US3629583A

US3629583A - Track position indicating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3629583A
Application number: US734708A
Authority: US
Inventors: Franz Plasser; Josef Theurer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen Industrie GmbH
Priority date: 1967-06-12
Filing date: 1968-06-05
Publication date: 1971-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-21
Also published as: AT303789B; DE1755720A1; DE1755720C3; GB1238074A; DE1755720B2; CH510784A; FR1571610A; SE335149B; JPS4921669B1

Abstract

In a mobile track liner wherein the track position is indicated by the relative position of a reference line to an indicating element associated and cooperating therewith, a radiation signal is generated which corresponds to this relative position, and the signal is transmitted to a signal-receiving device by a device arranged transversely of the track and responsive to the radiation signal.

Description

United States Patent inventors Franz Plasser;

Josef Theurer, both of Johannesgasse 3, Vienna, Austria Appl. No. 734,708 Filed June 5,1968 Patented Dec. 21, 1971 Priority June 12, 1967 Austria A 5463/67 TRACK POSITION INDICATING APPARATUS 14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. C1 250/83, 33/60, 104/7, 250/106,250/216 Int. Cl G01t1/16, GOlt 1/18 Field of Search 250/71, 83,

106 VC, 216; 104/7 B, 8; 33/60 Primary ExaminerArchie R. Borchelt Attorney-Kurt Kelman ABSTRACT: In a mobile track liner wherein the track position is indicated by the relative position of a reference line to an indicating element associated and cooperating therewith, a radiation signal is generated which corresponds to this relative position, and the signal is transmitted to a signal-receiving device by a device arranged transversely of the track and responsive to the radiation signal.

TRACK POSITION INDICATING APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus associated with a mobile machine for indicating, recording and/or controlling the correction of a track position with a track position indicating element associated and cooperating with a reference line.

The apparatus of this invention is particularly useful in a mobile track like which carries track shifting means, and lines the track with the aid of one or two references lines constituting a chord in an arcuate track section, and cooperating with a track position indicating element, the difierence between the existing and desired ordinates, for instance, or the difference between the measured ordinates along the track serving as parameters for shifting the track laterally into the desired position.

However, the apparatus is also useful in mobile machines designed merely to indicate and/or record the track position as the machine moves along the track, either to determine whether a track section has been properly corrected or for using the record for subsequent track lining operations.

It is a primary object of the invention to transmit a signal corresponding to the track position very accurately and rapidly, and in a manner particularly useful for controlling track correction operations or for recording track positions.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this type which is very simple, has no or few moving mechanical parts, takes up little room and consists only of a few lightweight parts.

The above and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by generating a radiation signal corresponding to the relative position of the reference line and the track position indicating element to each other, and transmitting the radiation signal to a signal-receiving device by a device arranged transversely of the track and responsive to the signal. The signal-transmitting device is fixedly mounted in relation to the track position indicating element at least during the signal transmission.

Such a radiation responsive device is particularly accurate because it does not involve any play caused by mechanical transmission devices with moving parts, such as rotating axles, linkages, cable drives and the like. Such mechanical transmissions also involve the inherent delays in the movement of mechanical parts, for instance if the changing position of the datum line is transmitted mechanically to a moving indicator. Also, radiation responsive devices are much simpler, weigh less and are less subject to breakdowns than mechanical transmissions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING The above and other objects advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of certain now preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein FIG. 1 is a top view of a mobile track liner incorporating the apparatus of this invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the track liner showing one embodiment of this apparatus at the point where the track position is determined;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 and showing another embodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing still another embodiment of the apparatus indicated at IV in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a section along line V-V of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing and first to FIG. I, the apparatus of the invention has been illustrated in associated with a mobile track liner wherein a machine frame I is mounted for mobility on the track by

wheels

2, 2 engaging the track rails 3. We have previously disclosed a number of methods and machines designed to line a track as the machine moves continuously along the track, for instance in 0.8. Pat. Nos. 3,292,557, 3,314,154, 3,314,373, 3,343,496, 3,345,746 and 3,353,249. The present invention is not concerned with any particular lining method or apparatus, and is illustrated merely by way of example in connection with a single reference line moving along the track with the machine frame during lining. As a matter of act, the apparatus of this invention need not be used in direct association with a track position correction apparatus but may also be used merely to indicate and/or record a track position, in addition to being useful to control track position correcting tools, such as track shifting means (not shown in the drawing).

