EP1741830B1 - Frog with movable point for railway - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cross-point with a moving point for railways of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.

Generally, the design of the known crossing centers does not allow disassembly and replacement in track (on site) of the moving tip, when the latter is worn or damaged.

For example, the crossover hearts described in the patent FR 2 788 535 include spacers formed integrally with the heel elements. Thus, the extraction of the movable tip of the bolting chamber can be performed for such crossing hearts only in the main direction of the path, that is to say axially. This extraction requires prior dismantling of the embedding part, solidarily with the moving tip, the extraction of the moving tip being then carried out in the workshop, and not on site, which requires the removal of the worn or damaged core and its replacement by a spare part of the same type.

Such a maintenance operation represents not only a very high cost, but also a very long period of neutralization of the track.

EP 0 587 517 A1 discloses a crossover core comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to solve this drawback, and to make possible such a maintenance operation on site, in order to very substantially reduce the duration and the cost of the maintenance operation.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a crossing core of the above type, characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention may include one or more of the additional features recited in claims 2 to 12.

• la plaque d'appui est réalisée d'une pièce avec les deux éléments de talon ;
• la partie d'encastrement est constituée d'une pièce de talon monobloc, notamment moulée en acier ou en fonte spéciale ; et
• la pièce de talon est assemblée sur les deux éléments intermédiaires par soudage ou au moyen de joints collés.

According to a first embodiment of the invention:

• the support plate is made in one piece with the two heel elements;
• the recess portion is constituted by a one-piece heel piece, in particular molded steel or special cast iron; and
• the heel piece is assembled on the two intermediate elements by welding or by means of glued joints.

• la plaque d'appui est une pièce distincte des deux éléments de talon ; et
• les deux éléments de talon sont obtenus par usinage des deux éléments intermédiaires.

According to a second embodiment of the invention:

• the backing plate is a separate part of the two heel elements; and
• the two bead elements are obtained by machining the two intermediate elements.

• la Figure 1 est une vue schématique de dessus d'un coeur de croisement selon l'invention, placé en voie ;
• la Figure 2 est une vue partielle de dessus d'un coeur de croisement conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la Figure 3 est une vue en coupe, à plus grande échelle, dans le plan 3-3, du coeur de croisement de la Figure 2 ;
• la Figure 4 est une vue analogue à la Figure 2, d'un coeur de croisement conforme à un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention; et
• la Figure 5 est une vue en coupe, à plus grande échelle, dans le plan 5-5, du coeur de croisement de la Figure 4.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a crossing heart according to the invention, placed in the track;
• the Figure 2 is a partial view from above of a crossing heart according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the Figure 3 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, in the plane 3-3, of the crossing heart of the Figure 2 ;
• the Figure 4 is a view similar to the Figure 2 of a crossing heart according to a second embodiment of the invention; and
• the Figure 5 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, in the plane 5-5, of the crossing heart of the Figure 4 .

On the Figure 1 schematically shows a crossing heart 1 according to the invention, placed on the track in use situation.

Throughout the following description, the crossing heart will be assumed in its horizontal position of use, and all terms of direction and position will be understood in this orientation.

In particular, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" may qualify certain parts of the crossing heart, will agree according to a position of horizontal use of the crossing heart.

On the other hand, the terms "axial" and "transverse" will be understood in relation to the general direction of the track.

With reference to the schematic view of the Figure 1 , the crossing heart 1 essentially comprises a set of cradle 3 fixed to the sleepers, and a movable tip 5 mounted in the cradle assembly 3.

The cradle assembly 3 consists essentially of a tip cradle 11, a recess portion 12, and an intermediate portion 13 connecting the recess portion 12 to the tip cradle 11.

At a tip end, the cradle 11 has two regions 21, 22, arranged symmetrically on either side of the axial vertical plane.

These regions 21, 22 have, in cross section, respective symmetrical shapes with respect to the axial vertical plane of the cradle 11, and have a rail profile.

