AU2012398058A1

AU2012398058A1 - Predictive method for analysing tampering equipment, and tampering equipment

Info

Publication number: AU2012398058A1
Application number: AU2012398058A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Francisco Javier GORINES GARNACHO; Catalina Mondragon Enguidanos; Manuel RUIZ CALVO
Original assignee: Acciona Infraestructuras SA
Current assignee: Acciona Construccion SA
Priority date: 2012-12-27
Filing date: 2012-12-27
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Also published as: WO2014102401A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a predictive method for analysing tampering equipment (11) installable in a tampering machine that can be moved along a track. The tampering equipment (11) comprises a set of tamper picks that can be moved vertically and transversely by means of actuating elements; where measuring equipment (12) can be installed on the tampering equipment (11) in order to measure vibrations of the tampering equipment (11), caused by play between the actuating elements of the tamper picks as they perform a process of tampering the ballast bed of the track.

Description

DESCRIPTION Predictive method for analysing tamping equipment, and tamping equipment. Purpose of the Invention 5 [0001] The present invention refers to a predictive mechanical failure analysis system and method included in a tamping machine with a frame that can be moved along a railway track. State of the Art [0002] The use is known of a tamping machine that can be moved on railway tracks, comprising tamping tools as well as equipment for lifting and levelling the railway tracks. 10 [0003] The tamping machine comprises tamping equipment that can move vertically and transversely by means of hydraulic actuators. The tamping equipment includes a set of tamping picks or tamping tines adjustable by means of actuators in the direction longitudinal to the machine. [0004] The tamping picks are synchronised and are housed in a support with vertical 15 adjustment and can be submerged in the ballast bed and moved with respect to each other with an active force, for example, of up to 320 kN. [0005] In progress in the direction of working of the tamping machine, the ballast tamping tines are submerged in the ballast to distribute the ballast deposited uniformly over the whole track width. Then, a renovated segment of track is brought up to the desired condition using 20 the tamping equipment, the lifting and levelling equipment and the track condition monitoring system. [0006] While a condition monitoring system for track subject to a tamping and levelling process is known, a system for analysing the various mechanical elements included in the tamping machine to enable precise control of their condition by means of a predictive failure 25 analysis system is not known. Summary [0007] The present invention seeks to resolve one or more of the disadvantages stated previously by means of a method for predictive failure analysis of mechanical elements included in a tamping machine as claimed in the claims. 1 [0008] One purpose of this is to supply measuring equipment that can be assembled in tamping equipment to measure vibrations resulting from clearances between mechanical elements of the tamping equipment. [0009] The degree of clearance between the mechanical elements influences the 5 magnitude of the vibration, the amplitude of the vibration and the pressure on the mechanical actuators such that tamping equipment maintenance condition can be deduced. [0010] Another purpose of the measuring equipment is to execute predictive failure analysis rules based on set point threshold values stored in the equipment itself. [0011] Yet another aspect of the measuring equipment is to measure vibrations at a 10 different range and frequency to those originating in the tamping equipment that performs the ballast bed tamping procedure for a railway track. [0012] Consequently, the measurement results supplied to the predictive analysis method make it possible to obtain a reliable, documentable datum on tamping equipment condition, i.e. the service life of the tamping equipment. 15 [0013] This purpose can be achieved by the predictive analysis method that deduces differences between a set of values measured during the performing of a tamping process and set point values for tamping equipment operating parameters before performing any tamping process. [0014] Yet another aspect of the embodiment is to supply warning messages in the event 20 that the set parameter values are outside normal operation or the normal pattern, making it possible to predict changes in mechanical elements of the tamping equipment when their service life deduced from the set parameter values monitored is different to that in normal operation. [0015] A predictive method for analysing tamping equipment that can be installed in a 25 tamping machine that can be moved along a track that is applicable to tamping equipment which comprises a set of tamping picks which can be moved vertically and transversely by means of actuating elements; where the method comprises a stage of installing measuring equipment on the tamping equipment, which is adapted to measuring vibrations in the tamping equipment that can derive from clearances existing between the actuating elements 30 of the tamping picks while they perform the process of tamping the ballast bed of the track. [0016] The method also comprises a stage of capturing a set of target operating parameters for the tamping equipment, with these target parameters being monitored by the 2 measuring equipment before performing a first process of tamping the ballast bed of the track; storage of the target parameters acquired by the measuring equipment as set point threshold value; comparison of the set of target operating parameters for the tamping equipment monitored by the measuring equipment with the set point threshold values stored 5 during the performing of a process of tamping the ballast bed of the track; and the supply through an interface included in the measuring equipment of a warning signal in the event that the difference of the comparison is different to a certain increase on a set point threshold value. [0017] The tamping equipment comprises a set of tamping picks which can be moved 10 vertically and transversely by means of actuating elements; where measuring equipment can be installed on the tamping equipment to measure vibrations from the tamping equipment which can derive from clearances existing between the tamping pick actuating elements while they perform a process of tamping the ballast bed of the track. [0018] The measuring equipment is adapted to storing the target parameters acquired as 15 set point threshold value before the performing of a first process of tamping the ballast bed of the track. [0019] The measuring equipment is adapted to supply, through an interface, a warning signal if the difference between a value acquired and a set point threshold value is different to a certain increase for the given set point threshold value. 