US3547037A

US3547037A - Track lining

Info

Publication number: US3547037A
Application number: US751271A
Authority: US
Inventors: Franz Plasser; Josef Theurer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen Industrie GmbH
Priority date: 1967-08-14
Filing date: 1968-08-08
Publication date: 1970-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1987-12-15
Also published as: FR1576947A; CH488054A; SE338336B; DE1784513C3; AT304605B; DE1784513A1; GB1244488A; DE1784513B2

Description

United States Patent [72} inventors Franz Plasser; [56] I References Cited Josef'lheurer. J an g 3, na UNITED STATES PATENTS Austria 2,962,979 12/1960 MCCOl'mlCk 104/8 P 7513" 3,149,579 9/1964 Plasser et al. 104/8 [.22] Had Aug. 8, 1968 Dec 15 1970 3,170,4l0 2/1965 Chnstoff 104/8 [451 F 'P A 1967 3,292,557 12/1966 Warwick 104/8 E Pmmy zg 3,301,198 l/l967 Bick 104/7 [3|] Ann/67 FOREIGN PATENTS 657,782 3/1938 Germany 104/8 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch I 54] TRACK LINING Anomeyl(urt Kelman 17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. Cl. 104/8, ABSTRACT: A track liner carrying a lurality of track linin P g 104/7 units spaced from each other in the direction of the track con- [51] Int. Cl E01b tinuously moves in this direction and continuously moves the 33/00, EOlb 33/02 track laterally under the control of a reference system which [50] Field of Search l04/7, 7B, continuously moves with the liner and is associated with each 8, 12 track lining unit.

1 TRACK LINING BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the continuous, nonstop lining of tracks. I v

It has become known in recentyears to line railroad tracks automatically with liners which continuously move on and along the track in a given direction, and which carry track lining units for glidin'gly or rollingly engaging the track rails and for moving the track laterally while the units engage the track rails. In track lining machines which we have manufactured and sold' to railroads in many countries, the track lining units include pairs of adjacent flanged rollers positioned for engagement with a respective track rail at a'lining point. At the commencement of work, these roller lining units are hydraulically lowered into engagement with rails on which the rollers run continuously throughout the entire-lining operation. For this purpose, the rollers are mounted on swivel arms which are pivoted into an inoperative roller position, wherein the rollers are lifted off the track, and an operative position, wherein the flanged rollers engage the trackrails. When lining the track, hydraulic motors which are attached to the mounts for the rollers engaging the two rails and extend therebetween, move both roller units in the desired'lateral direction, and the flanged rollers transmit the lining power to both rails via the flanges of the four rollers. The double flanged rollers on each rail-provide a most effective four-point application permitting continuouslining without affecting the track gage while the track is continuously pressed laterally into the correct position. 1

In automatic continuous lining operations with liners of this type, it has been found that truly accurate lining of each track point requires more time than other track repair or maintenance work, such as grading and tamping of the track. It has not been possible to effectuate such accurate lining in a single operation but it has been necessary to travel over the same track section at least twice, or more often, to obtain the desired alignment with accuracy,

Furthermore, there has also been the danger that lining of one track point will move'the immediately adjacent, previously lined point out of alignment asthe liner proceeds continuously along the track. This, too, has necessitated repeated and successive lining of the same track section so that any errors may be corrected in succeeding lining operations.

All of these difficulties are aggravated with nonstop lining machines since such liners move continuously without stopping atany track pointto make it possible to adjust lateral track movement at any particular and/or to take into account local springback of the track, necessitating further lateral adjustment. It has, therefore, been impossible to produce truly accurate lining with nonstop liners.

It is the primary object of the present invention to overcome these difficulties and to line each track point several times in succession until it finally reaches the desired position while the liner progresses along the track in a single operation and without stopping. The movement of the liner along the track and'the successive lateral movements of each track point is effectuated according to this invention speedily enough to proceed synchronously with other track, maintenance and/or repair work. The invention is most effectively applied tothe type of nonstop liner hereinabove described, which carries rollerlining units.

The above and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the invention by arranging a plurality, i.e. at least two, of the track lining units on the liner so that they are Thus, each unit lines a track po'intin'relation to a suitable reference system to move this track point laterally for a distance determined by the reference system. A single reference system may be common to all units or separate reference may be used for each unit. All units operate simultaneously on successive track points, and successive units progressively move to previously lined points as the liner advances, thus providing for successive lining of each point during a single pass ofthe liner.

