A cleaning vehicle that cleans the railway tracks.

Abstract

A cleaning vehicle (1) is proposed that can clean two track rails (2) of a track (3) for rail vehicles by removing foreign matter. The cleaning vehicle (1) has multiple rail wheels (14), and the cleaning vehicle (1) can move along the track (3) by means of the rail wheels (14), thereby performing a cleaning run (13a), during which a surface treatment that induces the removal of foreign matter from the track rails (2) can be performed by the laser beam (33) of the mounted laser cleaning device (31a). The laser cleaning device (31a) has multiple cleaning units (36) each assigned to the track rails (2) to be cleaned, and the cleaning unit (36) has a laser beam emission area (42), in which a laser beam (33) that can be generated by the laser device (32) of the laser cleaning device (31a) can be emitted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning vehicle for cleaning two track rails of a track for rail vehicles, comprising a plurality of rail wheels, via which the cleaning vehicle can be arranged on the two track rails of the track while taking up an operating position, and the cleaning vehicle can execute a running motion induced by an assigned drive device along the track on the two track rails in the operating position; a rail cleaning device, which has cleaning units for each of the two track rails to be cleaned of the track, and the cleaning units can be positioned or are positioned near the track rails to be cleaned at least during a cleaning run executable by the running motion of the cleaning vehicle, whereby a surface treatment causing removal of foreign matter is executed in the track rails during the cleaning process.

Background Art

[0002] The track rails of rail vehicles can accumulate dirt depending on usage and the influence of the surrounding environment. As a result of this dirt, slippage increases when driving force is transmitted between the driven rail wheels of the rail vehicle and the track rails, which can lead to wear on both the rail wheels and the track rails. To improve friction and reduce slippage, many powered vehicles are equipped with automatic sand spreaders; however, their use often tends to result in even greater wear. To address this problem, track rails have already been cleaned in the relevant areas using chemical or abrasive techniques. However, chemical cleaning has the disadvantage of contaminating the ballast bed and the track foundation, which is particularly problematic with repeated cleaning. According to the applicant's internal knowledge, abrasive cleaning is performed using a rail vehicle equipped with a cleaning unit in the form of a rotary abrasive attachment or a wire brush, thereby achieving mechanical removal of foreign matter. However, this abrasive cleaning only adequately removes residues such as grease or oil, and repeated cleaning may damage the rail geometry.

[0003] The cleaning vehicle, designed with the features mentioned at the beginning, is described, for example, on page 10 of the AMT Group's internal information magazine, "Gleisbauanhaenger 20T." It can be positioned on the track while maintaining its operational position, thereby enabling cleaning runs along the track, induced by its assigned drive unit. The cleaning vehicle is equipped with a rail cleaning device, which allows for water spray treatment of the track rails to remove foreign matter. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] AMT Group's internal magazine, "Gleisbauanhaenger 20T" [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The fundamental problem of the present invention is to provide a cleaning vehicle for cleaning track rails that can effectively and quickly remove foreign matter, including corrosion, from track rails without altering the rail geometry or other mechanical properties of the track rails. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve this problem, in a cleaning vehicle relating to the features described at the beginning, according to the present invention, the rail cleaning device is configured as a laser cleaning device, the laser cleaning device has a laser device mounted on the cleaning vehicle, and each cleaning unit has a laser beam emission area for emitting a laser beam that can be generated by the laser device and directed towards the track rail to be cleaned in order to remove foreign matter.

[0007] The cleaning vehicle according to the present invention enables mobile laser beam cleaning of track rails, and laser beam cleaning is superior in terms of short operating time, high effectiveness, and gentle treatment of track rails. The cleaning vehicle has an appropriate number of rail wheels, similar to conventional rail vehicles, and can be positioned on the two track rails of the track via the rail wheels, taking the operating position. This allows for thorough removal of foreign matter adhering to or otherwise occurring on the track rails, such as dirt, oil, grease, or corrosion, using laser technology during cleaning runs. Foreign matter such as layers of dirt and areas of corrosion are removed by evaporation without causing damage, eliminating the need for mechanical blasting materials such as sand or glass, or additional cleaning agents. Therefore, the cleaning process is environmentally friendly and economical. The intensity of the surface treatment can be individually adapted according to the rail material by selecting the appropriate radiant energy and / or laser beam shape, thereby obtaining the best possible cleaning results. Laser irradiation may be performed pulsed or continuously, particularly depending on the degree of contamination and the speed of the cleaning vehicle. The laser cleaning system has a laser device mounted on a cleaning vehicle, and since the laser device is always directly involved in the movement of the cleaning vehicle, no additional logistical means are required to provide the laser. A cleaning unit is provided for each rail to be cleaned, and the cleaning unit has a laser beam emission area for the laser beam that can be generated by the laser device, and the laser beam emission area is positioned so that the emitted laser beam strikes the track rail to be cleaned at a desired angle. Multiple cleaning units can be easily provided for each track rail to be cleaned, especially arranged in succession in the direction of travel. Laser treatment is highly effective yet extremely gentle on materials and is therefore feasible, offering a high potential for reducing maintenance costs of track rails and rail vehicles that travel on the tracks in general, compared to conventional cleaning methods. Since the laser work is medium-free, it also avoids contamination of the track environment by cleaning agents.

