WO2019057963A1

WO2019057963A1 - Ballast system

Info

Publication number: WO2019057963A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/075787
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergio PÉREZ ANTÓN; Miguel ALBELDA GARCÍA; Antonio GARCÍA RICÓS
Original assignee: Stadler Rail Valencia S.A.U.
Priority date: 2017-09-25
Filing date: 2018-09-24
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Also published as: CL2020000701A1; EP3459808A1; CO2020004934A2; ECSP20023180A; UY37901A

Abstract

A ballast system (5) adapted to modify the mass of a railway vehicle (10), comprising at least one ballast element (4) and at least one ballast receptacle (1) adapted to house each at least one ballast element (4), wherein each at least one ballast element (4) is removable, and the ballast system (5) further comprises at least a guide means (2) adapted to allow introducing each at least one ballast element (4) in or removing it from the ballast receptacle (1), and wherein the at least a guide means (2) are one or more guide rails.

Description

BALLAST SYSTEM

Object of the Invention

The present invention relates to a ballasting system for railway vehicles which allows modifying their tractive load quickly and without losing usable volume in the vehicle. Particularly, it relates to a variable ballast system which allows increasing tractive and braking performances depending on the maximum value of weight per axle allowed by a given infrastructure .

Background of the Invention

For a given traction technology, the weight of the locomotive is the factor defining the maximum load said locomotive can haul (or tractive load) , since the quotient between the weight of the locomotive and the tractive force (referred to as required adhesion) is limited by the contact conditions between the wheel and rail. The infrastructure, including the railway line as a whole, in turn imposes a limit on the maximum weight of vehicles traveling thereon. Today, a weight or maximum load per axle is defined for locomotives depending on their mass and the number and distribution of their axles .

In Europe, several categories of railway track or line are defined depending on the maximum load per axle. In particular, the EN 15528 standard designates the following categories in ascending order of maximum allowable load per axle: alO, al2, al4, A, Bl, B2, C2 , C3, C4, D2 , D3 , D4 , D5 , D4xL, E4, E5 and E6.

A railway vehicle is designed and certified to travel only on those railway lines in which its load per axle is allowable, i.e., for the same vehicle design category and for higher categories. Therefore, a railway operator providing its service on railway lines of different categories usually acquires railway vehicles that can travel on the line of a lower category, so that it can operate on the largest number of railway lines and get an optimal return on its investment.

However, when a railway vehicle travels on a railway line with a load per axle that is lower than the allowable load per axle (i.e., traveling on a line of a higher category), the vehicle hauls a load that is less than the load the line would theoretically allowed according to its category, which translates into a loss of income for the hauled load.

Some methods for modifying the mass of a locomotive and for enabling it to travel on railway lines of a higher category without losing tractive capacity are known. However, these systems require a slow and complex implementation method which, in practice, means completely transforming the structure of the locomotive, generally reducing the usable volume available for loading equipment and fuel .

The present invention proposes a system for quickly and easily modifying the weight of a railway vehicle, such that the tractive load available in the railway vehicle increases by 20%, without losing usable volume in the vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention allows making use of the maximum tractive load that the infrastructure can offer with one and the same vehicle. Description of the Invention

The present invention proposes a solution to the preceding problems by means of a ballast system according to claim 1, a railway vehicle according to claim 12 and a method of modifying the mass of a railway vehicle according to claim 13. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims .

A first inventive aspect provides a ballast system adapted to modify the mass of a railway vehicle , comprising

at least one ballast element , and

at least one ballast receptacle adapted to house each at least one ballast element ,

characterized in that

each at least one ballast element is removable , and in that the ballast system further comprises at least a guide means adapted to allow introducing each at least one ballast element in or removing it from the ballast receptacle .

Throughout this document, ballast will be understood as a mass that is added to a railway vehicle for modifying the adhesion of the wheels on the rail, the ballast element comprising both the ballast itself and the ballast container and other elements that link it to the system and can be attached to or separated from the ballast system. Railway vehicle will be understood as a type of rail vehicle, for example a locomotive or a wagon or coach, suitable for assembling the claimed ballast system .

