FR2849454A1 - Railway track device for guiding railway vehicle e.g. tram train, includes profiles, each comprising, in upper part, rolling surfaces inclined to plane supporting face at non-zero angle - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment includes profiles, each including, in lower part, a plane supporting face (63), and in an upper part, rolling surfaces (67, 75). Each of the rolling surfaces is inclined compared to the plane supporting face (63) at non-zero angle (alpha) and a slope of 1divide20 or 1divide40, in order to ensure a continuity of rolling with uniform inclination conditions. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) an entire railway track with rail and a device for a grooved rail track (b) a manufacturing process to obtain the profiles.

Description

The invention relates to a rail track apparatus with

  groove, each profile of which comprises, in a lower part, a flat face for bearing on a support, and in an upper part, a rolling surface.

  Such switches are intended to be associated with rails also of the grooved type, which are used mainly to guide railway vehicles in an urban environment, for example trams or tram-trains.

  In this type of track, the tread, or tread surface, is generally provided without inclination with respect to the horizontal, which is suitable for particular wheel treads, different from those of railway vehicles using the conventional inter networks. -urban.

  Recently, rails with inclined tread have been developed, and some networks have considered placing conventional rails with a horizontal tread, on certain sections, on supports making it possible to obtain an inclination.

  However, the switches and crossings produced so far do not ensure the continuity of the running.

  In addition, a current trend in the rail sector consists in ensuring the interoperability of rolling stock and superstructures, so that for example the urban networks (for trams) are connectable to the conventional inter-urban network. A major difficulty lies in maintaining, under these conditions, optimal comfort criteria for passengers and residents, in particular in terms of reduction of noise pollution, 30 with the use of wheel tread compatible with the inter-urban network. .

  The present invention therefore aims to improve the performance of switches and crossings in terms of running continuity, and to allow the connection of rail networks by meeting the requirements for guidance, running, and stress on super-structures, both for the track. urban than for the inter-urban route.

  To this end, in a track device according to the invention, each running surface is inclined relative to the flat bearing face by the same non-zero angle, so as to ensure rolling continuity with conditions of 'uniform tilt.

  According to other advantageous characteristics of the track apparatus according to the invention: each running surface is inclined relative to the flat bearing face with a slope of 1/20 or 1/40, or of any angle used in a national railway network i - it includes one or more crossing or crossing hearts, and / or needles; and it is made at least partially of austenitic steel. The invention also relates to a rail track assembly comprising a rail and a grooved rail track apparatus, said track apparatus being connected to said rail and being as described above, said rail having a profile at least partially corresponding to that of the switchgear, said rail profile comprising a pinion cham25 having a running surface. Said running surface of the rail is inclined relative to the planar bearing face of the device, so that the running surface of the track device profile is, or may be, during the operation of the track device. , aligned with that of the rail profile.

  Preferably, the rail has a profile identical to that of the part of the switchway to which it is connected.

  The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a track apparatus as described above, in which said profile is obtained by the following successive operations: - a rolling or molding operation making it possible to form an intermediate profile having a surface of rou5 lement substantially parallel to the flat bearing face; and an operation for machining the intermediate profile at the level of the rolling surface in order to give the latter an inclination relative to the planar bearing face.

  Particular embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a top view of a two-track connection for railways in grooved rail , according to the invention; - Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view, along line 2-2, of the apparatus of Figure 1 on which is partially shown a wheel of a railway vehicle; - Figures 3A, 3B, 3C are similar views, respectively according to three embodiments of the invention, of the switching part of the apparatus of Figure 1 along line 3-3; Figure 4 is a view of the intermediate part, similar to Figure 2, along the line 4-4 indicated in Figure 1; and - Figures 5A and 5B are similar views along line 5-5 indicated in Figure 1, of the crossing part, respectively according to two embodiments of the invention.

  In Figure 1, there is shown a two-way connection 1 according to the invention.

  Two-way connections of known type constitute the most common switches and, although it applies to all types of switches, the invention will be described for this particular type of switch. Such a track apparatus essentially comprises a switching part 3, an intermediate part 4, and a crossing part 5.

  At the free end of the switching part 3, the apparatus 1 has an inlet section 7 identical to the current track, that is to say made as a rail with a profile identical to that of the rail 9 ( in dotted lines) to which the device is intended to be connected.

  In the crossing part 5, the device is provided with a crossing heart 10.

