Methods for compacting the area beneath a railway track and track compaction machines.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for compacting the undersides of a plurality of sleepers (4) supported on a ballast (2) of a track (3) by using a plurality of compaction devices (9) arranged one after the other on a machine frame (8) of a track compaction machine (1) and each having a pair of tamping tools (40) positioned opposite each other, wherein each compaction device (9) compacts the undersides of only one sleeper (4) during a single compaction operation. In this case, the sleeper pitch (t) of the sleepers (4) to be compacted is set in a control device (33) that controls longitudinal actuators (32), and before the compaction operation, the compaction devices (9) are positioned relative to each other in the machine longitudinal direction (7) via the longitudinal actuators (32), thereby adjusting the positions of the compaction devices (9) to the set sleeper pitch (t), and during the compaction operation, the undersides of the sleepers (4) that are not immediately adjacent to each other are compacted. By arranging the compaction devices (9) at intervals in the machine longitudinal direction (7) that are greater than the sleeper pitch (t), there is sufficient clearance to accommodate different sleeper pitches (t).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of tamping, with a plurality of tamping devices each having tamping tools that are arranged one behind the other on a machine frame of a track tamping machine and that are paired and positioned opposite each other, under a plurality of sleepers supported by a track bed, wherein during one tamping operation, only one sleeper is tamped by each tamping device. The present invention further relates to a machine for carrying out this method.

Background Art

[0002] In order to restore or maintain a preset track position, the track including the track bed is periodically processed by a tamping machine. In this case, the tamping machine travels along the track, and a track grid formed by sleepers and rails is leveled to a target level by a lifting and leveling device. Fixing the position of the new track grid is performed by tamping under the sleepers with a tamping device. The tamping device has a tamping tool equipped with a tamping pick, and the tamping pick is vibrated and submerged into the track bed during the tamping operation and tightened against each other. At this time, the ballast is pushed and shifted under each sleeper and tightened.

[0003] Special track tamping machines utilize tamping devices that tamp under a plurality of sleepers simultaneously. The high processing speed achieved thereby enables the finishing of tracks with a short line maintenance interval. Furthermore, the latest tamping machines are excellent in terms of the low wear effect on both the tamping device and the ballast.

[0004] From Austrian Patent Application Publication No. 513034, a compaction machine and method comprising a plurality of compaction devices arranged sequentially, as described in the broader concept, is known. Each compaction device is height-adjustable on a common device support. The compaction operation is initiated by sinking each compaction device together. In this case, sinking adjacent compaction devices together in this manner to compact under adjacent sleepers in the longitudinal direction of the machine is done with a time delay. This facilitates the sinking of immediately adjacent compaction pickaxes, in particular, which sink into a common sleeper pocket.

[0005] In such compaction devices, adaptation to different sleeper pitches is only possible to a limited extent by changing the opening width of the compaction tools, which are positioned opposite each other in pairs. Specifically, the lower lever arm of a non-adjacent compaction tool is moved outward. In this case, the compaction pickaxe attached to the lower lever arm is tilted, which is inconvenient when the compaction pickaxe sinks into and rises in the track bed. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The fundamental objective of this invention is to improve upon the method described at the beginning to achieve flexible adaptation to different sleeper pitches while simultaneously obtaining qualitatively high-value compaction results. Furthermore, an objective of this invention is to provide a correspondingly improved track compaction machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Based on the present invention, these problems are solved by the features described in claims 1 and 9. Each dependent claim describes an advantageous configuration of the present invention.

[0008] In this case, the sleeper pitch of the sleepers to be compacted is set in the control device that controls the longitudinal actuator. Before the compaction operation, the compaction devices are positioned relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the machine via the longitudinal actuator. This adjusts the position of the compaction devices to match the set sleeper pitch, and it is assumed that during the compaction operation, the area beneath sleepers that are not immediately adjacent to each other will be compacted. By arranging the compaction devices at intervals greater than the sleeper pitch in the longitudinal direction of the machine, sufficient gaps are created. Even if the sleeper pitches are different, each compaction device can be accurately positioned above the sleepers to be compacted without changing the position of the compaction tools.

