EP0114284B1 - Device for continuously measuring the shape of the transversal profile of the useful part of the head of at least one rail of a railway track - Google Patents

Abstract

The measuring device comprises a carrying frame (7) guided by the rails (2, 2') and driven along it through a railroad vehicle to which it is connected through the intermediary of hinges enabling a vertical and lateral displacement of said frame (7) with respect to the vehicle. The carrying frame (7) is provided with a plurality of feelers, cooperating with the surface of the head (12) of the rail (2) transversally spaced apart the ones from the other. The carrying frame (7) comprises a guiding dihedral used as reference base, the edge of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail (2), applied against the upper part of the rolling surface of the rail (2) and the lower part of the internal face of the head (12) of the rail. This guiding dihedral (2) carries at least one hinging shaft (21) which extends parallely to the edge of the guiding dihedral (2) on which at least two mechanical feelers (16,17) are pivoted, said feelers contacting the rail ( 2) in a measuring zone extending transversely to the surface of the head (12) of the rail.

Description

The present invention relates to continuous measurement on the way of the shape of the transverse profile of the useful portion of the head of a rail of a railroad track. By useful portion of the head is meant that serving as a support for vehicle wheels, and in particular the running surface, the leaves and the upper part of the inner face of the rail.

The development of machines for the reprofiling of rails on the track, by grinding or planing, has shown the need to know at all times and in all points of a track the exact shape of the rail head to allow precise adjustment of the position. working of reshaping tools (grinding wheels, abrasive blocks, planes, etc.) to adapt this position to the state of wear of said mushroom. Only this way of making it possible to perfectly reconstitute the desired shape of the rail head without resorting to unnecessary removal of material, as well as to control the quality of the work carried out.

Patent CH 606,616, which describes a measuring device comprising a series of feelers arranged side by side around the tread table, the fillet and the inner face of the rail head, is trying to meet this need. the relative movements with respect to a carrying carriage guided along the rails and serving as a reference base, are detected by measurement sensors of a type assumed to be known, capable of delivering an output signal proportional to said movements of the probes. The probes used in this case are not described in this patent, but are only illustrated in a purely schematic manner. In fact, the probes known on the date of publication of the aforementioned patent had a very large size, their mounting side by side in the same plane transverse to the rail presented difficulties such that it was not possible to have enough to get a meaningful measure of the shape of the rail head.

The present measuring device according to the invention tends to remedy this major drawback of existing devices and is distinguished by the characteristics listed in claim 1.

The device according to the invention offers the advantage of allowing the measurement, in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the rails, of a sufficient number of generators to obtain a complete and faithful image of the running surface, of the leaves of the rail and of the upper part of the inner face of this rail.

In addition, this relatively simple mechanical solution has a small footprint so that even in work it does not encroach on the template of free obstacles and thus allows continuous measurement even in the switches.

• Le dessin annexé illustre schématiquement et à titre d'exemple plusieurs formes d'exécution du dispositif de mesure selon l'invention.
• La figure 1 est une coupe transversale d'un ensemble de palpeurs mécaniques coopérant avec un rail.
• La figure 2 est une vue en plan du dispositif de mesure comportant, monté sur un cadre porteur deux ensembles de palpeurs mécaniques coopérant chacun avec une file de rail.
• La figure 3 est une coupe transversale du dispositif suivant la ligne A-A de la figure 2.
• Les figures 4 et 5 illustrent schématiquement un dispositif de relevage de la totalité d'un ensemble de palpeurs.
• La figure 6 est une vue de dessus partielle d'un ensemble de palpeurs mécaniques.
• La figure 7 est une vue de dessus partielle d'un ensemble de palpeurs illustrant les systèmes d'escamotage des palpeurs.mécaniques.
• La figure 8 est une coupe partielle du système d'escamotage des palpeurs.
• Les figures 9 et 10 illustrent des variantes des ensembles de palpeurs mécaniques.

Finally, the possibility of showing the same number of feelers symmetrically with respect to the axis of the rails makes it possible, if desired, to measure the external leave and the upper part of the external face of the rail. In this embodiment, the additional feelers necessary for this measurement of the external part of the rail are retractable independently of the other feelers to allow obstacles which may appear in the track to be avoided.

• The attached drawing illustrates schematically and by way of example several embodiments of the measuring device according to the invention.
• Figure 1 is a cross section of a set of mechanical probes cooperating with a rail.
• Figure 2 is a plan view of the measuring device comprising, mounted on a support frame two sets of mechanical probes each cooperating with a rail file.
• FIG. 3 is a cross section of the device along the line AA in FIG. 2.
• Figures 4 and 5 schematically illustrate a device for lifting the entire set of probes.
• Figure 6 is a partial top view of a set of mechanical probes.
• Figure 7 is a partial top view of a set of probes illustrating the retraction systems of the mechanical probes.
• Figure 8 is a partial section of the probe retraction system.
• Figures 9 and 10 illustrate variants of the sets of mechanical probes.

