WO2015108411A1

WO2015108411A1 - Method and device for machining a wheel of a track vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2015108411A1
Application number: PCT/NL2014/050843
Authority: WO
Inventors: El Houssien MRABTI
Original assignee: Mrabti El Houssien
Priority date: 2014-01-20
Filing date: 2014-12-09
Publication date: 2015-07-23
Also published as: NL2012107C2; EP3096914A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for removing material from a wheel of a track vehicle that runs over a rail surface. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a track section (1) of a railway track for a track vehicle to be driven over said track section, the track section comprising two spaced-apart rails (4) extending parallel to each other, wherein a machining device (2) is provided at or near at least one of the two rails, on a side of said at least one rail remote from the other rail, which machining device is designed to remove a flare (11) on a wheel (5) rolling past the machining device over said at least one rail, at least in an operational state of the machining device; b) driving a track vehicle over said at least one rail of the track section; and c) causing the wheel to make contact with the machining device during step b) and removing, during said contact, a flare that may be present on the wheel. The invention further relates to a track section and to a machining device for use with such a method.

Description

Title: Method and device for machining a wheel of a track vehicle

Description

The present invention, according to a first aspect thereof, relates to a method for removing material from a wheel of a track vehicle that runs over a rail surface.

During use of a track vehicle, a flare can form on the tread of a wheel of a track vehicle as a result of the pressure load when the track vehicle is supported on rails via wheels. The flare extends in the thickness direction, i.e. laterally outward, on the circumference of the tread and must not exceed a prescribed critical height. When said critical height is exceeded, the track vehicle may not be used anymore because a situation can develop in which the wheel gets stuck in a switch, for example.

A known method for removing a flare from a wheel of a track vehicle comprises driving a track vehicle, such as a wagon, having a wheel that exhibits burrs or a flare to a vehicle maintenance and repair shop and parking the vehicle therein and subsequently grinding the burrs or the flare from the wheel by hand, using grinding tools, in the workshop. The known method is labour-intensive and costly, however, because the track vehicle must be taken out of service until the flare has been removed. Given the construction of track vehicles, it is not possible, as a rule, to remove a wheel exhibiting a flare from the track vehicle.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention, according to the first aspect thereof, to provide a method as described in the introduction which is less labour-intensive and less costly. According to the present invention, this object is achieved in that the method comprises the steps of:

a) providing a track section of a railway track for a track vehicle to be driven over said track section, the track section comprising two spaced-apart rails extending parallel to each other, wherein a machining device is provided on or near at least one of the two rails, on a side of said at least one rail remote from the other rail, which machining device is designed to remove a flare on a wheel rolling past the machining device over said at least one rail when a track vehicle passes the track section, at least in an operational state of the machining device;

b) driving a track vehicle over said at least one rail of the track section; and c) causing the wheel to make contact with the machining device during step b) and removing, during said contact, a flare that may be present on the wheel.

Thus, a burr or flare that may be present on a wheel of a track vehicle, at least the wheel on the side of the at least one rail, is removed simply by driving over the track section. An advantage of this method is the low labour intensity in comparison with the manual removal of a flare in the vehicle maintenance and repair shop. Another advantage is the absence of the need to take the track vehicle out of service.

German patent DD 248 527 describes a device for deburring flares on wheels of track vehicles which can be used independently of the vehicle type and of the type of machining and which does not require any changes or attachments to the bogie or chassis. This is achieved in that the device is in the form of a brake shoe and comprises a rigid or (re)adjustable forming tool adapted to the profile of the wheel in question. To deburr the vehicle wheel in question, the device is placed on the rail, a predetermined distance in front of the wheel, and the vehicle is gently moved against the device. The wheel makes contact with the tongue of the device, slips slightly and pushes the device ahead. The wheel does not pass the tongue, therefore, which means that, in order to deburr every wheel, such a tongue must be placed between the wheel in question and a wheel directly ahead thereof. After deburring of the wheel has taken place, the tongue must be removed before the vehicle can be placed into service again. This is thus much more laborious than with the present invention, where flares of a wheel are removed while the wheel passes the machining device.