20 Brief Description of the Figures [0020] A more detailed explanation of the invention is given in the following description based on the attached figures: > Figure 1 shows measuring equipment assembled in the tamping equipment in an elevation view of the tamping equipment; 25> Figure 2 shows the measuring equipment assembled in the same tamping equipment in a profile view of the tamping equipment; and > Figure 3 shows the measuring equipment assembled in the same tamping equipment in a cross section in plan view of the tamping equipment. Description of an Embodiment 30 [0021] A tamping machine has a machine frame that can be moved along a track, composed of sleepers and rails, supported on a ballast bed which needs to be maintained 3 periodically by means of a tamping process. [0022] Now in relation to Figures 1 and 3, the tamping machine comprises tamping equipment 11 which can move vertically and transversely by means of actuating elements, as well as equipment for lifting and levelling tracks. 5 [0023] The tamping equipment 11 is equipped with tamping picks that can be adjusted vertically and transversely by means of mechanical and hydraulic actuators in the direction longitudinal to the machine. [0024] For automatic monitoring of tamping equipment 11 condition, measuring equipment can be assembled outside of the tamping equipment 11. The measuring equipment is 10 adapted to precisely capturing tamping equipment 11 operating parameters while the tamping process is being performed. [0025] Before the tamping machine performs the first bed ballast tamping work on a railway track; the tamping equipment 11 needs to be operated in order for the measuring equipment to capture data relating to the set of target tamping equipment 11 operating parameters prior 15 to performing the first tamping process. The set point threshold values acquired by the measuring equipment are entered into a predictive failure analysis system in order to perform maintenance tasks on the tamping equipment 11 based on the acquisition or capture of values relating to parameters of the tamping equipment supervised or monitored by the measuring equipment in tamping processes after maintaining the aforementioned equipment 20 11 in an optimal operating condition. [0026] The predictive failure analysis system makes it possible to reduce the number of breakdowns affecting the tamping equipment 11 during its service life. Consequently, the time during which the tamping equipment 11 is unable to perform the tamping process is reduced by increasing the durability of the tamping equipment 11. 25 [0027] The target set of operating parameters for the tamping equipment 11 supervised or monitored by the measuring equipment before this tamping equipment 11 starts to work are stored by the measuring equipment as set point threshold values for any parameter value captured in a process of tamping the bed ballast after the first capture of threshold values. [0028] Consequently, as the tamping process is performed, the measuring equipment 30 automatically analyses the target set of operating parameters for the tamping equipment 11 to determine the existence of deviations in the values captured from the set point threshold values of operating parameters for the tamping equipment 11. 4 [0029] The measuring equipment can be connected by means of a cable or wireless interface to a central control system to which the results of the analysis performed by the measuring equipment are transmitted in real time or with a delay. [0030] Consequently, thanks to the predictive failure analysis method performed by the 5 measuring equipment, there is the possibility of increasing the number of tamping cycles the tamping equipment may come to perform, therefore, extending the service life of the tamping equipment 11 as a consequence of performing planned maintenance tasks on it. [0031] The measuring equipment comprises a set of angular displacement measuring units adapted to measuring vibrations in the tamping equipment 11, one of which can be installed 10 one per axis each tamping equipment actuator. [0032] It should be noted that during operation of the tamping equipment 11, clearances can develop between the various mechanical elements of which the tamping equipment is comprised, as a result of which vibrations appear at a different range and frequency to the vibrations generated by the tamping equipment 11 to perform the tamping process. 15 [0033] The displacement measuring unit is of the acceleration sensor type that registers the amplitudes and frequency of vibrations deriving from clearances between mechanical elements of the tamping equipment. The acceleration measurement range is equal to or higher than 5 mm/s. Specifically, one accelerometer per x, y, z axis on each tamping equipment hydraulic actuator. 20 [0034] The measuring equipment also comprises temperature sensors that can be installed on each tamping equipment 11 motor to monitor and track the temperature while the motors are operating. [0035] Additionally, the measuring equipment includes a pressure sensor to register the service pressure of a hydraulic actuator, where this can be installed, for example, at the inlet 25 to and the outlet from the hydraulic actuator to monitor and track the working pressure of the tamping picks in order to detect variations in pressure during the operation of the actuators. [0036] The various measuring equipment sensors and measuring units are connected to the control unit that stores the data captured by the various sensors and measuring units to execute predictive analysis rules for failure analysis based on the set point threshold values 30 which are also stored. [0037] The various sensors and measuring units continually capture values during the tamping process, which are transmitted to the control unit that compares the data received 5 with the set point threshold value. If the result of comparing the measured value with the set point threshold value is different to a pre-set difference value, the control unit supplies a warning signal. 6

