EP0089907A1 - Grinding machine for electric and similar collectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for the rectification of the collectors, or other rotary contact members comprises a tool-holder carriage suitable for fixing either against the support (47) of a brush holder associated with the collector or rotor (31), or against the face from the lower opening (36) of the motor housing. To this end, it is made to comprise on the one hand a link (42), on the other hand an external frame (35). The rectification is effected by an abrasive stone (30) driven back and forth along the collector. A double blast and suction nozzle (32) eliminates dust. A brush and a feeler can be mounted on the trolley to eliminate adhering dust and check the correction. The whole assembly is carried by an eastern fork (20), by a parallelogram (17) and by a double carriage (6-11) rolling in a pit below the railway track (4).

Description

It is known that the collectors of DC machines must be rectified from time to time to function properly. The same also applies to the rotating connection rings between a rotor and the corresponding fixed circuits. This rectification work can be carried out in turn after removing the armature or rotor, but it can also be done by grinding, without prior disassembly thereof. This is how we often operate using an abrasive stone attached to an appropriate carriage and progressively advancing in the direction of the axis until all eccentricity defects are eliminated as well as all possible surface irregularities. Of course, the carriage must be supported by a device rigidly secured to the electric machine under consideration, and this poses sometimes very difficult problems.

In the particular case of electric vehicle engines on rails, we generally proceed by opening the inspection door of the motor in question, removing the single or multiple brush holder facing it and mounting it on the support. base or base which carries the carriage to which the abrasive stone is fixed, the whole being at least largely inside the motor, in a reduced space which requires the use of mechanisms of small dimensions, difficult to actuate by operator and which must be fully hand operated. This operating mode, which must be repeated for each of the engines of the vehicle concerned, is in practice very long and very difficult to implement.

The invention aims to remedy this drawback and to make it possible to produce a machine by which all of the necessary operations can be considerably simplified.

In accordance with the invention, the machine is dimensioned and arranged so as to be able to attach not only to an interior part of the motor, such as a brush holder support, but also, if desired, on the outside of this engine.

We understand that so we are no longer limited by the volume of internal space available inside the engine. We can therefore make the machine include all the desirable mechanisms to facilitate its operation and make it automatic, at least in part, if desired.

In one embodiment, the machine according to the invention, more particularly intended to be placed in a usual pit for the maintenance and repair of rail vehicles, comprises a first clean carriage to roll at the bottom of the pit along the length of the track, a second carriage mounted on the first so as to be able to move transversely to it, a turret carried by the second carriage so as to be able to rotate on it around a vertical axis, an arm, preferably in the form of a parallelogram articulated, fixed to this base, a first support carried by this parallelogram so as to be able to rotate relative to it about a substantially vertical axis, a second support articulated to the first around a substantially horizontal axis, means making it possible to fix the second support to a non-rotating part of the motor or other comprising the member to be rectified, a tool-carrying carriage carried by the second support so as to be able to move on it in a substantially horizontal direction, means for moving this tool-holder carriage back and forth parallel to the axis of the motor, and means for advancing towards the member to be rectified the tool carried by the carriage aforementioned tool.

It is understood that such a machine allows operators to easily bring the tool carriage to the exact desired position, to fix it there, and then to carry out the correction.

• Fig. 1 est une vue en bout d'une machine suivant l'invention disposée au fond d'une fosse de visite et d'entretien de véhicules sur rails, le système de tuyère d'aspiration supposé enlevé et les prolongements vers le bas des bras du parallélogramme articulé étant coupés pour la clarté du dessin.
• Fig. 2 est la vue de côté correspondant à fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 est une vue de détail de l'ensemble des pièces portées par le parallélogramme articulé, en supposant que la liaison entre la machine et l'ensemble non tournant du moteur de traction intéressé s'effectue par l'intermédiaire du support de porte-balais.
• Fig. 4 montre schématiquement comment on réalise la phase finale de nettoyage et de polissage du collecteur rectifié.
• Fig. 5 est une vue semblable à celle de fig. 3, mais en supposant que la liaison machine-moteur est réalisée au niveau de l'ouverture de la porte de visite.

