FR3082217A1 - RAIL PRESS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a press 1 for a rail 2, the rail 2 having a core 7 extending between a mushroom 8 and a shoe 6, the press 1 comprising: - a frame 3 having a first longitudinal axis 11 and on which are successively mounted, along the first axis 11: - at least one hooking device 18 of the rail 2 which can occupy a state engaged under the rail 2 along a second axis 12 transverse to the first axis 11, and - at least one actuator 5 adapted to act on the rail 2 in order to apply to it a force oriented along a third axis 13 transverse to said first and second axes 11, 12, and - a control unit 33 capable of controlling said at least one actuator 5 so as to apply to the rail 2, in a plane parallel to said first and third axes 11, 13, a righting torque, between the actuator 5 acting and the hooking device 18 engaged, characterized in that said at least one hooking device 18 is suitable, dan s the engaged state, to hook the rail 2 at the core 7, just under the mushroom 8.

Description

FIELD [001] The present invention relates to a press for rails constituting a track and guide of a railway vehicle.

BACKGROUND [002] A railroad track, which constitutes a running and guiding track for railway vehicles, typically comprises two rails arranged and fixed on sleepers and maintained at a constant spacing. The track rests on ballast to support the sleepers, but also to distribute the loads on the ground. The repeated passage of railway vehicles on these tracks requires regular maintenance of the rails. Each rail comprises a succession of adjacent rail sections, placed end to end, and fixed two by two. They can therefore be welded together.

One of the defects, regularly observed during track maintenance operations, is the appearance of deformation of a rail, downwards or upwards. Such deformations can appear over a length of rail or at a weld between two successive portions of a rail. These deformations can be due to a misalignment of the rail portions during welding operations, or to the presence of ballast on the rail during the passage of a train.

When such deformations exist, it is necessary to straighten the rail. A leveling (flat) of the rail can then be carried out, in full track, using a press, such as the press 1 of the prior art, which can act on the rail 2 at several points, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Such a press 1 can be used for pressing upwards when the rail 2 is straightened upwards (that is to say when the rail is deformed downwards) and a pressing down when rail 2 is straightened down (i.e. when the rail is deformed up). The press 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a frame 3 on which are movably mounted two hooks 4, or C-shaped parts in the example illustrated, and an actuator

5.

An actuator 5 is a device which transforms the energy supplied to it into a physical phenomenon which provides work, modifies the behavior or the state of a system. Thus, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder generates a movement from mechanical energy transmitted by a gaseous or liquid fluid. Furthermore, a hook 4 is an example of a hooking device, in the sense that it comes here under an element, such as a rail 2, for, once thus engaged under it, to be blocked there if one pulls on it transversely (along F) to the direction (E) of engagement of its hook rim.

The press 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 makes it possible to press a rail 2 only downwards, in the state in which it is located. During such pressing, the two hooks 4 make it possible to maintain the position of the rail 2 relative to the press 1. They are partially arranged under the rail 2. The actuator 5 exerts a force F on the rail 2, towards the ground on which the crosspieces and the rail 2 are arranged. The two hooks 4 are then, more precisely, placed under the shoe 6 of the rail 2, which shoe 6 is used to apply the rail 2 stably to the sleepers. Each rail 2 comprises, in addition to a lower shoe 6, flared down in section, a thinner intermediate core 7 and an upper mushroom 8 flared in section up. The rail vehicles run on the mushrooms 8 of the rails 2.

Pressing down with a press according to the prior art therefore typically requires that the hooks 4 (or more generally the hooking device) are placed under the pad 6 of the rail 2. Arrange these elements under a rail 2 in full track can be made difficult by the presence of the ballast for example, but also of the crosspieces 9 and of the rail fastening elements on the crosspieces. In addition, such a press 1 only allows pressing downwards, and cannot be used to correct a deformation of a rail 2 downwards (requiring pressing upwards). For upward pressing, the press must be turned over and its tools changed.

Thus, when an upward deformation of a rail 2 is positioned in the immediate vicinity of a cross member, the latter limits access under the rail 2. In this case, the press 1 illustrated cannot be disposed on the area of the rail 2 which is the most deformed, and is therefore disposed close to the latter, where access under the rail 2 is not limited. The position of the press 1 is then not optimal with respect to the deformation of the rail 2.

