GB2257189A

GB2257189A - A method and machine for correcting the position of a railway track resting on a support bed

Info

Publication number: GB2257189A
Application number: GB9212743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederic Lorscheider
Original assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen Industrie GmbH
Current assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen Industrie GmbH
Priority date: 1991-06-17
Filing date: 1992-06-16
Publication date: 1993-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-16
Also published as: IT1260525B; DE4219256C2; FR2677679B1; ATA121191A; AT400338B; DE4219256A1; GB9212743D0; GB2257189B; ITMI921369A1; RU2041308C1; FR2677679A1; ITMI921369A0

Description

2 d' -, 7 1." j 1 A METHOD AND A MACHINE FOR CORRECTING THE POSITION OF A

TRACK RESTING ON A SUPPORT BED The invention relates to a method for transferring a track resting on a supporting bed into a desired position, wherein the track is lifted by means of a lifting and aligning unit connected to a machine and threaded spindles brought into contact with the track are adjusted in coordination with a reference system spacing the track from the supporting bed - until the position of the track thereby corresponds to the desired position, and relates to a machine for implementing this method.

A machine and a method for correcting the position of a track framework resting on a concrete supporting bed is already known through AT-PS 390 288. Between two undercarriages disposed at the ends this machine has a track lifting and aligning unit which is vertically and laterally adjustable by means of drives, and screwing units immediately following it in the working direction. In the working application, the track is raised into the desired position by the track lifting and aligning unit, vertical threaded spindles connected to the sleepers being rotated by the screwing units in parallel with this operation until they rest on a concrete foundation and thereby support the track. Since in this known machine a major part of the machine's weight acts'on the track which has already been lifted by the threaded spindles, robust spindles expediently have to be used in the region of each sleeper.

The object of the present invention now lies in providing a method of the type specified in the introduction with which it is possible to transfer the track exactly into the desired position while treating the threaded spindles gently.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that all the undercarriages of the machine travel on the uncorrected 2 track section and the track in the rear section of a machine frame which projects over a rearmost undercarriage is lifted into the desired Position, the rear end of the machine frame being supported on the supporting bed while the track is lifted. As a result of this new method and in a particularly advantageous manner, both the weight of the machine and the reaction forces which are a consequence of the lifting and alignment forces for correction of the track position are kept away from the track section which is already in the desired position. This ensures that, with gentle treatment of the threaded spindles, the track which has been transferred into exactly the desired position during the position correction also remains very reliably in this exact position.until the concrete is introduced. Because the machine frame is briefly supported on the supporting bed in the track lifting region. not only can potential tilting of the machine frame reliably be avoided, but primarily the reaction forces resulting from the position correction can also be directly transmitted to the supporting bed. Since the threaded spindles are loaded solely with the weight of the track panel.

they can also be used very economically in a reduced quantity. As a result not only are the initial costs for such spindles reduced, but above all. because the number of screwing operations is limited, implementation of the position correction per se is made easier as well.

An advantageous further development of the method according to. claim 2 reliably eliminates the lifting of the track section which adjoins the correction site and which is already adjusted exactly with respect to its desired position - and thus reliably 30. eliminates any negative effect resulting from the correction procedure.

As a result of the steps in the method specified in claim 3 a particular degree of accuracy can be obtained for the transfer of the track into the desired position, as errors resulting from the elasticity of the frame are virtually excluded in this way from the measurement.

t 3 Because of the measure specified in claim 4 the 'Load is removed from the threaded spindles in the region of the position correction. Moreover, improved resistance is offered to any lateral forces acting as a result of induced stresses in the track. so as to retain the track position exactly after the correction procedure.

The invention also relates to a machine for correcting the position of a track resting on a supporting bed made of concrete or the like, comprising a machine frame movable on undercarriages, a track lifting and aligning unit which is vertically and laterally adjustable by means of drives for.raising and laterally aligning the track, and a reference system for determining the desired position of the track, wherein the track lifting and aligning unit is disposed,In the working direction of the machine, behind the rearmost indercarriage,, this rearmost undercarriage being displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the machine from a rear transit position into a front working position.