The appended drawing, given by way of example, will allow a better understanding of the invention, the characteristics which it presents and the advantages which it is capable of providing:

• Fig. 1 is an end view of a machine according to the invention arranged at the bottom of a vehicle inspection and maintenance pit on rails, the suction nozzle system supposed to be removed and the downward extensions of the arms of the articulated parallelogram being cut for clarity of the drawing.
• Fig. 2 is the side view corresponding to FIG. 1.
• Fig. 3 is a detailed view of all the parts carried by the articulated parallelogram, assuming that the connection between the machine and the non-rotating assembly of the traction motor concerned is effected by means of the brush holder support .
• Fig. 4 schematically shows how the final cleaning and polishing phase of the rectified collector is carried out.
• Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but assuming that the machine-motor connection is made at the opening of the inspection door.

In fig. 1 and 2 the reference 1 designates the ground level. A first pit was dug at a lower level 2, then a second narrower in the axis of the previous one at a level 3. The rails 4 of the track are carried by pillars 5 to a level higher than that of the ground .

On the bottom of the first pit, that is to say at level 2, rolls a carriage 6, or primary carriage, -supported by rollers 7 and guided in the longitudinal direction relative to the track by other rollers 8 with horizontal axis which bear against the vertical walls bordering the central pit (level 3). The carriage 6 in turn supports transverse rails 9 with a U-shaped profile, on which the rollers 10 of a secondary carriage can move. On the latter is mounted in rotation a vertical turret 12 equipped with two flanges 13 carrying rollers 14 between which can move rails 15 secured to a horizontal carriage 16 in the form of a cage. On the inner faces of the carriage 16 are articulated four arms 17, the ends of which are coupled to a part 18 so as to constitute two parallel deformable parallelograms. In fig. 1, these parallelograms are arranged in two vertical planes symmetrical with respect to the mean vertical plane of the carriage 16. In the section of FIG. 2, only one of them can be seen. It will be noted that the two upper arms 17 extend opposite to the part 18 so as to carry a gear motor 19 capable of controlling the movement of the rectification stone, as will be seen below, and which also plays the role of counterweight balancing at least approximately the load that the arms bear 17.

Fig. 1 clearly shows the conformation of the part 18, namely a vertical central part secured to two crosspieces at the ends of which the arms 17 are articulated. The central part is hollow and serves as a hub for a vertical axis which carries at the end a fork 20 oriented towards the top so as to constitute a first support. At the upper ends of the latter is provided a horizontal axis 21 (fig. 3) which supports a frame or second support made of two lateral flanges 22 assembled by crosspieces 23 (fig. L).

The crosspieces 23 form sliding guides for a tool carriage 24 (fig. 1) which can thus move horizontally on them back and forth under the effect of a link 25 coupled to a crank pin 26 carried eccentrically by a plate 27 rotatably mounted on a lateral ear of the frame 22-23. The axis of this plate 27 is connected to the motor 19 by a flexible transmission 28 (fig. 2).

The carriage 24 is extended upwards by a sliding part 29 suitable for carrying the abrasive stone 30 (FIG. 3) intended to rectify the collector 31 considered. Note that normally this stone is slightly downstream of the lowest generator of this collector assumed to rotate in the direction of arrow F in fig. 3 and 4. Immediately downstream of the stone 30 there is provided a suction nozzle 32 of relatively large section, which opens in the immediate vicinity of the manifold 31 and substantially in the axis of this nozzle is arranged a blowing nozzle 33 of much smaller section supplied with pressurized air from a non-detailed pipe, which can be arranged inside the flexible pipe 34 (FIG. 3) to which the nozzle 32 is connected. The assembly of this nozzle 32 and the nozzle 33 is fixed to the carriage 24 so as to move back and forth with it.

It should be noted that for clarity of the drawing the suction nozzle 32 and the nozzle 33 have been assumed to be removed in FIG. 1.

