Compensating construction for bridging a structural joint in a railway track with a ballast bed

Abstract

The invention relates to a compensating construction (1) for bridging a structural joint (2) in a railway track (3) with a ballast bed (4) with two edge sleepers (5) which are arranged at the respective edges of the structural joint (2) and are designed in such a way that, owing to their shape, they prevent track ballast from slipping out of the ballast bed (4) into the structural joint (2) and on which at least one central sleeper (6) arranged in the region of the structural joint (2) is movably fastened, wherein the at least one movable central sleeper (6) has a central support (7) and two longitudinal supports (8), wherein the central support (7) is configured to be of such width that a maximum of two rail support points (9) per rail (10) can be arranged thereon, and the central sleeper (6) is mounted on the edge sleepers (5) in a floating manner and has been adjusted in its position at least once relative to the two edge sleepers (5) by at least one adjusting means (11, 12).

Description

[0001] New PCT registration

[0002] Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0003] 1 / 15

[0004] Compensating structure for bridging a structural joint in a railway track

[0005] The present invention relates to a compensating structure for bridging a structural joint in a railway track with a ballast bed.

[0006] Structural expansion joints that need to be bridged can occur, for example, in the area of ​​a bridge or an elevated railway track. Railway tracks with a ballast bed and rails laid on sleepers are, at least in the case of smaller expansion joints, typically simply laid over them. This can lead to ballast abrasion in the area of ​​the expansion joint. This abrasion occurs particularly when the railway track rises and falls due to structural movement in the areas adjacent to the expansion joint. This abrasion is detrimental to the ballast's function because the individual ballast stones should ideally have sharp edges. This sharpness ensures the load-bearing capacity of the ballast structure. If the ballast loses its sharp edges, the load-bearing capacity of the ballast structure, and consequently that of the entire railway track, is compromised.When excessive abrasion occurs in a ballast bed, it is referred to as "white ballast." This ballast, which is no longer sharp-edged and therefore no longer load-bearing, must then be replaced. This not only incurs costs but can also lead to restrictions in the usability of the railway track.

[0007] In order to limit the movement of the railway track in the area of ​​larger structural joints, various compensatory structures have therefore been proposed in the past.

[0008] A well-known compensating structure is the so-called Stog compensating plate, as described, for example, in DE 202016 103 931 U1. This is a relatively large steel plate that bridges the structural joint, thereby dividing the actual joint gap into two smaller joint gaps located laterally to the compensating plate. Because it is constructed as a solid steel plate, this compensating structure is relatively expensive to manufacture, and its anchoring requires very large and heavy weights, sometimes exceeding 15 tons each. Therefore, it has so far only been used for so-called slab tracks. These are railway tracks where the rails are fixed to concrete slabs and, due to the relatively high construction costs, are generally used for high-speed lines.The leveling plate, also known as the "Stog plate", is therefore not used on roads with a gravel bed.

[0009] Another well-known leveling design features a support grid that uses less material compared to the Stog plate. However, these designs require relatively complex mechanical control mechanisms to secure and adjust the position of at least one [New PCT Application]

[0010] Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0011] 2 / 15 movable center thresholds, such as laterally mounted scissor mechanisms, are used. These have proven to be expensive and prone to malfunction in the past.

[0012] The invention is based on the objective of proposing a cost-effective and at the same time relatively low-maintenance and less prone to malfunctions compensating construction for bridging a structural joint in a railway track with a ballast bed.

[0013] This problem is solved by a compensating structure according to claim 1. This is a compensating structure for bridging a construction joint in a railway track with a ballast bed and two edge sleepers arranged at the respective edges of the construction joint, which are designed such that, due to their shape, they prevent track ballast from sliding out of the ballast bed into the construction joint and to which at least one central sleeper arranged in the area of ​​the construction joint is movably attached, wherein the at least one movable central sleeper has a central beam with two longitudinal beams that are designed to be long enough to bridge the construction joint in its fully open state and over which the central sleeper is supported on the edge sleepers, wherein the central beam is designed to be wide enough tothat a maximum of two rail supports per rail can be arranged on it and that the center sleeper is floatingly supported on the edge sleepers and has been adjusted in its position at least once relative to the two edge sleepers using at least one adjusting device.