Thus, each track lining unit can move the track for a portion of the entire distance required for moving the track into the desired position, a sufiicient number of successive units being provided on the liner so that the last unit is able to make the final correction and move the track into'the desired position. In this stepwise proceeding lateral movement of the track, no point is moved an excessive distance, thus reducing undue displacement of any track point and resultant track tensions. This makes it possible to reduce the lining power requirements and also lowers or eliminates such resultant conditions are counterforces built up in the track, springbacks, and the like.

In our application Ser. No. 682,339 filed Nov. 13, 1967, now US. Pat. No. 3,504,634 we have proposed a track liner with two successively arranged track shifting means. However, no reference system was provided for the forward track shifting means which served merely for a coarse lateral alignment, only the rear shifting means being associated with a reference system for effectuating' the desired track alignment. Also, the machine disclosed in the prior application is not designed for nonstop lining operations but includes grading and tamping means, the latter operations requiring intermittent movement of the machine for grading, tamping' and lining successive, spaced points along the track. This differs fundamentally from the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a track liner according to this invention;

' FIG. 2 is a top view ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the reference system used in the track liner of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 schematically shows the progress of the lining operation carried out in accordance with the invention; and

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate additional embodiments of reference systems useful in track lining according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing and'first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a track liner comprising a frame I mounted for continuous movement on and along the track in the direction indicated by an arrow on running

gears

2 and 3. The running gears are spaced from each other in" the direction of the track and three generally conventional

track lining units

5, 6 and 7 are mounted on the frame, being spaced from each other in the track direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the track lining unit 6 is mounted on the frame 1 between the running gears while the

units

5 and 7 are mounted respectively at the ends of the frame outside the running gears.

In a known manner, each track lining unit is arranged for engagement with the track and for lateral movement of the track when in engagement therewith. Each unit comprises a pair of adjacent tools spaced from each other in the track spaced from each other in the direction of the track. The direction and capable of glidingly or rollingly engaging the track rails 'when the liner moves therealong. Flanged rail enlateral track movementby each unit successively, as the liner continuously moves in this direction, is. controlled by a reference system continuously moving with the liner and associated with each track lining unit. The reference system simultaneously controls all units.

the track rails.

As will be more fully described hereinafter, the reference lines of the reference system used for the lining operation are guided and supported on a series of

successive bogies

8, 9, 10, ll, 12, 13, I4 and 15 mounted for movement with the liner. As shown, the first bogie 8 and the last bogie 15 are mounted on telescoping rods which may be pushed into the frame when the liner is transferred to another site, and the other bogies may be raised into the frame to clear the track during such transfer. In a known manner, the continuous lining operation is automatically controlled by the reference system, amplified feeler pulses from the chord measuring system being directed proportionally to servovalves which in turn, control the hydraulic motors which transversely move the track lining units.

The illustrated reference system is based on the so-called two-chord system using as measuring parameters the ordinates of a long chord and a short chord at each track point to be lined, such a system being described, for instance, in US. Pat. No. 3,343,496.1n the illustrated system, the short reference lines or chords consist of elongated elements, such as rods, tensioned wires or tensioned cables.

The foremost reference line 16 (seen in the direction of forward movement of the liner on the track, as indicated by the arrow) has a forward end fixedly anchored on the first bogie 8 and extends more or less along the centerline or axis of the track to a transversely movable anchoring point on bogie 10 for transversely adjustably holding the rear end of this reference line. Intermediate its ends, the reference line passes between a pair of contacts on bogie 9, which contacts indicate the lateral position of the reference line at the track point where the track lining unit operates. The reference line rod 16 may be longitudinally moved but is held at a predetermined distance from the track axis at the anchoring point on bogie 10. I

The next succeeding reference line l7'has its forward end linked to the anchoring point on bogie and extends to an anchoring point for its rear end on bogie 12, passing intermediate its ends between a pair of contacts on bogie 11, which contacts indicate the lateral position of reference line 17 at the track point where the track lining unit 6 operates. The reference line 18, which follows, has its forward end linked to the anchoring point on bogie l2 and extends to a transversely movable anchoring point on rear bogie for its rear end 15", passing intermediate its ends between a pair of contacts on bogie 14, which contacts indicate the lateral position of reference line 18. Thus, each track lining unit is associated with a short reference line of the reference system which continuously moves with the liner and controls the lateral track movement by each of the track lining units successively as the liner continuously moves in the direction of the arrow, each of the short reference lines extending within the track section to be lined, which is delimited by the long reference line 19.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reference line 19 is constituted by a beam of electromagnetic waves, such as a light beam, which extends from the first bogie 8 to the last bogie 15. For this purpose, a wave emitter (or receiver) 8' is mounted on bogie 8 laterally adjacent one of the track rails and a wave receiver (or emitter) 15 is mounted on bogie IS laterally adjacent the one track rail so that, as best seen in FIG. 3, the long reference line 19 forms a chord ofa circular are formed by the track section to be lined.