The invention aims to provide an alternative press, usable on track, allowing the pressing of a rail 2 up and / or down and allowing optimized positioning of the press 1 and pressing points on rail 2 with respect to the deformation of rail 2 upwards or downwards. It is also intended to avoid lifting the rail to pass the press tool under the rail when the lifting point is located above a cross member, therefore not accessible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [010] The present invention thus relates to a press for a rail, the rail having a core extending between a mushroom and a shoe, the press comprising:

- a chassis having a first longitudinal axis and on which are successively mounted, along the first axis:

at least one rail hooking device which can occupy a state engaged under the rail along a second axis transverse to the first axis, and

at least one actuator adapted to act on the rail in order to apply to it a force oriented along a third axis transverse to said first and second axes, and

a control unit able to control said at least one actuator so as to apply to the rail, in a plane parallel to said first and third axes, a righting torque, between the actuator acting and the hooking device engaged, this press being characterized in that said at least one hooking device is adapted, in the engaged state, to hook the rail at the level of the core, just under the mushroom.

Such a press makes it possible to correct a deformation of the rail which may be upwards or downwards. Indeed, with a hooking device and a minimum actuator, the press exerts a torque on the rail so as to reduce the deformation of the rail.

In addition, unlike existing presses, the proposed press does not require access under the rail to exert a force on the rail, in order to reduce deformation. In fact, the hooking device is adapted, when it is in the engaged state, to hold the rail at the level of the mushroom and not under the shoe. With such a hooking device, the rail can be pressed and act on the deformation and not in the vicinity, as in the state of the art, when access was limited.

According to an additional characteristic, said at least one hooking device can be mounted freely tiltable relative to the chassis around the second axis.

By mounting the tilting hooking device or devices, that is to say pivoting about the third axis, when pressing up or down the rail, the inclination of the hooking devices adapts to the inclination of the rail. Thus, during the pressing of the rail, the free tilting of the hooking devices makes it possible to avoid impacting the rail which would ultimately cause fracture or fatigue defects.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said at least one hooking device can comprise a pair of jaws. In this way, in the engaged state, the jaws will hook the rail, on either side of the rail, along the second axis. This is a guarantee of balance and efficiency. The positioning engaged is then very stable.

[016] Also, the press can include several said actuators and the jaws of said pair of jaws can be mounted movable in translation on the chassis along the second axis and can be controlled by the control unit capable of coordinating the mobility of the couples of jaws and actuators.

The control unit will thus make it possible to synchronize the actions of the pairs of jaws and of the actuators on the rail, so as to exert the force desired by the operator to correct the deformation of a rail.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, along the first axis, said at least one picking device can successively comprise a first, a second and a third picking device and said at least one actuator can successively include a first and a second actuator, said hooking devices and said actuators being arranged along the first axis so that the second hooking device and the second actuator are arranged between the first and third hooking devices.

A change of pressing direction does not then require changing elements of the press: the picking devices as well as the actuators are controlled by a control unit and each of them is activated according to the direction of pressing. of the rail desired by the operator. The press is even more versatile, without complications.

[020] In addition, in such a press with actuators and hooking devices each multiple, the distances separating along the first axis respectively the first hooking device and the first actuator and the second hooking device and the second actuator may be less at the distances separating the actuators from each other and at the distances separating the hooking devices from each other.

By adequate control of the hooking devices and actuators, such an arrangement allows the rail to be pressed up or down, without having to change the conformation of the press, that is to say, d '' change parts or elements, for example.

[022] Furthermore, said second hooking device and said second actuator can be arranged substantially midway between said first and third hooking devices.

[023] In another embodiment, said at least one press actuator may further comprise a third actuator, so that the second picking device is disposed between the first and third actuators.

[024] Such a configuration of the press thus makes it possible to balance the forces applied by the actuators, and therefore to press the region of the rail, having the deformation up or down, uniformly.

According to another characteristic, said at least one hooking device may include an inner rim having an upper bearing surface for pressing on it from below the rail head. [026] The hooking devices having such a rim then ensures that the rail is retained at the level of the core, under the mushroom. Such hooking devices therefore do not require access under the rail having a deformation, and can thus be used even near a cross member for example.

[027] Also, said flange may include a groove along the third axis.

[028] Such a groove may prove to be necessary when the pressing is carried out at a weld. Indeed, at this point, only the surface of the weld of the mushroom is ground, so there is a bead of weld under the mushroom, along the core. The groove, dimensioned so as to be adapted to any weld bead, makes it possible to optimize the contact of the hooking devices, in particular when the pairs of jaws are closed around the rail head. The groove can be through and central, in the rim.

[029] The rim comprising may also comprise a free (upper) wall, rounded convex.

[030] Such a convex wall proves necessary when the press is used to carry out downward pressing, when the rail has an upward deformation. This wall shape prevents the rail from being subjected to shear stress between the contact points of the pairs of active jaws.

[031] The invention also relates to a method of using a press having all or part of the characteristics described above, in view therefore of pressing a rail having a core extending between a mushroom and a shoe. First, this process can include the following steps:

- arrange the press with the or each actuator above the rail, and with said at least one hooking device engaged at the core, just under the head of the rail;

- order one or each actuator to apply a force oriented along the third axis on the rail.