[0009] Furthermore, the compaction tools of successively positioned compaction devices are prevented from entering the same sleeper pocket. This protects both the compaction devices and the ballast. Each compaction pickaxe located on the compaction tool performs the same entry motion with minimal entry resistance, without being affected by the compaction pickaxe of the other compaction device. Even if the sleeper pocket is narrow, a sufficient compaction distance exists, thereby ensuring optimal compaction under each sleeper. As a result of these conditions being unified for all compaction pickaxes, uniform multi-pitch sleeper compaction is achieved through an optimized, unchanging compaction motion. For example, ballast leakage between the pickaxe plate located at the end of each compaction pickaxe and the lower edge of the sleeper is prevented because sufficient compaction can always be achieved.

[0010] In this improved method, during a single compaction operation, force sensors and / or motion sensors placed on the attached compaction tool detect the characteristic curve of the ballast force acting on the compaction tool over the distance the compaction tool has traveled, and based on this, characteristic quantities for compaction control are derived. Each compaction device is spaced at intervals of multiple times the sleeper pitch in the longitudinal direction of the machine, so as to provide accurate measurement results without being affected by other compaction devices. Therefore, the method for measuring characteristic quantities described in Austrian Patent Application Publication No. 520056 can be similarly applied to all compaction devices. This enables real-time, continuous compaction control even for existing multi-slope compaction systems.

[0011] Another improvement envisions detecting the position of the sleepers before the compaction cycle using a sensor device positioned on the track compaction machine, and deriving the current sleeper pitch from the detected position. A corresponding sensor device is known from Austrian Patent Application Publication No. 519739. In this way, automated adaptation of the compaction machine position for different sleeper pitches is achieved. The sensor device is also suitable for the continuous automation of multi-slope compaction. In this case, the sensor data is used to set the compaction position for each compaction tool. The operator then verifies the proposed compaction position or monitors the fully automated operation of the track compaction machine.

[0012] Advantageously, the track grid, formed from sleepers and rails mounted on top of the sleepers, is raised and aligned laterally by a raising and leveling device before downward compaction. At this time, the height and lateral position of the rails are detected by a measuring device positioned in front of the foremost compaction device. Leveling inspection at the foremost compaction device ensures that the track grid is brought to the set track position with high precision.

[0013] In this case, it is advantageous to perform compaction only once during the first compaction operation, using only the foremost compaction device, at the start of processing the construction site, thereby fixing the track grid in place at the elevated height and aligned lateral position. In this case, the track grid is fixed in place in close proximity to the measuring device, thereby achieving high quality in the resulting track position.

[0014] Another improvement involves the arrangement of three compaction devices in succession, spaced twice the sleeper pitch apart. This involves, after the first compaction operation, advancing all three devices in the working direction by three times the sleeper pitch, compacting the ground only with the frontmost and middle compaction devices during the second compaction operation, and then, after the second compaction operation, advancing all three devices again in the working direction by three times the sleeper pitch, compacting the ground with all three devices during the third compaction operation. This sequence of steps ensures efficient compaction of the ground beneath each sleeper from the very beginning of the work area. In this case, a uniform ramp is formed at the start of the track section being processed, relative to the subsequent unprocessed track.

[0015] Significantly, when three compaction devices are positioned consecutively in front of and behind each other at a spacing of twice the sleeper pitch, after first compacting the area beneath the immediately positioned sleepers, all compaction devices are advanced in the working direction by three times the sleeper pitch before compaction operation, and compaction is performed by all three compaction devices during the compaction operation. The three-slope mode is maintained even if the sleeper pitch changes. Switching to one-slope mode or two-slope mode is omitted. This achieves rapid multi-slope compaction with high processing quality. In this case, using three compaction devices is the optimal condition between the required length of the track compaction machine or between each rail running device and the achievable working speed. The track grid section to be positioned also has the optimal length in terms of the bending radius that occurs when using three compaction devices.

[0016] However, to further increase the work speed, it is also worthwhile to increase the length of the track construction machine or the spacing between each rail running device, thereby allowing for the placement of four compaction devices arranged in sequence at twice the sleeper pitch. To simplify the configuration of the track construction machine, it is also worthwhile to place two compaction devices arranged in sequence at twice the sleeper pitch.

[0017] Another improvement to this method envisions compacting one rail with a forward compaction device and the other rail with a compaction device positioned behind the forward compaction device to compact the area beneath the Y-shaped sleeper. This further expands the possibilities for the use of track compaction machinery.

