earth layer at a first predetermined depth (e.g., 1 m) from the ground surface has a relatively low earth resistivity and may be conductive. Therefore, the first pipe portion 10b is provided with the first insulating portion 13 from the ground surface to a second predetermined depth (e.g., 1 to 1.5 m). In this embodiment, the first pipe portion 10b of the first heat pipe body 10A is not provided with the first insulating portion 13.

[0041] On the other hand, the second pipe section 10c and the intermediate pipe section 10d are not buried in the ground but are located above ground.

[0042] 2, the second pipe section 10c is located outside in the track width direction of the center RC of the base rail 3. The second pipe section 10c is configured to be able to come into contact with the underside of the head section 3c of the base rail 3.

[0043] The second pipe section 10c is supported by a bracket 12. The bracket 12 has a base end section 12a fixed to the upper surface of the sleeper 4, a tip support section 12b that supports the second pipe section 10c so that the outer surface and upper part of the second pipe section 10c contacts the underside of the head section 3c of the base rail 3, and a connecting section 12c that connects the base end section 12a and the tip support section 12b.

[0044] The intermediate pipe portion 10d is disposed so as to crawl along the ground. In this embodiment, an insulating portion (not shown) is provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate pipe portion 10d to insulate the intermediate pipe portion 10d from outside air, rain, snow, etc.

[0045] Next, the operation of the heat pipe 1 will be described.

[0046] Figure 3(b) shows the operation of the heat pipe 1 when the temperature underground is higher than the ambient temperature above ground (e.g., in winter). In this case, the temperature of the base rail 3 located above ground is lower than the temperature underground.

[0047] When the temperature underground is higher than the ambient temperature above ground, the first pipe section 10b of the heat pipe body 10 becomes the evaporation section (heat receiving section), and the second pipe section 10c becomes the condensation section (heat dissipation section).

[0048] (A1) Because the first pipe section 10b is buried underground, the first pipe section 10b receives (collects) geothermal heat. The geothermal heat causes the working fluid (liquid) in the first pipe section 10b to evaporate and become working fluid vapor.

[0049] (A2) The working fluid vapor in the first pipe section 10b passes through the cavity section 10a and moves to the second pipe section 10c.

[0050] (A3) Because the second pipe section 10c is in contact with the base rail 3, which has a temperature lower than that of the ground, the second pipe section 10c is cooled by the base rail 3. As a result, the working fluid vapor in the second pipe section 10c is cooled, and the working fluid vapor condenses and returns to working fluid (liquid), which is absorbed by the wick structure 11. Furthermore, when the working fluid vapor condenses and returns to working fluid (liquid) in the second pipe section 10c, it releases heat (heat dissipation). Then, the base rail 3 in contact with the second pipe section 10c receives the heat released from the second pipe section 10c. This allows the base rail 3 to be warmed, which prevents the tongue rail 6 and the base rail 3 from freezing and prevents snow and ice from adhering to the base rail 3. Furthermore, because the base rail 3 is attached to the upper surface of the floor board 5, the heat released from the second pipe section 10c is transmitted to the floor board 5 via the base rail 3. This allows the floorboards 5 to be heated, which can prevent snow from accumulating on the floorboards 5 or ice from adhering thereto, for example.

[0051] (A4) The working fluid absorbed in the wick structure 11 flows through the wick structure 11 and returns to the first pipe portion 10b.

[0052] When the temperature underground is higher than the ambient air temperature above ground, processes (A1) to (A4) occur, and heat transfer occurs from the first pipe section 10b to the second pipe section 10c. Then, processes (A1) to (A4) are repeated, allowing the base rail 3 to be heated by geothermal heat. In other words, the heat pipe body 10 is configured so that when the temperature of the base rail 3 is lower than the temperature of the ground where the first pipe section 10b is buried, the geothermal heat received by the first pipe section 10b is radiated to the base rail 3 from the second pipe section 10c. This allows the base rail 3 to be heated by geothermal heat.

[0053] 3(c) shows the operation of the heat pipe 1 when the outside air temperature on the ground is higher than the underground temperature (for example, in summer). In this case, the temperature of the base rail 3 located on the ground is higher than the underground temperature.

[0054] When the ambient temperature above ground is higher than the temperature underground, the first pipe section 10b of the heat pipe body 10 becomes the condensation section (heat dissipation section), and the second pipe section 10c becomes the evaporation section (heat reception section).

[0055] (B1) Because the second pipe section 10c is in contact with the base rail 3, the second pipe section 10c receives heat from the base rail 3. In other words, the heat of the base rail 3 is absorbed by the second pipe section 10c. Then, the heat absorbed by the base rail 3 causes the working fluid (liquid) in the second pipe section 10c to evaporate and become working fluid vapor.