[032] In the particular case of a press as described above, where the second picking device is disposed between the first and third actuators and where the second actuator is arranged between the first and third hooking devices, the pressing process from rail to top includes the following steps:

- place the press with each actuator above the rail, and with the second hooking device engaged at the core, just under the head of the rail;

- control the first and third actuators to apply a force oriented along the third axis on the rail, downwards.

In the case where the second hooking device is arranged between the first and third actuators and where the second actuator is arranged between the first and third hooking devices, the method of pressing the rail down comprises the following steps:

- arrange the press with each actuator above the rail, and with the first and third hooking devices engaged at the core, just below the head of the rail;

- control the second actuator to apply a force oriented along the third axis on the rail, downwards.

The invention will be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

- Figure 1 is an example of a press according to the state of the art shaped for pressing down;

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of the press according to the invention;

- Figures 3 and 4 respectively illustrate a deformation of a rail junction upwards and a deformation of a rail junction downwards before any pressing of the rail;

- Figure 5 is a schematic view of the press according to the invention exerting downward pressing on a rail, with, in more detail:

- in Figure 5A, a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail and an actuator not activated in the area framed in dotted lines;

- In Figure 5B, a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail and a pair of jaws in a state not engaged in the area framed in dotted lines;

- In Figure 5C, a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail and a pair of jaws in the engaged state in the area framed in dotted lines;

- in Figure 5D, a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail and an actuator activated in the area framed in dotted lines;

- Figure 6 is a diagram modeling the forces exerted on the rail during a downward pressing as illustrated in Figure 5;

- Figure 7 is a schematic view of the press according to the invention exerting on a rail upward pressing, with, in more detail;

- Figure 7A is a schematic perspective view of a jaw of the second pair of jaws in the area framed in dotted lines;

- Figure 7B is a schematic perspective view of a jaw of the first and third pair of jaws in the area framed in dotted lines;

- Figure 8 is a diagram modeling the forces exerted on the rail during an upward pressing as illustrated in Figure 7;

- Figure 9 is a schematic view of the press according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference is made below to FIGS. 2 et seq. In relation to the invention, FIG. 1, which relates to an example of an earlier solution, having been described previously.

[036] FIG. 2 therefore illustrates an example of a press 1 for rail 2 according to the invention. Press 1 is intended to be used for a rail 2 constituting a railway track, that is to say a track and guide for a railway vehicle. FIG. 2 also illustrates an orthogonal coordinate system 10 comprising:

a longitudinal axis 11 also referred to in this description as the first axis,

a transverse axis 12 also referred to in this description as a second axis, and

- A vertical axis 13 (press installed) also called in this description third axis.

The rail 2, a cross section of which at its longitudinal axis 11 is visible in FIG. 5, comprises a shoe 6, a core 7 and a mushroom 8 connecting the mushroom 8 to the shoe 6. The mushroom 8 is the upper part of rail 2 on which the wheels of the rail vehicle rest. The shoe 6 is the lower part of the rail 2 which rests on crosspieces which are pieces placed across the track making it possible to maintain the inclination and the spacing of the rails 2.

[038] The use of a press 1 as presented aims to reduce deformation of such a rail 2, either upwards or downwards. These deformations are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[039] An upward deformation, visible in FIG. 3, is characterized by the appearance of a domed zone 14, convex upwards, the highest point 15 of which tends to move away from the ground. This type of deformation is likely to appear at the junction of two rail portions 2.

[040] A downward deformation, visible in FIG. 4, is characterized by the appearance of a hollowed-out zone 16 at the bottom, the lower point 17 of which tends to approach the ground. This type of deformation can appear both in the full portion of rail 2 and at the junction of successive portions of rail 2.

[041] The press 1, which can be used in the open track, comprises a chassis 3. The chassis 3 is elongated along the first axis 11, also called the elongation axis.

[042] At least one hooking device 18 of the rail 2 is mounted on this chassis 3. So called "hooking device" a device which can occupy a state engaged under an upper part 8 of the rail 2 along the second transverse axis 12 to first axis 11, so as to be caught under this part in the manner of a hook 4 or an L-shaped tab. In particular, the hooking device 18 is adapted, in the engaged state, to hook the rail 2 at the core 7, just below the mushroom 8.

[043] The press 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a hooking device 18 comprising a first, a second and a third pair of jaws 20a, 20b, 20c adapted so that in the engaged state, the jaws 20 hook the rail 2 , on either side of the rail 2, along the second axis 12. Alternatively, a hooking device 18, with a single pair of jaws 20, or even only one of the two hooks 4 like those in FIG. 1, could have To be scheduled.