A short reference line 20 cooperates with long reference line 19, extending from rear bogie 15 with one ofits ends held in a previously lined track point on this bogie to bogie 13 where its other end is anchored at a track point where track lining unit 7 operates. Intermediate its ends, the short reference line 20 cooperates with a measuring means on measuring bogie 14. This measuring means includes a slit stop 21 mounted on bogie 14 for movement transversely of the track in relation to the long reference line 19. Any suitable drive, such as a spindle drive, may be used to move the slit stop transversely for cooperation with light beam 19. An indicating element cooperating with, and showing the lateral position of,

the short reference line 20 is arranged for transverse movement in response to, and with, the slit stop movement so that the indicating element moves laterally with the slit stop when the latter is driven. The distance of the indicating element from the slit stop always corresponds to the desired lateral track moving distance, i.e. the desired distance between the ordinates of the long reference line 19 and the short reference line 20,

The track 4 is laterally moved by track lining unit 7 at the forward end of short reference line 20 on bogie 13 until the indicating element, which indicates the desired position of the short reference line, coincides with the actual position of this reference line.

The track lining operation illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 proceeds as follows:

First, the forward end of the intermediate reference line 17 on bogie 10 is transversely moved in relation to track 4 until it passes clear between the contacts on bogie 11 at the track point of lining unit 6. The rear end of this reference line on bogie 12 and the ends of the succeeding reference line 18 are laterally moved by the same distance. In this manner, and despite the lateral movement of the forward end of line 17 on bogie 10,

reference lines

17 and 18 form a proper basis for laterally moving the track point at unit 6 in respect of the track axis.

After these adjustments, the forward track lining unit 5 is operated to move the track 4 at this point until the reference line 16 runs clear between the contacts on bogie 9, thus producing a first or coarse alignment of this track point, as shown in FIG. 4.

The operation of track lining unit 6 is controlled by the position of

reference lines

17 and 18, i.e. this unit-laterally moves the track at this point until the reference line 17 runs clear between the contacts on bogie 11. For this lateral movement to bring the track into desired position, it is necessary for the reference line 18, which is linked to the reference line 17 on bogie 12, to run clear between the contacts on measuring bogie 14.

As pointed out hereinabove, the

reference lines

16, 17, 18, may be electrically conductive elongated elements cooperating with pairs of electrical contacts mounted on the respective bogies. The relative position of the reference lines in relation to the contacts, as they pass therebetween, indicates either the desired position when the lines run clear between the contacts, or a deviation from the desired position to the right or left, depending on which contact is touched by the line.

As is best appreciated from viewing FIG. 4, successive points of track 4 are continuously moved laterally from an existing to a desired position by a predetermined distance, each point being moved successively by a portion of this distanceuntil each point has been moved into the desired track position S in a succession of transverse movements, this desired track position being attained by the last track lining unit 7 which is controlled by the reference system consisting of long reference line 19 and short reference line 20. This unit is operated until the anchoring point of the short reference line on bogie 13 at this track correction point is laterally moved with the track on which the bogie rests such a distance that the indicating element on measuring bogie l4 coincides with the position of the short reference line 20, the indicating element having been moved with the slit stop when the slit stop was adjusted so that the light beam 19 passed through the slit of the stop, whereby the desired ratio of the ordinates of the two reference lines was established to determine the desired track position.

In the reference system of FIG. 5, the long reference line 19 is common to the control of all three track lining units while a short reference line cooperating therewith is associated with each unit, the reference line 24 being associated with the rear unit 7, the reference line 22 being associated with the intermediate unit 6 and the reference line 23 being associated with the forward track lining unit 5. While the long reference line 19 extends between front bogie 8 and rear bogie 15, the line from rear bogie to bogie 31, and the line 23 extends parallel to the long reference line between

bogies

32 and 29.

The respective forward ends of the short reference lines are anchored,-respectively, to-

bogies

29, 31, and 33 at the track points where the

track lining units

5, 6 and7 respectively operate. An indicating. element associated with each short reference line measures and compares its ordinate at each lining point in respect of the ordinate of the long reference line at this point and accordingly controls the lateral movement of the track point at each track lining unit in a manner similar to that described in connection with the control of track lining unit 7 in the embodiment of H68. 3. It may be sufficient in many lining operations to measure and indicate the ordinate ratio only at one point, i.e. at the bogie 33, and to units, this measuring parameter at the other two liningunits, too.