[0014] The inventive solution is based on the idea of ​​creating a compensating structure for bridging a structural joint in a railway track with a ballast bed, requiring only a relatively simple and, ideally, one-time adjustment of the position of at least one movable central sleeper. This eliminates the need for the complex control mechanism of a typical girder grid solution. A design based on the Stog compensating plate for slab track is used. However, unlike the Stog plate, the proposed design is significantly smaller, lighter, and much easier to anchor to the edges of the structure.

[0015] The solution proposed here is based on the further insight that, in the area of ​​ballast-bed roadways, the large dimensions of a classic Stog slab with its large weights for the slab pavement are not necessary to achieve a positive effect on the durability of the ballast bed in the area of ​​the construction joint. According to the invention, it is sufficient that the ballast bed is prevented from sliding into the construction joint and thus from covering it by means of appropriately designed edge sleepers. This prevents the ballast from moving with the structure. At the same time, a significantly narrower and therefore lighter [new PCT application] is required compared to the Stog slab.

[0016] Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0017] 3 / 15 anchorable movable center sleepers are used to bridge and support the roadway in the area of ​​the construction joint. Although, due to its smaller dimensions, it does not have the same effect as a classic Stog plate, which distributes movements in the construction joint over a relatively large area, this effect is not intended according to the invention.

[0018] The invention relies on the fact that it is sufficient to support the rails only in a relatively small area, essentially corresponding to the construction joint, using a movable central sleeper stiffened by edge beams. This allows the edge sleepers to be designed with relatively slim profiles. Consequently, the very massive anchoring blocks or weights of the conventional Stog plate are eliminated, as only a relatively light and small, movable central sleeper needs to be anchored. This significantly reduces wear on the track ballast and extends the service life of the ballast bed in the area of ​​the construction joint, all at relatively manageable acquisition costs. The solution according to the invention therefore pays for itself relatively quickly.

[0019] Advantageously, at least one adjusting device is arranged between each edge sleeper and at least one movable center sleeper. This allows the position of the at least one movable center sleeper to be adjusted in several respects.

[0020] It is also advantageous if at least one, preferably four, adjusting means acting in a vertical direction is / are arranged between an edge threshold and a center threshold. This allows the height of the center threshold to be adjusted.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one, preferably two, adjusting devices are arranged horizontally between an edge sleeper and a center sleeper. This allows, for example, the position of the center sleeper to be adjusted relative to a track axis.

[0022] Preferably, at least one adjusting device comprises a press, in particular an adjusting ring press. The press can be mechanically and / or hydraulically driven. A very advantageous combination of hydraulic press and mechanical load holding is provided by cylinders with a locking ring, so-called adjusting ring presses. With these, the center sill can be raised or moved and then held in this position. The adjusting ring provides mechanical support. Such a design of the adjusting device enables the precise adjustment of the position of the movable center sill. At the same time, the set position can be effectively, permanently, and easily fixed with such an adjusting device. New PCT application

[0023] Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0024] 4 / 15

[0025] It is advantageous if at least one adjusting device comprises at least one component of a structural bearing, in particular a spherical cap, a support plate, a sliding disc, an elastomeric part and / or a sliding plate, preferably a complete structural bearing. In this way, the adjusting device also assumes the function of supporting the center sleeper.

[0026] In addition, a movable center sleeper and / or edge sleeper features a rail support recess on its upper surface for each rail support to simplify the fastening of the respective rail support. These recesses can be trough-shaped metal plates. This allows a rail support to be moved and fixed in the desired position on the center sleeper or edge sleeper very easily and quickly.

[0027] Preferably, at least one movable center sleeper has an H-shaped design in plan view, preferably with two longitudinal beams of equal length. Such a center sleeper design is very rigid. Furthermore, this type of center sleeper can be manufactured relatively easily.

[0028] Further development involves the longitudinal beams of at least one movable central sill being arranged parallel to each other in plan view and perpendicular to the central beam at its edge. This makes manufacturing as a standardized component conceivable.

[0029] Desirably, at least one movable center sleeper has a fastening means for at least one adjusting means acting in a horizontal direction, wherein the fastening means is in particular designed as a recess, web and / or bracket and is preferably arranged centrally on a side of the center sleeper that faces an adjacent edge sleeper. This allows the center sleeper to be easily adjusted and fastened to the edge sleeper.

[0030] Preferably, at least one edge threshold is designed with a box-like shape, at least in some areas. This box-like design can have several positive effects. For example, it can improve handling during installation. This shape can also simplify the fastening of the center threshold.