An example of a pair of jaws 20, in the states respectively engaged (FIG. 5C) and not engaged (FIG. 5B) is illustrated in FIG. 5. The jaws 20 extend along the third axis 13 transverse to the first and to the second axes 11, 12. For each pair of jaws 20, the jaws 20 are arranged on either side of the first axis 11, preferably opposite one another for a better balance of forces. The jaws 20 of the example of press 1 illustrated each have a general L-shape: at one of their ends, the jaws 20 each include a lower inner rim 21a which extends transversely projecting according to the second axis 12 relative to the lateral upright 21b of the jaw which extends vertically, along the third axis

13. This rim 21 has a shape adapted to be placed at the level of the core 7 under the mushroom 8. As can be seen in FIG. 5c illustrating the engaged state of a pair of jaws 20, the rim 21 comprises an upper free wall 22 coming into contact with the lower part 8a1, 8a2 of the mushroom 8, at the top of the core 7.

[046] As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the pairs of jaws 20, in particular the first and third pairs of jaws 20a, 20c, may have a flange 21 with a straight upper free wall 22.

[047] In a practical embodiment of the invention, the rim 21 of the second pair of jaws 20b may have an upper free wall 23 which will on the other hand be rounded, convex upwards, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. Such a wall 23 proves to be particularly advantageous during an upward pressing. Indeed, the rounded shape allows to bring the contact points 24 of the flanges 21 of the jaws 20 of the second pair of jaws 20b on the rail 2, as shown in Figure 8. As can be seen in Figure 8 which illustrate contact points 24 when the flange 21 is rounded convex, the contact points 24 of the flange 21 on the rail 2, when pressed upwards, are brought together. By bringing these contact points 24 together, the shear stresses in the rail 2 when it is pressed upwards are reduced at the same time.

[048] Furthermore, the pairs of jaws 20, in particular the second pair of jaws 20b, may comprise a groove 25, centered, extending along the third axis 13. This groove 25, passing through the free flange 21, ensures, good closing of the pair of jaws 20 on the rail 2, despite the presence of a weld bead 26, when the pressing is carried out at a welded junction 27 between two successive portions of rail 2. In fact, when the welding of a rail 2, only the upper part of the rail, that is to say the mushroom 8, is generally ground. Under the mushroom 8, the weld is not ground, the weld bead 26 is therefore present, which can hinder the closing of the jaws 20 on the rail 2. This weld bead 26 has an additional thickness in general of the order of 2 mm. compared to the rail. The groove 25 provided may therefore have a width, along the first axis 11, of between 3 and 10 mm.

[049] The pairs of jaws 20, making up the hooking devices 18, are mounted movably on the chassis 3, and successively arranged along the first axis 11. In this case, each of the jaws 20 is pivotally mounted on the chassis 3 , around the second axis 12. Such an assembly allows the jaws 20 to have a pendular movement 28, around the second axis 12, allowing them to follow the movement of the rail 2, in particular during a downward pressing, in order to maintain a linear contact under the rail head. In addition, the capacity of the jaws 20 to be able to tilt, allows each of the pairs of jaws 20 to center naturally under the mushroom 8 at the level of the core 7 of the rail 2.

On the other hand, each of the jaws 20 is mounted on the chassis 3 movable in translation along the same second axis 12. More particularly, the pairs of jaws 20 are mounted movable in translation along a shaft 34 of the chassis 3 extending in a direction along the second axis 12. The pairs of jaws 20 are thus able to easily reach their two states, engaged and not engaged, visible in FIG. 5. The engaged state of the pairs of jaws 20 is suitable for avoid a movement of the rail 2 with respect to the press 1 downwards, that is to say along the third axis 13, in the direction of the ground.

[051] As an alternative to this sliding along the second axis 12, the jaws 20 (or even said at least one hooking device 18) could be movable in rotation along the first axis 11 or along the axis 13, to pass from the not engaged state to the engaged state, and vice versa.

[052] The jaws 20, of a pair of jaws 20, respectively comprise at their end facing the other jaw 20, an internal stop 35. The stop 35 extends along the second axis 12, in projection relative to the rim 21 of the jaw 20. Two coaxial stops 35 are intended to come into transverse abutment against each other when the pair of jaws 20 passes from the non-committed state to the engaged state. The presence of such stops 35 makes it possible to avoid excessive pressure on the core 7 of the rail 2 when the pair of jaws 20 changes to the engaged state. Furthermore, a space, along the third axis 13, can be delimited between the upper end 8b of the head of the rail 2 and a lower end 36 of each of the stops 35. The lower end 36 can be formed by a substantially planar wall extending in a plane formed by the first and second axes 11, 12.