[0008] An advantageous development of the present invention is evident from the dependent claims.

[0009] In principle, the two cleaning units can be combined into a single structural unit. However, it is considered more advantageous for the cleaning units to be spaced apart from each other laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the cleaning vehicle. This facilitates individual orientation when necessary.

[0010] The cleaning vehicle is equipped with seating facilities for practical purposes. These seating facilities are available for use by the workers on board the cleaning vehicle while it is in motion. The seating facilities specifically include at least one vehicle seat. The seating facilities enable fatigue-free cleaning work over extremely long periods of time.

[0011] Generally, lasers are classified into different laser classes based on their potential hazards. Class 1 lasers have the lowest potential hazards. In the case of Class 4 lasers, the accessible laser beam is extremely dangerous due to its high intensity. However, for effective rail cleaning, lasers belonging to Class 4 in terms of intensity are recommended. To allow such Class 4 lasers to be used without restriction even in extremely busy surrounding environments, the cleaning equipment is advantageously equipped with a Class 4 laser device. However, each cleaning unit has a laser beam shielding device to shield the laser beam, and based on the laser beam shielding device, the laser cleaning equipment as a whole belongs only to the safe Class 1 laser.

[0012] Each cleaning unit has a laser beam shielding device, the laser beam shielding device has a shielding housing, the shielding housing surrounds the work chamber so that light cannot pass through, i.e., there is no possibility of the laser beam being emitted, in which case it is considered advantageous if the laser beam emission area is located within the work chamber. To realize the cleaning means, the shielding housing has a working opening that faces or can face the track rail to be cleaned exclusively during the cleaning process, and through the working opening, the laser beam emitted in the laser emission area within the work chamber can irradiate the assigned track rail without causing harmful effects to the nearby or other surrounding environment.

[0013] Preferably, each cleaning unit has a beam output head having a laser beam emission region, in which case a laser optical system is assigned to the laser beam emission region. The laser optical system may have lenses and / or mirrors, thereby setting the laser beam as needed.

[0014] Each beam output head is preferably housed within the working chamber of its assigned cleaning unit.

[0015] It is advantageous to assign a positioning device to each cleaning unit to enable positioning at different height positions. For example, the positioning device may be configured to bring the cleaning unit in question to at least one lowered operating position for performing the laser cleaning process or at least one raised standby position for travel motion other than cleaning travel.

[0016] Preferably, the laser cleaning apparatus is further equipped with a suction device, which enables the suction of the medium to be removed that is generated in the area of ​​the cleaning unit during the cleaning process. Since the medium to be removed has a gaseous consistency at least in general, suction can effectively prevent the load on the surrounding environment.

[0017] The suction device is configured in such a way that the medium to be removed can be sucked up immediately after it is generated. For this purpose, the suction device has, for the sake of purpose, at least one suction opening in the area of ​​each cleaning unit that communicates with the suction unit of the suction device. If the cleaning unit has a laser beam shielding device, for the sake of purpose, the suction opening is located within the working chamber of the assigned cleaning unit. Moreover, as a rule, the suction opening may be located on the outside of the cleaning unit, particularly at the rear of the cleaning unit in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the cleaning vehicle.

[0018] A drive unit configured to induce propulsion and therefore cleaning motion is, for the purposes of the purpose, a direct component of the cleaning vehicle. Thus, this cleaning vehicle is a "self-propelled vehicle," eliminating the need for additional towing or propulsion vehicles. The drive unit is drivably connected to one or more rail wheels, thus enabling direct propulsion of the cleaning vehicle along the track. The drive unit can be used for both cleaning and movement without the need for an active rail cleaning device to travel between sections of track to be cleaned.

[0019] In principle, a cleaning vehicle may be configured without its own drive system and may have at least one coupling device, which may preferably be detachably coupled to a drive vehicle having a drive system.

[0020] The drive system is preferably an electrical drive system, which receives its driving energy, for example, from an onboard accumulator and / or from a current-carrying conductor system laid along the track via a current collection system.

[0021] The electrical energy required for the operation of the laser cleaning device is, for the purpose, provided by a generator mounted on the cleaning vehicle. Such a generator has, for the purpose, an internal combustion engine as a drive source, so that rail cleaning, especially in non-electrified track sections, is also possible without problems.

[0022] In principle, the electrical energy required for the operation of the laser cleaning device can be provided additionally or alternatively by a capacitor or an accumulator. For use on electrified tracks, the cleaning vehicle can be equipped with a current collection system.

[0023] The same generator may be configured to generate electrical energy for, for example, both the drive device and the laser cleaning device.

