WO2005090139A2

WO2005090139A2 - Method and device for reduction of corrugation of rails, of noise and of reduction of friction between wheel and rail

Info

Publication number: WO2005090139A2
Application number: PCT/SI2005/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bojan Pavcnik
Original assignee: Bojan Pavcnik
Priority date: 2004-03-23
Filing date: 2005-03-21
Publication date: 2005-09-29
Also published as: SI21735A; SI21735B; EP1747134B1; EP1747134A2; WO2005090139A3

Abstract

The subject of this invention is Method and device for reduction of corrugation of rails, of noise, and of friction between a wheel and rail and solves technical problem of lubrication of the rail. The advantages of the method and the device are in particular low use of lubricant with high efficiency, controllably regulated dosage, environmentally friendly device manufactured almost entirely of aluminum distributing very low quantities of biologically degradable medium onto predetermined position, contact-less operation even in sharp curves (small radius), negligible maintenance costs, and cycles of filling with medium are sharply reduced which means rationalization of operation. The lubricating device can be quickly mounted or dismounted using attachment spring (6) which additionally reduces operating costs of the device.

Description

Method and device for reduction of corrugation of rails, noise, and reduction of friction between a wheel and rail

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Technology field

Transport; lubrication; transport on rails; railway traffic

Description of problem

During railway traffic there is increased friction between a wheel rim and a rail in curves. This friction causes noise and increased wear both rails and wheels as well as corrugation of rails. The biggest problems can be found in curves where there is relative sliding between said rail and said wheel causing intensive wear of both as well as noise in curves. Due to synchronized motion of railway vehicles in direction perpendicular to the rails (left-right) and sliding of wheels in curves there is accelerated corrugation of rails which causes frequent grinding of rail heads. In addition, lubrication of rails using lubricating spreaders means that these spreaders may pose obstacle to passing maintenance vehicle for rail maintenance. During passing of vehicles past lubricating spreaders there may be damages to wheel rims due to high velocities as they hit the spreaders as well as their wear. The essence of solution of technical problem is therefore to find such way of lubrication to reduce corrugation (i.e. formation of furrows or waves on the surface of the rail) and wear of metal parts, further, to enable passing of vehicles for rail regulation without hindrance, and use of modern environmentally friendly lubricants, quantity control of lubrication regardless of outside temperature and to reduce use of lubricant.

State of the art

One usually uses greasers (lubricating devices) using graphite grease, however, this grease's characteristics are highly temperature dependent. There are two large groups of existing greasers (lubricating devices), mechanical and those with propelling gas. There are no devices against corrugating of the rails.

The mechanical greasers work by spring forcing lubricant toward the valves which are run over by the wheel rim. Due to higher and higher velocities of the trains these greasers experience mechanical damage both valves and the wheel rims, resulting in expensive maintenance (spare parts problems). Of course the device is not limited to trains but can be used on all vehicles running on rails. The exit control of lubricant may be problematic, the amount of lubricant ejected is dependent on outside temperature. These greasers do not permit use of modern lubricants and require frequent filling of reservoirs with lubricant.

The greasers propelled by gas work in such a fashion that propelling gas forces the lubricant through the nozzles against the rail. These greasers have few shortcomings as well. For example, they are untidy around the greaser, do not permit focusing of spray on predetermined position, and are not outfitted for use of modern lubricants with high efficiency.

Controlled dosage of lubricant is achieved by positioning of two or more sensors which enable time-wise extension of signal duration. The sensors sense passing of rail vehicle and control operation of lubricating device whereby the time of lubricant dosage can be controlled via temporally set device. This control of lubrication requires use of lubricant with high degree of attachability to lubricated surfaces so that the lubricant remains on the rail and the wheel and does not spray around the rail. Thos kind of lubricants must be highly resistant to outside influences such as temperature (sun rays) and common solvents (rain, snow). The downside of this method is that the lubrication does not necessarily achieve desired spot resulting in increased use of lubricant and higher costs as well as higher pollution, in addition, classical lubricating devices mean obstacles for passing of maintenance and other rail vehicles. Description of new solution

The subject of this invention is Method and device for reduction of corrugation of rails, noise, and reduction of friction between a wheel and rail and solves above presented technical problem. The subject of this invention also reduces noise and improves obstacle free passing of vehicles.

