Ballast bed consolidator for compacting the ballast bed of a track

Abstract

A ballast compactor (100) for compacting the ballast bed of a track, comprising a group of tamping units, the group of tamping units being displaceable laterally relative to the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast compactor by a lateral movement device, and having at least two tamping units (ST) arranged in a row per tamping machine side (R, L) for compacting the underside of the track, the tamping units (V, H) being supported on supports (18) so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis (A) of the ballast compactor for the purpose of adjusting their rotational position. In order to establish an advantageous structural state, at least two tamping unit groups (V, H) are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction (A, R) of the tamping machine, and the tamping unit groups (V, H) are supported so as to be freely rotatable about the vertical axis (A) of the tamping machine via a common pivoting device (2), and the tamping units (ST) of the tamping unit groups (V, H) can be displaced independently of each other in the transverse direction (AR) of the tamping machine and can be raised and lowered independently of each other relative to the console (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ballast bed compactor for compacting the ballast bed of a track, comprising a group of tamping units. The group of tamping units is displaceable in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ballast bed compactor by a lateral displacement device and has at least two tamping units arranged in a row for compacting under the track for each side of the ballast bed compactor. Among the two tamping units, each outer tamping unit is displaceable in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ballast bed compactor within the console by an adjustment drive using a guide assigned to the outer tamping unit. The inner tamping unit is displaceable independently of the outer tamping unit in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ballast bed compactor up to the outer tamping unit within the same console along the same guide by an adjustment drive. The group of tamping units is rotatably supported on a support about the vertical axis of the ballast bed compactor for the purpose of adjusting the rotation position.

Background Art

[0002] This type of tamping machine with a ballast bed is disclosed in the Austrian Patent Invention No. 516311. Inside the console, the guide struts are guided, and tamping units of a group of tamping units forming a so-called split head unit are fixedly coupled to the guide struts. Each inner tamping unit slides on a common slide rod or slide pipe. This movement is performed via a lateral movement drive device. With this configuration, laterally, each inner unit can be laterally moved by the respective outer unit to the limit. According to this invention, the slide rods and slide pipes of the left and right units are spatially independent of each other, they do not interfere with each other, and at least two guide rods or guide pipes are arranged side by side not only in the longitudinal direction of the track but also in the vertical height direction, and are guided inside the console. With this configuration according to this invention, extremely high rigidity in the vertical direction, rigidity in the longitudinal direction of the track, and torsional rigidity can be obtained. The slide rod or slide pipe can extend outward through holes in the unit frames of the opposing units, and thus, the space inside the allowable railway track can be utilized to the maximum extent. With this configuration, a long lateral position adjustment distance is realized.

[0003] A tamping machine that continuously travels during operation is known, for example, from U.S. Patent No. 6705232. A major advantage of this type of tamping machine is that the main machine having an extremely large mass does not have to stop for each sleeper to be tamped and then accelerate again. Thereby, the working speed of the machine is increased compared to a machine that works periodically, and moreover, the acceleration acting on the machine operator is reduced. The periodic forward movement for each sleeper area is limited to the satellite that supports the working unit. The satellite is configured to be longitudinally movable with respect to the main frame of the machine. Such a machine is also evident from the Austrian Patent Invention No. 401943.

[0004] The tamping unit fixes the track's attitude during maintenance measures. This is done via a tamping tool, a so-called tamping pick. The tamping tool is inserted into the ballast beside the sleeper and compacts the ballast under the sleeper via a linear closing movement that superimposes a tamping vibration. There are tamping machines specialized for compacting turnout sections (having a divisible tamping unit, a so-called split head unit, an auxiliary lifting device for branched track sections, a rotatable tamping pick, etc.) and tamping machines preferably configured for compacting normal sections. Tamping machines are known for a periodic working mode, but a continuous working mode is also known. Additionally, there are single-sleeper tamping machines and multi-sleeper tamping machines. The multi-sleeper tamping machine compacts multiple sleepers at once in one working cycle. Usually, it can also be used in a way that only one sleeper is compacted.

[0005] Austrian Patent Invention Specification No. 520267 discloses a configuration in which two independently liftable tamping units are provided on a tamping frame that can move together. In turnout sections, this type of configuration often has a major drawback that only one of the pair of tamping units on one side can descend. This is because the other pair of tamping units cannot move independently, so obstacles such as rails, frogs, points, and wing rails interfere when the working tool is inserted against the other pair of tamping units.