Two rail coupons 21A, 22A are respectively welded to the regions 21, 22 of the tip end of the cradle 11, each of these coupons having a rail profile identical to that of the corresponding end region 21, 22.

In the same way, the cradle 11 has, at its end of heel, two regions 23, 24 arranged symmetrically on either side of the axial vertical plane, these regions 23, 24 having in cross section respective shapes symmetrical with respect to this plane.

The intermediate portion 13 comprises two intermediate elements 33, 34 each having a rolled rail profile or molded elements whose ends are identical to those of the corresponding region 23, 24.

The recess portion 12 correspondingly comprises two bead elements 35, 36, the profile ends of which correspond to those of the intermediate elements 33, 34, and respectively extending the latter.

The cradle assembly 3 further comprises, generally in several assembled parts, a bottom wall extending horizontally between the profiles defined by the end regions 21, 22, 23, 24, the intermediate elements 33, 34 , and the heel members 35, 36. The movable tip 5, when mounted in the cradle assembly 3, rests on this bottom wall.

The movable tip 5 comprises a tapered free end region 41 (or tip end), having a profile provided to provide guiding surface continuity, selectively with one or other of the tip regions 21, 22 of the cradle 11, depending on the position of the tip end 41.

As will be better seen by also referring to Figures 3 and 5 , the movable tip 5 comprises two thick-core special-profile rails 43, 44 having a mushroom 47 and a reinforced pad 48. These rails 43, 44 extend so as to converge towards the tip end 41, this the last being the end of one of the two rails.

The movable tip 5 has an embedding section 49 which is fixed in the cradle assembly 3 by means which will be described hereinafter.

On the Figures 2 and 3 a first embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, in which the embedding portion 12 consists of a monoblock cradle. For example, this monobloc cradle 12 is made by molding steel or special cast iron, the heel elements 35, 36 are assembled to the respective intermediate elements 33, 34, by welding or by means of glued joints.

As shown on the Figure 2 , the cradle assembly 3 is fixed to crosspieces 50, by means of fixing devices all designated by the general reference 51, but which may be of a different type for each of the elements of the cradle assembly 3, to namely the cradle 11, the recess portion 12, and the intermediate portion 13. These fasteners are not the subject of the invention, and are therefore not described in more detail.

As is visible on the Figure 3 , the one-piece cradle 12 forming the embedding portion has a support plate 55 forming a bottom wall, on which rest the pads 48 of the two rails 43, 44 forming the movable tip.

The support plate 55 formed in one piece with the heel elements 35, 36, defines with them a cross section of the cradle 12 generally U. The support plate 55 is extended laterally, externally relative to the elements of heel 35, 36, by external flanges 57 allowing the fixing on the crosspieces 50 of the cradle 12, by means of the fixing devices 51.

The two rails 43, 44 are wedged to each other by a spacer 60 which marries their internal parts in profile, building on them.

To ensure the attachment and wedging of the movable tip 5 at its section 49 in the cradle 12 (or embedding portion), the crossover core 1 comprises removable fastening and locking means 61.

These include spacer pieces 63, four in number in the example shown in FIG. Figure 2 , arranged in pairs facing each side of the movable tip.

Each spacer piece 63 has a generally parallelepipedal shape elongated axially. The two spacer pieces 63 of the same pair are substantially symmetrical with respect to the vertical axial plane, and each ensure the wedging of one of the two rails 43, 44 on the corresponding heel element 35, 36.

Each spacer piece 63 is supported, by an external lateral face, on an internal face of the corresponding heel element 35, 36, and by an internal lateral face, on an outer side of the core 46 of the rail 43. , 44 corresponding.

The spacers 63 have a shape adapted to cooperate by shape complementarity, over the entire axial length of the spacer, with a portion of the outer profile of the respective rail 43, 44, this portion comprising the upper surface of the pad 48, the outer surface from the core 46 to the transition surface between the core 46 and the mushroom 47.

