EP3055461B1

EP3055461B1 - Snow clearing device and snow clearing system for clearing of snow

Info

Publication number: EP3055461B1
Application number: EP14853041.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulf Marklund
Original assignee: Railcare Group AB
Current assignee: Railcare Group AB
Priority date: 2013-10-07
Filing date: 2014-09-26
Publication date: 2018-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-26
Also published as: RU2016110846A3; EP3055461A4; RU2016110846A; RU2654119C2; SE1351179A1; WO2015053686A1; SE537638C2; EP3055461A1

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a snow clearing device for clearing of snow from tracks and track areas according to the preamble of claim 1. An example of such a snow clearing device is disclosed in US 4 274 212 A . The invention also relates to a snow clearing system.

Background

It is a problem to accomplish a time efficient and satisfactory clearing of tracks and track areas for trackbound vehicles. As an example can be mentioned clearing of snow from railway tracks and then especially when several tracks are arranged side by side which normally is the case at railway stations, railway yards and other track areas. A traditional clearing of a track in such a track area where the snow ends up on both sides of the track which is cleared leads to problems at the neighbouring tracks as the snow ends up on these.

Brief description of the invention

The problem with accomplishing a time efficient and satisfactory clearing of tracks and track areas for trackbound vehicles is solved according to the invention by a device for clearing of snow from tracks and track areas for trackbound vehicles according to the characterizing portion of claim 1.
By that a snow clearing device for clearing of snow from tracks and track areas, where the snow clearing device is designed to be carried by a trackbound vehicle, according to claim 1 comprises, inter alia, the features that the snow clearing device comprises a frame part that can be fixed on the trackbound vehicle and a on the frame part displaceably arranged plough device, where the plough device is movable between an inactive elevated parking position and an active lowered clearing position in which clearing position different plough settings are possible, is achieved the advantage of that it is possible to clear snow from tracks and track areas for trackbound vehicles time efficiently and satisfactory by that the plough device can be controlled to clear the snow towards any optional side of the vehicle. Thus one may when clearing a track area clear one track at a time and gradually move over the snow to only one side of the track and then continue with the next track in the same way until the track area is cleared. If the cleared snow forms a high wall before the track area is completely cleared, the snow in such a wall can be removed using another vehicle before the clearing proceeds from where the wall was formed in order to in such way facilitate finishing of the clearing of the track area. Such a removal can be done one or several times during clearing of the one and the same track area according to the needs. Further is achieved also the advantage of that one quickly and easily can readjust the plough blades when passing obstacles next to the track in order to in such a way avoid to collide with the obstacle when at the same time one can remove the snow from the vicinity of the obstacle and in such a way avoid that walls are formed at the obstacles such as for example a platform between two tracks in a track area. Further is achieved the advantage of that the device for clearing can be retracted on top of a trackbound vehicle, e.g. a railway wagon, in order to in such a way be able to be transported e.g. by a normal train set to another location for use at another place. Further is achieved the advantage of that two sets of the device for clearing of snow can be installed one at each end of the one and the same trackbound vehicle which thus can be used to clear snow from a track and a track area irrespective of in which direction the trackbound vehicle is travelling whereby there is no need for a turntable in those track areas that are to be cleared from snow.
The invention thus enables a time efficient clearing of snow and a time efficient and safe transport of the device between different locations of use.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be illustrated in more detail below with the support from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows schematically a view of a snow clearing device according to the invention in clearing position,
Figure 2 shows schematically another view of the snow clearing device in clearing position with another plough setting, and
Figure 3 shows the snow clearing device in its parking position.