In the example illustrated, two measuring devices 1, associated with each of the rows of rails 2, 2 'of a railway track are mounted using cylinders 3, 3' on a carriage comprising flanged wheels 4 resting on the rails. This carriage formed of side members 5 and cross members 6 is connected to a rail vehicle for its movement along the railway track. Each device is articulated on the carriage so as to be able to move laterally and vertically with respect thereto.

Each measuring device 1, 1 ′ comprises a guide frame formed by a guide dihedral 7 comprising a horizontal bearing face 8 intended to come into contact, in the service position, with the central area of the tread table 9 of the rail and a vertical support face 10 intended to come into contact, still in the service position, with the lower part of the internal lateral face 11 of the head 12 of the rail 2. This dihedron 7 constitutes a reference base for measuring the profile of the rail and the bearing faces 8 and 10 can be assimilated to measuring probes and used for determining the transverse profile of the rail. The bearing faces 8, 10 are preferably carried by shoes or pads 8a, 10a respectively, articulated along axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail on the dihedron 7.

Each measuring device 1, 1 'is also secured to a beam 13, 13' connected by means of a jack 14, 14 'to a support 15 secured to the carriage 5, 6.

Thus, in the service position, each device measuring 1, 1 'is applied vertically and laterally against the rail via the bearing faces 8, 10 of the frame 7 with a force determined by the action of the jacks 3, 3'; 14, 14 '.

Thus, each frame or dihedral 7, the edge of which is, in the service position, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail, constitutes a reference base, precisely guided by the rail 2 itself, for the measurement of the profile. rail cross-section and its interpretation.

The dihedral or frame 7 serves as a support for a set of mechanical probes 16, 16a ... 16th and 17a ... 17th each comprising a point contact member 20 intended to come into contact with the surface of the head 12 of the rail in a narrow area, transverse to rail 2, but preferably all located in the same plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the rail. Each contact member 20, as well as the bearing faces 8, 10 rest in the service position, on a generator that differs from the head of the rail. The number of probes 16, 17 is such, for example between 6 and 12. that it makes it possible to measure a number of generators sufficient to faithfully reconstruct the shape of this profile. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the ten feelers 16, 17 are distributed uniformly over the entire periphery of the rail head, that is to say its stable bearing and its internal and external leaves, as well as the upper part of the internal flank of the rail head.

Each mechanical probe 16, 17 is carried by two arms 18, respectively 19, pivoted on two axes 21, 21a respectively, integral with the frame 7 and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail 2 when the frame 7 is in the position of service guided by its pads 8, 10 on the rail. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the arms of the probes 16, 17 are nested one inside the other thus forming a very compact assembly, compact and allowing the positioning of all the point contact members 20 in the same plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the rail. In this example, the probes are nested pair by pair, but in other examples not illustrated, the probes could be nested individually in each other.

Each probe is subjected to the action of at least one spring 22, tending to maintain its point contact member 20 in contact with the surface of the rail head. These springs 22 are for example compression springs bearing on the one hand on a block 23 secured to the frame 7 and on the other hand on one of the arms 18, 19 of a probe.

The arms 18, 19 of each probe are integral with a control lever 24, respectively 25, extending vertically above the frame 7 and the upper end of these levers is provided with a ball roller 26. Each lever 24, 25 is connected to the movable member 27 of a sensor 28 transforming the angular movements of these levers 24, 25 into electrical signals proportional to the movements of the feelers and which are therefore representative of the position of the contact point 20 of the feeler 16, 17 with the surface of the mushroom 12 of the rail 2.

The whole of this mechanical measuring device is very compact and can be housed inside the free obstacle gauge G of the track.

Thanks to this purely mechanical measuring device, it is possible to measure the exact profile, using 6 to 12 measuring points for example, of a cross section of the useful part of the head of the rail representing the tread and leave internal and external and the upper part of the internal side of the rail head. In the example illustrated, there are twelve measurement points located on different generatrices of the rail head, ten mechanical feelers 16, 17 and the two bearing surfaces 8, 10 of the frame 7.

Thanks to the reduced size of the measuring device, it is located inside the freeway gauge G and can therefore be moved along the entire route of a railroad track.

When the device must be taken out of service for rapid movement of the vehicle or to avoid accidental obstacles, it is raised using the cylinders 3, 3 '.

To allow the gaps to be crossed is a referral without hindrance, the device illustrated is equipped with an automatic retraction system of the probes 16, 17 controlled by the presence of a counter rail 29.

