Railway Turnout Crossover Core Design for 160 km/h Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current railway connections restrict railway vehicle speeds to below 140 km/h due to insufficient slope constraints and industrial production limitations, making it challenging to maintain high-speed circulation on diverted tracks while adhering to standard rail configurations.
Innovation Solution
A fixed-point crossover core design with specific dimensions and curvature configurations, including a part with fixed curvature and a part with variable clothoid curvature, allows for a connection length and angle optimization that enables speeds up to 160 km/h while respecting constraints on slope deficiency and production limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fixed curvature diverted track with radius of 3000 meters and length of 84.751 meters is used, then the connection can accommodate standard production constraints, but the maximum vehicle speed is limited to 140 km/h due to insufficient slope constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The diverted track is divided into two segments: a first part with fixed curvature (radius of 3000 meters) and a second part with variable curvature (clothoid type). This segmentation allows the track to transition gradually from the main track to the parallel main track, managing slope variations to enable speeds up to 160 km/h while complying with insufficient slope constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic curvature variation in the second part of the diverted track using a clothoid curve. Instead of maintaining a fixed curvature throughout, the radius of curvature varies continuously from 3000 meters at the junction point to infinity at the extremal point. This dynamic curvature adjustment optimizes slope deficiency management, allowing higher vehicle speeds while meeting production and safety constraints.
2Speed
If the length of the crossing heart is limited to 11.8 meters due to furnace and quenching pool constraints, then industrial production requirements are met, but the angle at the theoretical tip must be precisely controlled between 1.7 and 1.96 degrees to achieve 160 km/h speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the geometric parameters of the crossing heart, specifically the angle at the theoretical tip (α) which must be between 1.7 and 1.96 degrees, and the length constrained to 11.8 meters or less. By optimizing these parameters within the production constraints imposed by furnace and quenching pool dimensions, the design achieves the required 160 km/h speed capability while remaining manufacturable using standard industrial processes.
3Speed
If a clothoid type variable curvature part is added to extend from the junction point to the extremal point, then the slope deficiency constraints are better managed for high speed, but the overall connection design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a clothoid curve for the variable curvature portion of the diverted track. This mathematical curve provides a smooth transition of curvature from the fixed radius section to the parallel track alignment, effectively managing slope deficiency variations. The clothoid configuration, while mathematically sophisticated, follows established railway engineering principles and can be implemented using standard track laying equipment and measurement techniques.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates mainly to a fixed-point crossing frog which is essentially characterized in that: - the length (L3) of the fixed-point crossing frog (6) is less than or equal to 11.8 meters, - the distance between rolling lines (F1) at the frog inlet is greater than or equal to 82 millimeters, - the distance between rolling lines (F2) at the frog outlet is greater than or equal to 258 millimeters, and - the angle α at the theoretical point (9) is between 1.7 and 1.96 grade. The invention also relates to a railway branch line comprising such a crossing heart and further providing that the radius R of the fixed curvature part (4) of the branch (1) is 3000 meters, the length (L1) of the fixed curvature part (4) is between 60 and 70 meters, and the length (L2) of the variable curvature part (5) is between 44 and 53 meters.