[0018] The track construction machine according to the present invention has a plurality of compaction devices arranged sequentially in front of and behind each other on a machine frame for simultaneously compacting under multiple sleepers of a track, each compaction device having a tool support whose height is adjustable by a height actuator, and the tool support supports a pair of compaction tools positioned opposite each other, the compaction tools being vibrable and able to press against each other via a drive device. In this case, the machine is configured to carry out the above method, so that the compaction devices are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the machine via each longitudinal actuator, and each longitudinal actuator is controllable by a single common control device to position the compaction devices relative to each other at intervals corresponding to multiple times the set sleeper pitch. Such a multi-slope compaction machine can be used for flexible, efficient, and qualitatively high-value track processing.

[0019] Advantageously, each compaction tool has a compaction pickaxe at its lower free end that is oriented vertically at the point of entry. This allows for a rapid and gentle entry into the track bed with minimal load on the compaction tool and other equipment components. Based on the small entry volume, the ballast is also subjected to a small load, thereby avoiding undesirable ballast crushing. Furthermore, the soft entry motion leads to less noise generation. The faster entry motion compared to a compaction pickaxe that enters at an angle increases the overall working speed of the machine. In addition, the vertically oriented compaction pickaxe leaves a smaller hollow space inside from which ballast can later slide when lifted from the track bed. This helps to maintain the achieved compaction.

[0020] Another improvement assumes that the main frame is supported by a running gear and is movable along a track, while the machine frame with the compaction gear is positioned to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the machine relative to the main frame. During operation, the main frame, with its cab, running gear, and other weight-bearing equipment, moves continuously along the track, so that these masses do not need to be braked or accelerated during each compaction cycle. During a compaction cycle, only the machine frame with the compaction gear stops, causing it to move in the opposite direction to the running direction relative to the main frame. At the end of the compaction cycle, the machine frame moves to a new compaction position, at which point it moves in the direction of running relative to the main frame. This configuration combines a rapid work mode with the machine's energy-efficient forward movement.

[0021] A further advantage is when each compaction device is configured symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine. As a result, identical vibration amplitudes are produced in pairs of compaction tools positioned opposite each other. During compaction, each corresponding compaction pickaxe acts simultaneously on the ballast grains located between them (identical compaction pickaxe dynamics in counter-attacks). As a result, energy is efficiently input into the track bed, resulting in uniform compaction.

[0022] Advantageously, the tamping devices arranged one behind the other are each configured in the same way. The device parts of the same configuration resulting therefrom simplify the configuration of the machine. As a result, maintenance work can be carried out with less effort and in a shorter time, in which case the various replacement parts required overall are relatively few.

[0023] Another improvement assumes that each tamping device has a plurality of tamping units arranged side by side in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the machine, and the tamping units are attached to one common support device and in particular have a separately height-adjustable tool support. This increases the flexibility of use of the machine. For example, within a point section or when there are obstacles in the track, only the tamping units that can penetrate into the empty frog pockets are actuated.

[0024] Even more advantageously, one of the tamping devices arranged one behind the other is attached to the machine frame, and the other tamping devices are supported by a longitudinal guide connected to the machine frame. In this way, the mechanical connection between the tamping device and the machine frame is configured simply without restricting the movement of the tamping devices relative to each other. When three tamping devices are arranged one behind the other, preferably, the frontmost tamping device and the rearmost tamping device are supported by the machine frame via the longitudinal guide.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The present invention will be illustratively described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing a track tamping machine equipped with three tamping devices. [Figure 2] It is a side view schematically showing a tamping device for simultaneously tamping under three frogs. [Figure 3] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by the tamping device shown in FIG. 2 in the case of the first frog pitch. [Figure 4]It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by the tamping device shown in Fig. 2 in the case of the second sleeper pitch. [Figure 5] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by the tamping device shown in Fig. 2 in the case of the third sleeper pitch. [Figure 6] It is a front view schematically showing the tamping device. [Figure 7] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by the tamping device shown in Fig. 2 at the start of work. [Figure 8] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by the tamping device shown in Fig. 2 in the three-sleeper mode. [Figure 9] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by two tamping devices in the case of the first sleeper pitch. [Figure 10] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by two tamping devices in the case of the second sleeper pitch. [Figure 11] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by two tamping devices in the case of the third sleeper pitch. [Figure 12] It is a diagram schematically showing the tamping operation by two tamping devices in the two-sleeper mode.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0026] The track tamping machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 is formed to simultaneously tamp under the three sleepers 4 supported by the roadbed 2 of the track 3. The machine 1 has a main frame 6 supported by the rail traveling device 5. A machine frame 8 movable in the machine longitudinal direction 7 is supported on the main frame 6, and three tamping devices 9 are attached to the machine frame 8 in the front and rear. In one simpler embodiment (not shown), the machine 1 has only the machine frame 8 supported by the rail traveling device 5. In this case, the machine frame 8 is also the main frame at the same time.