[053] Also mounted on the chassis 3 of the press 1, at least one actuator 5 is adapted to act on the rail 2 in order to apply to it a force F oriented along said third axis 13 transverse to said first and second axes 11, 12.

[054] In the example of press illustrated in Figure 2, this says "at least one" actuator 5 comprises a first, a second and a third actuator 5a, 5b, 5c, successively mounted on the chassis 3 of the press 1 , along the first axis 11.

[055] These actuators 5, which can be pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, are adapted to exert a force F on the rail 2 oriented along the third axis 13.

[056] The actuators 5 are mounted so as to be able to exert a force F with the press 1 blocked on the rail 2 by its hooking device (s) 18, here at least one said pair of jaws 20.

[057] In Figure 5D are illustrated two examples: one with an actuator 5 exerting a force F on the rail 2, the other with an actuator 5 not activated. As illustrated, a said actuator 5 exerts a force F on the rail 2 via a movable part 29 of the actuator 5. Once actuated, this part 29 is set in motion and comes into contact with a rail 2 disposed between the pairs of jaws 20 of the press 1. When the actuator 5 is not actuated, as is also visible in FIG. 5A, the movable part 29 is retracted in the body of the actuator 5.

[058] In one embodiment, the hooking devices 18, which can therefore include three pairs of jaws 20a, 20b, 20c, and the three actuators 5a, 5b, 5c are arranged and mounted on the chassis 3 successively, along of the first axis 11. In particular, the pairs of jaws 20 and the actuators are then arranged along the first axis 11 so that:

the hooking devices 18, here the pairs of jaws 20, and the actuators 5 being arranged along the first axis 11 so that a second hooking device 18a is disposed between the first and third actuators 5a, 5c and that the second actuator 5b is disposed between first and third hooking devices 18a, 18c;

- The second actuator 5b is disposed between the first and third hooking devices 18a, 18c, that is to say the first and third pairs of jaws 20a, 20c, preferably substantially midway between the first and third couples jaws 20a, 20c (distance L1 along the first axis 11; Figure 2). The distance L1 is equal to half the distance L, along the first axis 11, separating the first and third hooking devices 18a, 18c.

- The second hooking device 18b is disposed between the first and third actuators 5a, 5c, preferably substantially halfway between the first and third actuators 5a, 5c (distance L2 along the first axis 11; Figure 2).

[059] Preferably, the distance L1 is equal to the distance L2. The distance L1 or L2 can be between 50 cm and 60 cm.

[061] Alternatively, the distance between the first or third actuator 5a, 5c and the second hooking device 18b, respectively the distance between the first or third hooking device 18a, 18c and the second actuator 5b is between 40 cm and 75 cm.

[062] In particular, the mounting of the pairs of jaws 20 and of the actuators 5 on the frame 3 of the press 1 can be made so that the distances separating respectively the first hooking device 18a and the first actuator 5a, the second device of hooking 18b and the second actuator 5b and the third hooking device 18c and the third actuator 5c are less than the distances separating the actuators 5 between them and the hooking devices 18 between them. In other words, the first, second and third pair of jaws 20b, 20c are then respectively contiguous with the first, second and third actuators 5a, 5b, 5c. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first pair of jaws 20a and the first actuator 5a are mounted on the chassis 3 close to one another. They can be a few inches or ten inches apart.

[063] This assembly makes it possible in particular to have a space-saving press which is suitable for pressing upwards or downwards, with a single press.

[064] Thus, as mentioned, the press 1 makes it possible to correct faults of a rail 2 having a vertical deformation either upwards (as visible in FIG. 3), or downwards (as visible as in FIG. 4) along the third axis 13. The deformations are deformations along the third axis 13, which are, in the cases illustrated, at the junction 27 by welding two rail portions 2, creating an area raised upwards (FIG. 3) otherwise called convex zone 14, or recessed downwards (FIG. 4) otherwise called hollowed zone 16.

[065] The upward or downward deformation can be quantified by an angle 30 of deformation formed between the ground level on which the rails 2 are placed and a deformed area 14, 16 of the rail 2, the angle having for vertex either the highest point 15 or the bottom point 17 of the deformation.

[066] This deformation angle 30 is indicated respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively representing upward and downward deformations. In the case illustrated in FIG. 3, the angle 30 of deformation is formed by one of the welded rail portions 2, and the axis 31 passing through the highest point 15 and extending parallel to the first axis 11. In the illustrated case in FIG. 4, the angle 30 of deformation is formed by one of the welded rail portions 2, and the axis 32 here representing the level of the ground, extending parallel to the first axis 11.

[067] According to the European standard NF EN 14587-1 & 2 in terms of track and welding of the rails 2 by sparking for railway applications, no zone of the rail 2 must be inclined with an angle greater than a few tenths of degrees d angle to ground level.

