WO2018050989A1

WO2018050989A1 - System for welding a protective strip onto a rail fishplate and associated method

Info

Publication number: WO2018050989A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/052388
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrice Boulesteix
Original assignee: Plastiform's
Priority date: 2016-09-19
Filing date: 2017-09-08
Publication date: 2018-03-22
Also published as: EP3516113B1; FR3056231A1; FR3056231B1; BR112019004355A2; EP3516113A1; IL265401A; IL265401B

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for placing a protective strip (12) on an upper surface (11) of a fishplate (6, 7) provided on a first rail (3) intended for being buried, comprising: a frame (15); wheels (16-18), mounted on said frame and suitable for rolling over said rail (3); a dispenser (31) for said strip; a roller (34) for pressing the strip against said upper surface (11); and means (36) for securing said strip, preferably by gluing or welding, to the surface (11).

Description

SYSTEM FOR WELDING A PROTECTIVE STRIP ON A RAIL CHIMNEY AND ASSOCIATED METHOD.

The present invention relates to a device adapted to achieve a seal along a rail buried in a substrate. The invention also relates to a method of implementing such a seal.

For certain rail vehicles, in particular trams, the rails must not constitute an obstacle for pedestrian or automobile traffic on the same platform as that used by the rail vehicle. This is particularly the case when this platform is a road pavement shared by a tramway. The rails are then generally provided buried in a substrate of this platform, so as to be flush with the platform.

As particularly illustrated by the document FR 2 885 372, the rail is preferably provided isolated from the substrate by a system of splints. The splints provide sound insulation, electrical insulation and sealing around the rail vis-à-vis its environment. However, it must be ensured that moisture does not penetrate, or little, between a coating of this platform and the rail. The coating is generally asphalt, in other words an asphalt concrete; the coating may also be concrete or pavers. The document F 2 947 285 proposes to produce lateral splints which may comprise, in particular, a top portion breakable along a break line running through the lateral face, the strip extending on either side of said break line. . Once the coating is laid, the breakable portion is removed, creating a groove that is filled with an in-situ cast seal, preferably a two-component polyurethane seal. However, the preparation of the splice, the implementation and the supply of such a joint are long and expensive. In addition, this seal is put in place when all trackwork and pavement work are completed; Thus, the splint can be subjected several months and sometimes several years to bad weather and traffic, before the establishment of the joint.

The invention aims to provide a fast and economical system for sealing between the rail and the deck of the platform.

According to a first object of the invention, a system for placing a protective strip on an upper surface of a splint equipping a first rail intended to be buried is characterized in that it comprises:

- a chassis ;

- wheels, mounted on the chassis and adapted to roll on the rail;

- a reel for the band;

a roll for pressing the strip against the upper surface; and,

- Means for fixing the band, preferably by gluing or welding, on the surface.

The fastening means may be welding means, preferably means for generating and blowing hot air at the point where the strip is pressed against the surface. The wheels advantageously comprise a drive wheel and a guide wheel, both designed to engage the first rail. Preferably, the system further comprises a stabilizing wheel transversely spaced from the other wheels, preferably adapted to engage another rail parallel to the first rail. The stabilizing wheel can be retractable; it can in particular be mounted at a distal end of a telescopic arm transversely.

The system may also include a roller to hold the web taut between the reel and the pressure roller.

The power unit may be an electric motor, preferably equipped with a variable speed drive; the system may comprise a generator, in particular to supply the engine.

The reel, the pressure roller, the possible tensioner roller and the fastening means are advantageously part of a moving equipment transversely.

The strip preferably comprises a sheet of polyethylene (PE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Advantageously, the band further comprises a mesh glued against the sheet, preferably by welding. The mesh may consist of polypropylene, polyethylene, fiberglass or polyamide yarns. According to another object of the invention, a method for laying a protective strip on an upper surface of a splint equipping a rail intended to be buried uses a system according to the invention.

Several embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view and a system according to the invention being applied to a sealing of a splice of a tramway rail, figure to which the rail is shown in cross section;

FIG. 2 is a view of detail II of FIG. 1; and,

- Figure 3 is a top view of the system of Figure 1.