[0027] The main frame 6 houses the operator's cab 10 and the travel drive unit 11. Depending on the degree of automation, an additional operator's room 12 is located behind the compaction device 9. From this room 12, the operator 13 can have a wide view of the compaction device 9 and make adjustments. Additionally or alternatively, a video system 14 is provided. This displays the position and work area of ​​the compaction device 9 within the operator's cab 10, from which the operator 13 can monitor and interact with it.

[0028] Furthermore, machine 1 has a leveling and leveling device 15 for leveling and leveling the track grid 17 formed from the sleepers 4 and the rails 16 attached to the sleepers 4. The current rail condition is detected by a measuring system 18. This measuring system 18 has a measuring device 19 directly in front of the foremost compaction device 9, and also has one measuring device 19 each in the forward and rear regions of machine 1 for standardization relative to the track 3.

[0029] A sensor device 21 is positioned on the front end face of the track construction machine 1 when viewed in the working direction 20. This sensor device 21 includes, for example, a laser rotary scanner 22, a color camera 23, and a plurality of laser line scanners 24. The laser rotary scanner 22 provides a three-dimensional scatter plot of the surrounding environment along with the track 3 while moving forward. The laser line scanners 24 are directed towards the rail neck and rail fastening to cover shaded areas. The color camera 23 continuously detects photographs of the track 3.

[0030] The data detected by the sensor device 21 is processed by the computing unit 25 (e.g., a computer with data memory). First, a three-dimensional model of the surrounding environment along with the track 3 is calculated from the scatter plot and color diagram. In this model, sleepers 4, sleeper pockets, rails 16, and obstacles are identified by the object identification means disclosed by the same applicant in Austrian Patent Application No. 518692. At this time, the sleeper pitch t of the track section to be processed is also detected. This is done, for example, based on the position of the recognized rail fastening. In this case, the sleeper pitch t is the spacing between multiple sleepers 4 that are continuous in the longitudinal direction of the track.

[0031] Furthermore, the working positions of devices 9 and 15 are set for each track location where work operations are performed. This is particularly related to the spacing a between the compaction devices 9 in the longitudinal direction of the machine 7. In the illustrated example, the spacing a is set to twice the sleeper pitch t. A display device 26 (monitor, touchscreen, etc.) that shows the required positions of devices 9 and 15 is located in the driver's cab 10 or the operator's room 12. In addition, operating members 27 are located in the corresponding rooms 10 and 12. Through these operating members 27, the operator 13 can change the working positions of devices 9 and 15 before performing work operations. During confirmation, the automatically set working positions are sent in advance to the machine control device 23 that controls devices 9 and 15.

[0032] In addition to the sensor device 21 and the machine control device 23, the sensor and control system of machine 1 includes a so-called master computer 29. This master computer 29 sets the target position of the track 3 for lateral alignment and leveling of the track 3, and the correction values ​​derived therefrom.

[0033] According to the present invention, compaction devices 9 are arranged on a machine frame 8 so as to be movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the machine 7. In Figure 2, for example, three compaction devices 9 are arranged on the machine frame 8 via a common support 30. In this case, the middle compaction device 9 is fixed to the support 30. The front and rear compaction devices 9 are supported by guides 31 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction and are displaceable relative to the middle compaction device 9 via longitudinal actuators 32. The longitudinal actuators 32 are controlled by a control device 33, which is formed as part of a machine control device 28 or as a separate control device. To position the compaction devices 9 relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the machine 7 via the longitudinal actuators 32, the control device 33 is set to a current sleeper pitch t. The sleeper pitch t is preferably set automatically by a sensor device 21. Alternatively, the longitudinal position of the compaction devices 9 can be adjusted by an operator 13 to correspond to the sleeper pitch t.