Preferably, the method comprises the additional step, to be carried out prior to or during the aforesaid step b), of setting a position of the machining device relative to the rail in dependence on a thickness of a wheel to be machined. It is advantageous to be able to set the position of the machining device relative to the rail so that wheels of varying wheel thickness can be machined.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of positioning a wheel of the track vehicle that passes the track section in axial direction relative to the machining device, using a positioning device. By positioning the passing wheel in axial direction, the result of the machining process can be improved. The result of the operation will be further improved if the passing wheel and the machining device are aligned and positioned relative to each other.

It is conceivable within the framework of the method according to the invention that the aforesaid steps are carried out on both rails. Providing a machining device on both rails is advantageous because the track vehicle need not be turned for removing the flare on the wheels that pass the track section over the other rail. When used on both rails, it is conceivable that the machining devices on both rails are placed so that the wheels on the respective sides of the track vehicle are machined substantially simultaneously or in succession.

When a track section as described above is used, it is preferable to carry out a metal-removing operation.

Furthermore preferably, the method comprises a cutting operation for removing the material on the wheel.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a track section of a railway track adapted for the use of a method according to the first aspect of the present invention. The advantages of such a track section are analogous to the advantages of the method according to the first aspect and provide a solution to the same drawbacks.

Preferably, the track section comprises a positioning device for positioning a wheel that moves past the machining device in axial direction relative to the wheel flange. The advantage of a track section comprising a positioning device is analogous to that of the above-described method comprising the step of positioning the passing wheel.

It is possible within the scope of the present invention that the aforesaid positioning device comprises a guide provided between the rails at the location of the machining device. The guide is preferably designed to guide the flange of a passing wheel in such a manner that, seen in axial direction, the flange is located on or near the rail. The guide is preferably formed of a metal, wherein the guide may be attached to a rail or to the sleepers.

Preferably, the track section comprises a sensor device for detecting the presence of a track vehicle on the track section. Subsequently, when the presence of a track vehicle is detected, the machining device can be activated on the basis of the detection by the sensor device. It is advantageous to detect the presence of a track vehicle so that the machining device will be automatically activated, so that the track section need not be manned by an operator or be continuously operative. The sensor device may furthermore be provided with several sensors for automatically activating and/or deactivating one or more machining devices on or near the track section.

The track section is furthermore preferably provided with a metal- removing device for removing the flare by means of a machining operation. Metal removing is a machining method that is advantageous in conjunction with the present invention on account of the high machining speed.

Alternatively it is conceivable within the scope of the invention that the track section is provided with a cutting device for removing the flare by means of a cutting operation. A cutting device is advantageous because it can be designed to have a small number of moving parts, as a result of which such a device is a low- maintenance version of a machining device.

In one embodiment of the track section, the track section preferably comprises a plurality of machining devices designed for removing a flare that may be present at least substantially in one revolution of the passing wheel. Machining the entire circumference of the passing wheel in one revolution of the wheel is advantageous with a view to keeping the track section as short as possible. The machining devices are preferably spaced apart by a distance such that there is some degree of overlap between the areas on the passing wheel that are worked by the various machining devices.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a machining device designed for removing material, according to the first aspect of the present invention, from a wheel of a track vehicle that runs over a rail surface, said machining device comprising:

- at least one machining station for removing material from a passing wheel,

- at least one fixing device for fixing the at least one machining station to or near the rail.

An advantage of this machining device in comparison with manual grinding tools is that the fixing means make fixation to or near the rail possible, so that the grinding tool need not be held by hand during passage of the wheel.

The machining device preferably comprises a milling cutter. A milling cutter is quite suitable for use as a metal-removing tool, in view of the high machining speed. It is conceivable in that regard that the milling cutter comprises several bits to increase the machining speed. The use of several bits for each milling cutter is furthermore advantageous with a view to increasing the reliability of the machining device. In the case that one or more of the bits require(s) maintenance, the milling cutter can nevertheless continue to operate with the other bits.

It is advantageous in that regard if the milling cutter has an axis of rotation that lies at least substantially in a plane perpendicular to the rail. This embodiment is advantageous in connection with obtaining a straight finish on the side of the passing wheel.