Advantageously, the ballast elements can be assembled in the system, when characteristics of the infrastructure so require same, by modifying the mass of the railway vehicle and thereby changing both the load per axle of the vehicle and the adhesion between the wheels of the vehicle and the rails, such that the tractive load of the railway vehicle is also modified.

In a particular embodiment, the at least a guide means are one or more guide rails.

Advantageously, the guide rails enable assembling the ballast elements in the corresponding ballast receptacles in a simple manner and without complex and expensive constructive elements .

In a particular embodiment, the at least a guide means are adapted to support each at least one ballast element .

Advantageously, the guide means themselves support the weight of the ballast elements and transmit it to the railway vehicle .

In a particular embodiment, the ballast system further comprises fixing means adapted to keep each at least one ballast element in the ballast receptacle .

Advantageously, the fixing means allow keeping the ballast elements attached to the ballast receptacle, preventing the ballast elements from inadvertently coming out due to the effect of vibrations or movement of the railway vehicle, for example.

In a particular embodiment, the one or more guide rails have a triangular or dovetail-shaped section , one or more first guide rails being arranged in the at least one ballast element and one or more second guide rails being arranged in the ballast receptacle , wherein the one or more first guide rails have a configuration complementary to the one or more second guide rails .

Advantageously, the dovetail-shaped section of a rail allows the ballast element to hang from the upper part of the ballast receptacle, simultaneously fulfilling the function of guiding and holding the ballast element. Alternatively, the rails with a dovetail-shaped section can be arranged on the sides of the ballast receptacle.

Advantageously, a rail with a triangular section allows forming guide means with a constructively simple and robust solution .

In a particular embodiment, the at least a guide means project substantially outwards with respect to the ballast elements .

In a particular embodiment, the at least a guide means project substantially inwards with respect to the ballast elements .

Advantageously, the guide means can project from the ballast element and they can be a notch on the faces thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the ballast system comprises two guide means, first guide means of said two guide means projecting substantially inwards with respect to the ballast elements and second guide means of said two guide means projecting substantially outwards with respect to the ballast elements .

Advantageously, the guide means are a projecting or inserted male-female pair.

In a particular embodiment, the guide means comprise rolling elements .

Advantageously, the guide means with said rolling elements allow movement of the ballast element with reduced friction.

In a particular embodiment, the fixing means are screws or pins .

Advantageously, the screws allow simply and reliably fixing the ballast elements to the ballast system. Alternatively, pins, fasteners, cotters, bolts or the like can be used for securing the ballast elements in the ballast receptacle.

In a particular embodiment, each at least one ballast element is made up of one or more of the elements selected from: homogenous solid material , heterogeneous solid material , liquid material or viscous material.

Advantageously, a readily available dense material is used for ballasting the ballast elements, for example concrete, lead, water, oil, etc.

In a particular embodiment, each at least one ballast element is adapted to be introduced in or removed from the ballast receptacle with the help of a load handling device.

Advantageously, the ballast element can be handled with the help of a heavy load handling device, such as, for example, a forklift, a freight elevator, telescopic handlers, etc.

In a second inventive aspect, the invention provides a railway vehicle characterized in that it comprises a ballast system like the one described in any of the embodiments of the first inventive aspect.

Railway vehicle will be understood to comprise a powered or non-powered vehicle capable of traveling on railway tracks, for example, a locomotive of a train.

In a particular embodiment, the ballast receptacle is part of the structure of the railway vehicle .

Advantageously, the receptacle is made on the actual structure of the vehicle, such that the structure itself allows directly holding the ballast element, without involving additional elements.

In a third inventive aspect, the invention provides a method of modifying the mass of a railway vehicle comprising the steps of:

a. providing a railway vehicle according to the second inventive aspect;

b. moving a ballast element closer to the railway vehicle ; c. introducing the ballast element in a ballast receptacle with the help of guide means d. applying fixing means for fixing the ballast element in the ballast receptacle.