In the illustrated machine, the difference between the existing and desired position of the track at any given point is determined in relation to a reference line 4 which is shown herein, by way of example, to be constituted by a tensioned wire forming a chord in an arcuate track section. The ends of the tensioned wire are carried by front and rear bogies 5, 6 mounted for mobility on the track at points spaced from the machine frame 1. The bogies 5 and 6 are coupled to the machine frame by

telescoping rods

7, 7 which may be extended and reduced in length to vary the distances between the bogies and the machine frame. As shown, one end of the wire 4 is anchored to bogie 5 while the other end is mounted on a reel on bogie 6 so that the length of the wire may be accordingly varied to keep it tensioned at all times.

At the point where the track position is to be determined, recorded and/or corrected, a similar bogie 8 is mounted under the frame I for mobility on the track together with machine frame 1. This bogie carries a part of the apparatus of the present invention.

In the illustrated track liner, one of the track rails 3, i.e., the left one in FIGS. 1 and 4, serves as the datum or basis for correcting the track position. The

bogies

5, 6 and 8 carry means for pressing the same against a selected one of the rails, i.e., the left rail 3 in the illustrated embodiment, to hold the ends of the reference line and the cooperating indicating element in a fixed position in relation to the selected track rail. The present invention is not concerned with specific means for pressing the bogies against a selected rail, pressure fluid operated means for such a purpose being shown, for instance, in our US. Pat. No. 3,334,592. The illustrated means is more fully described and claimed in our concurrently filed patent application, Ser. No. 734,709, and includes a solenoid means 9 which, upon actuation through control circuit 18, pulls the bogie towards the adjacent steel rail 3 which serves as the magnetic field. To reduce friction, a roller is mounted on the solenoid for gliding contact with the rail, the wheels 8' of the bogie having rims pressing against the top of the rail for engagement therewith. In this manner, the running gear of the bogies forms a firm and fixed datum for the ends of the reference line and at the point where the track position is to be determined and/or corrected. Thus, the fixed bogie constitutes a fixed indicating element associated and cooperating with the reference line to determine the track position at any given point where the bogie stands.

According to the present invention, the bogie 8 carries means for generating a signal corresponding to the relative position of the reference line and indicating element to each other, and a device arranged transversely of the track and responsive to radiation for transmitting the signal to a signalreceiving device. The signal corresponds to the distance of the reference line 4 from the one track rail against which the bogie is pressed. The bogie itself thus forms the track position indicating element.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the track position and changes therein at any given point 4' (see FIG. 4) along the track are made visible by an optical system. The bogie 8 carries a fixed calibrated scanning screen viewing point 4' of the reference line, the calibration being in millimeters, for instance, thus generating a signal corresponding to the relative position of this point to the selected rail. This signal, i.e., a light beam, is transmitted by lenses l0 and mirrors 11 which form the optical system which is thus responsive to the radiation constituted by the light beam. The signal is received from the optical system by a viewing screen 12 mounted on the machine frame 1 in front of the operator of the track liner so that he may at all times see the exact position of the track at any given point by comparing the relative position of the projected reference line point 4' on the calibrated scanning screen.

Furthermore, one of the mirrors 11 is semireilective so that one part of the light beam passes therethrough to a recording machine permanently recording the track position during for ward movement of the machine along the track. This recording machine includes a light-sensitive film 13 moving continuously and synchronously with the movement of bogie 8 and machine frame I. The light beam signal transmitted by the optical system will thus make a permanent record on the film 13 which may be used in a known manner to control the lining operation at the time of recording or subsequent thereto, the recorded track position line on the film being used to control the operation of the track shifting means.

This embodiment is particularly useful in continuously lining a track as the machine moves therealong because the operator not only constantly sees the exact track position and its deviation from the desired value but he can also immediately visually observe the track position correction and thus control such correction.

This and the following illustrated embodiments have the advantage of housing the signal generating and transmitting devices on a separate bogie associated with the machine frame while the signal-receiving device serving to indicate, record and/or control the track position are mounted on the machine frame itself.

in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-5, the radiation responsive device for receiving the signal is a radiation intensity meter means, the illustrated means comprising a pair of

meters

14, 14 mounted adjacent the reference line 4 transversely of the track, with the reference line passing therebetween. For instance, the point 4 of the reference line may carry radioactive material and the meters may be Geiger counters. Of course, point 4' may be a source of radiation other than radioactive, in which case the meters would be designed to measure the intensity of such radiation.

The radiation intensity measured by meters l4, 14 gives an accurate picture of the track position, i.e., the distance of point 4' from the selected track rail 3, since the difference between the radiation intensities measured by the two meters is directly proportional to the distance of reference line point 4' from one or the other meter.