[0024] The rail wheels are, for the purpose, each equipped with at least one flange, which provides lateral support in contact with the track rail for the purpose of guiding during the running motion. The flange technology can correspond to that of conventional rail vehicles.

[0025] In addition to the rail wheels, the rail vehicle may have conventional moving wheels, which enable the movement of the cleaning vehicle without using a track on a normal basis such as a road or other terrain. These additional moving wheels preferably have pneumatic tires. The moving wheels enable easy movement of the cleaning vehicle between various places of use regardless of the track structure. For the purpose, the cleaning vehicle is configured such that, selectively, either the rail wheels or the moving wheels can be used to move the cleaning vehicle, while each of the other wheels is in a non-operational standby position at that time.

[0026] The cleaning vehicle preferably has a carriage on which rail wheels are arranged. The carriage is formed, for example, in a frame shape and / or in a plate shape. The cleaning unit is preferably arranged on the carriage, specifically, especially arranged so that the height position can be adjusted, so that the working interval between the laser beam emission area and the track rail to be cleaned can be variably adjusted. The height position adjustment performance may be configured such that, in particular, it can be moved to a raised or upwardly pivoted standby position while the cleaning unit is not in use.

[0027] It is considered advantageous if not only rail wheels but also optional moving wheels are arranged on the carriage. This arrangement is such that, among other things, the rail wheels and the moving wheels can be relatively positionally adjusted with respect to each other in the height direction, whereby, selectively, either the rail wheels or the moving wheels are positioned in a lowered working position, in which the rail wheels or the moving wheels can be used for the movement of the cleaning vehicle.

[0028] In a preferred form, the cleaning vehicle includes two individual vehicles, which are pivotally supported with respect to each other in a non-propelled and non-towed manner (i.e., without propulsion and towing) and each have their own rail wheels for installation on the track. For better distinction, these two vehicles are referred to as the main vehicle and the additional vehicle. The main vehicle includes the cleaning unit, and the additional vehicle includes the laser device. A flexible optical connection line enables the transmission of the generated laser beam between the laser device and the cleaning unit. Such a vehicle structure enables a quick equipment change between different lasers, for example, when necessary, for equipping lasers with different outputs or for changing the equipment in a short time during maintenance work. For example, a plurality of additional vehicles equipped with laser devices that can alternatively be connected to the same main vehicle may be provided.

[0029] In a practical sense, the main vehicle is equipped with a drive system used for propulsion. In this case, the main vehicle functions, in a practical sense, as a towing vehicle for an additional vehicle coupled to the main vehicle as a trailer.

[0030] When a cleaning vehicle is equipped with a suction device, the suction opening is, for practical purposes, located on the main vehicle, while the suction unit, which is crucial for generating the suction flow, is located on the auxiliary vehicle. A flow connection is provided between the suction unit and the suction opening, with a flexible suction duct that allows for curved travel without damage, in order to enable the suction flow.

[0031] Optionally, generators installed to produce the operating energy for the laser are mounted, particularly in auxiliary vehicles.

[0032] In a similarly advantageous structural configuration, the cleaning vehicle consists of a single vehicle, which has all the components necessary to operate the laser cleaning device. Such a structure allows for a particularly compact form of the cleaning vehicle and facilitates transportation between different locations of use using separate transport vehicles.

[0033] There is further advantage in configuring the cleaning vehicle as a so-called standard railway vehicle. A standard vehicle refers to a specific rail vehicle in German railways, which includes, for example, a powered car, passenger car, or freight car. This structural configuration can be realized, for example, by directly integrating the laser cleaning device and all other components provided for the cleaning vehicle into a standard railway vehicle. It is considered particularly advantageous if the cleaning vehicle is a powered vehicle, such as a locomotive. Such a configuration can enable the cleaning process during normal railway operation and thus can be implemented in a way that saves time and costs without interrupting railway operations or temporarily stopping the track.

[0034] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] A schematic plan view shows a preferred embodiment of the cleaning vehicle according to the present invention in a position set on the track for use, where the track sleepers and ballast are not depicted for clarity. [Figure 2] The unit in Figure 1 is shown in a side view from the line of sight indicated by arrow II in Figure 1. Here, the area enclosed by the dashed line is further enlarged to make the structure of a suitable cleaning unit easier to understand. [Figure 3] A schematic side view similar to that in Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the cleaning vehicle according to the present invention, where a possible embodiment as a powered vehicle is further indicated by a dashed line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the following embodiments relate to all examples of the present invention.

[0037] The drawings show cleaning vehicles according to the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral 1, in various advantageous embodiments.

[0038] Cleaning vehicle 1 is used for mobile laser beam cleaning of the two rails of track 3, referred to as track rails 2. Track 3 is used for the movement of any rail vehicle, and its primary use is in the field of railways, where in this invention, railways are also understood to mean Stadtbahn, trams, subways, etc.

[0039] Track 3 extends in the longitudinal direction 4 indicated by the dashed line and has two track rails 2 that are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction 4.