[068] For controlling at least the actuator (s) 5, or even preferably the device (s) for picking 18, in order then to automate the press 1, the latter preferably comprises a unit 33.

[069] By this control unit 33, we will be able to apply to the rail 2, in a plane parallel to said first and third axes 11, 12, a righting torque, between the actuator 5 acting and the hooking device engaged 18.

By ordering together the actuator (s) 5 and the hooking device (s) 18, it will also be possible to be able to coordinate the mobility of the pairs of jaws 20 and of the actuators 5 ( see mixed lines figure

2). The control unit 33 will then make it possible to exert a force F on the rail 2 by means of the retractable mobile part 29 of the actuator 5, and to control the pairs of jaws 20 so that they are positioned at the engaged state. The control unit 33 can for example be a PLC, comprising a user interface. In this way, operators can indicate to the automaton the type of pressing desired, up or down, as well as the force F to exert to reduce the deformation at least to a minimum accepted by European standard NF EN 14587 -1 & 2.

The automaton 33 can also be coupled to one or more sensors 41 (lasers, magnetic or ultrasound for example), capable of monitoring the deformation of the rail. The measurement system can be implemented by three sensors 41 (41 a, 41 b, 41c) which take measurements above the mushroom 8. The sensors 41 are mounted on the chassis 3 of the press 1. The first sensor 41a is mounted respectively between the first hooking device 18a and the first actuator 5a. The second sensor 41b is mounted between the second hooking device 18b and the second actuator 5b. The third sensor 41c is mounted between the third hooking device 18c and the third actuator 5c. The sensors 41 are vertical (axis 13) and target the rail 2 placed below. The measurements are thus carried out directly on the rail 2. They are each connected to the automaton / control unit 33 where software, calculation means and a memory unit make it possible to control and control the control parameters of the picking devices 18 and actuators 5 (5a, 5b, 5c), or even to invite to shift the press along the axis 11 to compensate for a previous pressing.

[072] The positioning of the sensors is configured so that they are halfway between the two positions of the press 1. When the press 1 is moved longitudinally for pressing either up or down. This displacement can be for example of the order of 18.5 cm. In this configuration, the sensors are positioned approximately 10 cm from the hooking devices 18 or the actuators 5 concerned. The first and third sensors 41a, 41c are not necessarily placed 50 cm on either side of the weld, which is the basis of measurement of the European standard NF EN 14587-1 & 2 for welds (typically 50 cm from the second actuator 5b or picking device 18b requested), the measurements provided by the sensors may need to be extrapolated so as to have sufficient indication and precision so that the operator can quantify his successive pressing operations. Indeed, according to said electric welding standard, a measurement must be made at 50 cm on either side of the welded joint. However, in the case where the first and third hooking devices 18a, 18c or the first and third actuators 5a, 5c are spaced apart by a distance different from 100 cm, and respectively 50 cm on either side of the junction welded 27, along the first axis 11, it is necessary to carry out an extrapolation of the measurements of the sensors using the automaton 33. This extrapolation is necessary since the standard considers that the spacing between the first and third actuators 5a , 5c or the first and third hooking devices 18a, 18c is equal to 100 cm. These sensors make it possible to measure the level of the pressed rail 2, and therefore to ensure, following a pressing operation, that the rail 2 has been sufficiently pressed without preferably having to move the press and to carry out the level control manually at using a ruler. Preferably, the measurements can be carried out using the first, second and third sensors or only the second sensor.

[073] Such a press 1 can also straighten rails 2 without welding, therefore without reference to an electric welding standard.

[074] Depending on whether the press 1 is used for pressing up or down, the control unit 33 will actuate or not such or such aforementioned elements of the press. Figures 5 and 7 show diagrammatically two uses of the press for pressing down and pressing up respectively.

[075] For the use of the press 1 for downward pressing, the automaton 33 activates and controls the first and third pairs of jaws 20a, 20c as well as the second actuator 5b, as shown in FIG. 6. The method of use then comprises a first step consisting in placing the press 1 above the rail 2 to be pressed, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The head 8 of the rail 2 is then held between said pairs of jaws 20 in the open position and the rail is in contact with the actuators.

[076] Once the press in position, the control unit the first and third pairs of jaws 20a, 20c so that they remain in the closed position (position illustrated in Figure 5C).

[077] The control unit 33 then actuates the second actuator 5b so that it exerts a force F oriented along the third axis 13 on the rail 2, in particular on the head 8 of the rail 2, in the direction of the pad 6 of said rail 2. FIG. 6 shows diagrammatically the force F exerted on the rail 2 during such an upward pressing. As illustrated, the second actuator 5b thus exerts a force F along the third axis 13 on the rail 2, going from the mushroom 8 towards the shoe 6 while the first and third pairs of jaws 20a, 20c retain the rail 2, so as to keep it in a fixed position relative to the chassis 3 of the press 1.