[0056] (B2) The working fluid vapor in the second pipe section 10c passes through the cavity section 10a and moves to the first pipe section 10b.

[0057] (B3) The first pipe section 10b is buried underground, and the temperature of the ground is lower than the ambient air temperature above ground and the temperature of the base rail 3. Therefore, the first pipe section 10b is cooled by geothermal heat. As a result, the working fluid vapor in the first pipe section 10b condenses and returns to the working fluid (liquid), and is absorbed by the wick structure 11. In addition, the heat generated when the working fluid vapor condenses and returns to the working fluid (liquid) in the first pipe section 10b is released (radiated) into the ground.

[0058] (B4) The working fluid absorbed in the wick structure 11 flows through the wick structure 11 and returns to the second pipe portion 10c.

[0059] When the ambient temperature above ground is higher than the temperature underground, processes (B1) to (B4) occur, and heat transfer occurs from the second pipe section 10c to the first pipe section 10b. By repeating processes (B1) to (B4), it is possible to suppress a temperature rise in the base rail 3. In other words, the heat pipe body 10 is configured so that, when the temperature of the base rail 3 is higher than the temperature of the ground in which the first pipe section 10b is buried, the heat of the base rail 3 received by the second pipe section 10c is radiated from the first pipe section 10b into the ground. This suppresses a temperature rise in the base rail 3, that is, it is possible to cool the base rail 3.

[0060] Fig. 5 shows an example in which the heat pipe 1 according to this embodiment is used at a point P of a turnout 2 of a railway track. The temperatures shown in Fig. 5 are in degrees Celsius.

[0061] The temperature of the ground where the first pipe section 10b is buried is about 15°C throughout the year. On the other hand, the ambient temperature above ground can fluctuate within a range of, for example, -20°C to 60°C.

[0062] In the case of other turnouts (not shown) that do not use the heat pipe 1 according to this embodiment, the temperature (track temperature) of other base rails (not shown) becomes approximately the same as the outside air temperature, which may result in problems such as the other turnouts (not shown) becoming unable to switch due to freezing or the other base rails (not shown) becoming too hot and deforming.

[0063] In contrast, in the case of a turnout 2 using the heat pipe 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the temperature (track temperature) of the base rail 3 can be maintained in the range of 2°C to 40°C even when the ambient air temperature on the ground fluctuates between -20°C and 60°C. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the temperature (track temperature) of the base rail 3 can be prevented from dropping below freezing, making it possible to avoid situations in which the turnout 2 becomes unable to switch due to freezing or the like. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the base rail 3 can be prevented from becoming too hot, making it possible to avoid situations in which the base rail 3 becomes too hot and deforms.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first pipe section 10b is configured to be able to be buried underground, and the second pipe section 10c is configured to be able to come into contact with the base rail 3. Therefore, in winter, when the temperature of the ground is higher than the ambient temperature above ground, the geothermal heat received by the first pipe section 10b is radiated from the second pipe section 10c. The heat radiated from the second pipe section 10c can warm the base rail 3, which can prevent, for example, the tongue rail 6 and the base rail 3 from freezing together, making the turnout 2 unable to switch. Furthermore, in summer, when the ambient temperature above ground is higher than the temperature underground, the heat of the base rail received by the second pipe section 10c is radiated from the first pipe section 10b into the ground. The second pipe section 10c absorbs heat from the base rail 3, which can prevent the temperature of the base rail 3 from rising too high and causing deformation.

[0065] Furthermore, the first insulating portion 13 can prevent the first base rail 3a and the second base rail 3b from shorting out via the first heat pipe body 10A, the second heat pipe body 10B, and the ground. This makes it possible to avoid, for example, a train traffic light turning red due to a short circuit between the first base rail 3a and the second base rail 3b, thereby preventing train operations from being disrupted.

[0066] Furthermore, because the first insulating portion 13 is provided on the outer periphery of the ground surface side portion of the first pipe portion 10b, costs can be reduced compared to when the entire first pipe portion 10b is provided with the first insulating portion 13. Furthermore, since the earth resistivity increases with depth from the ground surface, even if the first insulating portion 13 is not provided on the outer periphery of the anti-ground side portion of the first pipe portion 10b, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the first base rail 3a and the second base rail 3b via the first heat pipe body 10A, the second heat pipe body 10B, and the ground.

[0067] Also, for example, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of interference between the flange F of the train wheel WH and the second pipe portion 10c.

[0068] Furthermore, since the second pipe section 10c is configured to be able to come into contact with the underside of the head section 3c of the base rail 3, snow, for example, is less likely to adhere to the second pipe section 10c. This makes it less likely that heat radiated from the second pipe section 10c will be used to melt snow adhering to the second pipe section 10c, making it possible to more appropriately warm the base rail 3 with the heat radiated from the second pipe section 10c.