[0040] The track rails 2 are fixed in a known form, for example, on sleepers 6 which are fixed to a track bed 7 made of ballast.

[0041] In conventional use of track 3, a rail vehicle not shown can be supported vertically on two track rails 2 by its rail vehicle wheels, in which case the rail vehicle wheels can roll in contact with each assigned track rail 2 as the rail vehicle moves.

[0042] In its operating position, the cleaning vehicle 1 has a vehicle longitudinal axis 8 parallel to the track longitudinal direction 4, a vehicle transverse axis 11 perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis 8 and extending in the direction of the distance between the two track rails 2, and a vehicle height axis 12 perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis 8 and the vehicle transverse axis 11 and normally extending vertically.

[0043] The cleaning vehicle 1 can perform a running motion 13 along the track 3, as indicated by the arrows. During this running motion 13, the cleaning vehicle 1 rolls on the track rails 2 with its rail wheels 14. The running motion 13 is possible in both forward and reverse directions.

[0044] The cleaning vehicle 1 has at least two pairs of rail wheels 14, in which case rail wheels 14 belonging to the same pair of rail wheels face each other in the axial direction of the vehicle's transverse axis 11. Each rail wheel 14 is placed on one of the track rails 2 in the operating position of the cleaning vehicle 1. The cleaning vehicle 1 is supported on each track rail 2 so as to be able to roll by at least two rail wheels 14 spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis 8.

[0045] The cleaning vehicle 1 has, for the purposes of its purpose, a one-piece or multi-piece bogie 15 as shown in schematic, on which rail wheels 14 are rotatably arranged via a suitable suspension device.

[0046] The running motion 13 is generated by the drive unit 16. In all illustrated embodiments, the drive unit 16 is an intrinsic component of the cleaning vehicle 1. Exemplarily, the drive unit 16 is mounted on the bogie 15. The drive unit 16 is driven-connected to at least one, in particular, a plurality of rail wheels 14 via at least one drive train 17. The at least one drive train 17 can transmit the driving torque generated by the drive unit 16 to the assigned rail wheels 14 that function as drive wheels, thereby forming the running motion 13.

[0047] The drive unit 16 is preferably an electric drive unit, which can obtain its driving energy from an onboard accumulator 18 and / or from a current-carrying conductor system laid along the track 3, such as an overhead line, via the end-of-service system 21 shown only in Figure 3.

[0048] To ensure that the cleaning vehicle 1 remains securely within the track during movement, the rail wheels 14 are each purposefully equipped with flanges 22, which can contact either of the two lateral rail sides 2a and 2b of the assigned track rail 2 for lateral support. Thus, the cleaning vehicle 1 is reliably guided by the track 3 during movement 13.

[0049] Purposefully, the cleaning vehicle 1 has, exemplary, at least one seating arrangement 23 formed by a vehicle seat, and the presence of the seating arrangement 23 allows the operator of the cleaning vehicle 1 to occupy a place during the operation of the cleaning vehicle 1.

[0050] The control device 24, located in the area of ​​the seating equipment 23, can be grasped by an operator to instruct the cleaning vehicle 1 to move 13 or stop, if necessary. The control device 24 allows control-technical access to the drive unit 16.

[0051] The cleaning vehicle shown in Figures 1 and 2, and drawn with a solid line in Figure 3, is specifically configured for the laser cleaning of track rails 2, which will be described later, and is not used for any other purpose. However, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3, the cleaning vehicle 1 may also be configured as a powered vehicle 25 or other so-called standard railway vehicle. In this case, a rail vehicle is provided that has two functions, as both a powered vehicle 25 and a cleaning vehicle 1, and can be used for both standard operation in railway activities and, in particular, for cleaning track rails 2 at the same time. For example, the rail cleaning process can be carried out while a train is running that is used for transporting people and / or goods.

[0052] According to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning vehicle 1 is composed of a plurality of vehicles, particularly two vehicles 26 and 27, which are connected to each other via a mechanical coupling device 28 and are referred to as the main vehicle 26 and the auxiliary vehicle 27 for good distinction. The coupling device 28 is configured in particular for detachable coupling so that the two vehicles 26 and 27 can be separated from each other when necessary.

[0053] The coupling device 28 connects the two vehicles 26 and 27 in a non-towing and non-pushing manner, and simultaneously in a pivotal manner. Preferably, the main vehicle 26 is configured as a towing vehicle, and the auxiliary vehicle 27 is configured as a trailer vehicle of the main vehicle 26. During running motion 13, the main vehicle 26 runs in front, pulling the auxiliary vehicle 27 behind it. The drive device 16 and at least one rail wheel 14 that functions as a drive wheel are preferably components of the main vehicle 26.

[0054] Both the main vehicle 26 and the auxiliary vehicle 27 have their own rail wheels 14. Exemplarily, each of the two vehicles 26, 27 has two pairs of rail wheels 14 arranged in a continuous manner in the axial direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis 8.

