US3012516A - Light tamping machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 12, 1961 P. ALLEMANN LIGHT TAMPING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 11, 1956 Dec. 12, 1961 P. ALLEMANN 3,012,516

LIGHT TAMPING MACHINE Filed June 11, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Ofitice 3,012,516 Patented Dec. 12, 1 961 3,012,516 LIGHT TAMPING MACHINE Paul Allemann, Renens, Switzerland, assignor to Matriel Industriel S.A., Lausannc, Switzerland, and Constructions Mcaniques S.A., Renens, Switzerland, both corporations of Switzerland Filed June 11, 1956, Scr. No. 590,451 Claims priority, application Switzerland June 14, 1955 4 Claims. (Cl. 104-12) There are actually two distinct types of tamping machines in general use. One type comprises the heavy tamping machines built like railway trucks, which, owing to this block the line and can only be used when the time intervals between succeeding trains are sufficiently pro tracted. The other type is represented by individual tamping tools, handled by the workman, sometimes utilized in groups and fed, either from a central source of power (compressors or generators) or by small independent motors, but which in any case allow the ballast to be tamped Without blocking the railway line, and thus allow work to be effected even during the shortest intervals of time elapsing between succeeding trains. It has been possible to fit the large machines with mechanical or hydraulic devices by means of which high-frequency vibrations (for instance 1800 per minutes) of given constant amplitude may be imparted to the tools which compress the ballast, but the price of this is a very heavy construction which explains why these machines can weigh up to 10 or 15 tons. It has also been possible to fit the tamping tools with devices imparting to these tools rapid vibrations of variable amplitude, but without causing these tools to exert'a mechanical compression on the ballast, the compression being imparted by the workman.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide devices which unite the advantages derived from the use of the large tamping machines together with the advantages derived from the use of a light working instrument or tamping tool. Accordingly, the subject of this invention is a light tamping machine for tamping railway line ballast, which is characterized by the fact that it comprises a monorail truck supporting a toolcarrying frame on which the tamping tools are mounted, hydraulic means controlling the symmetrical motion of these tools by which they are brought to move towards one another or to move apart, and a vibrator imparting to this frame vibrations which it transmits to the tools.

As will be seen below, such a'monorail apparatus can be run by a single workman, and two persons are suflicient to enable it to be placed on the line. It is also possible to couple it, for instance in a manner allowing it "to be easily disconnected, to a second similar monorail apparatu's, the assembly thus constituted then making it easier to work simultaneously on the two rails of the railwayline. The two apparatus could eventually be controlled by a single workman.

The accompanyingdrawing illustrates an embodiment of the monorail apparatus according to the present vention, given by way'of an example. 1

FIGURE 1 is a vertic-al'longitudinal section of the tamping machine taken along its plane of symmetry .and shown in its raised position. I

FIGURE 2 is a partial front view, as seen from theleft in FIGURE 1. I

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 1. p

FIGURE 4 is a view of a pivot member as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIGURE 1.

Referringnow to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a tamping machine for tamping railway line ballast comprising a truck carrying a pair of' wheels 3, 3a for engagement with a single rail or track 1. It is to be noted that the tamping machine is symmetrically similar about a vertical center line, and elements on the right hand side of the drawing which are identical with elements on the left hand side of the drawing will be designated with the same reference numeral, but modified with the letter a. i

The truck is generally supported by wheels 3, 3a, which are carried on axles 5, 5a journaled in the depending arms of support brackets 6, 6a. Wheels 3, 3a are provided with flange portions 4, 4a on both sides in a suitable manner to effect a positive engagement between the wheels and the single rail or track. Coupled to one of the depending arms of each of brackets 6, 6a is a tubular frame 7 which at its ends is bent through an angle of approximately near the point of coupling; the tubular frame may be, for example, welded to brackets 6, 6a and forms a fixed horizontal rectangular chassis for the tamping machine. Frame 13 which may also be designated as an intermediate chassis is coupled to frame 7 by means of hydraulic mechanisms. The hydraulic mechanisms or lifting jacks comprise a movable cylinder 11, 11a provided with a piston 10, 10a movable therewithin; it may also be considered that cylinders 11, 11a are movable relative to stationary pistons 10, 10a. Within cylinders 11, 11a there is provided a first space 14, 14a on one side of piston 10, 10a and on the other side thereof a second space 15, 15a. It is well known to provide mechanisms by means of which it is possible to supply fluid under pressure to the space on one side of the pistons 10, 10a and on the other side thereof whereby to cause cylinders 11, 11a to move relative to pistons 10, 10a. Beams 12, are provided for coupling the movable cylinders 11, 11a to the frame 13, which may also be of the tubular type; the opposite ends of the cylinders being provided with an opening through which rods 9, 9a are coupled to pistons 10, 10a on the sides thereof facing the second space 15, 15a and move in a fluid-tight relationship there with. The other end of rods 9, 9a are coupled to one arm of an L-shaped bracket 8,811, for example by means of a weld connection or other suitable fixed connection. The one arm of brackets 8, 8a are coupled to the base of brackets 6, 6a.

As seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, a tool carrying frame for carrying two pairs of tools 26, 26, 26a, 26a is also provided and is coupled to the tubular frame 13 by means of four elastic damping members 17, 17, 17a, 17a. Also coupled to the elastic damping members is a vibrating chassis or frame comprising transverse beam 18, a first pair of depending arms 21, a second pair of depending arms 21a and a pair of horizontal members 20.- Arms 21, 21a and horizontal member 20 may be tubular in form and arranged in a triangular relationship; one end of member 20 is directly connected to one end of arm 2l,the other end of member 20 being directly connected to one end of arm 21a,and the other ends of arms 21 ,"21a' are directly connected to transverse beam-18. Both pairs of arms 21 are coupled to a transverse axialmember 19, and arms 21a are coupled to another transverse axial member 19a, the member 20 having its opposite-ends coupled to axial members 19, 19a. It is to be noted that arms 21, 21a and member 20 define two triangular frames which are symmetrical in all respects.

Tamping tools 26, 26a are carried by tubular mcmbers 23, 23a, the ends of which are coupled to ring members 22, 22a. Hollow tubular arms 24, 24a are. also coupled to ring members 22, 22a within which axial members 19, 19a are journaled. It will be understoodthat whileonly one pair of tamping tools 26, 26a together with its associated members is shown in order to simplify the drawing, two pairs of the tamping tools together with their associated members are provided. Members 23, 23a

are positioned substantially 90 from their associated arms 24, 24a and are fixedly coupled to each other separately from rings 22, 22a by means of stiffening plates 25, 25a, respectively.

The vibrating frame also includes a pair of cylinders 32 fixed respectively to the beam 18 and are each provided with a movable piston 31 movable or slidable within cylinder 32. Coupled to piston 31 is a rod 30 with a free end thereof being provided with a central pivot member 29 coupled thereto for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. As will be noted in FIGS. 1 and 4, tubular arms 24, 24a are adapted to receive for telescopic action therewithin telescope rods 27, 27a. The end of rods 27, 27a outside of tubular arms 24, 24a are coupled to channel members 28, 28a having a central opening provided in the legs thereof for engagement with pivot member 29.

The hydraulic mechanisms or lifting jacks defined by pistons 10, a and cylinders 11, 11a and hydraulic mechanisms or closing jacks defined by pistons 31 and cylinders 32 are generally similar in operation; fluid under pressure may be applied to either side of the pistons in order to move them in a direction towards the low pressure volume. The operation of the lifting jacks may be effected by any well known expedients, and for the purposes of illustration a manually operable control member 16 is shown mounted on the intermediate chassis or frame 13.

The downward motion of the piston 31 in the cylinder 32 simultaneously produces a motion of the two telescope rods 27 and 27a into their housing within arms 24, 24a and a pivoting motion in opposite directions of the two tubular members or arms 23, 23a and thus a moving apart or separation of the two facing tools 26, 26a, i.e. a symmetrical motion, called the opening motion, of the tools. The reverse motion is obtained when the piston 31 moves in an upwardly direction in the cylinder 32.

It is obvious that the mere fact of thrusting tools into the ballast and moving them closer is not sutficient to effect the tamping of the latter. In order to obtain this effect, the tamping machine is fitted with a generator of vibrations operating with a rotating unbalance-of any known type-schematically indicated in FIGURE 1 by a mass 33 which is eccentrically secured to a shaft 34 of a driving motor 35 the housing of which is locked, by means of a nut 36, on a stud or axle 37 secured to a transverse support 38 which in turn is fixed at its ends (FIGURE 3) to the arms 21. The mass 33 can rotate, for instance, at a speed of 3000 rpm. The vibrations are thus transmitted directly to the vibrating chassis (or frame 18) and through the latter to the tools 26, 2611, but not to the other chassis or frame 13 as a result of the intermediation of damping members 17, 17a which only permit the existence in these chassis or frame 13 residual vibrations which have not notable effect on the operation of the tamping machine.

It is of interest to be able to impart vibrations of the tools in any desired direction. In the described tamping machine these vibrations are plane and approximately circular. To this end use is made of any device producing rectilinear vibrations the direction of which may preferably be varied at will. One of these well-known types is of the pendulum mounted kind and is schematically elastic so as to constantly urge the housing 35 towards a mean angular position in relation to the axis of stud or axle 37 of the housing of motor 35. When the mass 33 rotates around the axis of shaft 34, the housing oscillates about the axle 37 and it is only the component of the vibration which goes from the shaft 34 to the stud 37 which is transmitted to the vibrating chassis and therefore to the tools. The mean direction of this component is set by means of the nut 36.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, there is shown two pairs of rail clamps comprising clamping members 41, 41, which are pivoted to the leg of L-shaped bracket 8,

31:. The jaws of the clamping members 41, 41 are adapted to close and grip the rail or track 1, and there is provided chains or ropes 40, 40a or any other suitable mechanisms for opening the jaws which are normally biased to close by means of spring 42 or other suitable mechanism. Spring 42 is coupled to the jaws of clamping members 41, 41.