[0031] It is conceivable that at least one edge sill has a cavity which, after the installation of the edge sill in a building, can be filled with a grout to weigh down the edge sill.

[0032] Furthermore, it is advisable if at least one edge threshold has a fastening device for

[0033] Attachment of at least one adjusting means acting in a horizontal direction, in particular a New PCT application

[0034] Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0035] It features a 5 / 15 pin-shaped upward-pointing stop. This facilitates the attachment and adjustment of the adjusting device and reduces installation time.

[0036] Ideally, at least one edge sleeper should have an anchoring device for connecting it to a structural element. This can be a special anchor design or a conventional anchor. Options include anchors embedded in concrete, bolts, dowels, or screwed-in solutions. Ultimately, all of these serve to transfer the loads from the at least one movable center sleeper into the structure.

[0037] Preferably, at least one edge sill has at least one recess on its longitudinal side facing the building joint for receiving and supporting at least one longitudinal beam and / or a fastening element of a movable central sill. In this way, the edge sill can also perform a protective and guiding function.

[0038] In a further development, at least one edge sleeper has an additional sheet metal plate extending longitudinally along at least one end face for ballast retention. This allows material for ballast retention to be saved.

[0039] Preferably, at least one edge sleeper has a maximum of one rail support point per rail on its upper surface. Preferably, a rail support point socket is also provided for each rail support point to simplify the fastening of the respective rail support point to the edge sleeper.

[0040] Furthermore, at least one edge sleeper has at least one sliding bearing for supporting a longitudinal beam of a movable center sleeper. This improves load distribution and durability.

[0041] It is also conceivable that two movable central sleepers are arranged between the two edge sleepers, which in turn are articulated and / or slidably attached to each other. In this way, even larger construction joints can be bridged easily. This increases the range of applications of the solution according to the invention.

[0042] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing. The drawing schematically shows:

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a top view of the compensating structure according to the invention; New PCT application Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0044] 6 / 15

[0045] Fig. 2 shows the section along axis AA shown in Fig. 1;

[0046] Fig. 3 shows the section along axis BB shown in Fig. 1;

[0047] Fig. 4 shows the section along axis CC shown in Fig. 1;

[0048] Fig. 5 shows the section along axis DD shown in Fig. 1;

[0049] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged top view of one of the two fastenings of the center sill 6 shown in Fig. 1 to a fastening means 15 with the interposition of two horizontally acting adjusting means 12; and

[0050] Fig. 7 shows an enlarged sectional view of one of the vertically acting adjustment means 11 shown in Figs. 2 to 5.

[0051] The same reference symbols are used for the same components in the figures.

[0052] Figures 1 to 7 show an embodiment of a compensating construction according to the invention.

[0053] 1 for bridging a structural joint 2 in a railway track 3 with a ballast bed 4 with two edge sleepers 5 arranged at the respective edges of the structural joint 2 shown in four different views or sections.

[0054] The compensating structure 1 has two edge sleepers 5 which are designed in such a way that, due to their box-shaped form extending to the top edge of the ballast bed 4, they prevent track ballast from sliding out of the ballast bed 4 into the structure joint 2.

[0055] Furthermore, a central sill 6, located in the area of ​​the construction joint 2, is movably attached to the two edge sills 5. The movable central sill 6 in turn has a central beam 7 with two longitudinal beams 8, arranged here at its lateral ends (although a more central arrangement is also conceivable), which are long enough to span the construction joint.

[0056] 2 bridge in the fully open state and over which the middle threshold 6 is supported on the edge thresholds 5.

[0057] The central support 7 is now designed to be so wide or narrow that a maximum of two rail supports 9 per rail 10 can be arranged on it. It is therefore significantly narrower than a conventional Stog plate.

[0058] The middle threshold 6 is now similarly supported to a Stog plate in a floating manner and with at least a new PCT application.

[0059] Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0060] 7 / 15 an adjusting device 11 has been adjusted in its position at least once relative to the two edge sleepers 5. But in contrast to the Stog plate, the support here is provided by the specially shaped edge sleepers 5. supported and is.

[0061] As can be seen from the longitudinal section in Fig. 2 and the cross-sections in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the embodiment of a compensating structure 1 according to the invention shown here has two (i.e., a total of four) vertically acting adjustment means 11 under each longitudinal beam 8. In addition, the central threshold 6 has also been adjusted in its position by means of four horizontally acting adjustment means 12.