[0034] Each compaction device 9 has a plurality of compaction units 34 arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the track, as shown in Figure 6. Each compaction unit 34 has a tool support 36, which is supported on vertical guides 38 of a correspondingly positioned device frame 39, with height adjustment via a height actuator 37. Each tool support 36 is pivotably supported by compaction tools 40 that are positioned opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the machine 7.

[0035] Furthermore, each tool support 36 is equipped with a vibration drive device 41 (e.g., an eccentric drive device), and the compaction tool 40 is connected to the vibration drive device 41 via a tightening drive device 42. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a hydraulic cylinder, configured as both a vibration drive device 41 and a tightening drive device 42, is positioned between the tool support 36 and each compaction tool 40. Pulsed hydraulic pressure is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder to generate vibration. During the tightening operation, the pulsed hydraulic pressure is superimposed on the tightening pressure generated by the hydraulic cylinder.

[0036] Each compaction tool 40 has a swivel lever 43 comprising an upper lever arm and a lower lever arm. The swivel lever 43 is supported by a correspondingly positioned tool support 36, in which case the upper lever arm is coupled to a correspondingly positioned tightening drive device 42. Two compaction pickaxes 44 are typically attached to the lower lever arm.

[0037] Figures 3 to 5 show the compaction devices 9 shown in Figure 2 when compacting the area beneath sleepers 4 having different sleeper pitches t. The sleeper pitch t is smallest in Figure 3. In this case, each compaction device 9 is moved by a longitudinal actuator 32 so as to be tangent to the machine's longitudinal direction 7. In this case, the plane of symmetry of each compaction device 9 at the working position coincides with the plane of symmetry of the sleeper 4 beneath which to be compacted. In the case of the enlarged sleeper pitch t in Figure 4, each compaction device 9 has a correspondingly enlarged spacing a between them. Figure 5 shows compaction devices 9 each with the maximum spacing a to compact the area beneath a sleeper 4 having the largest sleeper pitch t.

[0038] A single compaction cycle is divided into several stages. In the first stage, each compaction device 9 is positioned above the sleepers 4 that are to be compacted below. Specifically, the compaction pickaxe 44 is moved to a position above the sleeper pockets located between the sleepers 4. This is done by advancing the machine 1 or machine frame 8 and positioning the compaction devices 9 relative to each other according to the set sleeper pitch t. At this time, the compaction tool 40 remains in the starting position, and the compaction pickaxe 44 is oriented vertically in the starting position.

[0039] In the second stage of the compaction cycle, the tool support 36 and the compaction tool 40 located on the tool support 36 settle. In this case, the vibrating compaction pickaxe 44 settles into the track bed 2. During the third stage, the compaction pickaxes 44 of the compaction tools 40 located opposite each other are pressed together. The kinetic energy of the compaction tool 40 is transferred to the ballast grains of the track bed 2 via the pickaxe plates located on the compaction pickaxe 44. The ballast grains vibrate and take on a fluid-like state. As a result, the ballast grains are packed more densely under each sleeper 4 and move.

[0040] In the fourth stage of the compaction cycle, the compaction pickaxe 44 is returned by the tightening drive device 42 and pulled out from the track bed 2 by the lifting of the tool support 36. Thus, the actual compaction operation includes the second, third, and fourth stages of the compaction cycle. As soon as the compaction pickaxe 44 is lifted over the upper edge of the sleeper, the compaction device moves forward in the working direction 20 and a new compaction cycle begins. The forward movement is adjusted to the current sleeper pitch t by, for example, a distance measuring device 45 located in the track compaction machine 1.