It will be apparent that the mechanism as shown is in its raised position with the tools out of the tamping position. Fluid under pressure is supplied from space 14, 14a in order to raise the mechanism, and when fluid under pressure is supplied to spaces 15, 15a the mechanism is lowered in order to permit the tools 26, 26a to be placed into the tamping position.

There is no need to carry on with the description in order to see that the jacks (cylinder 11) enable the intermediate frame 13 to be lifted and lowered, and with it the tamping tools, whereas the jacks or hydraulic mechanisms (cylinder 32) enable the latter to be swung round so that the tools 26, 26a either move towards one another or move away from one another.

In FIG. 1 the intermediate frame 13 occupies its upper position and the tools the position in which they are closest together.

By acting on the jacks (cylinder 11), it is possible to lift the tools above the sleeper (FIG. 1), in order to be able to run from one sleeper to the next, and by causing the piston 31 to move downwards, to bring the tools to the position in which they are farthest apart.

Starting from this position, the tools will be lowered into the ballast by means of the jacks (cylinder 11), and at the same time the tools 26, 26a will be brought closer together by means of the pistons 31.

It should be noted that fluid under pressure can be supplied to both chambers 30, both above and below pistons 31, the pistons 31 and the cylinders 32 to move together as a unit for all positions of movement of cylinder 32.

The described apparatus is very light and can easily be 11m along the rail by a single workman holding it by the frame 13. It can also easily be placed on the rail by two workmen lifting it by means of frame 13. In the position shown, the frame 13 is about 30 inches above the rail, which gives an idea of the size of the apparatus.

The pressure fluid required for the jacks and the power needed to drive the vibrator will be supplied, either by means of a motor mounted on an intermediate frame and driving the vibrator and the pump, the latter being also mounted on the intermediate frame, or by means of easily disconnected ducts from a power unit placed on the line, either on a particular vehicle or beside the latter or again on the coupling device, in the case of two tampers coupled together in the course of work effected simultaneously on the two rows of rails.

The frame 7 carries at each end a clamp 41 which seizes the head of the rail and grips it tightly under the influence of the powerful spring 42. The automatic release of these clamps is obtained by means of the chains 40 connecting the clamp to a lug 43 of the cylinder 11 of the jack situated at the corresponding extremity. When the cylinders rise in order to lift the tools out of the ballast, they exert, by means of the chain, a traction on the corresponding clamp which causes the latter to open momentarily. These clamps do not, therefore, require special attention during the work. The clamp could also be controlled by means of a fiuid.

By fitting appropriate connecting means to the apparatus described, the latter may be coupled in an easily removable manner to a second similar apparatus working simultaneously on the other rail; the two apparatus may then be run either each by one workman or both together by the same workman, in which case the two controls would be grouped in consequence.

The tamping machine shown in FIGS. 1-3 is of the type in which the two tools 26, 26a compress the ballast on the same side of the rail; it would also be possible to realize a construction in which the direction of the tools is such that the two tools compress the ballast in a diagonal direction in the angle formed by the rail and the sleeper.

Finally it may be remarked that the entirely tubular construction of the described apparatus gives it a maximum rigidity with a minimum in weight.

What I claim is:

1. A tamping machine for tamping railway line ballast, comprising a first frame including a pair of wheels for engagement with a single track, a second frame supported on said first frame movable therewith along said track and movable in a vertical direction with respect to said first frame, a tool carrying frame supported on said second frame, a pair of tamping tools on said tool carrying frame and pivoted thereto and pivotally movable towards and away from each other on opposite sides of a railroad tie in a direction perpendicular to said tie, vibrating means coupled to said tool carrying frame for imparting vibrations thereto and including a rotary motion device and a mass eccentrically coupled thereto, means on said tool carrying frame and coupled to said tools for moving the latter, elastic means coupling said second frame and said tool carrying frame together, and mean on said first frame and coupled to said second frame for moving both said second frame and tool carrying frame in said vertical direction.

2. A machine according to claim 1 including adjustable means coupling said vibrating means to said vibrating frame, said adjustable means being effective for controlling the vibratory motion imparted to said vibrating frame and said tools.

3. A monorail railway track ballast tamping apparatus comprising a first frame, a pair of Wheels on said frame for engagement with a single track, a second frame on said first frame movable in a vertical direction with respect to said first frame, a tool carrying frame supported on said second frame, a pair of tamping tools on said tool carrying frame and pivoted thereto and pivotably movable towards and away from each other on opposite sides of a railroad tie in a direction perpendicular to said tie, means coupled to said tool carrying frame and coupled to said tools for pivotally moving the latter in said perpendicular direction, said means comprising a hydraulic mechanism including a single cylinder and a piston movable therein coupled between said frame and tools, vibrating means coupled to said tool carrying frame for imparting vibrations thereto and including a motor and a mass cccentrically coupled thereto, elastic means coupling said second frame and said tool carrying frame together, and means on said first frame and coupled to said second frame for moving both said second frame and tool carrying frame in said vertical direction.

4. A machine according to claim 3 including adjustable means coupling said vibrating means to said tool carrying frame, said adjustable means being effective for controlling the vibratory motion imparted to said tool carrying frame and said tools.

References Cited in the file of this patent Great Britain Oct. 8, 1952

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