[0062] Since all eight adjustment devices 11 and 12 shown here are hydraulic adjusting ring presses, the central sleeper 5 can be adjusted once during its installation using the hydraulic presses. The presses are then fixed in position using the adjusting rings. Because the adjustment devices 11 and 12 each also incorporate at least one component of a structural bearing, the central sleeper 6 is nevertheless supported by a floating bearing.

[0063] Opposite the vertically acting adjustment means 11, a bearing element 13, in this case designed as a ball bearing, is provided. However, the design with a ball bearing should not be interpreted strictly here. The bearing element 13 could also be implemented with a sliding part made of a sliding material.

[0064] The horizontally acting adjusting means 11 in turn engage a fastening means 14 of the center clamp 6, which is designed here as a recess, and a fastening means 15, which is designed here as a pin-shaped stop pointing upwards and is provided on the edge sleepers 5.

[0065] The edge sleepers 5 are connected to the structure by means of anchor devices not shown in detail here. Furthermore, any cavities in the box-shaped edge sleepers 5 have been filled with a grout 16. The weight of the grout 16 thus also contributes to anchoring the respective edge sleeper 5 and ultimately the central sleeper 6.

[0066] To simplify the fastening of each rail support 9 to an edge sleeper 5 and the center sleeper 6, each of these has a rail support fitting 17 for each rail support 9. This fitting is a laterally bent sheet metal plate.

[0067] Particularly when the edge sleepers 5 are not as wide as the ballast bed 4, it is advantageous to provide lateral plates 17 for ballast retention on the end faces, as shown here especially in Fig. 1. New PCT application Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0068] 8 / 15

[0069] As can be seen from Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, both the vertically acting adjustment means 11 and the horizontally acting adjustment means 12 can expediently be designed in the form of a spherical sliding bearing.

[0070] Figure 6 illustrates the horizontal adjustment of the center sleeper 6 using two horizontally acting adjustment means 12. For this purpose, a sliding plate 20 is mounted on each of the side walls of the recess 14 provided in the center sleeper 6. This plate, together with the sliding disc 22 made of a low-friction plastic mounted on the sliding plate 21, forms a pairing also referred to as a sliding surface. The sliding plate 21 has a spherically curved recess in which a spherical cap head 23 sits and can rotate. The cap head 23, in turn, sits on a pin 24, which can be extended or retracted hydraulically or mechanically, e.g., by means of a thread, from a mounting base 25 attached to the fastening element 15 of the edge sleeper 5 and permanently adjusted there.

[0071] Figure 7 shows one of the four adjustment means 11 provided for vertical position adjustment. Here, too, a sliding plate 26, attached to the central sill 6, more precisely to the edge support 8, interacts with a flat sliding disc 27. This flat sliding disc 27 is embedded in the flat upper surface of a spherical cap 28. The spherical cap 28, in turn, is movably seated in a spherically concave curved recess in a piston 29. A curved sliding disc is located in the recess.

[0072] 30 is made of a low-friction material. The piston 29, in turn, sits in a pot-shaped cylinder 31 and can be moved into the cylinder by injecting hydraulic oil through a filler neck 32.

[0073] 31. The piston 29 can be moved. By means of a locking device 33, the piston 29 can be permanently fixed in its position in the cylinder 30 without the need for continuous hydraulic oil injection. To prevent hydraulic oil from leaking, an annular seal 34 is provided on the piston. In addition, two pins 35 are provided in the cylinder as anti-rotation devices, on which the piston can slide.

[0074] New PCT registration Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0075] 9 / 15

[0076] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0077] 1. Compensation structure