[0006] General, continuously operating, universal tamping machines with point sections are equipped with four split head units (two each on the inside and outside) having swiveling picks. According to the advantages of this machine, it has high flexibility in the point section. On the other hand, there are also continuously operating tamping machines with double shells. The tamping machine with double shells has a large working capacity when tamping the normal section. However, in the area of complex point sections (frog / tongue area), it has the drawback that it can only work with one unit pair or, in most cases, can only work with the pick swiveled high.

[0007] The track that is to be well tamped underneath must be tamped on both the left and right of the rail. Therefore, in the first working step, on the main track and the branch line of the branching point section, only on one side, the underside of the branching outer rail of the branch is tamped. In the second working step, each area that could not be processed in the first working step is tamped. In the point section, the outer split head unit tampers the branch, and the inner split head unit partially tampers the inner track. That is, in the second working step, the machine operator must remember where on the inside or outside has already been tamped along the rail passage. That is, repeated tamping of the same location causes variations in the track shape in the track.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The problem underlying the present invention is to avoid the described drawbacks and to provide a device that has good tamping performance and is equally well suited for tamping in normal sections as well as in turnout sections.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The present invention solves the assigned problem in that at least two groups of tamping units are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the track tamping machine, the groups of tamping units are supported so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the track tamping machine via a common rotating device, the tamping units of the groups of tamping units are displaceable independently of one another in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the track tamping machine, and are independently of one another vertically displaceable with respect to the console.

[0011] Thus, at least two left tamping units and at least two right tamping units of both groups of tamping units are displaceable independently of one another in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the track tamping machine and are independently of one another vertically displaceable with respect to the console. Furthermore, the tamping units of the groups of tamping units are supported so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the track tamping machine via a common rotating device. By this means, the device obtains equally good tamping performance both in normal section tamping and in turnout section tamping. When the tamping units are pressed against the console and displaced to the neutral position via the rotating device, the machine is adjusted for normal section tamping, and in this case, the tamping capacity can be adjusted according to the number of groups of tamping units. Each group of tamping units tamp one sleeper in one working cycle.

[0012] In the turnout section, based on its lateral mobility, the position of the tamping unit can be adjusted so that all tamping units can compact simultaneously. When there is an obstacle under the tamping unit, the tamping unit is easily positioned in an area without an obstacle or is not lowered for compaction when compaction at this position is impossible. According to another great advantage, for example, while the front group of tamping units can completely compact the continuous main track, the rear group of tamping units can process the branch track, or vice versa. The forward movement is carried out during the tamping cycle. In this case, depending on the number of groups of tamping units, it is not carried out over two or more sleepers as in the case of compacting in the normal section, but, for example, from one sleeper to the next. As a result, in the second working step, only a small number of sleepers to be compacted in the branch track remain, that is, only the sleepers located outside the reach of the lateral movement remain. This brings about an improvement in working ability, a significant improvement in the state of the turnout section and the working quality. The group of tamping units can rotate together via a rotating device, so that the tamping units can be oriented in the area of the turnout section so as to be laterally displaceable parallel to the long sleepers where the tamping units are positioned obliquely. The device according to the present invention can be used not only for general-purpose compacting machines that work periodically, but also for double-sleeper compacting machines or multi-sleeper compacting machines that work continuously.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the tamping unit group can be displaced within a predetermined movement range between the track ballast consolidator traveling devices in the longitudinal direction of the track ballast consolidator by means of an adjustment transmission. Thereby, on the one hand, the tamping unit group can be accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction of the track ballast consolidator, or a track ballast consolidator that works continuously can be realized. In this case, the satellite that supports the rotating device and the console is displaceable, in particular, between the track ballast consolidator traveling devices. The satellite supports the tamping unit group and, if necessary, the track lift alignment unit. This type of general-purpose consolidator can be used for tamping in normal sections with high tamping performance, and especially for tamping in switch sections.

[0014] When at least three tamping unit groups are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the track ballast consolidator, three or more sleepers can be tamped in one working cycle.

[0015] To improve rigidity and establish a compact structural state, at least two guides may be supported in the console for each pair of tamping units and for each side of the track ballast consolidator. The guides are installed offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the track ballast consolidator and in the direction of the vertical axis of the track ballast consolidator. A console may be provided for each tamping unit group, or a common console may accommodate the tamping unit groups.