[0069] Furthermore, since the second pipe portion 10c is disposed below the head portion 3c of the base rail, the head portion 3c functions as a sunshade or rain shelter, thereby preventing the second pipe portion 10c from being exposed to sunlight, rain, etc.

[0070] Furthermore, by using the bracket 12, it is no longer necessary to provide holes or the like in the base rail 3 for fixing the second pipe portion 10c.

[0071] Furthermore, when the temperature of the base rail 3 is lower than the temperature of the ground where the first pipe section 10b is buried, the geothermal heat received by the first pipe section 10b is radiated from the second pipe section 10c to the base rail 3. This makes it possible to warm the base rail 3, thereby preventing, for example, the tongue rail 6 and the base rail 3 from freezing together, making the turnout 2 unable to switch. Furthermore, when the temperature of the base rail 3 is higher than the temperature of the ground, the heat of the base rail 3 received by the second pipe section 10c is radiated from the first pipe section 10b to the ground. The second pipe section 10c absorbs the heat from the base rail 3, making it possible to suppress a rise in temperature of the base rail 3, thereby preventing the base rail 3 from becoming too hot and deforming.

[0072] In this embodiment, the intermediate pipe section 10d is not branched. However, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 6, the intermediate pipe section 10d may be bifurcated so that the second pipe section 10c has a one-side second pipe section 15a and an other-side second pipe section 15b. In this case, the one-side second pipe section 15a is configured to be able to contact the first base rail 3a (see FIG. 7). The other-side second pipe section 15b is configured to be able to contact the second base rail 3b. In this way, the second pipe section 10c has a one-side second pipe section 15a and an other-side second pipe section 15b because the heat pipe main body 1 is bifurcated. Therefore, the number of first pipe sections 10b to be buried in the ground can be reduced compared to when the one-side second pipe section 15a and the other-side second pipe section 15b each have a first pipe section 10b. This reduces the time required to bury the first pipe sections 10b in the ground.

[0073] 7, a second insulating part 16 (e.g., insulating tape) for preventing short circuits in the track circuit is provided on the outer periphery of the one-side second pipe part 15a. In this way, the second insulating part 16 can prevent the first base rail 3a and the second base rail 3b from short-circuiting via the heat pipe body 10. This makes it possible to avoid, for example, a short circuit between the first base rail 3a and the second base rail 3b causing a railway signal to turn red, which would disrupt train operations.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first pipe section 10b is buried in the vertical hole H so as to come into contact with soil, stones, etc. underground, but as shown in Figure 8(a), concrete C may be filled around the first pipe section 10b buried in the vertical hole H, or as shown in Figure 8(b), the first pipe section 10b may be housed (buried in the ground) in a substantially bottomed cylindrical casing 20 buried in the vertical hole H, and sand S (e.g., silica sand) may be filled in the casing 20, or as shown in Figure 8(c), the first pipe section 10b may be housed (buried in the ground) in a casing 20 buried in the vertical hole H, and groundwater W may be introduced into the casing 20 through a through hole 21 provided in the casing 20.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first pipe section 10b of the first heat pipe body 10A and the first pipe section 10b of the second heat pipe body 10B are embedded at one side of the first base rail 3a in the track width direction, but it is also possible to embed the first pipe section 10b of the first heat pipe body 10A at one side of the first base rail 3a in the track width direction, and to embed the first pipe section 10b of the second heat pipe body 10B at the other side of the first base rail 3a in the track width direction.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heat pipe body 10 is made of metal, but it may be made of a material other than metal (for example, resin).

[0077] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the second pipe section 10c contacts the underside of the head 3c of the base rail 3, but the second pipe section 10c may also contact parts other than the underside of the head 3c, such as the body section 3d and the bottom section 3e.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the second pipe section 10c is positioned outside the track width direction of the center RC of the base rail 3, but the second pipe section 10c may be positioned inside the track width direction of the center RC of the base rail 3 as long as interference with the wheels WH of a train (not shown) can be suppressed.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the second pipe section 10c is in direct contact with the base rail 3, but a heat transfer member (e.g., a metal heat transfer member) not shown may be interposed between the second pipe section 10c and the base rail 3, or a gap may exist between the second pipe section 10c and the base rail 3 (for example, if there are parts where the second pipe section 10c and the base rail 3 are in contact and parts where they are not in contact, if a gap occurs between the second pipe section 10c and the base rail 3 over time, if a gap occurs between the second pipe section 10c and the base rail 3 due to variations during manufacturing of the second pipe section 10c or variations during installation of the second pipe section 10c to the base rail 3, or if a gap is provided between the second pipe section 10c and the base rail 3 for the purpose of ensuring the ease of installation of the second pipe section 10c, etc.).