[0041] Figure 6 shows that two independently sinkable compaction units 34 are positioned corresponding to each rail 16 of track 3. In other words, each compaction device 9 has four compaction units 34 arranged side by side. In this case, it is advantageous that each compaction unit 34 of the compaction device 9 is supported by a common support device 35 with lateral guides and connected to a drive device for lateral displacement. This allows each compaction unit 34 to be positioned laterally with respect to the machine longitudinal direction 7. This facilitates work in the range of narrow curves, points, and crossings. Specifically, each compaction unit 34 can be positioned on each sleeper 4 with a constant lateral spacing relative to the corresponding rail 16. In one simplified embodiment (not shown), one compaction unit 34 is positioned corresponding to each rail 16, with a combination of an inner rail compaction tool 40 and an outer rail compaction tool 40. Multiple compaction units 34, each consisting of the same compaction device 9, are arranged side by side to compact the area beneath the railway ties 4.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the start of track processing using the three compaction devices 9 shown in Figure 2. At the start of processing, the foremost compaction device 9 is positioned above the sleeper 4 to be compacted below. Next, this foremost compaction device performs its compaction operation. Then, all compaction devices 9 advance by three times the sleeper pitch t (advance distance = 3·t), and compaction is performed by the foremost compaction device 9 and the middle compaction device 9. In the final step of processing, they also advance by three times the sleeper pitch t. After that, all compaction devices 9 are used simultaneously.

[0043] Figure 8 shows that after processing begins, the tamping device is gradually advanced by three times the sleeper pitch t to completely compact the area under all the sleepers 4 in the track section to be processed (three-slope mode). If the sleeper pitch t changes during the track processing flow, the tamping devices 9 are automatically or manually displaced via the longitudinal actuators 32. Otherwise, the three-slope mode described above is maintained.

[0044] Figures 9 to 11 show a device with two compaction devices 9, along with their working positions for different sleeper pitches t. In this case, the front compaction device 9 is fixed to a support 30 attached to the machine frame 8. The rear compaction device 9 is supported by a guide 31 and is displaceable in the machine longitudinal direction 7 relative to the front compaction device 9 via a longitudinal actuator 32. Of course, the present invention also includes another device that allows displacement of the compaction device 9 in the machine longitudinal direction 7.

[0045] For example, one compaction device 9 is directly attached to the machine frame 8. In another embodiment, all compaction devices 9 are supported so as to be movable relative to one another on a guide 31 facing the longitudinal direction of the machine 7. In this case, if the guide 31 is sufficiently long, the longitudinal movement of the machine frame relative to the main frame may be omitted. Specifically, the guide stroke needs to be formed to a length such that all compaction devices 9 can be moved by an amount equal to three times the sleeper pitch t.

[0046] In this embodiment, continuous operation of the track compaction machine 1 is possible even without so-called satellites. In this case, the track compaction machine 1 moves forward continuously together with the machine frame 8 during a single compaction operation. Simultaneously, each compaction device 9 moves in the direction opposite to the working direction 20 relative to the machine frame 8 at the guide 31. This relative movement is controlled via the longitudinal actuator 32, thereby ensuring that each compaction device 9 remains positioned above its respective track processing position during a single compaction operation.

[0047] Another embodiment assumes that the compaction units 34 arranged side by side in each compaction device 9 are able to move independently of each other in the longitudinal direction 7 of the machine. In this case, a dedicated guide 31 and a dedicated longitudinal actuator 32 are provided corresponding to each compaction unit 34. In this way, each compaction unit 34 can be adjusted to the longitudinal spacing of the Y-shaped sleepers.

[0048] Figure 12 shows track processing by two compaction devices 9 positioned one behind the other. In this case, the distance a between the compaction devices 9 corresponds to twice the sleeper pitch t, ​​as in Figures 9 to 11. In this case, after each compaction operation, the compaction devices 9 alternately advance by three times the sleeper pitch t (advance distance = 3·t) and by the sleeper pitch t (advance distance = t). In this way, the area under all the sleepers 4 is compacted in two-slope mode. At the start of the operation, as in the three-slope mode, the front compaction device 9 performs a compaction operation only once, and then advances by three times the sleeper pitch t.