  The profiles of this inlet section 7 are represented in FIG. 2. It will be seen that they are identical to those represented in FIG. 4, corresponding to the intermediate part 4, as well as to those, for example, of the 'free end of the crossing part 5, also intended to be connected to respective rails 11 (shown in dotted lines).

  Reference is now made to FIG. 2, showing two profiles 15, 17 of grooved rail for railway tracks, symmetrical to one another with respect to a vertical median plane S, and having a main longitudinal direction orthogonal to the plane of the figure. Only the profile 15 shown on the left side of the Figure will be described, the profile 17 appearing on the right having been shown supporting a part 19 of a rail vehicle wheel.

  In the plane of the Figure, a system of orthogonal axes X-X, Z-Z is shown, corresponding respectively to a horizontal line and to the vertical. The profile is shown in its normal use layout.

  The profile 15 comprises a base or pad 21, the lower face 22 of which constitutes a flat bearing face, intended to rest on a substantially horizontal support. The pad 21 defines a lower part of the profile, connected, by means of a vertical core 23 and of small thickness compared to the total height of the profile, to the upper part 25. The core 23 is preferably symmetrical relative to a vertical median plane P, represented by a line in the figure, this plane P also defining the median plane of the shoe 21.

  The profile 15 comprises, in its upper part 25, a mushroom 27 and a flap 29, separated by a groove 10 31, of width between 35 and 41 mm and a depth of the order of 46 mm.

  The mushroom 27 is presented as a part of greater thickness relative to the core 23. It essentially comprises a lateral projection 33 turned towards the op15 side posed on the flap 29. Its upper face 35 defines a convex rolling surface on the essential of the surface, with a section of weak convexity 37, forming a tread for a corresponding section of a rail vehicle wheel, as illustrated on the right side of the Figure. The table or running surface 35 is a section having a large radius of curvature, typically 200 mm, so that it is comparable to a quasiplane part.

  The flap 29 is formed from the substantially vertical free end portion 25 of a branch 38 coming from the core 23, and the connection portion 39 of which is located under the mushroom 27.

  The groove 31 is defined by the hollow part between the internal face of the flap 29 and the laeral face of the fungus 27, located opposite.

  As shown on the right side of the Figure, the groove 31 is designed to receive a part of a wheel called "chuck" 32, formed by a cylindrical section of larger diameter intended for guiding the vehicle.

  The internal surface of the groove 31 has a flat strip 41, situated on the side of the mushroom 27, and connected, in its upper part, to the tread table 37 by means of a convex portion 45. The convex portion 5 45 , substantially shaped as a cylindrical portion, has an average radius of curvature of about 13 mm.

  The flat strip 41 is preferably, as has been shown, slightly inclined relative to the vertical. Preferably, the inclination of the flat strip 41 relative to the vertical corresponds to a slope of the order of 1/20. The tread table 37 is inclined relative to the bearing face 22 of the shoe 21, preferably by an angle of inclination ax corresponding to a slope of 1/20, or 15 1/40, or any other angle used in a national railway network. The inclination of the treadmill 37 is defined by the inclination of the tangent to the midpoint M of the arc formed by the section, in the vertical transverse plane, of the treadmill 37. When the device 1 20 is in condition of use, on the ground, it is arranged so that the downward slope is turned towards the inside of the track, that is to say towards the plane of symmetry S. The slight inclination of the strip plane 41 leads to optimum conditions in terms of guide contact wear, and guarantees the best anti-derailment conditions. Combined with the inclination of the tread table 37, it ensures perfect rolling continuity, both upper and lateral, in the case of connection of an urban track (tramway type) to a conventional interurban track. This continuity also facilitates connection operations with the two types of track, makes it possible, for example, to obtain welds of better quality, and thus to reduce wear and tear on the connection areas and noise phenomena.

  In FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, profiles of the switching part 3 have been shown, produced according to a respectively one-piece design, "semi-one-piece" with assembly by welding, and "semi-one-piece" with assembly by bolting. .

  Referring more particularly to FIG. 3A, the switch profile 60 comprises a fixed block 61, and a needle 62 capable of movement of horizontal movement relative to the fixed block 61.

