US3500762A - Apparatus for indicating and/or producing lateral track alignment - Google Patents

Apparatus for indicating and/or producing lateral track alignment Download PDF

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Publication number
US3500762A
US3500762A US662180A US3500762DA US3500762A US 3500762 A US3500762 A US 3500762A US 662180 A US662180 A US 662180A US 3500762D A US3500762D A US 3500762DA US 3500762 A US3500762 A US 3500762A
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United States
Prior art keywords
track
stop
alignment
beam intensity
intensity
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Expired - Lifetime
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US662180A
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English (en)
Inventor
Franz Plasser
Josef Theurer
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Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen Industrie GmbH
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Individual
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
    • E01B33/00—Machines or devices for shifting tracks, with or without lifting, e.g. for aligning track, for shifting excavator track
    • E01B33/02—Machines or devices for shifting tracks, with or without lifting, e.g. for aligning track, for shifting excavator track for slewing, i.e. transversely shifting, in steps
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
    • E01B35/00—Applications of measuring apparatus or devices for track-building purposes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
    • E01B2203/00—Devices for working the railway-superstructure
    • E01B2203/16—Guiding or measuring means, e.g. for alignment, canting, stepwise propagation

Definitions

  • a beam of radiant energy is used as a reference line and a laterally movable stop is arranged at a track rail point to be aligned.
  • the lateral position of the stop in respect of the reference line bea-m measurably changes the intensity with which the beam is received by a receiver mounted behind that point. This change in intensity is used to indicate the misalignment of the point.
  • the present invention relates to apparatus for indicating the lateral alignment of a track rail point in respect of an associated reference line, and for aligning the track.
  • Such beams of radiant energy have not been used heretofore as reference lines for the lateral alignment of tracks because it was felt that it was not possible accurately to operate with stops which move horizontally transversely of the track. Therefore, the conventional reference lines for lateral alignment of tracks were tensioned wires.
  • Such wires have, however, a number of disadvantages, such as sagging, a tendency to vibrate, etc., and diiiculties in maintaining the tensioning of the wires during continuous operations.
  • the apparatus comprises a track alignment means at this track rail point and the stop is laterally movable in unison with the track alignment means.
  • Such an apparatus advantageously comprises a frame mounted on wheels for mobility on the track rails in a manner which is conventional in track liners.
  • the track alignment means is mounted on-the frame intermediate the wheels, and the reference line beam receiver is mounted on the frame at the rear end thereof, in the direction of operation.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a track aligning apparatus according to this invention, the horizontal arrow indicating the direction in which the apparatus moves on the track .during alignment operation;
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. l in the direction of arrow II;
  • FIG. 3 is a greatly exaggerated schematic view of the operation of the stop at a track rail point whose lateral position is to be indicated or aligned;
  • FIG. 4 is a section along line IV-IV of FIG. 2 and shows an embodiment of the track alignment means and mounting of the stop;
  • FIG. 5 shows a detail
  • the apparatus includes a carriage or frame 1 mounted on wheels for mobility on the track rails 2.
  • Suitable track alignment means 3 is mounted on the frame for laterally moving the track in a selected direction transversely of the track.
  • the track alignment means illustrated by way of example in FIG. 4 includes a pair of levers 3, 3 arranged selectively to engage a respective one of the track rails when the lever is moved into rail engagement (as at the right in FIG. 4) by its hydraulic motor 3a to -rnove the track laterally in the opposite direction.
  • the hydraulic motors may be replaced by any suitable drive means.
  • the track alignment means move the track laterally at a track point R to be aligned.
  • the invention is not concerned with the type of track alignment means used.
  • a laterally movable stop 4 is arranged to track point R to move in unison with the track alignment means.
  • the stop is a transversely extending element mounted on carriage 4b which has wheels supporting the carriage for mobility on the track and for movement with wheeled frame 1.
  • Rail engaging elements 4c, 4c are mounted on each side ofthe carriage 4b adjacent a respective one of the track rails so that the carriage may be held against the selected rail during an alignment operation, depending on the direction in which the track is to be moved for alignment.
  • the stop 4 is mounted on a pair of guides 4d, 4d for transverse movement in respect of the carriage (and the track), a hydraulic motor 4a being provided for effectuating such transverse movement in one or the other transverse direction.
  • these reference lines are constituted by beams of radiation, the radiation consisting, for instance, of electromagnetic waves, such as light rays, infra-red rays, high-frequency waves or other energy.
  • Each radiation beam emanates from an emitter 6 mounted on a bogie 8 arranged ahead of the frame 1 in the working direction of the apparatus.
  • a receiver 7 for each beam of radiation is mounted at the rear of the frame 3 1 in the working direction of the apparatus.
  • Each beam is associated with a respective one of the rails 2 and the distance of the beams from each other is the same as that of the track rails.
  • the ratio of the distances may have a predetermined value other than 1:1.
  • a beam intensity meter is operably connected to each receiver 7.
  • the beam intensity meter may be any suitable photoconductive detector used to detect and/or measure the emitted radiant energy by inducing a varying voltage in an electric circuit and may include a potentiometer, any of the commercially available instruments of this type being useful in the practice of this invention which is not concerned with the specific type of beam intensity detection.
  • a signaling instrument may be operably connected to the beam intensity meter for indicating changes in the metered beam intensity, and such a signaling instrument may visibly show the indicated beam intensity changes in units of length on a suitably calibrated scale.