In the following description and the attached figures, arbitrarily and as a simplification measure, the rail is assumed to be laid horizontally. The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" refer to such a position. This does not exclude that the rail can be placed with a slope or with a non-zero slope, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The figures represent a system 1 according to the invention in a position of use, on a tramway track. The relative positions of different elements constituting the system 1 will be given relative to this way, in this position of use.

Figure 1 shows, in perspective and schematically, the system 1 according to the invention. The system 1 is shown placed on a streetcar track under construction. It is intended to move in a direction F, represented by an arrow in the figures.

The track is intended to be buried in a platform so that the rails are substantially flush with the finished platform. In the figures, only a base layer 2 of the platform has been made. In addition to the platform 2, the track comprises two Y-shaped rails 3, 4.

As particularly illustrated in Figure 2, each rail is protected by a lower splice 5 and two side splints 6, 7. The splints are made of plastic foam, preferably a polyethylene foam. The splints are planned to absorb vibration due to the rolling of the trams on the rail 1 and prevent their transmission to the nearby environment, including neighboring buildings. In addition, they must make it possible to ensure a watertightness between the rail so that the rail is protected from stray currents. The lower splint 5 is designed to wrap the sole of the rail and to rest on the base 2 of the platform. A first lateral splint 6 is designed to fit on the lower splice 5 and to fit the rail on the side of its rolling portion 8. The second lateral splint 7 is designed to fit on the lower splice 5 and fit the rail side of its guide portion 9. The side splints are intended to be mounted substantially flush with the finished platform and the rail.

Each side splice 6, 7 comprises an upper face 11. The system according to the invention is provided to deposit a protective strip 12 on the upper face 11 of each of the side splints 6, 7. The protective strip 12 is provided to protect the corresponding splint of the attacks due:

- the rolling of vehicles, such as cars traveling on a track crossing the rails;

- weather, including rain or UV rays.

In the example illustrated, the protective strip 12 comprises a sheet of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the side splints comprise a matrix of a polyethylene foam chosen to be easily welded together.

In the example illustrated, the system 1 according to the invention comprises:

a chassis 15;

wheels 16, 17, 18;

- a motor group 19;

- a generator, in the form of a generator 21; and, a crew to lay the tape 12.

The frame 15 comprises:

- two longitudinal members 23;

- three sleepers 24-26; and,

- a telescopic arm 27.

In the position of use illustrated in the figures, the longitudinal members 23 are substantially parallel to the rails 3, 4, between the two rails. The sleepers are mounted on the longitudinal members 23, transversely thereto. Among the cross members, a rear crossmember 24 is mounted at the rear of the side members, a front cross member

25 is mounted at the front of the longitudinal members and an intermediate cross member 26 is mounted between the other two. The arm 27 is mounted on the intermediate crossbeam

26; it is mounted sliding transversely relative to the longitudinal members 23. The wheels 16, 17, 18 comprise:

a driving wheel 16 fixed to the front cross member 25;

a guide wheel 17 fixed to the rear crossmember 24; and,

a stabilizing wheel 18 attached to a distal end of the telescopic arm 27.

In the illustrated example, the driving wheel 16 and the guide wheel 17 are both in contact and on a first rail 3; the stabilizing wheel rests on the second rail 4, to the left of the first rail 3 in the advancement direction F of the system 1. The telescopic arm can assume an extended use position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. It can also take a retracted position, which allows to bring the stabilizing wheel 18 of the longitudinal members 23; thus, the transverse size of the system 1 can be reduced when the system 1 is not used, especially during its transport from one site to another or during storage. A pin locks the arm in its extended or retracted position, as needed. The motor unit 19, fixed at the front, drives the driving wheel 16. The power unit is an electric motor equipped with a variable speed drive. The generator set 21 is fastened to both the rear crossmember 24 and the intermediate cross member 26. It supplies the power unit 19.