The device is comprised particularly of a greaser housing on the rail, attachment spring for attaching said greaser housing on said rail, conduits (tubes) for supplying a lubricant to or through said rail, capturing receptacle for capturing overflow of grease (refuse) from said rail, special embodiment of borehole for supplying said lubricant as well as positioning of a sensor into said rail head. For supply of lubricant onto lubricated surface said rail features borehole, said borehole drilled in such a fashion that its axis in cross section does not run parallel to symmetry axis of said rail or parallel to rail neck but rather forms an angle with symmetry axis of said rail. According to this invention the lubricant is applied through the borehole, said borehole forming sharp angle with symmetry axis of said rail in cross section of said rail, said lubricant applied into arbitrary groove in said rail head. This borehole causes surprising technical effect as it takes over tension and therefore said rail is relieved of stress, while remaining in elastic bounds during full load. Upper surface of said rail features greasing groove which does not significantly impair said rail characteristics.

The borehole through the rail according to this invention relieves said rail stress while the greasing grooves remain within elastic region during the highest loads. Appropriate dosage of lubrication material into particular spot and connecting of several lubrication points with grooves one significantly reduces corrugation of said rail while at the same time lubrication of rail head in area of contact with wheel rims is achieved.

Lubricant comprised of dry component and carrying oil is in this invention supplied through the conduit (lubricating or greaser conduit), this conduit connected to rail head. Then, said lubricant is lead into the arbitrarily designed groove within the rail head, said groove positioned in such a fashion to enable contact between said groove and wheels of passing rail vehicle. The lubricant applied to the rail head and ejected through predetermined point on the rail head is pushed by wheel rim into said groove and around said groove in such a fashion that the carrying oil is pushed in direction from the groove toward inner side of the rail (e.g. in direction between both rails) while the dry component is carried along the rail on the surface of the rail head. In this fashion double effect of applied lubricant is achieved: reduction or prevention of the corrugation and increase of friction coefficient. Said dry component with high aluminum content is spread (carried) along the rail head and creates separating film. The essence of the separating film is to prevent corrugation, and reduces braking length due to higher friction coefficient compared to friction coefficient steel/steel. The amount of lubricant pushed toward inner side (i.e. direction between both rails) of the rail where there are lower pressure loads is extremely efficient in lubricating wheel rims. The wheels carry said lubricant within lubricating area for several kilometers (depending on railway configuration) and serve as spreading elements. Said borehole is, as a rule, positioned on the inner side of the rail, i.e. on the side directed toward space between both rails.

This method of lubricating provides for dosage of the lubricant also in small radius of rail curves where other forms of lubricating devices could be easily damaged.

In the embodiment the greaser (lubricating) housing is attached to the rail with specially formed attachment spring which simplifies assembly and disassembly (mounting and dismounting) and permits unhindered passing of machine for regulation of the railway.

In connection with control mechanism known in the state of the art the advantages of said method and device according to this invention are in particular small use of lubricant with high efficiency and controllably set amount of dosage. Environmentally friendly device is constructed almost entirely of aluminum and applies very small quantities of biologically degradable media to predetermined position. In this embodiment of lubricating the wheels of rail vehicle do not form a direct contact with solid parts of the device (contact-less operation) whereby the wear of rail wheels and parts of device is minimum which provides for negligible or low maintenance costs and increased safety due to damage to wheel rims, said damage occurring sometimes while using mechanical sensors (valves) and spreaders (spreading knives); this danger is important due to higher velocities of trains. The cycles of filling of reservoirs containing lubricants are significantly reduced resulting in rationalization of operation and lubricating materials as well as in reduction of environmental pollution.

The excess lubricant is delivered to capturing receptacle and can be used as raw material for lubricating of other moving parts - e.g. switches, rail intersections etc.

Essence of the invention is further explained below with description of embodiment and attached figures whereby the figures are part of this patent application, and show:

Figure 1 shows rail (1), greaser (lubricating) housing (2), greaser conduit (3), borehole through the rail (4), lubricating (greasing) groove within the rail (5), attachment spring (6), capturing receptacle of excess lubricant on rail (7), adhesive (8).