Description of preferred embodiments

Similar parts in the different figures are denoted with the same reference numerals.
Figure 1 shows a snow clearing device 2 for clearing of snow from tracks 100 and track areas 102 in clearing position, where the snow clearing device 2 is designed to be carried by a trackbound vehicle 1, and where the snow clearing device 2 comprises a frame part 4 that can be fixed on the trackbound vehicle 1 and a on the frame part 4 displaceably arranged plough device 6, where the plough device 6 is movable between an inactive elevated parking position and an active lowered clearing position in which clearing position different plough settings are possible.
The plough device 6 comprises a plough 8 comprising several articulately connected plough segments 10, 12, 14, 16, and further comprises a plough support means 18 on which the plough 8 is articulately suspended pivotably about an axis A substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tracks 100, where further a dolly 20 designed to abut against the track 100 when clearing is arranged on the plough support means 18. As the plough 8 follows the movements of the dolly 20 is avoided that swinging movements sideways on the trackbound vehicle 1, e.g. a railway wagon or another rail vehicle, are carried over to the plough device 6 whereby the plough device 6 is kept substantially parallel to the plane of the tracks 100, i.e. the plane in which the both rails 104, 106 are situated.
The plough support means 18, and thus also the plough 8, can preferably be elevated and lowered preferably in an infinitely variable way in relation to the dolly 20 using e.g. at least one hydraulic cylinder. This is an advantage if the plough operator besides being able to adjust the plough setting in the angular direction in relation to the longitudinal direction of the tracks 100 in the clearing position also would like to adjust the plough setting in the clearing position in the vertical direction in relation to the upper edge of the tracks 100, e.g. if the plough operator assesses that different distances between one and the same part 10, 12, 14, 16 of the lower edge of the plough 8 and the upper edge of the tracks 100 are desired when clearing different stretches of the track 100. To be able to elevate and lower the plough 8 is also an advantage e.g. when passing obstacles next to the track 100 that can not be passed with the plough 8 in a position close to the upper surface of the tracks 100 which can be the case if the dolly 20 is travelling in a very sharp curve next to which e.g. from the ground protruding control devices for a switch are situated. In order to pass such an obstacle during clearing the plough operator simply elevates the plough 8 to a level of e.g. the magnitude of 400 mm above the upper edge of the tracks 100 when passing the protruding obstacle in order to thereafter again lower the plough 8 to the desired clearing height.
The plough support means 18 is connected to the frame part 4 by a system 22 comprising at least one cylinder 24, 26 and at least one articulately connected arm 28, 30 in such a way that it can be elevated and lowered and displaced.
The plough 8 preferably comprises two inner plough segments 10, 12, and two outer plough segments 14, 16, where each of the two inner plough segments 10; 12 preferably are articulately connected to each other and to a respective outer plough segment 14; 16. Further is preferably a respective substantially vertically displaceable plough blade 40; 42 arranged at the lower edge of the respective outer plough segment 14; 16. The plough segments 10, 12, 14, 16 and the plough blades 40, 42 are preferably individually adjustable using e.g. commonly known hydraulic cylinders for maximum freedom of choice for controlling of the plough device 6.
The snow clearing device further comprises an operator cabin 44 arranged to be displaced on the frame part 4 simultaneously with the plough device 6. The operator cabin 44 is arranged with a work station för the plough operator whereby the plough operator obtains a good view of the plough 8 in its working position and can control the plough 8 so that the desired parts of the track 100 or the track area 102 are cleared without ramming into obstacles with the plough 8.
When clearing, a locomotive (not shown) is preferably used in order to push the trackbound vehicle 1 on which the plough 8 is mounted. Remote control devices for the locomotive are in such a case preferably arranged in the operator cabin 44. One can arrange that the plough operator controls the locomotive by remote control, but preferably the operator cabin 44 is also arranged with a work station for a locomotive driver who in this way can control a locomotive remotely from the operator cabin 44 and at the same time gain a good view over the track 100 and the track area 102 in front of the plough 8, the plough operator at the same time being able to concentrate on only the control of the plough 8. To arrange work stations for both the plough operator and the locomotive driver in the same operator cabin 44 also facilitates the communication between them. It is also possible to arrange the propulsion arrangement on the trackbound vehicle 1 itself.
Preferably a trackbound vehicle 1 is arranged with a respective plough device 6 at each end of the trackbound vehicle 1 in order to in such a way being able to easily clear a track 100 and a track area 102 i any optional direction by that the operator and the possible locomotive driver uses that plough device 6 which at the moment is at the front end of the trackbound vehicle 1. In such way the need for turning around the trackbound vehicle 1 for clearing in the other direction by using for example a turntable is avoided.
An elastic element 46; 47; 48 can be arranged between the respective adjacent plough segment 14, 10; 10, 12; 12, 16 in order to prevent cleared snow from passing between these and to instead be guided to the desired side or in a forward direction by the plough segments 14, 10, 12, 16 depending on the present plough setting.
The plough support means 18 is preferably provided with end stops 50 in order to limit the angular movement of the inner plough segments 10, 12 in relation to the plough support means 18.
The invention also relates to a movable snow clearing system 52 för clearing of snow from tracks or track areas, where the snow clearing system 52 is arranged to be placed on preferably at least one trackbound vehicle 1, but possibly on several trackbound vehicles, and comprises at least one plough module 54, preferably two plough modules 54, where the respective plough module 54 comprises a snow clearing device 2 according to any one of the embodiments described above.
The movable snow clearing system 52 further preferably comprises at least one drive module 56 arranged to preferably be placed on the same trackbound vehicle 1 as the plough module (or the plough modules) 54, where the drive module 56 comprises devices, such as for example a generator and/or a hydraulic pump, for providing different parts of the plough module (or the plough modules) 54 with drive, preferably in the form of hydraulics and/or electricity. The drive module 56 is connected to the respective plough module 54 using detachable connection tubing/connection cables for e.g. hydraulics and/or electricity.
Preferably all the modules 54, 56 and the trackbound vehicle 1 are provided with container couplings of a standard type that are used for e.g. containers, railway wagons and trucks, so that a module 54, 56 easily can be lifted on to and off from the trackbound vehicle 1 using e.g. a fork lift truck. This enables also transport of the units via the road network using a truck when required.
Figure 2 shows schematically another view of the snow clearing device 2 in clearing position with another plough setting. As can be seen in the figure, an operator cabin 44 is in the working position advanced towards one end of the trackbound vehicle 1 in which position the plough 8 can be lowered downwards towards the track 100.
Figure 3 shows the snow clearing device in its parking position. As can be seen in the figure, both of the operator cabins 44 are in the parking position retracted from the end of the trackbound vehicle 1 towards its center whereby the plough device 6 can be parked on the upper side of the trackbound vehicle 1 in folded position. This parking position can e.g. be used during transport between two locations for use. Railings 58, 60 are preferably arranged on the snow clearing device 2 in order to prevent that the plough 8 is folded out outside of the sides of the trackbound vehicle 1 during transport which could cause major damage.
Inner rubber blades 62 and outer rubber blades 64, respectively, are preferably detachably arranged at the lower edge of the inner plough segments 10, 12 and at the lower edge of the plough blades 40, 42, respectively, which rubber blades 62, 64 can be substituted when they are worn.
I clearing position, the lower surface of the inner rubber blades 62 lies for example about 50 mm above upper surface of the tracks 100, i.e. about 50 mm above the surface of the rails 104, 106, and the lower surface of the outer rubber blades 64 about 150 mm below the upper surface of the tracks 100 in order to enable efficient clearing without the rubber blades being worn all the time against the rails 104, 106 or the ground 108, but these distances can as mentioned above be set infinitely variably by the plough operator as required if another distance is desired when clearing.
A scraping device 110 can be arranged on the bottom of the tracked vehicle 1 in order to scrape away ice and snow from the tracks 100.
By a trackbound vehicle 1 is meant a vehicle which is arranged to travel on tracks such as for example rails, i.e. e.g. a railway wagon which has been used above only as an example of a tracked vehicle.
It is to be understood that variations are possible within the frame of the present enclosed claims.