[0055] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the cleaning vehicle 1 consists of a single vehicle, which is a cleaning vehicle 1 used exclusively for cleaning purposes or a cleaning vehicle 1 that functions simultaneously as a powered vehicle 25.

[0056] The cleaning vehicle 1 is equipped with a rail cleaning device, collectively denoted by reference numeral 31, which is configured as a laser cleaning device 31a. Therefore, the terms rail cleaning device 31 and laser cleaning device 31a refer to the same single device. The laser cleaning device 31a is configured to treat the surface 34 of the track rail 2 in order to remove foreign matter using a laser beam 33 that can be generated by a laser device 32. This relates in particular to the thermal removal of foreign matter by evaporating it with the energy of the laser beam 33, as a result of the laser beam treatment.

[0057] Laser beam cleaning is performed during the movement 13 of the cleaning vehicle 1, which is called cleaning run 13a. During cleaning run 13a, the cleaning vehicle 1 moves forward, particularly with its front 35. Moreover, cleaning run 13a can also be performed within the range of reverse movement, if it is appropriate.

[0058] The laser cleaning device 31 includes the laser device 32 described above, which is mounted on the cleaning vehicle 1 and is attached to or on the trolley 15 in an appropriate manner. Preferably, the laser device 32 is mounted behind the seating equipment 23, facing in the opposite direction to the direction of travel with respect to forward travel.

[0059] In the two-piece configuration of the cleaning vehicle 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the laser device 32 is, for practical purposes, mounted on the auxiliary vehicle 27.

[0060] The laser cleaning device 31a includes two cleaning units 36, each of which is positionable or positioned within the area of ​​one of the two track rails 2 to be cleaned, in the operating position of the cleaning vehicle 1.

[0061] The two cleaning units 36 are positioned, for example, in the area of ​​the front of the vehicle 35, in which case the cleaning units 36 are, for the purpose, fixed to the bogie 15 via an appropriate interface device 37.

[0062] The two cleaning units 36 are, for practical purposes, spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the vehicle's transverse axis 11, and in this case, these cleaning units 36 are located at the same height in particular in the axial direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis 8. The distance between the two cleaning units is preferably, at least substantially, equivalent to the distance between the two track rails 2 to be cleaned. Preferably, the distance between the two cleaning units 36 is variably adjustable.

[0063] The arrangement of the standby cleaning units 36 is such that, in particular, each cleaning unit 36 ​​is positioned on one of the two track rails 2 in the axial direction of the vehicle height axis 12 when the cleaning vehicle 1 is in use. The surface 34 of each track rail 2 faces upward and has a rail surface hereinafter referred to as the rolling surface 38, on which the rail wheels 14 roll during the running motion 13, and one of each of the two cleaning units 36 faces the rail surface with a vertical height gap between them.

[0064] The arrangement and orientation of the cleaning units 36 described above are applied accordingly to the laser beam emission area 42 of each cleaning unit 36. The laser beam emission area 42 enables the emission of the laser beam 33 that can or can be generated by the laser device 32, and in the operating position of the cleaning unit 36 ​​as seen in the overall figure, the laser beam emission area 42 is oriented to face the track rail 2 to be cleaned, particularly the rolling surface 38 of the track rail 2.

[0065] The laser beam emission region 42 is connected to the laser device 32 via optical transmission through at least one optical connection line 43, which is only schematically shown. Through the optical connection line 43, the laser beam generated by the laser device 32 reaches the laser beam emission region 42, where it is emitted to irradiate the assigned track rail 2 with high energy.

[0066] In the embodiment having a two-piece cleaning vehicle 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning unit 36 ​​is located on the main vehicle 26. In this case, at least one optical connection line 43 preferably has flexible properties, so that the optical connection line 43 is not damaged when the cleaning vehicle 1 bends in the area of ​​the coupling device 28 during curve travel. Of course, the optical connection line 43 may also have flexible properties in the cleaning vehicle 1 consisting of a single vehicle as shown in Figure 3.

[0067] To provide the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the laser device 32, the laser cleaning device 31a is, for the purposes of its purpose, equipped with a generator 44. The generator 44 is, for example, a diesel unit. Since the generator 44 is mounted on the cleaning vehicle 1, the generator 44 is always involved in the driving motion 13 of the cleaning vehicle 1.

[0068] In the cleaning vehicle 1, which consists of a main vehicle 26 and an auxiliary vehicle 27, the generator 44 is, for the purposes of its purpose, a component of the auxiliary vehicle 27, as is the case in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2. Since the generator 44 is, for the purposes of its purpose, located near the laser device 32 regardless of the vehicle structure, the current supply line 45 can be made as short as possible.

[0069] In embodiments not shown, power to the laser device 32 is supplied from the same energy source as that for the drive unit 16, for example, via an accumulator, or via a power supply system 21 as shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 in relation to the powered vehicle 25.