The bead elements 35, 36, the webs 46 of the rails 43, 44, the spacer 60, and the spacer pieces 63, are pierced coaxially by transverse bores 69, for example four in number per spacer. These bores 69 are axially offset with respect to each other in the example shown; they are represented by mixed lines on the Figure 2 .

Fixing and securing means 61 comprise, for each bore 69, a clamping bolt 70.

The bolt 70 comprises a screw 71, whose head 72 bears on an outer face of a heel member 36, via washers 73, and whose threaded rod 75 extends coaxially through the bore 69. The bolt 70 further comprises a nut 77, clamped on the threaded end of the threaded rod 75, and bearing on an outer face of the other element of heel 35, by means of washers 79. The tightening of the nut 77 on the screw 71 is secured by means of a locking nut 80.

The securing and wedging means 61 further comprise a bushing assembly arranged coaxially between the threaded rod 75 and the inner face of the bore 69. This bushing assembly comprises a central cylindrical sleeve 81 housed in the bore of the spacer 60, and two pins 83 (preferably Mecanindus® type). These pins 83 are each engaged in a bore section 69 formed in a heel member 35, 36, a spacer piece 61, and a rail core 46, on either side of the central sleeve 81.

Each bolt 70 defines with the socket assembly 81, 83 a removable assembly member which is, in use, clamped on the two bead elements 35, 36, transversely wedging, without the possibility of substantial transverse play, the movable tip 5 between the bead elements 35, 36 through the spacer pieces 63.

The securing and locking means 61 comprise safety shims 89 associated with each spacer piece 63. Each shim 89 is detachably fixed, here by means of screws 90 on a respective bead element 35, 36, in a upper part of the latter. The shim 89 projects inwardly from the cradle 12 and is supported, by a lower face, on an upper face of the corresponding spacer piece 63.

The shims 89 are provided to limit the vertical movement of the spacer pieces 63 in the life situation of the crossing core, so as to reduce the vertical movements of the tip 5 in case of loosening of one or more bolts 70.

It is understood that the movable tip 5 can be extracted vertically (in the direction Z indicated on the Figure 3 ) from its position of installation, after disassembly of the fixing and locking means 61.

• libérer les extrémités des rails 43, 44 en les séparant de la voie courante ;
• démonter les cales 89 en retirant les vis 90 ;
• retirer les boulons 70 avec leur ensemble de douille 81, 83 (par des moyens adaptés tels que des vérins hydrauliques) ;
• extraire verticalement, suivant la direction Z, la pointe mobile 5 avec les pièces d'entretoise 63.

To dismount the movable tip 5 of the cradle assembly 3, the operators can proceed on site as follows:

• releasing the ends of the rails 43, 44 separating them from the current path;
• remove the wedges 89 by removing the screws 90;
• removing the bolts 70 with their bushing assembly 81, 83 (by suitable means such as hydraulic cylinders);
• extract vertically, in the direction Z, the movable tip 5 with the spacer pieces 63.

After replacement of the damaged mobile tip, the reassembly of the mobile tip is performed in a reverse manner, it is not necessary to specify.

The second embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated on the Figures 4 and 5 differs from the first mode previously described only in that the recess portion 12 is not defined by a monoblock cradle.

In this embodiment, the support plate 155 is a separate part of the two bead elements 35, 36, which are obtained by machining the respective intermediate elements 33, 34. Preferably, the support plate 155 is made in a material different from that of the heel elements 35, 36, and fixed independently of these on the support.

It will be noted in particular that the spacer pieces 63 and the fastening and wedging means 61 of the movable tip in the recess portion 12 are in all respects analogous or identical to those described in the first embodiment. They will not be described again.

It will be specified that, preferably, the cradle 11 is obtained from foundry and cast in alloy steel, in particular manganese super-quenched steel, possibly pre-cured. It is machined on all rolling, contact, sliding or connecting surfaces.

The two rail coupons 21A, 22A, which are part of the crossing core, are profiles of carbon-laminated or low-alloyed steel rails, and are connected to the cradle 11 by welding, possibly via inserts.