The chassis 22 is secured to a frame 35 suitable for coming to be disposed below the access opening 36 provided in the usual way in the bottom of the motor housing to which the manifold 31 corresponds. In this frame are mounted vertical centering pins 37 urged upwards by individual springs 38, but which can be lowered against these using buttons 39, then snap into the erased position by bayonet notches 40 formed in guide sheaths 41. On the other hand on the frame 22 can be fixed a connecting piece 42 whose role will be explained below.

To control the vertical advance of the sliding part 29 of the carriage 24, the conventional arrangement has been provided, consisting of a lateral control handle 43 (FIG. 1) which drives an endless screw 44, which in turn drives by a system of helical teeth a vertical shaft 45 comprising a threaded part engaged inside a corresponding threaded bore of said part 29. This arrangement being well known in the art, the details have not been indicated in the drawing. But a particular point to note is that to avoid that the lever 43 is not entrained in the horizontal back-and-forth movement of which the carriage 24 is animated, the worm screw 44 with a sliding key has been mounted on its shaft 46, taking care to provide means, such as lateral retaining bearings, so that it remains centered relative to the vertical shaft 45. In addition, in order to avoid any false maneuver, there is incorporated in the lever 43 a friction device acting in the direction of advance to limit the pressure of the stone on the collector.

The machine just described is used as follows:

We start by lifting the part of the vehicle where the engine is located until the wheels which it is integral in rotation no longer touch the rails 4. We remove the door to discover the opening 36, we dismantle the or the lower brush holders through it, then the two carriages 6 and 11 are moved, and the turret 12 is rotated so that the frame 35 is approximately below the opening 36 above. The pins 37 being in the erased position, the arms 27 are then gradually raised, the longitudinal position of the lower carriage 6 is roughly touched up and the longitudinal adjustment is perfected by moving the carriage 16 until the part is brought in. 42 against the support 47 (fig. 2 and 3) of the disassembled brush holder and fix it to it by means of appropriate screws or bolts. It is important to note in this respect that the articulation of the fork 20 to the flanges 22 makes it possible to compensate for any obliquities in the longitudinal direction resulting for example from the lifting of a bogie. Those corresponding to the transverse direction are much less important and are absorbed in practice by the inevitable clearances and by the elasticity of the parts.

The motor to which the collector 31 to be rectified is then made to rotate in the direction of the arrow F, which does not. involves no difficulty, since the wheels which it drives are raised. The motor 19 is started on the machine, which controls the back and forth of the hose by the flexible 28. carriage 24 and therefore stone 30. It then suffices to gradually approach the latter by the handle 43 so that it comes to bear against the collector and ensure its rectification over its entire length.

During this work, the metallic dust released passes in front of the suction pipe 32 which eliminates them, the nozzle 33 detaching those which tend to remain adherent to the collector.

Of course, the above assumes that the stroke of the carriage 24 corresponds to the length of the collector, but if this is not the case, it is easy to adjust this stroke, for example by using crank pin devices of adjustable length, well known in the art.

It will also be noted that in fig. 1 it has been assumed that the arms 17 lie exactly in a longitudinal plane. But we can see that it could be otherwise, especially when the collector is strongly offset to the side relative to the axis of the track. In such a case, the turret 12 is rotated by the desired angle and the obliquity is made up thanks to the possibility of rotation of the fork 20 in the part 18. It should be noted in this regard that when one is between two successive pillars 5 it is always possible to offset the carriage 11 strongly in the lateral direction by using for this purpose lateral rails 9 '(fig. 1) which protrude on each side, but which can be lifted to the position indicated by lines mixed when passing to the right of a pillar 5.

Once the rectification work has been completed, the stone 30 is dismantled and replaced by a brush 48 (fig. 4), for example made of nylon. By continuing to run the motor of the motor and that of the machine, we finish removing dust and polishing the collector.