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the second pipe section 10c is brought into contact with the base rail 3 using the bracket 12, but the second pipe section 10c may be attached directly to the base rail 3 without using the bracket 12.

[0081] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the bracket 12 is fixed to the upper surface of the sleeper 4, but the bracket 12 may also be fixed to the floor board 5, or the bracket 12 may be fixed to the sleeper 4 and the floor board 5, or the bracket 12 may be fixed to the ground.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the first insulating portion 13 is provided in the first pipe portion 10b of the second heat pipe body 10B, but the first insulating portion 13 may also be provided in the first pipe portion 10b of the first heat pipe body 10A, or the first insulating portion 13 may be provided in the first pipe portion 10b of the first heat pipe body 10A and the first pipe portion 10b of the second heat pipe body 10B.

[0083] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the first insulating portion 13 is provided on the outer periphery of the ground surface side portion of the first pipe portion 10b, but the first insulating portion 13 may also be provided on the outer periphery of the entire area of ​​the first pipe portion 10b.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first insulating portion 13 and the second insulating portion 16 are described as being made of insulating tape, but means other than insulating tape (for example, an insulating coating such as resin) may be used.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the second insulating portion 16 is provided on the outer periphery of the one-side second pipe portion 15a, but the second insulating portion 16 may also be provided on the outer periphery of the other-side second pipe portion 15b, or the second insulating portion 16 may be provided on the outer peripheries of the one-side second pipe portion 15a and the other-side second pipe portion 15b.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second insulating portion 16 is described as being provided on the outer periphery of the second pipe portion 10c, but the base rail 3 may be provided with another insulating portion (not shown), or another insulating member (not shown) may be interposed between the base rail 3 and the second pipe portion 10c. [Industrial Applicability]

[0087] The present invention is suitable for heat pipes and branches. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 heat pipe 2 Switch 3 Basic Rails 3a First base rail 3b 2nd base rail 3c head (rail head) 6 ton rail 10 Heat pipe body 10b First pipe section 10c Second pipe section 10A 1st heat pipe body 10B Second heat pipe body 12 Bracket 13 First insulating section 15a One side second pipe section 15b Second pipe section on the other side 16 Second insulating section

Claims

1. A heat pipe that can be used in a turnout having a base rail and a tongue rail, a heat pipe body having a first pipe section provided at one end and a second pipe section provided at the other end; The first pipe section is configured to be able to be buried in the ground, The second pipe portion is a heat pipe configured to be able to come into contact with the base rail.

2. 2. The heat pipe according to claim 1, the base rail includes a first base rail and a second base rail, the heat pipe body includes a first heat pipe body corresponding to the first base rail and a second heat pipe body corresponding to the second base rail; A heat pipe, wherein a first insulating portion is provided on an outer periphery of the first pipe portion of at least one of the first heat pipe body and the second heat pipe body.

3. 3. The heat pipe according to claim 2, The first insulating portion is provided on the outer periphery of the ground surface side portion of the first pipe portion of the heat pipe.

4. 2. The heat pipe according to claim 1, the base rail includes a first base rail and a second base rail, the second pipe portion is provided by bifurcating the heat pipe body into one side second pipe portion and another side second pipe portion, The one-side second pipe section is configured to be able to come into contact with the first base rail, The other-side second pipe portion is a heat pipe configured to be able to come into contact with the second base rail.

5. 5. The heat pipe according to claim 4, The heat pipe further comprises a second insulating portion on at least one of an outer periphery of the one-side second pipe portion and an outer periphery of the other-side second pipe portion.

6. 2. The heat pipe according to claim 1, The second pipe portion is a heat pipe located outside in the track width direction from the center of the base rail in the track width direction.

7. The heat pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The second pipe portion is a heat pipe configured to be able to come into contact with the underside of the rail head portion of the base rail.

8. 8. The heat pipe according to claim 7, The heat pipe further comprises a bracket capable of supporting the second pipe portion so as to contact the lower surface of the rail head portion.

9. A turnout having a base rail, a tongue rail and a heat pipe, the heat pipe includes a heat pipe body having a first pipe portion provided at one end and a second pipe portion provided at the other end, The heat pipe body is configured such that, when the temperature of the base rail is lower than the temperature of the ground in which the first pipe section is buried, the heat pipe body radiates the geothermal heat received by the first pipe section to the base rail from the second pipe section, and, when the temperature of the base rail is higher than the temperature of the ground, the heat of the base rail received by the second pipe section radiates from the first pipe section to the ground.

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