[0070] The laser cleaning apparatus 31a, for its purpose, has a beam output head 46 configured as a component of the corresponding cleaning unit 36 ​​for each cleaning unit 36, and a laser beam emission area 42 is located on the beam output head 46. Preferably, the beam output head 46 is equipped with a laser optical system 47, which is important for the beam shape of the emitted laser beam 33, for example, to ensure that the laser beam strikes the surface 34 to be cleaned in a point or linear manner.

[0071] Preferably, the laser optical system 47 is configured or can be configured so that the laser beam 33 strikes the entire width of the rolling surface 38, so that the laser cleaning process can be performed without periodic lateral motion of the laser beam 33 in the axial direction of the vehicle's transverse axis 11.

[0072] Preferably, each of the two cleaning units 36 is equipped with a laser beam shielding device 48, which in particular prevents the laser beam 33 that may be harmful to health from being emitted in a way that is dangerous to humans.

[0073] Exemplary, the laser beam shielding device 48 has a shielding housing 51, which is clearly visible in the partially enlarged view of Figure 2, and the shielding housing 51 has light-opaque housing walls 51a. The shielding housing 51 surrounds a housing chamber called a working chamber 52, and the laser beam emission area 42 is located inside the housing chamber. For example and preferably, all beam output heads 46 are housed in the working chamber 52, in which case the beam output heads 46 are purposefully fixed directly or indirectly to the housing walls 51a.

[0074] The housing wall 51a surrounds the work chamber 52, particularly above and laterally around in an axial orientation with respect to the vehicle height axis 12. In the operating position of the cleaning vehicle 1, on the lower side facing the track rails 2, the shielding housing 51 has a work opening 53 enclosed by the housing wall 51a, through which a laser beam 33 emitted in the laser beam emission area 42 within the work chamber 52 can be emitted from the shielding housing 51 to illuminate adjacent track rails 2, according to the arrows shown in the drawing.

[0075] During at least the cleaning run 13a, the work opening 53 is positioned very close to the track rail 2, i.e., at a very small height gap from the rolling surface 38, so that the reflected laser beam is reflected back to the work chamber 52 for at least a large portion of the time and not radiated around the cleaning unit 36.

[0076] In particular, each cleaning unit 36 ​​may be configured to be height-adjustable in order to allow for optimally small height adjustments between the cleaning unit 36 ​​and the track rail 2 to be cleaned. Exemplarily, each cleaning unit 36 ​​is mounted on a bogie 15 via a position adjustment device 54, which is only schematically shown, and is positionable in the axial direction of the vehicle height axis 12 relative to the bogie 15 while performing a height adjustment movement 55 indicated by double arrows, and is positionable to various height positions. The position adjustment device 54 is, for example, a component of or forms part of an interface device 37.

[0077] The position adjustment device 54 may be configured such that the assigned cleaning unit 36 ​​can be selectively positioned to an operating position corresponding to the aforementioned arrangement or to a standby position away from the operating position. In the standby position, the distance from the track rail 2 is greater than the distance in the operating position. Purposefully, each cleaning unit 36 ​​is brought to the standby position for purposes other than cleaning runs, for example, to replace the cleaning vehicle 1, thereby avoiding damage.

[0078] Preferably, the laser cleaning device 31a is equipped with a laser device 32 corresponding to laser class 4. However, in the standby state, the attribute to laser class 1 is achieved based on the surrounding of the laser beam emission area 42 by the laser beam shielding device 48 described above. In this way, a cleaning means with high laser energy and therefore high thoroughness can be performed, and there is no need to consider that the cleaning operation is performed, for example, in a public place or in an area with frequent traffic.

[0079] To eliminate or minimize undesirable effects on the surrounding environment caused by foreign matter, advantageously, in all illustrated embodiments, the laser cleaning apparatus 31a is equipped with a suction device 56, which enables the suction of the medium to be removed generated in the area of ​​the cleaning unit by laser processing during the cleaning process.

[0080] The suction device 56 includes, exemplary, a suction unit 57, which is mounted on the cleaning vehicle 1. In this case, the suction unit 57 is configured as a component of the additional vehicle 27 in the cleaning vehicle 1, which has a main vehicle 26 and an additional vehicle 27. This case corresponds to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0081] The suction unit 57 is equipped with a filter device in a form known to the purpose, and the suction unit 57 has at least one containment chamber in which the aspirated particles are collected for later disposal.

[0082] The suction device 56 is equipped with multiple suction openings 58, each of which has at least one opening located within the area of ​​each cleaning unit 36. Each suction opening 56 is flow-connected to a suction unit 57 via a suction conduit 61 (shown schematically), so that when the suction device 56 is in operation, a suction flow can be formed between the area of ​​the suction opening 58 and the suction unit 57. The suction process performed in the area of ​​the track rail 2 is indicated by arrows and reference numeral 50.

[0083] The suction conduit 61 is purposefully flexible and is implemented, for example, by one or more suction hoses.