This automatic retraction system comprises a control member 30, the lower part of which is intended to cooperate with a counter rail 29, articulated on a cross-member 6 of the carriage at 31 and secured to a lever 32 articulated on the beam 13. D similarly, this system also includes a second operating member 33 intended to cooperate with a counter rail associated with the other rail file, also pivoted, at 34, on the cross-member 6 of the carriage and secured to a lever 35 articulated on the beam 13 '.

Thus when, during the movement of the carriage along the railway track, one of the control members 30, 33 is moved under the effect of a counter rail, towards the outside of the track, it is that is to say in the direction of the rail 2, 2 ′ with which it is associated, it causes a relative displacement of the beams 13, 13 ′ with respect to each other causing a reduction in the distance separating the measuring devices 1, 1 'relating to each of the rows of rails 2, 2'.

During this relative movement of the beams 13, 13 ', parallel to their longitudinal axes, a stop 36 fixed on the beam 13' and a stop 37 fixed on the beam 13 come into contact with the bent end 38, respectively 39 d ' an actuator 40 respectively 41, pivoted on the beam 13, respectively 13 '. Then still during this relative movement of the beams 13, 13 ', the control levers 40, 41 are rotated.

The end of the levers 40, 41 subjected to the action of return springs 44, is connected by connecting rods 42, 43 to control plates 45 of each measuring device 1, 1 '.

Each control plate 45 is slidably mounted on the frame 7 of its measuring device using screws 46. The lateral edges of this plate 45 include notches 47 in which are disposed, in the rest position of the plate 45, the rollers 26 of the levers 24, 25 of the feelers 16, 17.

Thus, during a rotation of the control levers 40, 41, caused by a relative linear movement of the beams 13, 13 ', the edges of the notches 47 come into contact with the rollers 26 and cause a pivoting of the feelers around the axes 21 , 21a and thus a retraction of the feelers 16, 17 which are no longer in contact with the head 12 of the rail 2.

On the other hand, the control members 30, 33 causing the measurement device 1, 1 'to be raised by a cam 48 of these control members cooperating with a stop 49 carried by the measurement device.

In this way, the feelers are retracted and the measuring devices are raised automatically by the action of a counter rail on one of the control members 30, 33 during the movement of the carriage along the track. Contact of one of the control members 30, 33 with the counter-rail 29 which is associated with it also prevents the measuring device from penetrating laterally into the gap in the switches.

In the illustrated embodiment, the measuring device also includes a manual system for retracting the probes 17d and 17e coming into contact with the external flank of the rail. These probes 17d and 17e must indeed be able to be raised selectively to allow the passage of the measuring device in work, the other probes remaining in contact with the rail, in level crossings for example. This manual retraction system includes a second control plate 50 slidingly mounted on the frame 7 parallel to the first plate 45. This plate 50 is subjected to the action of a return spring 51 and to a connecting rod 52 connected by a connection not illustrated to a manual control member. One of the lateral edges of this plate 50 has notches 52, one of the sides of which cooperates with rollers 54 carried by the levers 24 of the probes 17d and 17e. Thus, a displacement of this plate 50 enables the probes 17d and 17e to be selectively retracted as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 10.

It can thus be seen in this FIG. 10 that the entire measuring device is disposed inside the freeway gauge G, G 'when the two feelers 17d and 17e are retracted, the other feelers remaining in contact with the rail.

In the device which has just been described, this comprises two axes 21, 21a for pivoting the probes 16, 17 which are located symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the rail 2. This is a case in particular, these axes 21, 21a a can very well be arranged asymmetrically with respect to this plane.

In the embodiment illustrated schematically in Figure 6, the measuring device has a single axis 55, offset from the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the rail 2, around which all the probes 56a, 56b ... 56x are rotated. At least two of these feelers 56 are in contact with points on the surface of the rail head located on the other side of this vertical plane of the rail 2.

The measuring device generally comprises at least three feelers coming into contact with the tread of the rail and at least two feelers in contact with the internal leave and the internal upper side of the rail. Preferably, the device also comprises at least two feelers in contact with the external leave of the rail.

Thanks to this purely mechanical measuring device whose original design allows the positioning of a large number of rail contact members in the same normal plane of the axis of this rail, the transverse profile of a rail can be measured with great precision. Indeed 10 to 14 generators distinct from the rail head can be measured simultaneously on track without problem. On the other hand, because of its reduced size, the entire track can be measured, the device being housed inside the clear track gauge. Finally, thanks to the automatic retracting device of the probes, they do not fall into the gaps of the switches.

It should be noted that the articulated part or parts 8 forming the bearing surface of the dihedron 7 on the rail can simultaneously define a reference base for measuring the longitudinal undulations of the surface of the rail head. Indeed, the pads 8a articulated on the dihedral 7 are arranged on either side of the group of probes 16, 17 and this distance is sufficient to create the reference base of a measuring device as described for example in the European patent No. 0107833 (application No. 83110242.1). Thus, this very compact measuring device can not only measure the transverse profile of a rail but also the longitudinal undulations, short or long, of its tread table.