A machine designed in this way on the one hand allows problem-free transit and on the other hand, in operational use, enables the machind weight to be re-located - involving only a minimum of conversion work - to the machine region at the front in the working direction. This reliably eliminates the application of a load on the threaded spindles and, furthermoreo enables position correction to be performed without obstruction, avoiding inadmissible rail stresses.

A further development of the machine according to claim 6 on the one hand prevents the machine frame from tilting while the track position is being corrected, and on the other hand also enables the reaction forces resulting from the position correction to be transferred to the supporting bed. An adverse influence on the corrected track position is reliably avoided in this way.

An advantageous development of the machine according to claims 7 and 8 enables the track section which has already been 4 corrected and which adjoins the correction zone to be that in its exact track position it remains totally unafi- lected the track movements in the region of the track lifting and aligning unit.

is The further development according to claim 9 enables the track correction operations to be observed accurately, involving little constructional expenditure.

A further development of the machine according to claims 10 and 11 enables the differential value between the actual and desired position of the track to be accurately obtained and also enables the performed correction operations to be accurately controlled.

The shield assigned to each reflector according to a further development specified in claim 12 reliably eliminates erroneous reference to a wrong reflector.

A further advantageous development according to claim 13 enables the position of the two reflectors with respect to the rail located in the region of the measuring vehicle to be accurately determined both before and after correction of the position.

Finally. a further advantageous development according to claim 14 enables the machine to be quickly converted from the transit position into the working condition, by creating a sufficiently great distance between the track lifting and aligning unit and the rearmost undercarriage in order to create an unobstructed deflection curve.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment represented in the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a machine for correcting the position of a track lying on a concrete supporting bed, Fig. 2 shows a simplified partial plan view of the rear end of the machine, and Fig. 3 shows an enlarged schematic view of the rear machine end in the working direction or the longitudinal direction of the machine according to the arrow III in Fig. 1.

The machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 is essentially composed of a machine frame 2 with undercarriages 3, 4, a motive drive 5 and a motor 6 and a driver's cabin 7. The rear undercarriage 3 - with respect to the working direction-represented by an arrow 8 - has a wheel set 9 which is displaceable from a rear to a central wheel set support 10 and 11 respectively.

Provided in the region of the rear machine end is a track lifting and aligning unit 13 which is vertically and laterally adjustable by means of drives 12. comprising lifting rollers which may be placed against the outside of the rail. In the region of the rear wheel set support 10, this track li.fting and aligning unit 13 is hinged to the machine frame 2 by a central carrier 14 extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine. Provided immediately in front of the track lifting and aligning unit 13 are two supporting props 15 spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the machine and connected to the machine frame 2 so as to be vertically adjustable. Immediately behind the track lifting and aligning unit 13. a measuring trolley 16 is connected to the machine frame 2 so as to be vertically adjustable by means of drives 17. Hinged to the rear end face of the machine frame 2 are two levers 18. spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the machine. each capable of swivelling both about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the machine. In their lower end region these levers 18 are each connected to a supporting roller 20 having mutually spaced wheel flanges 19 and to a drive 21 hinged to the machine frame 2 for the purpose of exerting a vertical force. Central control equipment 22 and a seating facility 23 are provided between the two levers 18. A theodolite 24 with an 6 infrared transmitter or receiver 25 and a range finder 206 is disposed in the corrected rail section lying behind the machine 1. The theodolite 24 is connected by a cable 44 to a cable reel 45 or the computing unit 43 and the control equipment 22.