It is conceivable within the scope of the present invention that the machining device comprises at least one drive unit. The use of several drive units in a machining device has an advantageous effect on the reliability of the machining device because a backup is thus provided in the event of a failure of a drive unit. If the machining device comprises several machining stations, it will be advantageous to use more than one drive unit with a view to distributing the driving load, so that the machining speeds will be substantially maintained while a passing wheel is being machined.

It is advantageous in that regard if the drive unit comprises an electric motor. The use of an electric motor in the present invention is advantageous in view of the fact that electrical facilities are already present near the track section. The use of an electric motor is further advantageous in view of the available moment of torque of such a motor over a large speed range, so that variations in the number of revolutions during the machining of the passing wheel will only affect the machining process to a limited extent.

The machining device preferably comprises an aligning device for aligning the machining device relative to the rail. The provision of an aligning device makes it possible to position the machining device closer to a wheel that passes the track section without the wheel colliding with the machining device.

It is conceivable that the machining device is fixed to the rail by means of the at least one fixing device with a pin-hole combination and an attachment, wherein the pin-hole combination comprises a slotted hole provided in the fixing device for aligning the machining device relative to the rail. This manner of attachment is advantageous if there is little variation in the thickness of the passing wheels, so that a desired setting is obtained by manually aligning the two. It is conceivable that the pin is formed by a bolt-nut combination for clamping the machining device to the rail in a simple manner.

Furthermore preferably, the machining device comprises a cooling device for cooling the tool while material is being removed. It is advantageous to cool the tool, in particular a metal-removing tool, with a view to extending the life of the tool and washing away any residue of the removed flare, which residue could cause damage to the machining device.

It is advantageous within the scope of the invention if the machining device comprises a collecting bin for collecting removed material. The collecting of removed metal is advantageous with a view to preventing fouling of the track section and the surrounding area.

In a preferred embodiment, the machining device comprises a cutting device. The use of a cutting device for removing a flare is advantageous in that it is possible to use a stationary cutting element, so that the number of moving parts is limited. It is advantageous in that regard if the cutting element is elongate in shape and extends parallel to the rail, with the upper side of the cutting element extending directly beside and above the rail tread. A wheel having a flare will in that case be supported on the cutting element with the flare. The weight of the track vehicle causes the flare to be pressed off the wheel. It is conceivable in that regard for the cutting element to have a sharp cutting edge. To obtain a high sturdiness it is advantageous if the cutting element has an obtuse upper side.

The present invention will be explained hereinafter by means of a description of a preferred embodiment of a method and a device according to the invention for removing material, and a device and method according to the invention for removing material from a wheel of a track vehicle that runs on a rail surface by means of a cutting operation, in which description reference is made to the following schematic figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a track section according to the present invention;

Figures 2A-E are schematic side views of a part of the track section of figure 1 for various positions of a wheel to be machined:

Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view of the machining device shown in figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a schematic view along the line l-l in figure 1 , in which furthermore a wheel is schematically shown;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a further preferred embodiment of a track section according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic view along the line ll-l l in figure 5, in which furthermore a wheel is schematically shown.

A preferred embodiment of a track section 1 provided with a machining device 2 according to the invention as shown in figures 1 -4 comprises two rails 4 extending parallel to each other. The rails are connected to the sleepers 3 for fixing the gauge 8, which is defined by the distance between the facing sides of the rails 4.

The wheels 5 of a track vehicle for which the present invention has been developed are provided with a flange 6, which flange forms an upright edge on the wheel that keeps the track vehicle on track, in particular at points. In the straight sections and in gentle curves the track vehicle remains on track mainly because the tyres 7 of the wheels 5 are slightly conical. In use, the pressure exerted on the tyre 7 of a wheel 5 by a track vehicle supported on said wheel results in the formation of a flare 1 1 , also called burr 1 1 , which extends on the side 70 of the wheel in the form of a circumferential edge which is thickened substantially in the axial direction of the wheel 5.