Claims

1. A method for compacting the area beneath multiple sleepers (4) supported by the track bed (2) of a track compaction machine (3) using multiple compaction devices (9) that are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (7) of the machine via longitudinal actuators (32), each equipped with a pair of compaction tools (40) positioned opposite each other and arranged in sequence on the machine frame (8) of a track compaction machine (1), wherein during a single compaction operation, the area beneath sleepers (4) that are not positioned in sequence are compacted, and each of the compaction devices (9) compacts only the area beneath one sleeper (4), A method characterized by detecting the position of the sleeper (4) using a sensor device (21) placed on the track compaction machine (1), deriving the sleeper pitch (t) from the detected position, setting the detected sleeper pitch (t) of the sleeper (4) to be compacted below in a control device (33) that automatically controls the longitudinal actuator (32), positioning the compaction devices (9) relative to each other with a gap (a) in the longitudinal direction (7) of the machine via the longitudinal actuator (32) before the compaction operation, wherein this gap corresponds to multiple times the set sleeper pitch (t), thereby adjusting the position of the compaction devices (9) to the set sleeper pitch (t).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein during a single compaction operation, for each compaction device (9), a force sensor and / or motion sensor placed on the attached compaction tool (40) detects the characteristic curve of the ballast force acting on the compaction tool (40) over the distance the compaction tool (40) has advanced, and a characteristic quantity of compaction control is derived based on this.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the track grid (17) formed from the sleepers (4) and rails (16) mounted on the sleepers (4) is raised and straightened laterally by a raising and straightening device (15) before downward compaction, and the height position and lateral position of the rails (16) are detected by a measuring device (19) positioned in front of the foremost compaction device (9).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, upon commencement of processing at the construction site, the area is compacted only once using the foremost compaction device (9), thereby fixing the track grid (17) in an elevated height position and a aligned lateral position.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, when the three compaction devices (9) are arranged in succession, one in front of the other, with a spacing of twice the sleeper pitch (t), after the first compaction operation, all three compaction devices (9) are advanced in the working direction (20) by three times the sleeper pitch (3・t), during the second compaction operation, only the foremost compaction device (9) and the middle compaction device (9) compact the bottom, after the second compaction operation, all three compaction devices (9) are again advanced in the working direction (20) by three times the sleeper pitch (3・t), and during the third compaction operation, all three compaction devices (9) compact the bottom.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, if the three compaction devices (9) are arranged in succession, one in front of the other, with a spacing of twice the sleeper pitch (t), the first compaction is performed under the sleeper (4) that is positioned immediately in succession, and then all the compaction devices (9) are advanced in the working direction (20) by three times the sleeper pitch (3・t) before the compaction operation, and compaction is performed by all three compaction devices (9) during the compaction operation.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, in order to compact the area beneath a Y-shaped sleeper, one rail is compacted by the foremost compaction device (9), and the other rail is compacted by the compaction device (9) positioned behind the foremost compaction device (9).

8. A track compaction machine (1) is provided with a plurality of compaction devices (9) arranged in sequence on a machine frame (8) for simultaneously compacting beneath a plurality of sleepers (4) of a track (3), wherein each compaction device (9) has a tool support (36) whose height is adjustable by a height actuator (37), and the tool support (36) supports a pair of compaction tools (40) positioned opposite each other, the compaction tools (40) are vibrable and can be compressed with each other via drive devices (41, 42), and the compaction devices (9) are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (7) of the machine via a longitudinal actuator (32), in the track compaction machine (1), The machine (1) is configured to carry out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and the longitudinal actuator (32) is automatically controllable by a single common control device (33) in order to position the compaction devices (9) relative to each other at intervals (a) corresponding to multiple times the sleeper pitch (t) detected by the sensor device (21) and set in the control device (33), the track compaction machine (1).

9. The track compaction machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein each compaction tool (40) has a compaction pickaxe (44) at its lower free end that is oriented vertically at the point of entry.

10. The track compaction machine (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the main frame (6) is supported by a traveling device (5) and is movable on the track (3), and the machine frame (8) equipped with the compaction device (9) is arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction (7) relative to the main frame (6).

11. Each of the compaction devices (9) is configured symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (7) of the machine, according to any one of claims 8 to 10, the track compaction machine (1).

12. The track compaction machine (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the compaction devices (9) arranged in succession are each configured to have the same configuration.

13. Track compaction machine (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein each compaction device (9) has a plurality of compaction units (34) arranged side by side laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction (7) of the machine, the compaction units (34) being attached to a single common support device (35) and having a tool support (36) that is particularly separately height adjustable.

14. A track compaction machine (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein one of the compaction devices (9) arranged in a series is attached to the machine frame (8), and the other compaction devices are supported by a longitudinal guide (31) connected to the machine frame (8).

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