The intermediate elements 33, 34 are preferably made of rail or carbon-cast or low-alloy steel, having a mechanical strength close to that of the rails, and allowing their welding to the cradle 11, possibly via an insert.

Claims (12)

1. A railroad crossing frog with moving point, comprising:

   - a cradle assembly (3) including an embedding part (12) for a moving point, which has two lug end elements (35, 36) spaced apart from one another,

   - a moving point (5) mounted in the cradle assembly (3) while being embedded in the embedding part (12), the moving point (5) including two rails (43, 44) comprising a core (46), a head (47) and a shoe (48), and extending so as to converge toward the point end (5), the latter being made up of the end of one of the two rails (43, 44);

   - spacer parts (63) inserted between the lug end elements (35, 36) and the moving point (5), and

   - fastening and wedging means (61) that can be disassembled from the moving point (5) in the embedding part (12),

   each spacer part (63) being bearing, by an outer lateral face, on an inner face of the corresponding lug end element (35, 36), and by an inner lateral face, on an outer flank of the core (46) of the corresponding rail (43, 44),
   the spacer parts (63) having a shape adapted to cooperate by shape matching with a part of the outer profile of the respective rail (43, 44) of the moving point (5), and the spacer parts (63) being fixed separately on the lug end elements (35, 36) by said separable fastening and wedging means (61), such that the vertical disassembly (Z) of the point (5) from its embedding position with the spacer parts (63) relative to the cradle assembly (3) is possible, characterized in that said fastening and wedging means (61) comprise, for each spacer part (63), at least one safety wedge (89) fixed separately on a lug end element (35, 36), for example by screwing, bearing on an upper face of the spacer part (63), so as to limit the vertical travel of the point (5).
2. The crossing frog according to claim 1, characterized in that the separable fastening and wedging means (61) comprise assembly members (70, 81, 83) each having a transverse threaded rod (75), gripped on the two lug end elements (35, 36), and traversing, in cross-section, the lug end elements (35, 36), the spacers (63), and the moving point (5).
3. The crossing frog according to claim 2, characterized in that the assembly members (70, 81, 83) each have a bush assembly (81, 83), in which the threaded rod (75) is mounted, the bush assembly (81, 83) traversing at least partially, in cross-section, the lug end elements (35, 36), the spacers (63), and the moving point (5).
4. The crossing frog according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cradle assembly (3) includes

   - a cradle (11) on the side of the point end,

   - the embedding part (12) on the side of the lug end, and

   - two intermediate elements (33, 34) connecting the cradle (11) to the two lug end elements (35, 36), respectively.
5. The crossing frog according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the embedding part (12) has a bearing plate (55; 155) extending between the two lug end elements (35, 36), and supporting the moving point (5).
6. The crossing frog according to claims 4 and 5 taken together, characterized in that the bearing plate (55) is made in one piece with the two lug end elements (35, 36).
7. The crossing frog according to claim 6, characterized in that the embedding part (12) is made up of a single-piece lug end part, in particular molded from steel or special cast-iron.
8. The crossing frog according to claim 7, characterized in that the lug end part (12) is assembled on the two intermediate elements (33, 34) by welding or using glued joints.
9. The crossing frog according to claims 4 and 5 taken together, characterized in that the bearing plate (155) is a separate part from the two lug end elements (35, 36).
10. The crossing frog according to claim 9, characterized in that the two lug end elements (35, 36) are obtained by machining two intermediate elements (33, 34).
11. The crossing frog according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each spacer part (63) has an axially elongated parallelepiped shape, the two spacer parts (63) of a same pair being substantially symmetrical relative to the vertical axial plane, and each seeing to the wedging of one of the two rails (43, 44) on the corresponding lug end elements (35, 36).
12. The crossing frog according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the point (5) is vertically separable (Z) after disassembly of the fastening elements (70, 81, 83) and safety wedges (89).

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