  • the signaling instrument illustrated by way of example in FIG. 5 includes a rotary recording instrument 9 which is driven synchronously by an odometer 9b which is attached to frame 1 and runs on the track rail to measure the distance of the machine as it moves along the track section during operation.
  • the beam intensity which is converted into a corresponding electrical signal by the beam intensity meter 9, is recorded on instrument 9 by a stylus 9d which is actuated by the electrical signal emanating from the beam intensity meter, the latter being electrically connected to the stylus, as shown.
  • a measuring scale 9c indicates the beam intensity changes.
  • the apparatus also includes aditional reference lines 10 and 11 which constitute chords within the track arc to be aligned.
  • a shorter chord 10 extends from a front carriage 12 through the measuring point M to the track point R to be aligned.
  • An associated longer chord 11 also extends from the carriage 12 through measuring point M but has about twice the length and ends at rear carriage 13 which follows the track alignment machine frame 1 in the direction of operation.
  • Carriages 12 and 13- are coupled to the frame 1 by means of telescoping rods 14 or the like so that their distance from the frame may be Iselected according to local operating conditions.
  • FIG. 3 illustrating a track point which is out of alignment.
  • the stop 4 is not centered in respect to the longitudinal axis of the straight track at this point, thus leaving the one beam 5, shown at the top in FIG. 3, fully free to reach its receiver 7.
  • the other beam on the other hand, is completely covered, i.e.l it is prevented from reaching its receiver.
  • the upper signaling instrument 9 t will show full beam intensity while the lower instrument will show no beam intensity at all.
  • the two signaling instruments could be replaced by a single instrument operably connected to both beam intensity meters for indicating any difference between the metered beam intensities. As long as there is such a difference, the operator would actuate the track aligning means. He would terminate the alignment operation when ng beam intensity difference were shown on the signaling instrument. It will be equally obvious to those skilled in the art, that the signals could be used for automatically actuating the track alignment means and to terminate its operation when the beam intensities of both beams at their respective receivers are indicated as equal, i.e. if there is no difference between them.
  • the stop 4 To adapt the apparatus for use in track curves, the stop 4 must be mounted adjustably in respect of the track aligning means 3 so that it may be variably arranged in positions corresponding to the ordinate of the arc of the curve.
  • the most economical manner of using the apparatus in track curves is that described hereinabove in connection with chords 10 and 11.
  • the stop 4 will then fully cover the reference line beam, partially cover it or permit it fully to pasS to its receiver.
  • the stop will gradually move out of the path of the reference line Ibeam and the beam intensity will correspondingly increase to a maximum value which indicates the aligned position of the track.
  • the stop will move into the reference line beam path to decrease the beam intensity at the receiver.
  • the changes in beam intensity at the receiver are indicative of the position of the track in respect of the reference line and may thus be used to align the track in respect of this line.
  • the position of the stop is always determined by the position of the track.
  • the portion of the stop in the range of the reference line beam path may be of varying transparency so that the beam will not be entirely interrupted when this stop portion is in its path but the semi-transparent stop portion will merely measurably change the rbeam intensity.
  • the measured changes in the beam intensity will indicate the position of the stop in respect of the beam even when the stop is in the path of the beam.
  • These beam intensity changes and the deviation of the beam intensity from the maximum value indicative of the aligned track position may be used as a measurement of the track misalignment at each point and for aligning the track accordingly.
  • the preferred embodiment is that illustrated herein, wherein two reference line beams are used and wherein the stop extends transversely of the track and has the same width as the desired distance of the reference line beams from each other.
  • the intensities of both reference line beams are simultaneously changed by the lateral movement of the stop. This makes it possible most precisely and simply to determine the position of the stop which corresponds to the alignment of the track at this point by comparing the ybeam intensities at their receivers.
  • a recording instrument may be operably connected to the beam intensity meter for indicating a measurable difference of the metered beam intensity from a control intensity value indicating the full beam intensity.
  • a recording instrument may include an endless tape and a stylus to record the track alignment as a function of the measured reference line beam intensity. The tape may be calibrated to show the recorded differences in the metered intensity visibly in units of length. Obviously, where two beams are used, a single recording instrument may be used to indicate measurable diierences between the metered beam intensities.
  • a mobile apparatus for the lateral alignment of a track rail point in respect of a reference system comprising two beams of radiation extending respectively vertically above a respective track rail, comprising (1) two emitters of said beams mounted forwardly in the working direction of the mobile apparatus, each emitter being mounted vertically above a respective track rail,
  • the stop being positioned between the beam emitters and receivers closer to the receivers, (c) the stop being arranged to enter the path of a selected one of said beams, and
  • the mobile apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a common frame carrying the stop, the track alignment means, and the beam receivers.
  • the beam intensity measuring means includes a beam intensity meter operably connected to each receiver.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Machines For Laying And Maintaining Railways (AREA)
US662180A 1966-08-22 1967-08-21 Apparatus for indicating and/or producing lateral track alignment Expired - Lifetime US3500762A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT793866A AT290600B (de) 1966-08-22 1966-08-22 Einrichtung zur Aufnahme bzw. Korrektur der Seitenrichtung von Gleisen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3500762A true US3500762A (en) 1970-03-17