The machining device 2 is provided on a side of a rail 4 of the track section 1 remote from the opposite rail 4, with the machining device 2 being fixed to the rail 4. A mounting bracket 13 provided on the frame 12 is for that purpose placed under the rail 4 in question. Then a clamped connection to the rail 4 is effected by means of a bolt-nut combination 14 and an attachment 15. The machining device 2 can be aligned relative to the rail 4 by means of slotted holes 16 provided in the mounting brackets 13. An alternative mounting method may consist of a device disposed beside the rail 4, for example fixed to sleepers 3, on which the machining device 2 is placed.

In one embodiment (not shown) of a track section comparable to the track section shown in figure 1 , the track section is provided with several machining devices. The spacing between the machining devices is in that case selected so that the various machining devices remove essentially different portions of the flare and that the entire circumference of a passing wheel is deburred. The embodiment of a machining device 2 that is shown in figure 3 comprises several machining stations 17. The machining stations 17 are mounted on a frame 12 by means of a detachable bolt connection so as to make it possible to exchange a machining station 17, for example for replacement and maintenance. The machining stations 17 are provided with a bit 18 that rotates about a horizontal axis of rotation 16, which is designed to debur the passing wheel 5. The operative surface 19 shown in figure 2 of the rotating bit 18 has a radius of 100 mm, at least in the example shown in figure 2, which for the larger part extends to above the rail 4. The fact that the operative surface 19 mainly extends vertically to above the rail 4 achieves that a maximal portion of the flare 1 1 of the passing wheel 5 is removed.

To remove the flare 1 1 over the entire circumference of the wheel 5 while the wheel passes the machining device, several machining stations 17 are provided in the machining device 2 along the rail 4. The machining stations are spaced a short distance apart, so that the working ranges of the stations 17 on the circumference of the wheels 5 rolling past overlap. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, 14 machining stations are provided for a usual wheel diameter of 1 metre for removing the burr 1 1 on the entire circumference during one revolution of the passing wheel 5. The working range of the first station and the last station on the circumference of the wheel overlap to complete the machining process on the entire circumference of the wheel. When track vehicles having smaller wheels are used, both the operative surface 19 of the bit 18 and the number of machining stations 17 can be reduced, although this is not necessary.

The machining stations 17 are driven by an electric motor 20, which is connected to the machining stations 17 via a transmission. The transmission is made up of gears. Alternatively, the transmission may be made up of a chain or a toothed belt. Another alternative embodiment (not shown) makes use of compressed air and a central compressor unit for driving the machining stations 17.

Since the gauge 8 is larger than the spacing between the outer sides of the flanges 6, a positioning device 10 is preferably provided near the machining device 17. Said positioning device 10, which is shown in figure 1 , comprises guides 9 for defining the position of a passing wheel 5 in the axial direction of the wheel, so that the burr 1 1 can be removed with greater precision. In a first embodiment, the guides 9 are provided on the facing sides of the rails 4. In an alternative embodiment of the positioning device 10, the guide 9 is placed so that the flange 6 rolls between the guide 9 and the rail 4 on which or near which the machining device 2 is installed.

The machining device 17 is further provided with a cooling device for cooling and cleaning the bit 18 during the machining operation. The cooling device has a discharge opening for coolants, such as a nozzle 23 near the bit 18. The nozzle 23 is connected to a fluid line 24, through which the coolant is carried to the nozzle 23. Besides cooling the bit 18, the coolant also functions to clean the bit 18 and to discharge removed material. The coolant from the nozzle 23 is collected in a collecting bin 24, together with the removed material. The collecting bin 24 extends in the longitudinal direction of the machining device 2 adjacent to the rail 4. Due to this positioning, the burr on the passing wheel 5 is located vertically above the collecting bin 24, so that the machining residue and the coolant land in the collecting bin 24. The collecting bin 24 can subsequently be emptied by opening the outlet 25 that is provided in the collecting bin 24.

In addition to manual activation and deactivation of the machining device 2, the activation and/or deactivation of the machining device 2 can be automated by using a sensor device. The sensor device comprises a detection sensor 26 on the track section 1 for detecting an approaching track vehicle and a detection sensor 27 on the track section 1 for determining that no track vehicle is present on the rail section 1 . After the presence of a track vehicle has been detected by the detection sensor 26, the electric motor 20 and the cooling device are activated. Following that, after the detection sensor 27 has determined that the track vehicle has left the track section 1 , the electric motor 20 and the cooling device are deactivated.