[078] Such an implementation will have made it possible to deform rail 2 downwards, hence the name pressing downwards. This will have made it possible to correct a rail 2 having an upward deformation, as illustrated in FIG. 3, so as to reduce the angle of deformation.

[079] In the illustrative figures 5 and 6, the rail 2 pressed down appears deformed downwards, as indicated in dotted lines: in reality, this deformation will have taken place, but it will not be entirely irreversible. In fact, when the actuator 5 is released, the region of the rail 2 where the actuator 5 acted rises relative to its state during pressing and has a rectilinear shape extending substantially along the first axis 11, as illustrated in solid lines. Thus, the rail 2, once pressed, has a reduced deformation (upwards) compared to the deformation of the rail 2 in the initial state (Figure 3).

The press 1 further comprises a first stirrup 37 and a second stirrup 38. The first and second stirrups 37, 38 extend along the third axis 13, downwards. The first bracket 37 extends from a first axial end 39 of the chassis 3 of the press 1. The first end 39 is placed longitudinally upstream, that is to say before the hooking devices 18 and the actuators 5 along the direction of the first axis 11. Respectively, the second yoke 38 extends from a second axial end 40 of the chassis 3 of the press 1. The second end 40 is placed longitudinally downstream, that is to say -to say after the hooking devices 18 and the actuators 5 in the direction of the first axis 11. The first and second stirrups 37, 38 are intended to come to bear on the mushroom 8 of the rail 2. The stirrups 37 and 38 have the function to guide the press laterally. They are not present to come to bear under pressure on the rail; Otherwise, they risk being damaged during vertical pressing operations. Indeed, when the press is placed on the rail, nothing prevents it from making a (very) slight rotation along the vertical axis 13.

[081] For the use of the press 1 for upward pressing, the automaton 33 activates and controls the first and third actuators 5a, 5c as well as the second pair of jaws 20b, as illustrated in FIG. 7 The method of use then comprises the same first step as that of pressing down; namely: arrange the press 1 above the rail 2 (cf. FIG. 7) so that its mushroom 8 is interposed between said pairs of jaws 20 in the open position and that the rail 2 is (preferably) in contact with the actuators 5.

[082] Once the press 1 is in position, the control unit 33 or the controller controls:

the second pair of jaws 20b so that it remains in the closed position (illustrated by FIG. 5), and

- the first and third actuators 5a, 5c so that they exert a force F oriented along the third axis 13 on the rail 2, in particular on the mushroom 8 of the rail 2.

[083] Figure 8 shows schematically the forces F exerted on the rail 2 during such an upward pressing. As illustrated, the first and third actuators 5a, 5c exert a force F along the third axis on the rail 2, going from the mushroom 8 towards the shoe 6. The second pair of jaws 20b keeps the rail 2 in a fixed position with respect to the chassis 3 of the press 1. One then ensures a deformation of the rail upwards, hence the name pressing upwards.

[084] Such an upward pressing makes it possible to correct a downward deformation as illustrated in FIG. 4, in order to reduce the angle of deformation. [085] In the same way as for FIGS. 5 and 6, in FIGS. 7 and 8 the rail 2 pressed upwards appears upwardly deformed, as indicated in dotted lines: in reality, as before, this deformation will take place , but will not be entirely irreversible. In fact, once the control unit 33 has stopped, the areas of the rail 2 on which the actuators acted will rise relative to their positions during pressing and will have a rectilinear shape extending substantially along the first axis 11, as illustrated in solid lines.

[086] Press 1 as described above can thus be used according to several methods of use, however, all including the following procedure:

- Place the press 1 with the or each actuator 5 above the rail 2, and with said at least one hooking device 18 engaged at the core 7, just under the mushroom 8 of the rail 2; and

- order one or each actuator 5 to apply a force F oriented along the third axis 13 on the rail 2.

[087] If we want to press upwards, then we will more precisely carry out the following steps:

- Place the press 1 with each actuator 5 above the rail 2, and with the second hooking device 18b engaged at the core 7, just under the mushroom 8 of the rail 9;

- Control the first and third actuators 5a, 5c to apply a force oriented along the third axis 13 on the rail 2, downwards.

[088] If, on the contrary, we want to press down, we will instead carry out the following steps:

- arrange the press 1 with each actuator 5 above the rail 2, and with the first and third hooking devices 18a, 18c engaged at the level of the core 7, just under the mushroom 8 of the rail 2;

- order the second actuator 5b to apply a force F oriented along the third axis 13 on the rail 2, downwards.