Still another embodiment of a useful reference system is illustrated in FIG. 6.-This reference-system, too, is used with three track lining units 5. 6, 7 and moves continuously with the liner in the direction of the arrow, with a first reference line 26 extending from front bogie8to'ananchoring point on bogie 40', passing intermediate its ends at the track point where unit 5 operates over bogie 49. A. succeeding reference line 27 extends from the anchoring points 'on bogie 40' to bogie 41', passing intermediate its endsover bogie 40, the ho gies 49 and 40 carrying the contacts which indicate the position of the respective reference line in the'manner described in connection withthe other embodiments. A. long reference line 39, which may be constituted by a tensioned wire, extends from bogie 40 to bogie 42 and cooperates with short reference line 38 which extends from bogie 41 to bogie 42, the reference system of

lines

38, 39 being associated with, and controlling the operation of, track lining unit 6. Finally, a reference line 27' extends from bogie 42 to an anchoring point on bogie 43', passing over the contacts onbogie intermediate its ends, and a last reference line 28 extends from the anchoring point on bogie 43' to the rear bogie 15,-passing over the contacts on bogie 44 intermediate its ends.

If the

reference lines

26, 27, 27' and 23 are constituted by rods or like rigid elongated elements, theyare linked together at the respective anchoring points-on bogies-40' and 43'. If

desired, the supporting bogies'may be omitted at these linking points since they do not absolutely require a support. Also, if the

reference lines

27 and 28 are constituted. rods, the contacts on

bogies

40 and 44 may be replaced by simple mechanireference system. ln this system, too, a common long reference line chord 59 is used for the control of all lining units, unit 5 being associated with a short chord 53 extending parallel to the long chord between

bogies

55 and 57 while unit 6 is associates with a short chord 52 extending between bogie 56 and bogie 58. The forward end of short reference line 53 is anchored to bogie 55 at the point where unit 5 operates and the forward end of reference line 52 is anchored to the. bogie cal hearings in which the rods are fixed in respect of their distance from the centerline or axis of the track but in which they may be longitudinally movably mounted. This'substitute structure may also be chosen for the support of the

corresponding reference lines

17 and 18 in the embodiment of FIG. 3, where the contacts intermediate the reference line ends may be replaced by simple mechanical bearings.

The lining reference system hereinabovedescribed is substantially that described and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,343,496. It operates, inbrief, as follows;

The forward track lining unit 5 laterallymoves the track 4 until the reference line 16 runs clear between the contacts on bogie 49. The intermediate unit 6 moves the track laterally until the forward anchoring point of short reference line 38 on bogie 41, which is mounted on and moves with the track, has been moved into a position which is indicated by a nonillustrated indicating element associated with the short reference line to be the position wherein the desired ratio of ordinates between the long and short reference line's been attained. This desired ratio depends on the lengths of the

reference lines

38 and 39, and its attainment indicated the desired position of the track at this point. Finally. the unit 4 laterally moves the track 4 into the desired position indicated by the reference line 27' running clear between the contacts on bogie 43.

The embodiment of H6. 7 shows a simplified liner using only two

track lining units

5 and 6 with-a simple associated 56 at the point where unit 6 operates. Lateral movement is again controlled by indicating (in a nonillustrated manner) the ordinates of the short chords in comparison with those of the long chord, which may be a tensioned wire, at the lining point. The ordinate of the long chord may be measured at one point and used at the other point, or it may be determined at each point separately in relation to the respective short chord.

The reference systems working with two reference lines of different lengths, wherein the ratio of the ordinates of the long and short chords is used to control the lining, are based on the teaching in Austrian Pat. No. 227,749. Such systems are also disclosed; for instance, in US. Pats. Nos. 3,314,154 and 3,314,373.

' While the lining apparatus and method of the present invention has been described inconnection with certain specific reference systems, it will be obvious that. any suitable reference system for controlling the lateral movement of the track lining units may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention..lt.is merely required that one or more reference systems are used to enable two or more track lining units to operate simultaneously at successive track points to move the track laterally at these points. This makes it possible to line a track in a continuously progressing manner without stopping the liner at any point.