Figures 5 and 6 show an embodiment in which the machining device is in the form of a cutting device 102. In figure 5, parts corresponding to parts of embodiments described above are indicated by the same numerals. The cutting device 102 comprises a cutting blade 1 18 that extends substantially in a vertical plane. The cutting edge 120 of the cutting blade is disposed parallel to the rail 104 and extends to a level higher than the rail 104. The length of the cutting blade 1 18 is selected to be greater than the circumferential length of the passing wheel 5. Because of this difference in length, the risk that part of the circumference of the wheel 5 will not have been machined after passage of the wheel 5 is eliminated. The cutting blade 1 18 is mounted under the rail 104 via mounting brackets 1 13 connected to the frame 1 12. A clamped connection to the rail 104 is effected by means of a bolt-nut combination 1 14 and an attachment 1 15. The machining device 102 can be aligned relative to the rail 104 by making use of slotted holes provided in the mounting brackets 1 13. The cutting blade 1 18 is connected to a frame 1 12 by means of a bolt-nut combination 130. The vertical position of the cutting blade 1 18 can be adjusted by means of slotted holes provided in the frame 1 12 and the bolt-nut combination 130. The track section 100 further comprises guides 109 for defining the position of a passing wheel 5 in the axial direction of the wheel, so that the burr 1 1 can be removed with greater precision.

Using the track section 1 in combination with the machining device

2, the flare 1 1 on a passing wheel 5 of a track vehicle can according to the invention be removed in the following manner.

A track vehicle is driven over the track section 1 , during which movement a wheel 5 passes the machining device 2. The first machining station 17 makes contact with the wheel 5 and removes a first portion of the flare 1 1 on the circumference of the wheel 5. The second machining station will then remove a next portion of the flare 1 1 on the circumference of the wheel 5. The removal of material on the wheel 5 is thus carried out by successive machining stations 17 so as to have the wheel 5 machined along the entire circumference thereof. The machining ranges of successive machining stations 17 on the circumference of the wheel 5 have an overlap. This overlap prevents a situation in which a flare 1 1 is still present on part of the wheel 5 after the wheel has passed the track section 1. The number of machining stations 17 is selected so that the machining range of the first and the last machining station 17 of the machining device 2 likewise have an overlap on the circumference of the wheel 5. The machining device 2 is set relative to the rail 4 by loosening the bolt-nut combination 14, subsequently setting the spacing between the milling cutter and the rail 4 in dependence on the thickness of the passing wheel 5 and finally tightening the bolt-nut combination 14. Furthermore, the passing wheel 5 is positioned with the flange 6 in the thickness direction of the wheel 5. The flange 6 of the wheel 5 is for that purpose led between a guide 9 and the rail 4.

In another method according to the invention, the above-described method is carried out at both the rails 4 of the track section 1 . The steps to be carried out according to this method are analogous to those of the method in which a machining device is provided at one of the two rails. Using the track section 100 in combination with the machining device 102, the flare 1 1 1 on a passing wheel 5 of a track vehicle can according to the invention be removed in the following manner.

A track vehicle is driven over the track section 100, during which movement a wheel 5 passes the machining device 102. The cutter blade 1 18 makes contact with the wheel 5 and removes the flare 1 1 on the circumference of the passing wheel 5. The machining device 102 is set relative to the rail 104 by loosening the bolt-nut combination 1 14, subsequently setting the spacing between the cutter blade 1 18 and the rail 104 in dependence on the thickness of the passing wheel 5 and finally tightening the bolt-nut combination 1 14. Furthermore, the passing wheel 5 is positioned with the flange 6 in the thickness direction of the wheel 5. The flange 6 of the wheel 5 is for that purpose led between a guide 109 and the rail 104. The height of the cutter blade 1 18 is set by loosening the bolt-nut combination 130, subsequently setting the spacing the height of the cutter blades 1 18 above the rail 104 in dependence on the thickness of the rolled-out portion 1 1 in the axial direction of the passing wheel 5 and finally tightening the bolt-nut combination 130.