[089] Figure 9 illustrates a press 1 according to an alternative embodiment. The press 1 thus successively comprises along the first axis 11 a first, a second and a third hooking devices 18a, 18b, 18c, and a first and a second actuator 5a, 5b. The second hooking device 18b and the second actuator 5b are arranged between the first and third hooking devices 18a, 18c.

Similar to press 1 shown in FIG. 2, in press 1 of FIG. 9, the distances separating respectively the first hooking device 18a and the first actuator 5a, the second hooking device 18b and the second actuator 5b are less than the distances separating the actuators 5 and the distances separating the hooking devices 18, between them.

The press 1 operates in a similar manner to what has been explained above except that there is only one end cylinder left, the third actuator 5c being eliminated.

Claims (12)

1. Press (1) for a rail (2), the rail (2) having a core (7) extending between a mushroom (8) and a shoe (6), the press (1) comprising: - a frame (3) having a first longitudinal axis (11) and on which are successively mounted, along the first axis (11): - at least one hooking device (18) of the rail (2) capable of occupying a state engaged under the rail (2) along a second axis (12) transverse to the first axis (11), and - at least one actuator (5) adapted to act on the rail (2) in order to apply to it a force (F) oriented along a third axis (13) transverse to said first and second axes (11, 12), and - a control unit (33) capable of controlling said at least one actuator (5) so as to apply to the rail (2), in a plane parallel to said first and third axes (11, 13), a righting torque, between the actuator (5) acting and the hooking device (18) engaged, characterized in that said at least one hooking device (18) is adapted, in the engaged state, to hook the rail (2) at the core (7), just under the mushroom (8). 2. Press (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least one hooking device (18) is pivotally mounted relative to the frame (3) about the second axis (12). 3. Press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one hooking device (18) comprises a pair of jaws (20) adapted so that, in the engaged state, the jaws (20) hook the rail (2), on either side of the rail (2), along the second axis (12). 4. Press (1) according to claim 3, which comprises several said actuators (5) and in which the jaws (20) of said pair of jaws (20) are mounted movable in translation on the chassis (3) along the second axis ( 12) and are controlled by the control unit (33) capable of coordinating the mobility of the pairs of jaws (20) and of the actuators (5). 5. Press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, along the first axis (11), said at least one picking device (18) successively comprises a first, a second and a third picking devices ( 18a, 18b, 18c) and said at least one actuator (5) successively comprises first and second actuators (5a, 5b), said hooking devices (18) and said actuators (5) being arranged along the first axis ( 11) so that the second hooking device (18b) and the second actuator (5b) are arranged between the first and third hooking devices (18a, 18c). 6. Press (1) according to claim 5, wherein, along the first axis (11), the distances separating respectively the first hooking device (18a) and the first actuator (5a), the second hooking device (18b ) and the second actuator (5b) are less than the distances separating the actuators (5) and the distances separating the hooking devices (18), between them. 7. Press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one hooking device (18) comprises an inner rim (21) extending along the second axis (12) and which is adapted for be placed at the core (7), under the mushroom (8) of the rail (2). 8. Press (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that said flange (21) comprises a groove (25) along said third axis (13). 9. Press (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said flange (21) comprises a free wall (23), rounded convex. 10. Method of using the press (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, for pressing a rail (2) having a core (7) extending between a mushroom (8) and a shoe (6) , the method comprising the following steps: - arrange the press (1) with the or each actuator (5) above the rail (2), and with said at least one hooking device (18) engaged at the level of the core (7), just below the rail mushroom (8) (2); - order one or each actuator (5) to apply a force (F) oriented along the third axis (18) on the rail (2). 11. A method of using the press (1) according to claim 5 or 6, for pressing a rail (2) upwards, the rail (2) comprising a top mushroom (8), a bottom shoe (6) and a core (7) connecting the mushroom (8) to the shoe (6), the method comprising the following steps: - arrange the press (1) with each actuator (5) above the rail (2), and with the second hooking device (18b) engaged at the core (7), just under the mushroom (8) rail (2); - order the first actuator (5a, 5c) to apply a force (F) oriented along the third axis (13) on the rail (2), downwards. 12. Method of using the press (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, for pressing a rail (2) downwards, the rail (2) comprising a top mushroom (8), a bottom shoe ( 6) and a core (7) connecting the mushroom (8) to the shoe (6), the method comprising the following steps: - arrange the press (1) with each actuator (5) above the rail (2), and with the first and third hooking devices engaged (18a, 18c) at the core (7), just below the rail mushroom (8) (2); - control the second actuator (5b) to apply a force (F) oriented along the third axis on the rail (13), downwards.