The system 1 further comprises a crew 30 for laying the band 12. The crew 30 is carried by the rear crossmember 24 and the intermediate crossmember 26. It comprises:

- A reel 31 which comprises a hub 32 carrying two flanges 33;

a pressure roller 34;

a tensioning roller 35; and,

means 36 for welding the strip 12.

In the illustrated example, the crew 30 is positioned to place the strip 12 on the upper surface 11 of the first splint 6 of the first rail 3. The crew 30 is transversely movable, along M, relative to the side members 23, so it can be positioned to be able to lay a strip on the second splint 7 of the same first rail 3, without the need to derail the system 1.

One of the flanges 33 is removable so that the strip 12 can be stored on the hub 32 in the form of a roller. When laying, the strip, which runs from the reel, passes between the pressure roller 34 and the surface 11 of Γ splint. On its path between the reel 31 and the pressure roller, the strip is held taut by the tensioner roller 35.

In the illustrated example, the welding means 36 are a hot air generator. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 2, the hot air generated is blown by a nozzle 37, between the strip 12 and the surface 1 1, at the immediate front of the pressure roller 34, at the point where the strip comes to rest on the surface 11. The strip and the surface are brought to a sufficient temperature so that, pressed against one another by the roller, they are welded together. one to another. The position of the hot air generator is adjustable to obtain precise positioning of the nozzle; the temperature of the supply air is adjustable, to optimize the welding.

In the example illustrated, the longitudinal members and the cross members are made of aluminum. The speed of advance of the laying system 1 is adjustable from a few centimeters per minute to a few meters per minute.

The system 1 is designed to be able to lay strips of at least two different widths. Typically, the width of the upper surface 11 is 50 millimeters on the first splice 6, rolling side, and 20 millimeters on the second splice 7.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments which have just been described but, on the contrary, the invention is defined by the following claims.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in the light of the teaching that has just been disclosed. Thus, other materials may be chosen for the ribs and the band, provided they are compatible and provide the desired seal. Thus, the splints can be wood or rubber.

In addition, instead of being welded to hot air, the tape can be glued. For this purpose, the strip may comprise a layer of adhesive protected by a film removable ; the system according to the invention may then comprise means for removing this film.

Instead of being mounted at the distal end of a telescopic arm, the stabilizing wheel can be mounted at the distal end of a rotating arm so that it can be retracted by folding the rotating arm parallel to the side members.

The generator can also be replaced by other energy generating means, for example, batteries and / or a low voltage supply by the rails.

A method of laying a protection according to the invention is particularly advantageous, since it allows to achieve a seal and protection as soon as reclisse is posed, without waiting for the completion of the construction site of the railway. Thus, the splint, bearing its own protection, is protected throughout this site, including the movement of construction equipment.

Claims

claims

1. System (1) for laying a protective strip (12) on an upper surface (11) of a splice (6,7) fitted to a first rail (3) intended to be buried, characterized in that it comprises :

a chassis (15);

- wheels (16-18), mounted on said frame and adapted to roll on said rail (3);

a reel (31) for said strip;

a roll (34) for pressing the web against said upper surface (11); and,

means (36) for fixing said strip, preferably by bonding or welding, to the surface (11).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means (36) are welding means, preferably means for generating and blowing hot air at the point where the band is pressed against the surface (11).

3. System according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the wheels comprise a drive wheel (16) and a guide wheel (17) provided to engage with the first rail (3).

4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises a stabilizing wheel (18) transversely spaced from the other wheels (16, 17), preferably designed to engage with another rail (4), parallel to the first rail (3).

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the stabilizing wheel is retractable.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the stabilizing wheel is mounted at a distal end of a telescopic arm (27) transversely.

7. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a roller (35) for holding the band tensioned between the reel (31) and the pressure roller (34).

8. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the power unit is an electric motor (19) provided with a variable speed drive.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a generator (21).

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reel (31), the pressure roller (34), the possible tensioner roller (35) and the fixing means (36) are part of a crew (30) movable transversely (T).

1 1. A method for laying a protective strip (12) on an upper surface (11) of a splice (6,7) equipping a rail (3) intended to be buried, characterized in that it uses a system according to one of the preceding claims.