[0078] 2. Construction joint

[0079] 3. Railway track

[0080] 4. Gravel bed

[0081] 5. Edge threshold

[0082] 6. Medium threshold

[0083] 7. Middle support

[0084] 8. Longitudinal beam

[0085] 9. Rail support point

[0086] 10th rail

[0087] 11. Vertically acting adjustment device

[0088] 12. Horizontally acting adjustment device

[0089] 13. Roller bearings

[0090] 14. Fastening device (recess) on the center threshold

[0091] 15. Fastening device (pin-shaped stop) on the edge threshold

[0092] 16. Potting compound

[0093] 17. Rail support point version

[0094] 18. Sheet metal for gravel retention

[0095] 19. Threshold

[0096] 20. Sliding plate

[0097] 21. Sliding plate

[0098] 22. Sliding disc

[0099] 23. Scallop head

[0100] 24. Pen

[0101] 25. Mounting base

[0102] 26. Sliding plate

[0103] 27. Plane sliding disc

[0104] 28. Calotte

[0105] 29. Piston

[0106] 30. Curved sliding disc

[0107] 31. Cylinder

[0108] 32. Filler neck

[0109] 33. Locking device

[0110] 34. Seal New PCT Application Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025

[0111] 10 / 15

[0112] 35. Pin for anti-rotation device

Claims

New PCT registration Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025 11 / 15 PATENT CLAIMS 1. Compensating structure (1) for bridging a structural joint (2) in a railway track (3) with a ballast bed (4) having two edge sleepers (5) arranged at the respective edges of the structural joint (2), which are designed such that, due to their shape, they prevent track ballast from sliding out of the ballast bed (4) into the structural joint (2) and to which at least one central sleeper (6) arranged in the area of ​​the structural joint (2) is movably attached, wherein the at least one movable central sleeper (6) has a central beam (7) and two longitudinal beams (8) which are designed to be long enough to bridge the structural joint (2) in its fully open state and over which the central sleeper (6) is supported on the edge sleepers (5), wherein the central beam (7) is designed to be wide,that a maximum of two rail supports (9) per rail (10) can be arranged on it and the central sleeper (6) is floatingly supported on the edge sleepers (5) and its position has been adjusted at least once relative to the two edge sleepers (5) with at least one adjusting means (11 , 12).

2. Compensation construction according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one adjusting means (11, 12) is arranged between each edge threshold (5) and the least one movable central threshold (6).

3. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adjusting means (11) acting in a vertical direction is arranged between an edge threshold (5) and a central threshold (6).

4. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adjusting means (12) is arranged acting in a horizontal direction between an edge threshold (5) and a central threshold (6).

5. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adjusting means (11, 12) is a press, in particular an adjusting ring press, New PCT registration Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025 12 / 15.

6. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adjusting means (11 , 12) comprises at least one component of a structural bearing, in particular a roller bearing (13), a spherical cap, a support plate, a sliding disc, an elastomer part and / or a sliding plate, preferably a complete structural bearing, and / or interacts with such a bearing.

7. Compensation structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a central sleeper (6) and / or an edge sleeper (5) has a rail support socket (17) for each rail support (9) to simplify the fastening of the respective rail support (9).

8. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one movable central threshold (6) has a fastening means (14) for at least one adjusting means (12) acting in a horizontal direction, wherein the fastening means (14) is in particular designed as a recess, web and / or bracket and is preferably arranged centrally on a side of the central threshold (6) that faces an adjacent edge threshold (5).

9. Compensation structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one movable central threshold (6) has an H-shaped design in plan view, preferably with two longitudinal beams (8) of equal length at the edge.

10. Compensation structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal beams (8) of at least one movable central sill (6) are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the central beam (7) in the top view.

11. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge threshold (5) is at least partially box-shaped. New PCT registration Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025 13 / 15 12. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge threshold (5) has a cavity which, after the installation of the edge threshold (5) in a structure, can be filled with a casting compound (16) to weigh down the edge threshold (5).

13. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge threshold (5) has a fastening means (15) for fastening at least one adjusting means (12) acting in a horizontal direction, in particular a pin-shaped stop projecting upwards.

14. Compensation structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge threshold (5) has an anchoring device for anchoring to a structural element.

15. Compensation structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge sill (5) has at least one recess on its longitudinal side facing the building joint for receiving and supporting at least one longitudinal beam (8) and / or a fastening means of a movable central sill (6).

16. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge sleeper (5) has on at least one end face an additional sheet metal (17) extending in the longitudinal direction of the edge sleeper for ballast retention.

17. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one edge threshold (5) has at least one sliding bearing for supporting a longitudinal beam (8) of a movable central threshold (6).

18. Compensation construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that New PCT registration Maurer Engineering GmbH 214886 PWO September 19, 2025 14 / 15 between the two edge sleepers (5) two movable intermediate sleepers (6) are arranged, which in turn are hinged and / or slidably attached to each other.

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