Note that in fig. 4 there is shown a point 49 coming into contact with the collector 31. It is a feeler which is fixed to the sliding part 29 of the tool holder carriage 24 so as to verify that the rectification work has been properly carried out and that the collector is perfectly cylindrical.

It then suffices to dismantle the attachment to the brush holder 45, to lower the arms 27, to remove the machine, to reassemble the brush holder, to close the inspection door and finally to lower the vehicle onto its rails.

In certain cases the locomotives or other vehicles on rails for which it is desired to rectify the manifold include an inspection door machined so as to be in a very exactly defined position relative to the manifold of the engine considered. In such a case, it may be advantageous to proceed a little differently from what we have just explained. The connecting piece 42 being removed, before raising the arms, care is taken to release the pins 37 so that they protrude clearly above the frame 35 (FIG. 5). They are then introduced into the perforations 47 provided in the edge of the opening 36 of the inspection door. We can thus very precisely center the frame 35, then fix it to the opening 36 by means of appropriate bolts. It is in particular possible to provide a number of pins 37 much lower than that of the perforations 47 and to use those of its last not traversed by such pins to receive the fixing bolts. We then proceed as described above.

It should moreover be understood that the above description has been given only by way of example and that it in no way limits the field of the invention from which one would not depart by replacing the execution details described by all other equivalents. It is understood in particular that although the machine according to the invention has been described in its application to railway equipment, it can be used in all cases posing similar problems. This is how it can perfectly rectify the rings of alternator rotors in power plants whenever sufficient space has been provided. below the rings considered.

Claims (12)

1. Machine for the rectification of the rotary members of electrical connection, and in particular of the collectors of traction motors, with system of tool-holder carriage fixing to a non-rotating part of the motor or other, characterized in that it is dimensioned and arranged so that it can be attached not only to an internal part of the motor, such as a brush holder support, but also, if desired, to the external part of this motor. 2. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises in combination the following elements, at least some of which are known either in the isolated state, or in combinations different from the following: - a primary carriage (6) capable of rolling in a pit located under the member to be rectified (31); - A secondary carriage (11) suitable for moving on the primary carriage (6) transversely relative to the latter; - a turret (12) carried by the secondary carriage (11) and able to rotate about a substantially vertical axis; - an arm system (17) articulated to the turret (12) about a substantially horizontal axis; - a first support (20) articulated on the arms (17) about a substantially vertical axis; - a second support (22) articulated to the first (20) about a substantially horizontal axis; - Means (35; 42) for fixing the second support (22) to a non-rotating part (36; 42) of the motor or the like comprising the member to be rectified; - a tool carriage (24) carried by the second support (22) so as to be able to move over it in a substantially horizontal direction; - Means (25, 26, 27) for driving the tool-holder carriage back and forth (24); - And means (43, 46, 44) for advancing towards the member to correct the tool carried by the aforementioned tool carriage. 3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the primary carriage (6) is provided so as to roll longitudinally at the bottom of a pit (2) formed under a railroad track (4) to allow verification and repair of the rolling stock. 4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the secondary carriage (11) rolls on transverse des.rails (9) having lateral extensions (9 ') capable of being erased in line with the pillars (5) which support the track (4). 5. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the arm (17) is established in the form of an articulated parallelogram so that the axis of articulation of the first support (20) is always vertical . 6. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the means for driving the tool carriage back and forth (24) comprise an auxiliary motor (19) carried by the arm system of way to form counterweight. 7. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second support (22) is arranged so as to be able to be fixed to a brush holder support (47). 8. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second support (22) is arranged so as to be able to be fixed to the opening (36) of an engine inspection door or the like. 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the second support (22) is equipped with erasable pins (37) which allow its exact centering relative to the fixing holes of the cover of the inspection door. 10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a blowing and suction system (32, 33) of the dust released by the rectification. 11. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool holder (24) is arranged so as to be able to receive a feeler tip (49) making it possible to check the grinding work. 12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool holder (24) can also receive a brush (48) suitable for sweeping the dust which remains adherent to the rectified surface.

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