Claims

1. A predictive method for analysing tamping equipment (11) that can be installed in a tamping machine that can be moved along a track, the tamping equipment (11) comprising a set of tamping picks which can be moved vertically and transversely by means of actuating 5 elements; characterised in that the method comprises a stage of installing measuring equipment (12) on the tamping equipment (11), where the measuring equipment (12) is adapted to measuring vibrations in the tamping equipment (11) that can be caused by clearances between the actuating elements of the tamping picks while they perform the process of track bed ballast tamping. 10

2. A method as per claim 1; characterised in that the method comprises a stage of capture by the measuring equipment (12) of a set of target operating parameters for the tamping equipment (11) monitored by the measuring equipment (12) before performing the first tamping process; storage of the target parameters acquired by the measuring equipment (12) as set point threshold values; comparison of the set of target operating parameters for 15 the tamping equipment (11) monitored by the measuring equipment (12) with the set point threshold values stored during the performing of a process of tamping the ballast bed of the track; and the supply through an interface included in the measuring equipment (12) of a warning signal if the difference in the comparison is different to a certain increase for a certain set point threshold value. 20

3. Tamping equipment comprising a set of tamping picks which can be moved vertically and transversely by means of actuating elements; characterised in that measuring equipment (12) can be installed on the tamping equipment (11) to measure vibrations from the tamping equipment (11) which can be caused by clearances between the tamping pick actuating elements while they perform the process of tamping the ballast bed of the track. 25

4. Measuring equipment as per claim 4; characterised in that the measuring equipment (12) is adapted to storing the target parameters acquired as set point threshold values before the performing of a first process of tamping the ballast bed of the track.

5. Equipment as per claim 3; characterised in that the measuring equipment (12) is adapted to compare the set of target operating parameters for the tamping equipment (11) 30 monitored by the measuring equipment (12) with the set point threshold values stored during the performing of a process of tamping the ballast bed of the track.

6. Equipment as per claim 5; characterised in that the measuring equipment is adapted to supply a warning signal through an interface if the difference in the comparison 7 stage is different to a certain increase on a certain set point threshold value.

7. A tamping machine which comprises tamping equipment comprising a set of tamping picks that can be moved vertically and transversely by means of actuating elements; characterised in that the tamping equipment (11) includes measuring equipment (12) as per 5 claims 3 to 6. 8