[0084] Preferably, the suction openings 58 assigned to each cleaning unit 36 ​​are located within the working chamber 52 of the laser beam shielding device 48. Therefore, the non-removable media generated, which are generally gaseous in nature, can be very effectively sucked up in close proximity to the point of generation, according to the arrow 50.

[0085] In embodiments not shown, the suction opening 58 is located outside the working chamber 52, but preferably very close to the cleaning unit 36, in which case, for the purpose of purposes, it is located in a region behind the cleaning unit 36 ​​in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the cleaning run 13a.

[0086] The suction device 56 is specifically configured to be electrically powered. The aforementioned generator 44 is also used, for practical purposes, to supply power to the suction device 56. Exemplarily, the generator 44 is connected to an electrically powered suction unit 57 via a separate power supply line 59.

[0087] In accordance with the embodiment shown by the solid lines in Figure 3, the cleaning vehicle 1 has a plurality of movable wheels 62 in addition to the rail wheels 14, and the movable wheels 62 enable the cleaning vehicle 1 to move without using a track, without the involvement of the rail wheels 14. In this way, the cleaning vehicle 1 can move between various places of use with or without a track by traveling on public roads or non-public roads, roads or other traffic areas, for example. Since the movable wheels 62 are pneumatic in particular, they can easily travel over relatively small obstacles.

[0088] The cleaning vehicle 1 is equipped with four movable wheels 62, and each movable wheel 62 is paired with the rail wheels 14 and faces each other in the axial direction of the vehicle's lateral axis 11.

[0089] In Figure 3, only the moving wheels 62 assigned to either of the two longitudinal sides of the cleaning vehicle 1 are visible.

[0090] In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 3, both the rail wheels 14 and the moving wheels 62 are purposefully arranged on the bogie 15.

[0091] It is advantageous that the rail wheels 14 or the movable wheels 62 can be adjusted relative to the bogie 15 in the axial direction of the vehicle height axis 12, which is referred to as the height direction, thereby enabling adjustment to various height positions.

[0092] Illustratively, the height adjustment performance relates to the movable wheels 62. The movable wheels 62 are pivotally supported on the trolley 15 via, for example, a rotating arm 63, and are driveable by an assigned actuator 64, forming a position adjustment movement 65 indicated by a double arrow, in which case the position adjustment movement is, in example, a rotational movement. Within the range of the position adjustment movement 65, each movable wheel 62 can be selectively positioned either in a raised position relative to the rail wheels 14, as indicated by a solid line, or in a lowered position relative to the rail wheels 14, as indicated by a dashed line.

[0093] As can be seen in Figure 3, the raised position of the moving wheel 62 causes the rail wheel 14 to be in an operational position, lowered relative to the moving wheel 62 and protruding downward beyond the moving wheel 62. In this position, the cleaning vehicle 1 can assume a working position. In contrast, the lowered position of the moving wheel 62, indicated by the dashed line, is accompanied by a non-operating position of the rail wheel 14, which is raised relative to the moving wheel 62. In this position, the cleaning vehicle 1 can move without being restricted by the rails, using the moving wheel 62 that is prepared for use at that time.

[0094] In other embodiments not shown, the moving wheels 62 always maintain a constant height position relative to the bogie 15, and the switching of the rail wheels 14 between the working position and the non-working position is performed by a positional adjustment movement between the rail wheels 14 and the bogie 15.

[0095] Preferably, the cleaning vehicle 1 is equipped with an electronic control unit 66, which is only schematically shown. The electronic control unit 66 is configured to control the components of the laser cleaning device 31a in accordance with their operation, and in this case, the electronic control lines provided for this purpose are not shown in the drawing for clarity. Preferably, the electronic control unit 66 is configured as a component of the operating device 24.

[0096] For example, the electronic control device 66 also enables control of the position adjustment movement 65 for the purpose of changing the setting of the cleaning vehicle 1 between a cleaning mode using rail wheels 14 and a standby mode using moving wheels 62.

Claims

1. A cleaning vehicle (1) for cleaning the two track rails (2) of a track (3) for rail vehicles, Multiple rail wheels (14) are provided, via which the cleaning vehicle (1) can be positioned on the two track rails (2) of the track (3) while in use, and the cleaning vehicle (1) can perform a running motion (13) that can be induced by an assigned drive unit (16) along the track (3) on the two track rails (2), with respect to the rail wheels (14). A rail cleaning device (31) having a cleaning unit (36) for each of the two track rails (2) of the track (3) to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning unit (36) is at least positionable or positioned near the track rails (2) to be cleaned during a cleaning run (13a) that can be performed by the running motion (13) of a cleaning vehicle (1), and on the track rails (2), a surface treatment is performed during the cleaning process that induces the removal of foreign matter, In a cleaning vehicle equipped with, A cleaning vehicle characterized in that the rail cleaning device (31) is configured as a laser cleaning device (31a), the laser cleaning device (31a) has a laser device (32) mounted on a cleaning vehicle (1), and each cleaning unit (36) has a laser beam emission area (42) for emitting a laser beam (33) that can be generated by the laser device (32) and directed toward the track rail (2) to be cleaned in order to remove foreign matter.

2. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the two cleaning units (36) assigned to each of the two track rails (2) to be cleaned are spaced apart from each other in a direction laterally to the direction of travel of the cleaning vehicle (1).

3. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning vehicle is equipped with seating facilities (23) for an operator who boards the cleaning vehicle (1) during driving motion (13).

4. A cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the laser device (32) corresponds to laser class 4 with respect to the intensity of the laser beam (33) that can be generated by the laser device (32), each cleaning unit (36) has a laser beam shielding device (48), and the laser cleaning device (31a) is assigned to laser class 1 as a whole based on the laser beam shielding device (48).

5. A cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each cleaning unit (36) has a laser beam shielding device (48), the laser beam shielding device (48) has a shielding housing (51) that surrounds a work chamber (52) so as not to transmit light, a laser beam emission area (42) located within the shielding housing (51), the shielding housing (51) has a work opening (53) directed or capable of being directed only to the track rails (2) to be cleaned during the cleaning process, and a laser beam (33) emitted in the laser beam emission area (42) within the work chamber (52) can irradiate the assigned track rails (2) through the work opening (53).

6. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each laser beam emission area (42) is assigned to the laser optical system (47) of the beam output head (46) of the laser cleaning device (31a).

7. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 6, referencing claim 5, characterized in that each beam output head (46) is housed in the work chamber (52) of the assigned cleaning unit (36).

8. A cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each cleaning unit (36) is assigned a position adjustment device (54) which allows the cleaning unit (36) to be positioned to various height positions, in particular to at least one lowered operating position for performing a laser cleaning process and at least one raised standby position for running motion (13) other than cleaning run (13a).

9. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the laser cleaning apparatus (31a) is equipped with a suction device (56) for sucking up the medium to be removed that is generated in the area of ​​the cleaning unit (36) during the cleaning process.

10. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the suction device (56) has at least one suction opening (58) in the area of ​​each cleaning unit (36) that communicates with the suction unit (57) of the suction device (56).

11. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 10, referencing claim 5, characterized in that each suction opening (58) is located within the work chamber (52) of the assigned cleaning unit (36).

12. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the drive unit (16) configured to induce a driving motion (13) is an electric drive unit (16).

13. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the drive unit (16) configured to induce a driving motion (13) is a direct component of the cleaning vehicle (1).

14. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cleaning vehicle is equipped with a generator (44) that generates the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the laser cleaning device (31a).

15. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each rail wheel (14) has at least one flange (22) for laterally supporting the track rail (2) for the purpose of guiding during running motion (13).

16. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a plurality of, in particular, pneumatically inflated, mobile wheels (62) that enable the movement of the cleaning vehicle (1) without using a track, without the involvement of the rail wheels (14).

17. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cleaning vehicle has a bogie (15) and rail wheels (14) are arranged on the bogie (15).

18. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 17, characterized in that the cleaning unit (36) is arranged on the trolley (15) in a particularly position-adjustable manner.

19. A cleaning vehicle according to claim 17 or 18, referencing claim 16, wherein both rail wheels (14) and moving wheels (62) are arranged on a trolley (15), and the rail wheels (14) or the moving wheels (62) are adjustable in height relative to the trolley (15), thereby allowing the rail wheels (14) to be selectively positioned in an operational position, lowered and protruding downward beyond the moving wheels (62) to take an operational position, or in a non-operating position, raised relative to the moving wheels (62), enabling rail-unrestricted running motion (13) using the moving wheels (62).

20. A cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the cleaning vehicle has two vehicles (26, 27) that are non-propelled and non-towed and simultaneously pivotally connected to each other, each vehicle (26, 27) having its own rail wheels (14), the vehicles (26, 27) being a main vehicle (26) and an auxiliary vehicle (27), the main vehicle (26) having a cleaning unit (36), and the auxiliary vehicle (27) having a laser device (32), and an optical connection is formed between the laser device (32) and the cleaning unit (36) by a flexible optical connection line (43) used for transmitting the generated laser beam (33).

21. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 20, referencing claim 13, characterized in that the main vehicle (26) has a drive unit (16).

22. A cleaning vehicle according to claim 20 or 21, referencing claim 10, characterized in that the main vehicle (26) has a suction opening (58), and the auxiliary vehicle (27) has a suction unit (57), and a flow connection is formed between the drive unit (57) and the suction opening (58) by at least one flexible suction conduit (61) to enable suction flow.

23. A cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 20 to 22, referencing claim 14, characterized in that the generator (44) is mounted on an additional device (27).

24. The cleaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the cleaning vehicle consists of a single vehicle having all the components that exist to operate the laser cleaning device (31a).

25. The cleaning vehicle according to claim 24, characterized in that the cleaning vehicle (1) is configured as a standard railway vehicle, particularly a powered vehicle (25).

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