We claim:

l. A mobile, nonstop track liner for laterally moving a track as the liner continuously moves in one direction on and along the track, comprising:

l. a plurality of independently operable and controllable track lining units arranged on the liner for engagement with the track and for lateral movement of the track when in engagement therewith; a. the track lining units being spaced from each other sufficiently in the direction of the track to operate at successive and separate lining points; and

2. a reference system continuously moving with the liner and associated with each of the track lining units for independently controlling the-lateral track movement by each of said units simultaneously as the liner continuously moves in said one direction. Y

2. The track liner of claim 1, wherein each track lining unit comprises a pair of adjacent tools spaced from each other in the direction of the track, the tools being capable of moving in relation to the trackrails while engaging the same.

3. The track liner of claim 2, wherein said tools are flanged rollers,

4. The track liner of claim 1, further comprising a frame,

two running gears mounting the frame for continuous movement onthe track, the two gears being spaced from each other in the track direction, one of the track lining units being mounted on the frame between the running gears.

5. The track liner of claim 4, wherein two of said track lining units are mounted respectively at the ends of the frame outside said running gears.

6. The track liner of claim 1, wherein a separate one of said reference systems is associated with each rack lining unit.

'7. The track liner of claim 6, wherein the separate reference systems associated with successive ones of the track lining units overlap in the track direction.

8. The track liner of claim 1, wherein said reference system is a system common to all of said track lining units.

9. The track liner of claim 8, wherein the common reference system comprises a series .of successive reference lines, a first one of said reference lines extending from a previously lined track section is said track direction into a track section to be lined whereby said reference lines delimit a continuously advancing track section to be lined adjacent the previously lined track section.

10. The track liner of claim 9, comprising a plurality of successive bogies mounted for movement with the liner, and at least three of said reference lines linked to each other and supported on said bogies, and means for adjustably positioning said reference lines in respect to the track axis.

11. The track liner of claim 1, wherein the reference system associated with at least one of the track lining units comprises a long reference line and a short reference line, said reference lines constituting the chords of a circular arc, and further comprises a measuring means along the short reference line for determining the ordinates of the reference lines,

12. A mobile, nonstop track liner for laterally moving a track as the liner continuously moves in one direction on and along the track, comprising:

1. a plurality of track lining units arranged on the liner for engagement with the track and for lateral movement of the track when in engagement therewith;

a. the track lining units being spaced from each other in the direction of the track;

2. a reference system continuously moving with the liner and associated with each of the track lining units for controlling the lateral track movement by each of said units simultaneously as the liner continuously moves in said one direction;

b. the reference system associated with at least one of the track lining units comprising a long reference line and a short reference line, said reference lines constituting the chords of a circular arc, and further comprising a measuring means along the short reference line for determining the ordinates of the reference lines;

3. a bogie mounted on the track for movement with the liner;

c. said measuring means including a slit stop mounted on said bogie for movement transversely of the track in relation to the long reference line, said long reference line being constituted by a beam of electromagnetic waves; and

4. an indicating element associated with the short reference line, the indicating element being arranged for transverse movement in response to, and with, the slit stop movement, whereby the transverse movement of the track and the bogie mounted thereon adjusts the indicating element in respect of the short reference line.

13. The track liner of claim 12, wherein the short reference line is a tensioned wire.

14. The track liner of claim 12, wherein the short reference line is a rod.

15. A mobile, nonstop track liner for laterally moving a track as the liner continuously moves in one direction on and along the track, comprising:

1. a plurality of independently operable and controllable track lining units arranged on the liner for engagement with the track and for lateral movement of the track when in engagement therewith:

a. the track lining units being spaced from each other sufficiently in the direction of the trackto operate at successive and separate lining points; and

2. a reference system continuously moving with the liner and associated with each of the track lining units for independently controlling the lateral track movement by each of said units simultaneously as the liner continuously moves in one direction:

b. the reference system comprising a long reference line common to all of the track lining units and constituting a chord of a circular arc in relation to which the desired transverse lining movement of the track is determined, at least two short reference lines each having a forward end in said track direction at a respective one of said track lining units, and an indicating means associated with each forward end for measurin and com arin analogous measuring parameters of t e long an shor reference lines, whereby the measuring parameters of the short reference lines are connected in relation to the analogous measuring parameter of the long reference line upon transverse movement of the track into a desired position.

16. The track liner of claim 15, wherein the long reference line determines a section of the track to be lined, and the short reference lines within this section overlap and cross each other.

17. A method oflining a track by continuously moving successive track points along a track section laterally from an existing to a desired position by a predetermined distance, comprising the step of successively and independently moving each of said track points by a portion of said distance until each point has been moved into the desired position in a succession of independent transverse movements.