All the method steps and/or features described in this specification (including the claims, description and drawings) can be combined in any combination, with the exception of those combinations of such mutually exclusive features.

Description of the Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood based on the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, provided only by way of illustrative and non-limiting example in reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows an overall view of the railway vehicle with the ballast system.

Figure 2 illustrates one of the ballast receptacles and the guide means.

Figure 3 shows one of the ballast receptacles with the ballast element in place.

Figures 4a-4b show two details of the embodiments of the guide rails of the ballast system.

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a detail of a ballast element .

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention allows modifying the mass (or weight) of a railway vehicle (10) traveling on railway tracks of a category different from the category for which the vehicle has been designed, for the purpose of obtaining a better tractive performance. In this sense, in the case of a railway vehicle (10) traveling on a line of a higher category, ballast is added thereto so that the vehicle can haul a larger load, and in the opposite case of a ballasted vehicle, part of the ballast can be taken out so that the vehicle can travel on a railway line of a lower category.

The ballast system (5) is preferably installed in locomotives with 2, 4 or 6 axles for transporting goods or passengers, or in shunting locomotives designed to travel on railway lines of different categories. In specific cases, the present invention allows obtaining a 20% improvement in tractive performance with respect to the tractive performance of the design .

The ballast system (5) proposed by the present invention allows increasing the mass of the vehicle and thereby increasing the load per axle. For example, a vehicle (10) with six axles designed for class A tracks (with an allowable load of up to 16 t per axle) and equipped with a ballast system (5) with four ballast elements (4) could have the highest possible traction on class B tracks (with an allowable load of up to 18 t per axle) by assembling ballast elements (4) weighing 3 t each, with a minimum adaptation time.

In the exemplary railway vehicle (10) shown in Figure 1, a railway vehicle (10), in this case a locomotive with six axles, is seen with a ballast system (5) like the one described in the present invention. This particular embodiment of the ballast system (5) comprises four ballast receptacles (1) which are part of the actual structure of the locomotive. In this particular embodiment, the ballast receptacles (1) are arranged at the ends of the locomotive, and on both sides of the vehicle, corresponding approximately with the corners, in order to distribute the load between the six axles as homogeneously as possible. Each ballast receptacle (1) has a single ballast element (4) assembled on the guide means (2) and secured in place by means of fixing elements (3) .

Ballast receptacles

The ballast receptacles (1), like the one shown in Figure 2, must be distributed homogeneously in the structure of the railway vehicle (10) for load balancing and distribution reasons; for example, if the system comprises four ballast receptacles (1), they shall preferably be located in the four corners of the locomotive in order to assure homogeneous load distribution in the axles of the locomotive. Furthermore, this arrangement minimizes the loss of usable volume for equipment and fuel of the railway vehicle (10) used in the ballast system (5) .

The arrangement of the ballast receptacles in readily accessible parts of the locomotive allows the ballast elements (4), which are predictably bulky and heavy, to be easily introduced in the corresponding receptacles, for example by transporting the ballast elements (4) by means of a forklift to the level of the guide means (2), and then introducing them in the ballast receptacles (1) .

Another additional advantage of placing the ballast receptacles (1) at the ends of the vehicle (10) is that it allows the ballast elements (4) to be assembled from the sides of the vehicle (10) , at the track level or from a platform, such that the ballast elements (4) can be readily handled with forklifts without a specific infrastructure or additional handling equipment, such as a pit and/or special platforms. This configuration allows assembling the ballast very quickly.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the ballast receptacle (1) is part of the actual structure of the locomotive, so the need for fixing a ballast receptacle (1) external to the vehicle, with the corresponding problems for load support is avoided, where it is used as a whole as a resistant structure of the vehicle.