Claims

Snow clearing device for clearing of snow from tracks and track areas, where the snow clearing device (2) is designed to be carried by a trackbound vehicle (1), where the snow clearing device (2) comprises a frame part (4) that can be fixed to the trackbound vehicle (1) and a on the frame part (4) displaceably arranged plough device (6), where the plough device (6) is movable between an inactive elevated parking position and an active lowered clearing position in which clearing position different plough settings are possible, characterized in, that the plough device (6) comprises a plough (8) comprising several articulately connected plough segments (10, 12, 14, 16), and that the snow clearing device (2) further comprises an operator cabin (44) arranged to be displaced on the frame part (4) simultaneously with the plough device (6).
Snow clearing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in, that the plough device (6) further comprises a plough support means (18) on which the plough (8) is mounted, where further a dolly (20) designed to abut against the track (100) when clearing is arranged on the plough support means (18).
Snow clearing device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in, that the plough support means (18) is connected to the frame part (4) by a system comprising at least a cylinder (20, 26) and at least an articulately connected arm (28, 30) in such a way that it can be elevated and lowered and displaced.
Snow clearing device (2) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in, that the plough (8) comprises two inner plough segments (10, 12) and two outer plough segments (14, 16).
Snow clearing device (2) according to claim 4, characterized in, that each of the two inner plough segments (10; 12) are articulately connected to each other and to a respective outer plough segment (14; 16).
Snow clearing device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in, that a respective substantially vertically displaceable plough blade (40; 42) is arranged at the lower edge of the respective outer plough segment (14; 16).
Movable snow clearing system for clearing of snow from tracks (100) or track areas (102), characterized in, that the snow clearing system (52) comprises at least a plough module (54) designed to be placed on a trackbound vehicle (1), where the plough module (54) comprises at least a snow clearing device (2) according to one of claims 1-6.
Movable snow clearing system according to claim 7, characterized in, that the snow clearing system (52) further comprises at least a drive module (56) designed to be placed on a trackbound vehicle (1).
Movable snow clearing system according to claim 8, characterized in, that the modules (54, 56) and the trackbound vehicle (1) are provided with container couplings of a standard type.