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US662180A Expired - Lifetime US3500762A (en) 1966-08-22 1967-08-21 Apparatus for indicating and/or producing lateral track alignment

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US3500762A (de)
AT (1) AT290600B (de)
CH (1) CH465659A (de)
DE (1) DE1658337A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1198697A (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4534296A (en) * 1983-04-29 1985-08-13 Southern Railway Company Rail gauger

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3270690A (en) * 1962-06-04 1966-09-06 Jackson Vibrators Railway track grading apparatus
US3371619A (en) * 1962-10-15 1968-03-05 Tamper Inc Means for determining track alignment
US3381626A (en) * 1966-03-25 1968-05-07 Jackson Vibrators Track working assembly and control system
US3411455A (en) * 1964-07-21 1968-11-19 Tamper Inc Means for continually and simultaneously surveying and aligning railroad track

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3270690A (en) * 1962-06-04 1966-09-06 Jackson Vibrators Railway track grading apparatus
US3371619A (en) * 1962-10-15 1968-03-05 Tamper Inc Means for determining track alignment
US3411455A (en) * 1964-07-21 1968-11-19 Tamper Inc Means for continually and simultaneously surveying and aligning railroad track
US3381626A (en) * 1966-03-25 1968-05-07 Jackson Vibrators Track working assembly and control system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4534296A (en) * 1983-04-29 1985-08-13 Southern Railway Company Rail gauger

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AT290600B (de) 1971-06-11
GB1198697A (en) 1970-07-15
CH465659A (de) 1968-11-30
DE1658337A1 (de) 1970-09-17

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