In another method according to the invention, the above-described method is carried out at both the rails 104 of the track section 100. The steps to be carried out according to this method are analogous to those of the method in which a machining device is provided at one of the two rails.

In the figures and the above description, the present invention is shown and discussed with reference to a few exemplary embodiments of a track section according to the present invention. It will be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, and that other variants, which may or may not be obvious to the skilled person, are conceivable within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for removing material from a wheel of a track vehicle that runs over a rail surface, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a track section of a railway track for a track vehicle to be driven over said track section, the track section comprising two spaced-apart rails extending parallel to each other, wherein a machining device is provided at or near at least one of the two rails, on a side of said at least one rail remote from the other rail, which machining device is designed to remove a flare on a wheel rolling past the machining device over said at least one rail when a track vehicle passes the track section, at least in an operational state of the machining device;

b) driving a track vehicle over said at least one rail of the track section; and

c) causing the wheel to make contact with the machining device during step b) and removing, during said contact, a flare that may be present on the wheel.

2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

d) setting a position of the machining device relative to the rail in dependence on a thickness of a wheel to be machined prior to or during step b).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of:

e) positioning a wheel of the track vehicle that passes the track section in axial direction relative to the machining device, using a positioning device.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the steps to be completed are carried out on both rails.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterised in that said removing of material is carried out by means of a metal-removing device.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterised in that said removing of material is carried out by means of a cutting device.

7. A track section of a railway designed for removing material from a wheel of a rail vehicle that runs over a rail surface, according to a method according to any one of claims 1 - 6, comprising two spaced-apart parallel rails, characterised in that a machining device is provided on or near at least one of the two rails, on a side of said at least one rail remote from the other rail, which machining device is designed to remove a flare on a wheel rolling past the machining device over said at least one rail when a track vehicle passes the track section, at least in an operational state of the machining device.

8. A track section according to claim 7, characterised in that the track section comprises a positioning device for positioning a wheel that moves past the machining device in axial direction relative to the wheel flange.

9. A track section according to claim 8, characterised in that the positioning device comprises a guide provided between the rails at the location of the machining device.

10. A track section according to any one of claims 7 - 9, characterised in that a sensor device is provided, which sensor device is designed to detect the presence of a track vehicle on the track section.

1 1 . A track section according to any one of claims 7 - 10, characterised in that the machining device is a metal-removing device.

12. A track section according to any one of claims 7 - 1 1 . characterised in that the machining device is a cutting device.

13. A track section according to any one of claims 7 - 12, characterised in that the track section comprises a p of machining devices for removing the flare at least substantially in one revolution of the passing wheel.

14. A machining device designed for removing material from a wheel of a track vehicle that runs over a rail surface, using a method according to one of claims 1 - 6, said machining device comprising:

- at least one machining station designed for removing material from a passing wheel,

- at least one fixing device designed for fixing the at least one machining station to or near the rail.

15. A machining device according to claim 14, characterised in that said at least one machining station comprises a milling cutter.

16. A machining device according to claim 15, characterised in that the milling cutter has an axis of rotation that lies at least substantially in a plane perpendicular to the rail.

17. A machining device according to any one of claims 14 - 16, characterised in that the machining device comprises at least one drive unit.

18. A machining device according to claim 17, characterised in that said at least one drive unit comprises an electric motor.

19. A machining device according to any one of claims 14 - 18, characterised in that the machining device comprises an aligning device for aligning the machining device relative to the rail.

20. A machining device according to claim 19, characterised in that the machining device is fixed to the rail by means of the at least one fixing device with a pin-hole combination and an attachment, wherein the pin-hole combination comprises a slotted hole provided in the fixing device for aligning the machining device relative to the rail.

21 . A machining device according to any one of claims 14 - 20, characterised in that the machining device comprises a cooling device designed to cool the tool while material is being removed.

22. A machining device according to any one of claims 14 - 21 , characterised in that the machining device comprises a collecting bin for collecting removed material.

23. A machining device according to any one of claims 14, 17 - 22, characterised in that said at least one machining station comprises a cutting device.