As is evident in Fig. 3r the measuring trolley 16 is connected to a first reflector 27 for reflecting the light beam emitted by the infrared transmitter 25. Assbciated w1ith this reflector 27 is a shield 29 which may be swivelled by means of a drive 28. The measuring trolley, 16 which has flanged rollers 30 can be expanded selectively against a left or right rail 32 of a track 33 by means of an expanding drive 31. A second reflector 34 with a shield 36 which may be swivelled by means of a drive 35 is connected to the machine frame 2 in the region of the measuring trolley 16. Disposed between the measuring trolley 16 and the machine frame 2 is a first displacement pick-up 37 designed as a cable-operated potentiometer for determining the vertical position change and a second displacement pick-up 38 for determining the position change of the measuring trolley 16, extending parallel to the track plane and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the machine and in relation to the machine frame 2. The track lifting and aligning unit 13 located in front of the measuring trolley.16 has not been shown for the sake of clarity.

The rails 32 of the track 33 are each connected to concrete sleeper blocks 39 spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction. of the track. Vertical threaded spindles 41 are provided in the region of each row of sleeper blacks to space the track 33 from a concrete supporting bed 40. These spindles are each disposed, capable of vertical adjustment, in pairs in a transverse carrier 42 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the track and itself detachably connected to the two rails 32. A plurality of transverse carriers 42 of this kind is arranged so as to be spaced in the longitudinal direction of the track at a distance apart of about 1.8 m.

1 7 The way in which the machine 1 operates is described in more detail below.

After arrival at the site of operation, the rear machine end is raised by lowering the two supporting props 15 on to the supporting bed 40 and the wheel set 9 of the rearmost rail bogie 3 Is removed from the wheel set support 10 and inserted in the central wheel set support 11. It is equally possible, however, for the entire rearmost rail bogie 3 to be moved from its rear into a front working position represented in solid lines. In parallel with this the theodolite 24 is set up and installed on a track reference point. The desired track position data of the track section to be prepared are stored in a computing unit 43 connected to the theodolite 24.

is Correction of the track position begins with each lifting roller of the track lifting and aligning unit 13 being pressed against the outside of the rail and the measuring trolley 16 being expanded against the left rail 32 by means of the drive 31.

The levers 18 are lowered on to the rails 32 with the supporting rollers 20 resting thereon and are loaded by the drives 21 with a force of about 800 kilogrammes weight per rail. The two supporting props 15 are'lowered until they rest on the supporting bed 40. Then a first partial lift is performed by appropriate action upon the drives 12, corresponding to about 80% of the total lift of the track 33 (in Fig. 1 the track lift is exaggerated for the sake of clarity).

After this first partial lift, the measuring procedure begins by the infrared transmitter or receiver 25 of the theodolite 24 being directed automatically at the second reflector 34. The exact position of the reflector 34 in relation to the track 33 is determined by the range finder 261 so that the desired data prescribed for this section of the track are automatically obtained by the computing unit 43 and compared with the actual position data determined by the theodolite 24. The position of the track 33 in relation to the second reflector 34 is known by means of the displacement pick-ups 37 and 38. The 8 first reflector 27 is covered by the shield 29 to eliminate incorrect reference thereto. The second partial lift is performed following the difference value determination, until the displacement values monitored by the displacement pick-ups 37, 38 agree with the difference values obtained previously and indicated on the control equipment.

The track 33, now lifted into the desired position is fixed vertically and laterally by rotating the threaded spindles 41 of the transverse carrier 42 which lie in the region of the track lift by means of appropriate screwing units which are not represented in detail, until the said threaded spindles rest on the supporting bed 40 and a constant, selectively set torque is obtained. The lateral fixing is performed by threaded spindles which are not shown in detail and which extend horizontally and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the track. In addition, however. the threaded spindles 41 located between the track lifting and aligning unit 13 and the wheel set 9 which has been moved forwards are also rotated until the track 33 is also supported in this section on the supporting bed 40 in accordance with the deflection curve. The sleeper blocks 39 which lie in front of the wheel set 9 rest on the supporting bed 40.