  The fixed block 61 has, in its lower part, a "shoe" 63 (terminology adopted in this description by analogy with the "shoe" of the rail) defining a flat face 15 of horizontal support and, in its upper part, a " fixed mushroom 65 (also adopted by analogy) provided with an upper face 67 which defines a fixed rolling table. The fixed tread table 67 is inclined relative to the horizontal of the angle a., Which is also the inclination of the tread table of the inlet section 7 and of the rail 9.

  The fixed block 61 also has, offset laterally with respect to the fixed mushroom 65, a vertical projecting edge 69. The fixed mushroom 65 and the edge 69 form between them a groove 71 with a horizontal flat bottom 73, in which can be struggled horizontally the needle 62 rests on the bottom 73.

  The needle 62 has a flat upper face 75 defining a movable rolling table. This movable rolling table 75 is situated at the same level as the fixed rolling table 67, and extends parallel to the latter, that is to say with the same inclination of angle a relative to the horizontal. and on the underside of the shoe 63.

  It is understood that the fixed tread table 67 is aligned with that of the profile of the rail, that is to say with that of the profile of the input section 7, and that the movable tread table 75 may be, during the operation of the switch, aligned with that of the rail profile 9.

  The referral profile 80 shown in FIG. 3B differs from that of FIG. 3A only in that the fixed block 61 is not made in one piece, but includes an added L-shaped beam forming an edge 89, secured to the rest of the fixed block 61 by means of a horizontal strip 91 defining a part of the bottom 73. The strip 91 is welded on the one hand to the fixed block 61, and on the other hand to the edge 89 in a region median of its height. The shoe 63 is formed by both of the lower faces of the fixed block 61 and of the beam 89.

  In Figure 3C, there is shown another switching structure called "semi-monoblock", like that of Figure 3B. The profile 100 of this structure is produced from a fixed block 61, consisting of a profile of the type of that of the current track 9, 11, for example of the Vignole or grooved type (with the flap part shown in dotted lines), and of an added piece 109 forming a lateral edge.

  The insert 109 defines, with the fixed block 61, the shoe 63. It comprises a horizontal arm 111 forming the bottom 25 of the groove 71. The insert 109 is fixed to the fixed block 61 by a bolt 113 of horizontal axis.

  In Figure 4, the intermediate track profiles are shown, as they appear in the section plane 4-4 indicated in Figure 1.

  It is understood that the profiles shown correspond, for a first pair symmetrical with respect to the vertical median plane of the track, to the straight track 121, and for a second symmetrical pair, to the deviated track 122.

  Each of the profiles is identical to the respective one of the appearance or current entry channel profiles, shown in Figure. 2. These profiles will therefore not be described again.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 5A, which represents a section of the crossing core 10 according to a first embodiment. In this first embodiment, the profile 160 is symmetrical along the vertical median axis Z. It essentially consists of a solid block 10 161 provided, in its lower part, with a shoe defining on its lower face, a surface horizontal plane support 163. In its upper part, the block 161 is provided with two lateral edges 169 forming mushrooms, and a central block 171 also forming mushroom. A groove 173 is formed between the central block 171 and each lateral edge 169.

  The shoe 162 is formed in two parts due to the presence of a central groove 175 open on the underside of the block 161.

  The upper face 177 of each lateral mushroom 20 169 defines a flat, or almost flat, tread table which is inclined by the angle ax identical to that indicated above with respect to the horizontal. The upper lateral faces 177 are inclined so as to face the central axis Z of the block 161.

  In the same way, on either side of the vertical central axis Z, the central block 171 has a planar or quasi-planar upper face 179 inclined at the angle a, previously identified, relative to the horizontal. Each central upper face 179 is inclined so as to be turned towards the lateral upper face 177 situated on the same side of the vertical central axis Z. In FIG. 5B, a profile 180 is shown corresponding to a section, along the line 5-5 indicated in FIG. 1, of the crossing core 10, according to a second embodiment. The profile 180 differs from that 160 shown in FIG. 5A only in that it consists essentially of a hollow block 180 obtained by foundry having the same external shape, in particular of the upper faces 177, 179 which are identical.

  The profile of this particular embodiment will therefore not be described in more detail.

  The parts constituting the track apparatus 1 can be produced by a rolling or molding operation, making it possible to form an intermediate product profile having a tread table 67, 177, 179 substantially planar, and parallel to the planar face d 'support of the pad 22, 63, 163; and then by an operation for machining the intermediate product profile at the level of the rolling table, in order to give the latter the inclination a with respect to the plane bearing face.