The measured radiation intensity is converted in meters 14 into an electrical measuring parameter (ampere, volt, etc.) and this electrical signal is fed to an amplifier V whence it is transmitted to the signal-receiving device.

in H0. 3, the signal is transmitted to a stylo 16 which permanently records the same on a calibrated record sheet 17 which moves continuously and synchronously with the machine. Thus, the sheet 17 will show any deviations of reference line point 4 from the desired position.

In FIG. 4, the signal is transmitted to an indicator dial which can be continuously read by an operator to control the track positioning.

If a given radiation intensity has been predetermined for the desired position of the track, only a single radiation intensity meter may be used, the measured deviation of the radiation intensity from its predetermined value indicating a corresponding deviation of point 4' from the desired position. Each intensity deviation is calibrated to correspond to a corresponding distance of reference line point 4 from the radiation intensity meter.

It would also be possible within the meters and bounds of the present invention to provide a fixed source of radiation and to change its intensity by changing the reference line position, for instance by mounting stops with varying radiation transparency for synchronous movement with the reference line. All t pe of radiation, which may be directly or indirectly influence by the position of the reference line and its changes, are useful in the present invention.

The radiation responsive signal-transmitting device is always much more accurate than mechanical devices us this type, and also function much more rapidly, receiving and transmitting signals which indicate any given track position instantly.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for indicating and establishing the position of a track, which is mounted for mobility on the track:

1. a reference;

2. a mobile apparatus part guided along the track in fixed relation thereto whereby the apparatus part measurably indicates the track position,

a. the reference and the apparatus part cooperating to indicate and establish the position of the track;

3. a device arranged in fixed relationship to the apparatus part during the track position indication and responsive to a radiation signal corresponding to parameters determining track position for receiving and transmitting the the radiation signal, and

4. a device for visibly reproducing the track position determined by said parameters.

2. In the apparatus of claim I, said devices for receiving, transmitting and visibly reproducing the radiation signal corresponding to the parameters determining the track position include an optical system projecting the relative position of the reference to an operator on the apparatus.

3. in the apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical system includes a viewing screen.

4. In the apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical system includes a continuously moving record carrier receiving and visibly reproducing the radiation signal.

5. in the apparatus of claim 4, wherein the radiation signal is a light beam and the record carrier is a light-sensitive film marked by the light beam.

6. in the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device responsive to the radiation signal includes a radiation intensity meter means, the radiation intensity meter means being associated with the reference and the radiation signal emanating from the reference.

7. In the apparatus of claim 6 the radiation signal emanating from a radioactive material and the radiation intensity meter means being a Geiger counter.

8. In the apparatus of claim 6, wherein said radiation intensity meter means comprises a pair of meters, with the reference extending between the meters.

9. In the apparatus of claim 1, a frame of a mobile track liner mounted for mobility on the track, the mobil apparatus part being a bogie separately mounted for mobility on the track, the device for receiving and transmitting the radiation signal being arranged on the bogie, and the device for visibly reproducing the track position being arranged on the mobile track liner frame.

10. ln the apparatus of claim 1, the mobile apparatus part being a bogie mounted for mobility on the track, further bogies mounted for mobility on the track and holding the ends of the reference, and means for holding said bogies pressed against a selected one of the track rails.

11. in the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference is a line, and the radiation signal corresponds to the relative position of the reference line and the mobile apparatus part.

12. In the apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device for visibly reproducing the track position indicates said relative position.

13. In the apparatus of claim ll, wherein the device for visibly reproducing the track position records said relative position.

14. In the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device for receiving the radiation signal controls a correction of the track position in response to the received signal.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for indicating and establishing the position of a track, which is mounted for mobility on the track: 1. a reference; 2. a mobile apparatus part guided along the track in fixed relation thereto whereby the apparatus part measurably indicates the track position, a. the reference and the apparatus part cooperating to indicate and establish the position of the track; 3. a device arranged in fixed relationship to the apparatus part during the track position indication and responsive to a radiation signal corresponding to parameters determining track position for receiving and transmitting the the radiation signal, and 4. a device for visibly reproducing the track position determined by said parameters.

2. a mobile apparatus part guided along the track in fixed relation thereto whereby the apparatus part measurably indicates the track position, a. the reference and the apparatus part cooperating to indicate and establish the position of the track;

2. In the apparatus of claim 1, said devices for receiving, transmitting and visibly reproducing the radiation signal corresponding to the parameters determining the track position include an optical system projecting the relative position of the reference to an operator on the apparatus.

10. In the apparatus of claim 1, the mobile apparatus part being a bogie mounted for mobility on the track, further bogies mounted for mobility on the track and holding the ends of the reference, and means for holding said bogies pressed against a selected one of the track rails.

13. In the apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device for visibly reproducing the track position records said relative position.