Ballast elements

Figures 1 and 3 show the ballast elements (4) in a particular embodiment having a quadrangular prismatic shape for easier integration in the structure of the railway vehicle (10) . Furthermore, in Figure 3 the ballast elements (4) have recesses on the sides thereof which are part of the guide means (2) .

To make the handling thereof easier, the ballast elements (4) have a maximum weight of between 4.5 t and 5 t per element (4), such that they can be transported by means of load handling devices available in a railway installation, such as forklifts or telescopic handlers. Therefore, in a particular embodiment with four ballast receptacles (1) the proposed ballast system (5) enables an increase in the total mass of the vehicle (10) of up to 18 tons. In particular embodiments, the ballast elements (4) are steel cases filled with a heavy material. This material can be solid, such as sand, aggregates, concrete, lead, cast iron, etc., or liquid, such as water, fuel, oil, etc. In other embodiments, the ballast elements (4) are solid or hollow concrete elements with a specific shape suitable for being introduced in the ballast receptacles (1) . In other embodiments, the ballast elements (4) are vessels for a fluid, for example water or fuel, which can be partially filled, depending on the increase in mass required.

In a particular embodiment shown in Figure 5, the ballast elements (4) are formed by a plurality of plates, for example steel plates (7), arranged one next to the other forming a stack and attached to one another by means of fastening elements (not shown in Figure 5), such that the load can be adjusted by adding plates (7) to or taking them out of the stack. In the embodiment that is shown, the ballast element (4) comprises six steel plates (7), where the outermost plate (7) has a substantially trapezoidal section. This trapezoidal section allows the adjustment thereof to the gauge defined in a particular line.

Alternatively, the ballast elements (4) can be configured such that several elements (4) can be assembled per ballast receptacle (1) for adjusting the load with greater precision, for example.

It is convenient for the ballast elements (4) in any of the described embodiments to have holes (6) configured for receiving the handling elements of a forklift or the like, or to have in the lower portion thereof a platform with a pallet-type configuration, for optimizing the handling thereof by the mentioned load handling devices. In a particular embodiment, the ballast elements (4) substantially have the dimensions of a standard pallet, for example a Euro-pallet (EUR-pallet, EPAL) . Guide means

The ballast receptacle (1) comprises guide means (2) for making installation of the ballast elements (4) easier. In a preferred embodiment, the guide means (2) have the function of making introduction of the ballast element in the receptacle easier and of supporting the mass of the ballast element.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the guide means are two rails arranged on both sides of the ballast receptacle (1), coinciding substantially with recesses of the ballast element (4) . Said rails having a substantially triangular section allow guiding and supporting the ballast element ( 4 ) .

In particular embodiments that are not illustrated, the rails have different sections (rectangular, trapezoidal, semicircular, etc.), are arranged in other parts of the ballast receptacle (1), for example in the upper part (a dovetail-shaped section which allows hanging the ballast element (4) from the upper wall is particularly advantageous in this case) , can comprise rolling elements (wheels, balls, intermediate bearings) minimizing friction between the guide means (2) and the ballast elements (4), and favoring the assembly and disassembly of the ballast elements (4) .

In another particular embodiment that is not shown, the rails are substantially inclined, i.e., they are not arranged approximately parallel to the plane of the ground, rather the end of the rail located in the innermost part of the ballast receptacle (1) is located closer to the ground than the opposite end. This therefore makes it easier for the ballast elements (4) to stay inside the ballast receptacle (1) as a result of their own weight, regardless of the effect of vibration or lurching. Fixing elements

To keep each ballast element (4) fixed to the ballast receptacle (1), the ballast system (5) further comprises detachable fixing elements (3) . The fixing means which readily assure the immobilization of the ballast elements (4) once they are located inside the ballast receptacle (1) are, in a possible embodiment, a plurality of screws or threaded elements securely attaching the ballast elements (4) to the corresponding ballast receptacle (1) . The ballast element (4) is thereby prevented from inadvertently coming out of the ballast receptacle (1) due to the effect of accidental blows, vibration or lurching, and they therefore comply with the structural safety standards of under frame attached elements.