[0016] Advantageously, the tamping unit for tamping in the switch section is provided with a pick that can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the track ballast consolidator so as to advantageously avoid obstacles that may occur.

[0017] The drawings illustrate the subject matter of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The ballast compacting machine 100 for compacting the ballast bed of a track has at least two tamping unit groups V, H. The tamping unit groups V, H are arranged in a row and are displaceable in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction AR of the ballast compacting machine by a lateral movement device. For each of the right and left sides R, L of the ballast compacting machine, they have at least two tamping units ST each for compacting under the track. Among them, each of the outer tamping units is displaceable in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction AR of the ballast compacting machine within the console by an adjustment drive device 21 with a guide assigned to the tamping unit. The inner tamping units are displaceable in the lateral direction to the outer tamping units ST with respect to the longitudinal direction AR of the ballast compacting machine by an adjustment drive device independently of the outer tamping units within the same console 3 in the same guide. The tamping unit groups V, H are together supported on a support 18 so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis A of the ballast compacting machine for the purpose of adjusting the rotational position.

[0020] At least two tamping unit groups V, H are arranged one after the other in the direction AR of the ballast compacting machine and are supported so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the ballast compacting machine via a common rotation device 2. Further, the individual tamping units of the tamping unit groups are displaceable in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction AR of the ballast compacting machine independently of each other and are liftable with respect to the console 3 independently of each other.

[0021] Furthermore, the tamping unit groups V, H are displaceable between the traveling devices of the ballast compacting machine in the longitudinal direction of the ballast compacting machine within a predetermined movement range by an adjustment transmission device.

[0022] On the console 2, at least two guides 6, 20 are supported for each of the tamping units for LHA and LHI, RHA and RHI, LVA and LVI, RVA and RVI, and for each of the ballast consolidator sides. The guides 6, 20 are arranged offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the ballast consolidator and in the direction of the vertical axis of the ballast consolidator. The tamping unit ST is equipped with a pick 11 that can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the ballast consolidator for compacting the turnout section.

[0023] Figure 1 shows the arrangement of two groups of tamping units H (rear side) and V (front side) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction AR of the ballast consolidator, having the tamping units I (inner) and A (outer) from the lateral side in the longitudinal direction of the track. Figure 2 shows a schematic view seen in the longitudinal direction AR of the ballast consolidator. In this case, only two tamping units I, A on the right side of the rear group of tamping units H are shown. A lateral support 18 is attached to the frame of the satellite 1, and the lateral support 18 supports the rotating ring of the rotating device 2. The rotating device is coupled to the console 3 with respect to the supports of the guides 6, 20. The guides 20 of the tamping unit pairs, for example, the tamping unit pair consisting of the inner tamping units H, I on the rear side and the outer tamping units H, A on the rear side, are coupled to the unit frames 4, 9 of the outer tamping units in the region 7. In these guides 20, the inner tamping units HI, VI are movable. Through the drive device 21, the tamping units can move independently of each other in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the track. The guides 20 are arranged in pairs facing each other. In order to utilize the inner space, recesses are respectively provided in the unit frames 4, 5 section provided, and the recesses inside the section allow the guides of the unit pair L or R on the other side to be freely pushed in.