  In particular, the needles 62 can be machined from merchant laminate of steel of resistance similar to that of the rail, possibly of special high-tensile steel, and finally in certain cases of austenitic cast steel with 12/14% manganese ( min). In all the cases mentioned above, the rolling surface of the needle is machined with an inclination identical to that of the current track. The same applies to "counter needles" called fixed mushrooms 65 in the above description, which are machined from special rolled or molded profiles of steel of resistance similar to that of the rail, possibly grooved rail (as shown in Figure 3C). In all cases, the rolling surface 67 of a counter-needle is machined with an inclination α identical to that of the current track.

  Obtaining the inclination of the tread table by a machining operation is particularly advantageous since the volume of grooved railroad track equipment to be produced annually is small, the length of the needles is relatively short, and that the connection at the heel is special. It is therefore diffi5 cult to obtain a needle with a rolling table inclined directly by rolling.

  As regards the crossing core 10, this is made from a special steel profile of resistance similar to that of the rail, possibly made of austenitic molded steel 10 at 12/14% of Mn, with weldable tip or rail assembled by welding and bolting. The inclination of the treads 177, 179 is obtained either directly by molding, or by an additional machining operation. The parts of the apparatus having a profile identical to the current track can be produced with an inclined tread, directly by one or more rolling operation (s), without additional machining operation.

  The rails used to make the sections in current track 20 may have undergone a heat treatment prior to assembly, to increase the hardness of the running table. Likewise, the needles and the hearts may have undergone a pre-hardening treatment to increase the retention of the rolling table.

  The grooved rails may have undergone an anti-wear or anti-wrinkle treatment, for example by depositing on the rolling table a stainless steel cord.

  The invention which has just been described allows the use, in grooved railroad tracks, of austenitic cast steel parts with a weldable tip, of the type of track hearts or needles, which can be welded, during the laying on track, on intermediate rails (or running track) by a traditional process such as aluminothermy. Rail networks equipped with such track devices can then benefit from the same technical qualities as national inter-urban networks, avoiding discontinuity in the running of railway vehicles, and meet the requirements of guidance, running and solicitation of super -structures. It is thus possible to obtain optimal comfort criteria for passengers and residents, in particular in terms of reduction of noise pollution.

  The invention also ensures, in a very wide range of rail vehicle speed and stress, a significant reduction in wear in the contact zones between the wheels and the needles, and even more significantly in the contact zone. contact and rolling in the lane hearts.

Claims (7)

  1. Track apparatus with grooved rail (1) each profile (15, 17, 60, 80, 100, 121, 122, 160, 180) comprises, in a lower part, a flat face (22, 63, 163 ) 5 of support on a support, and in an upper part, a rolling surface (37, 67, 75, 177, 179), characterized in that each rolling surface is inclined relative to the plane bearing surface (22, 63, 163) of the same angle (a) not zero, so as to ensure rolling continuity with uniform tilt conditions.   2. Track apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each running surface (37, 67, 75, 177, 179) is inclined with respect to the planar bearing face (22, 63, 163) with a slope 1/20 or 1/40, or any year 15 gle used in a national railway network.   3. Track apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises one or more crossing core (s) (10) or crossing, and / or needles (62).   4. Track apparatus according to any one of re20 vendications 1 to 3, characterized in that it is made at least partially of austenitic steel.   5. A track assembly comprising a rail (9, 11) and a grooved rail track apparatus (1), said track apparatus (1) being connected to said rail (9, 11) and being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, said rail (9, 11) having a profile at least partially corresponding to that of the switchgear (1), said rail profile comprising a mushroom having a running surface, characterized in that that said running surface of the rail is inclined relative to the planar bearing face of the device, so that the running surface (37, 67, 75, 177, 179) of the track device profile is , or may be during the operation of the switchgear, aligned with that of the rail profile (9, 11).   6. Railway track assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the rail (9, 11) has a profile identical to that of the part of the track apparatus (1) to which it is connected.   7. A method of manufacturing a track apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said profile (15, 17, 60, 80, 100, 121, 122, 160, 180) is obtained by the operations successive successive - a rolling or molding operation making it possible to form an intermediate profile having a rolling surface substantially parallel to the planar bearing face; and an operation for machining the intermediate profile at the level of the rolling surface in order to give the latter an inclination (a) relative to the planar bearing face (22).