In a particular embodiment that is not illustrated, the fixing elements (3) comprise a series of pins arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of removal of the ballast elements (4) . For the fixing, the ends of the pins are introduced in a series of complementary housings made in the structure of the railway vehicle (10) .

In a particular embodiment that is not illustrated, the fixing elements (3) comprise a series of clamps or other types of mechanical fixing devices. In a particular embodiment that is not illustrated, the fixing elements (3) comprise an electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic fixing device, for example, formed by a permanent magnet which attracts the steel wall of the ballast receptacle (1) .

Method of operation

The present invention allows modifying the load per axle of a railway vehicle (10) comprising a ballast system (5) like the one described. To that end, the total mass of the railway vehicle (10) is modified by assembling the ballast elements (4) described above. In a possible embodiment, the method of operation can be carried out in a railway station, a stop or the like where load handling devices, such as forklifts, are available.

Once the railway vehicle (10) , for example, a locomotive has come to a stop in the station, a ballast element (4) is taken from a suitable storage site by means of a forklift; the ballast element (4) is moved closer to the locomotive on one side, accessing it from the platform or from the track level, and is placed at the level of one of the ballast receptacles (1), and then introduced in the ballast receptacle (1) with the help of the guide means (2), pushing it with the forklift. The ballast element (4) is then fixed to the receptacle by means of bolts or other fixing elements (3) .

Although it is possible to assemble only one element, for stability reasons, it is convenient to assemble additional elements, and in that case the operation described for each ballast element (4) would have to be repeated.

In another possible embodiment, empty ballast elements (4) are assembled as described, and they are then filled with a heavy material or fluid.

Claims

1. A ballast system (5) adapted to modify the mass of a railway vehicle (10) , comprising

at least one ballast element (4), and

at least one ballast receptacle (1), being part of the structure of the railway vehicle (10) and adapted to house each at least one ballast element (4),

wherein

each at least one ballast element (4) is removable, and the ballast system (5) further comprises at least a guide means (2) adapted to allow introducing each at least one ballast element (4) in or removing it from the ballast receptacle (1)

characterized in that the at least a guide means (2) are one or more guide rails.

2. The ballast system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least a guide means (2) are adapted to support each at least one ballast element (4) .

3. The ballast system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises fixing means

(3) adapted to keep each at least one ballast element (4) in the ballast receptacle (1) .

4. The ballast system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the one or more guide rails have a triangular or dovetail-shaped section, one or more first guide rails being arranged in the at least one ballast element (4) and one or more second guide rails being arranged in the ballast receptacle (1), wherein the one or more first guide rails have a configuration complementary to the one or more second guide rails.

5. The ballast system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least a guide means (2) project substantially outwards with respect to the ballast elements (4) .

6. The ballast system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least a guide means (2) project substantially inwards with respect to the ballast elements (4) .

7. The ballast system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises two guide means (2), first guide means (2') of said two guide means (2) projecting substantially inwards with respect to the ballast elements (4) and second guide means (2'') of said two guide means (2) projecting substantially outwards with respect to the ballast elements (4) .

8. The ballast system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide means (2) comprise rolling elements.

9. The ballast system according to any of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the fixing means (3) are screws or pins.

10. The ballast system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each at least one ballast element (4) is made up of one or more of the elements selected from: homogenous solid material, heterogeneous solid material, liquid material or viscous material.

11. The ballast system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each at least one ballast element (4) is adapted to be introduced in or removed from the ballast receptacle (1) with the help of a load handling device.

12. A railway vehicle (10), characterized in that it comprises a ballast system (5) according to any of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method of modifying the mass of a railway vehicle comprising the steps of:

a. providing a railway vehicle (10) according to claim 12; b. moving a ballast element (4) closer to the railway vehicle (10) ;

c. introducing the ballast element (4) in a ballast receptacle (1) with the help of guide means (2),

d. applying fixing means (3) for fixing the ballast element (4) in the ballast receptacle (1) .