[0024] The tamping unit consists of a tamping arm 10. A tamping pick 11 is attached to the tamping arm 10. The tamping arm 10 is supported by a tamping box 15 so as to be rotatable about an axis 16. A tamping drive device 14 acts on the other end of the tamping arm. The tamping drive device 14 has one or more action points 17 on the tamping box 15. The tamping drive device may be configured as a pure linear drive device or an eccentric shaft drive device having a squeeze cylinder. For clarity, a tamping unit having a laterally rotatable pick 11 is not shown. The tamping box moves up and down along a vertical guide 13 attached to a tamping box frame 9. Thereby, the tamping units can be raised and lowered individually and independently of each other with respect to the console 3. Through the drive device 8, the tamping units can be raised and lowered independently of each other. Two battens 12 that can be processed in one working step are shown. Through a drive device attached to the rotating ring 2, the entire tamping assembly can be adjusted parallel to the obliquely placed long batten. Note that although this application relates to the invention described in the claims, it also includes the following from other perspectives. 1. A ballast bed compactor (100) for compacting the ballast bed of a track, comprising a tamping unit group, the tamping unit group being displaceable laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed compactor by a lateral displacement device and having at least two tamping units (ST) arranged in a row for tamping under the track for each side (R, L) of the ballast bed compactor. Among the two tamping units (ST), the outer tamping unit of each is displaceable laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed compactor within the console (3) by an adjustment drive device (21) using a guide (20) assigned to the outer tamping unit. The inner tamping unit is displaceable laterally up to the outer tamping unit with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ballast bed compactor independently of the outer tamping unit along the same guide within the same console (3) by the adjustment drive device. The tamping unit group (V, H) is supported rotatably about the vertical axis (A) of the ballast bed compactor by a support (18) for the purpose of adjusting the rotational position. In the ballast bed compactor (100), at least two tamping unit groups (V, H) are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (A) of the ballast bed compactor. The tamping unit groups (V, H) are supported rotatably about the vertical axis (A) of the ballast bed compactor via a common rotation device (2). The tamping units (ST) of the tamping unit groups (V, H) are displaceable independently of each other laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed compactor and are independently movable up and down with respect to the console (3). The ballast bed compactor (100) is characterized by this. 2. The tamping unit group (V, H) is displaceable within a predetermined movement range (b) in the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed compactor between the traveling devices of the ballast bed compactor by an adjustment transmission device (99). The ballast bed compactor according to claim 1 is characterized by this. 3. At least three tamping unit groups (V, H) are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast tamping machine, whereby three or more sleepers (12) are tamped in one working cycle. The ballast tamping machine according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that. 4. Within the console (3), at least two guides (6, 20) are supported for each pair of tamping units (LHA and LHI, RHA and RHI, LVA and LVI, RVA and RVI) and for each side of the ballast tamping machine. The guides (6, 20) are arranged offset from each other in the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast tamping machine and in the direction of the vertical axis (A) of the ballast tamping machine. The ballast tamping machine according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. 5. The tamping unit (ST) is equipped with a pick (11) that can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the ballast tamping machine for tamping the turnout section. The ballast tamping machine according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

Claims

1. A ballast bed consolidating machine (100) for compacting a ballast bed of a track, comprising a group of tamping units, the group of tamping units being displaceable transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed consolidating machine by a lateral displacement device and arranged in a row, and having at least two tamping units (ST) for tamping under the track for each side (R, L) of the ballast bed consolidating machine. Among the two tamping units (ST), the outer tamping unit of each is displaceable transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed consolidating machine within a console (3) by an adjustment drive device (21) using a guide (20) assigned to the outer tamping unit (ST). The inner tamping unit is displaceable transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the ballast bed consolidating machine up to the outer tamping unit by an adjustment drive device independently of the outer tamping unit along the same guide within the same console (3). The group of tamping units (V, H) is rotatably supported by a support (18) about the vertical axis (A) of the ballast bed consolidating machine for the purpose of adjusting the rotation position. In the ballast bed consolidating machine (100), at least two groups of tamping units (V, H) are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (A) of the ballast bed consolidating machine. The group of tamping units (V, H) is rotatably supported about the vertical axis (A) of the ballast bed consolidating machine via a common rotation device (2). The tamping units (ST) of the group of tamping units (V, H) are displaceable transversely with respect to each other independently in the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed consolidating machine and are independently movable up and down with respect to the console (3). The ballast bed consolidating machine (100) is characterized by this.

2. The group of tamping units (V, H) is displaceable between the traveling devices of the ballast bed consolidating machine within a predetermined movement range (b) in the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed consolidating machine by an adjustment transmission device (99). The ballast bed consolidating machine according to Claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. At least three groups of tamping units (V, H) are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast bed consolidating machine, whereby three or more sleepers (12) are compacted in one working cycle. The ballast bed consolidating machine according to Claim 1 or 2 is characterized by this. Claim 4: When viewed laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast tamping machine, an outer tamping unit (ST) and an inner tamping unit (ST) form a pair of tamping units for each of the ballast tamping machine sides (R, L), inside the console (3), at least two guides (6, 20) are supported for each pair of tamping units and for each side of the ballast tamping machine, and the guides (6, 20) are installed offset from each other in the longitudinal direction (AR) of the ballast tamping machine and in the direction of the vertical axis (A) of the ballast tamping machine. The ballast tamping machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

5. The tamping unit (ST) is equipped with a pick (11) that can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the ballast tamping machine for compacting the turnout section. The ballast tamping machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

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