Figure 2 shows the rail (1), the borehole through the rail (4), lubricating (greasing) groove within the rail (5).

Figure 3 shows the borehole through the rail (4) and lubricating groove within the rail (5).

Figure 4 shows the greaser housing in the rail (2).

Figure 5 shows position of the sensor within the rail head (9).

In the embodiment shown the greaser housing (2) is attached to the rail with attachment spring (6). The attachment spring (6) is formed in such a fashion to be adhere to the rail (1). In embodiment, said spring is of flat cross section which does not limit an essence of this invention as other forms of springs can be used. Said spring with its force pressures the greaser housing (2) onto the rail whereas the greaser housing does not have to be additionally attached (e.g. with screws or rivets) onto the rail. As assembly help for attaching said greaser housing (2) onto the rail (1), and said supply greaser conduit (3) onto the greaser housing an adhesive (8) can be used.

The pumping element supplies the lubricant from the reservoir through the greaser conduit (3) which leads to the greaser housing or through the greaser housing (2) and through the borehole through the rail (4) into the lubricating groove (5) with the rail. The borehole (4) is designed in such a fashion that it is not parallel to the rail neck or parallel to the symmetry axis of the rail. In the embodiment, lengthwise the lubrication groove within the rail (5) is formed in parallel to the direction of the rail, however, the groove can be formed also slanted, in form of an arrow, zig-zag, or in other fashion. The lubrication groove within the rail (5) can connect several boreholes through the rail (4), at least two, among themselves, or, there can be several lubricating grooves originating from the same borehole within the rail. The excess lubricant during dosage is returned through the greaser housing (2) through the greaser conduit (3) into the capturing receptacle of excess lubricant off the rail (7).

Wheel of the rail vehicles sensing sensor (9) is positioned within the same hole as provided for supply of the lubricant, and attachment wire is attached onto the control electronics through the protective conduit. Depending on work regime required two or more sensors can be used.

For regulation, control, and optimization of the method the computer program can be used, said computer program comprising software means for undertaking any of steps according to any preceding description if such computer software is executed on the computer.

It is self evident that above described solution can be performed in other embodiment which does not alter the essence of the invention.

Claims

1. Method for reduction of corrugation of rails and reduction of friction between a wheel and a rail by applying lubricant on said rail, characterized in that the lubricant is applied onto the rail through a borehole into arbitrarily formed groove within the rail head, an axis of said borehole forming a sharp angle in cross section of the rail with symmetry axis of the rail.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a wheel rim pushes the lubricant applied through said borehole onto the rail head before itself into said groove and around it in such a fashion that a carrying oil is pushed toward inner side (in direction between both rails) whereby concurrent prevention of corrugation and increase of friction factor is ahieved.

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a dry component of lubricant spread onto the rail head forms separating film which prevents corrugation while at the same time reduces breaking length of a rail vehicle due to higher friction factor as friction factor steel/steel.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that wheels of said rail vehicle carry the lubricant several kilometers along and therefore serve as carrying element.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it enables dosage of lubricant for small radius of rails where other forms of lubricating devices would be damaged.

6. Device for reduction of corrugation of rails and reduction of friction between a wheel and a rail, characterized in that it is comprised of a reservoir, pumping element for supply of lubricant, a lubricating conduit (3), a greaser housing (2), a lubricating groove within the rail (5), and a borehole through the rail (4), whereby an axis of the borehole forms sharp angle with symmetry axis of the rail.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a capturing receptacle for excess lubricant (7) for capturing of excess lubricant.

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the excess lubricant from capturing receptacle is used as raw material for lubricating of moving parts, such as switches or railing intersections.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lubricating groove within the rail connects at least two boreholes.

10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two lubricating grooves originate from the borehole in within the rail.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove in the rail head is designed in such a fashion that it is in contact with wheel of passing rail vehicle during passing of said vehicle.

12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device does not require disassembly during passing of vehicles.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the greaser housing is attached to the rail by attachment spring.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment of the greaser housing to the rail and of the lubricating conduit onto the greaser housing is achieved by means of lubricant (8).

15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor (9) for sensing of wheels of rail vehicles is positioned in the same borehole as used for supply of lubricant.