When the screwing operations are completed, the second reflector 34 is covered. the infrared transmitter or receiver 25 is- automatically directed at the first reflector 27, from which the shield 29 has meanwhile been swivelled away, and a check measurement Is taken to verify the corrected track position. The drives 12 of the track lifting and aligning unit 13 are then depressurised and the two supporting props 15 are raised until they are above the upper edge of the sleeper blocks 39. The subsequent movement forward of the machine 1, initiated by the motive drive 5, is terminated as soon as the next transverse carrier 42 lies in the region of the measuring trolley 16. When the two supporting props 15 have been lowered between two sleeper blocks 39 on to the supporting bed 40, the process for correcting the track position, described above, is repeated.

9 Instead of the reference system hereindescribed and composed of theodolite, reflectors and displacement pick-ups, other forms of reference system can also be used. such ast for example. a laser transmitter located in the corrected track section and comprising a receiver secured to the measuring vehicle and equipped with a ground glass plate and a matrix camera.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of transferring into a desired position a track resting on a supporting bed, wherein the track is lifted, in coordination with a reference system, by means of a correcting unit connected to an on-track machine and adjustable track supports brought into contact with the track are adjusted until the position of the track spaced from the supporting bed thereby corresponds to the desired position, and wherein all the ontrack undercarriages of the machine travel on the -uncorrected track, the lifting of the track into the desired position is effected in the rear section of a machine frame of the said machine projecting rearwardly past a rearmost undercarriage of the machine, and the rear end of the machine frame is supported on the supporting bed during the track lifting operation.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that during the track lifting operation, vertical forces are exerted on the rails or the track already located in the desired position, in a region adjoining the rear machine end.

1

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the track is raised In a first stage to about 80% of the lift required for the desired position and the deviation of the actual from the desired position is then determined by reference to the reference system and the remaining track lift into the desired position Ls then performed in a second stage.

4. -A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that during the track lifting operation, adjustable track supports are adjusted to support the track not only in the track section located in the vicinity of the correcting unit but also in the track region located immediately in front of the said unit, in the working direction, and extending as far as the rearmost undercarriage of the machine.

5. A machine adapted to correct the position of a railway track located on a supporting bed, by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a machine frame movable on on-track undercarriages, a track lifting and aligning unit which is vertically and laterally adjustable by means of drives for lifting and laterally aligning the track, and a track position. reference system, and in which the track lifting and 12aligning unit is disposed behind the rearmost undercarriage, in the working direction of the machine, and this rearmost undercarriage is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the machine beteen and is disposable selectively in a rear transit position and a forward working position.

6. A machine according to claim 5, characterised in that two machinesupporting props, which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the machine and are connected to the macvhine frame so as to be vertically adjustable.. are provided in the region of the track lifting and aligning unit.

7. A machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that two supporting rollers which are vertically adjustable by means of drives are secured to the rear end of the machine frame and can be brought to bear down on the rails of the track.

8. A machine according to claim 7, characterised in that each supporting roller, which has two flanges mutually spaced apart transverse to the working direction, is connected to a respective lever, which lever extends in the longitudinal direction of the It t, 13 machine and is connected to the machine frame and to the drive so as to be capable of swivelling about a vertical axis and about an axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine and parallel to the track plane.

9. A machine according to claim 8, characterised in that central control equipment and a seating facility are provided between the two levers.

10. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterised in that a vertically adjustable measuring trolley having flanged rollers is provided at the rear end of the machine frame immediately behind the track lifting and aligning unit in the working direction, and is connected to a first reflector for reflecting a light beam serving as a reference line of the reference system.

11. A machine according to claim 10, characterised in that a second reflector for reflecting alight beam serving as a reference line of the reference system is connected to the rear end of the machine frame.

12. A machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that a shield is associated with each reflector, each 14 of which shields may be swivelled about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine by means of a respective drive.

13. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterised in that a first displacement pick-up for determining the vertical position change, and a second displacement pick-up for determining the position change parallel to the track plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the machine, are disposed between the measuring trolley and the machine frame.

14. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 13, characterised in that the rearmost undercarriage is displaceable from a rear travel position into a front working position.

15. A track correcting machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of placing railway track in a desired position, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.