Claims (14)

1. Continuous on track measuring device of the transverse profile of the useful portion for the head of at least one rail of a railroad track comprising a bearing frame (7), guided by the rails (2), and pulled along them by means of a railroad vehicle to which it is connected through hinges permitting vertical and lateral displacements of said frame (7) with respect to the vehicle, this bearing frame being provided with a plurality of feelers (16, 17), cooperating with the surface of the head of the rail (2), displaced the ones with respect to the others transversely to the rail, characterized by the fact that the bearing frame (7) comprises a guiding dihedral forming a reference base, the edge of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail (2), applied against the upper portion (9) of the rolling surface of the rail (2) and against the lower portion (11) of the internal face of the head (12) of the rail; by the fact that it comprises at least one hinging shaft (21) parallel to the edge of the guiding dihedral (7) on which are pivoted at least three mechanical feelers (16), measuring at least three different sidelines of the rail, provided with pin-point contact members (20) intended to enter in contact with the rail (2) in a measuring zone transverse to the surface of the head (12) of the rail; by the fact that each feelers (16, 17) comprises two arms (18, 19), hinged on said shaft (21), the free ends of which are connected through a bar (16) on which is fixed the contact member (20); by the fact that the feelers (16, 17) hinged on the same shaft (21) are, seen from above, located the ones inside the others, and by the fact that the contact members (20) of all the feelers (16, 17) are substantially aligned on the trace formed by the intersection of a plan perpendicular to the rail (25) with the surface (9) of the head (12) of said rail (2).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the shaft (21) on which the feelers (16, 17) are pivoted is laterally displaced on one side of the middle longitudinal plan of the rail (2) and by the fact that the contact members (20) of at least two of said feelers (16, 17) cooperate with points of the surface (9) of the head (12) of the rail (2) located on the other side of said middle plan of the rail.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that it comprises two parallel shafts (21, 21 a) mounted on the bearing frame (7), located on either side of a vertical plan passing through the longitudinal axis of the rail (2), each of these shafts (21, 21a) serving to pivot at least two mechanical feelers (16, 17).

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that, seen from above, the arms (18) of a feeler (16) pivoted on one of the shafts (21) are located between the arms (19) of two feelers (17) pivoted on the other shaft (21a).

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that, seen from above, the adjacent arms (18) of two feelers (16) pivoted on a same shaft (21) are locaterd between the arms (19) of two feelers (17) pivoted on the other shaft (21a).

6. Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least three feelers (16, 17) the contact members (20) of which cooperate with the rolling surface (9) of the rail and at least two other feelers (16) the contact member (20) of which cooperates with the inside edge of the rail (2).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that it comprises further at least two feelers (17) the contact member (20) of which cooperates with the outside edge of the rail (2).

8. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7 characterized by the fact that it comprises lifting means (48) of all the feelers (16, 17) simultaneously controlled by a same control member (30, 33) located on the path of a counter-rail (29).

9. Device according to claims 7 and 8, characterized by the fact that it comprises lifting means (48) of all the feelers (16, 17) simultaneously controlled by a same control member (30, 33) located on the path of a counter-rail (29) and by the fact that it comprises further retracting means (13, 37, 39, 45) of the feelers (16, 17) the contact member (30, 33) of which cooperates with the outside edge of the rail (2), controlled by a second control member independent from said other control member.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the bearing frame (7) is provided with vertical guiding pads (8a), intended to rest on the rolling surface (9) of the rail (2), located on either side of the group of feelers (16, 17), and by the fact that these pads (8a) are hinged on the said bearing frame (7) on axes extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rail (2).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the bearing frame (7) is provided with lateral guiding pads (10a), hinged on the said bearing frame (7) on axes extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rail (2), intended to enter in contact with the inside lateral face (11) of the rail (2), located on either side of the group of feelers (16, 17).

12. Device according to claims 8 and 11, characterized by the fact that it comprises two bearing frames (7) each associated to one rail of a railway track (2, 2'), that it comprises spreading means (14, 14') tending to spread these frames (7) apart and to apply the lateral guiding pads (10a) against the internal surface of each rail (2, 2'), and by the fact that the control member of the lifting means (30,33) of each bearing frame (7) is located on the path of a counter-rail (29) associated to the rail (2) cooperating with the other bearing frame (7).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the control members (30, 33) of the lifting means of the feelers (16, 17) are provided with a cam (48) cooperating with a lug (49) fast with the guiding frame (7) of the device causing simultaneously with the lifting of said guiding frame (7) the retraction of said feelers.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that it comprises at least eight mechanical feelers (16, 17), one of which (17) at least being retractable independently from the others.

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