AU2007216680A1

AU2007216680A1 - Bridge element

Info

Publication number: AU2007216680A1
Application number: AU2007216680A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lothar Emrich; Walter Schwebius
Original assignee: General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas GmbH
Current assignee: General Dynamics European Land Systems Bridge Systems GmbH
Priority date: 2006-09-08
Filing date: 2007-09-07
Publication date: 2008-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-07
Also published as: ATE494428T1; EP1898001A2; DE502007006161D1; PL1898001T3; DE102006042251A1; EP1898001B1; KR20080023202A; AU2007216680B2; SG141334A1; KR101191325B1; EP1898001A3; CL2007002596A1

Abstract

The bridge section (10), carried by a bridge laying vehicle, gives a choice of laying a long or a short bridge. The base unit (1) has a ramp (2) at each end as a stiff U-profile or closed box carrier with couplings to swing up or down on the bottom chord (1') with a tip (3) to support the ramp unit. When lowered, the ramp forms a continuous road track surface (9) along the bridge.

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas GmbH Actual Inventor(s): Lothar Emrich, Walter Schwebius Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: BRIDGE ELEMENT Our Ref: 809577 POF Code: 1330/483793 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1o00B 2 Bridge element This application claims priority from German Application No.10 2006 042 251.1 filed on 8 September 2006, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference.

The invention concerns bridge elements to be carried on a transport and bridgelaying vehicle with a bridge-laying equipment, in particular a bridge-laying tank, to build alternately short or long bridges.

00O N 10 Only at the beginning of the 70s of the 20 th century was a flat, layable bridge with a span of 22 m introduced, the two halves of which could be transported on a bridge-laying tank and fully automatically coupled to form a long bridge. With the Oaid of the bridge-laying equipment of the tank this long bridge can be advanced and laid over the obstacle to be overcome in a self-supporting manner. A reversing of the procedure is also possible.

Since a bridge length of 22 m is not always required, a short bridge of 11 m length was constructed in accordance with the design principle of the long bridge, that can be laid using the same laying equipment. The laying equipment itself was so modified that the bridge-laying tank can transport either one long bridge or two short bridges.

Soon a certain deficiency became obvious, namely that before loading the bridgelaying tank a decision has to be made, whether one long bridge or two short bridges will be deployed. Consequently a rapid reaction to changing requirements is not possible.

From EP 0 374 019 Al a bridge element of the generic type is known. This basically comprises a stationary ramp, a pivotable track platform as upper girder of a framework and a lower girder. The track platform is attached to the stationary ramp with the aid of a hinge and has a foldable ramp tip that can be locked with the lower girder. The displaceable track platform is raised and lowered with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder, mounted either on the bridge-laying vehicle or on the lower girder. Thus the framework constructed in this manner is statically determined and capable to function, the lower girder is also constructed flexurally rigid. The ramp tip is the carrying component of the framework and consequently also has to be dimensioned with a flexural strength.

The displaceable track platform is under load with local bending and normal O forces acting, irrespective whether it is used as a short bridge or part of a long Nbridge. When used as a short bridge. i.e. with lowered track platform, the rigidity of the framework of the bridge is achieved purely by the firm locking of the track platform and the lower girder.

From DE-G 94 12 270 U1 and EP 0 391 149 B2 further bridge elements of similar 00 construction are known. The lower girder has to be flexurally rigid in this case Ialso, so that the framework, comprising the stationary ramp element, displaceable track platform and lower girder is statically determined and Sconsequently is load-bearing.

A further bridge element to build alternately short or long bridges which can be laid by means of a bridge-laying vehicle is known from EP 0 916 769 B. This bridge element has a single foldable ramp with a foldable ramp tip and a lower girder, formed by two flexible tension girders which in the region of the foldable ramp are joined by a transverse beam to ensure the required stability and shape.

This ramp extends over half the length of the bridge element. In the raised position of the ramp the ramp tip is joined in a flexurally rigid manner with a coupling mounted on the lower girder. To complete the long bridge couplings are provided on the upper girders also, while simple claw couplings will suffice, as only pressure forces are present, This asymmetry of the bridge element hinders its handling. Thus, for example, after taking up a short bridge from the opposite side a long bridge can be laid only after a bridge element is rotated by 1800 about its vertical axis. The known bridge-laying equipment is, however, not capable to do this.

It is understood, that to move the bridge elements and the bridges produced from them, trolleys are required, comprising sets or rollers on the one hand and tracks on the other. In many bridge systems the tracks are components of the bridge element, the sets of rollers are components of the laying equipment mounted on the bridge-laying vehicle. The tracks are subjected to great wear. For this reason these bridge elements have to be often repaired. The alternative is to manufacture the tracks from steel, thus increasing their weight. Both solutions are unsatisfactory.

A further common disadvantage of the bridge elements mentioned is that they can be used either only for a short bridge or only for a two-module long bridge.

SThus the application is clearly limited.

00 From EP 0 757 132 B1 a tank bridge with a folding transverse carrier is known.

IDThe stabilisation is carried out by means of spring elements. The rollers are on the bridge, the tracks on the bridge-laying vehicle.

From EP 0 685 599 B1 a bridge-laying system with a displaceable laying beam is known. In this case too the rollers are provided on the bridge, the tracks on the bridge-laying vehicle.

EP 0 757 131 B1 describes a coupling system to join the bridge modules. The rollers are mounted on the bridge, the tracks on the bridge-laying vehicle.

The objective of this present invention is to provide bridge elements, the application of which can be greatly varied and, if required, any number can be joined to form a bridge.

This objective is achieved by bridge elements having the following features: a base element, dimensioned as a flexurally rigid carrier with lower girder and track, at least one ramp hingedly joined to the base element, formed by a ramp base with a displaceably joined ramp tip, characterised by the features: ramps are attached to both ends of the base element, the ramp base is dimensioned as a flexurally rigid U-section or as an enclosed box carrier, and with the aid of couplings can be joined in a flexurally rigid manner with the base element both in the raised and the lowered position, the ramp tip O is attached to the ramp base, N in the extended end position forms the ramp with the ramp base and in the angled end position stands on the lower girder, the length of the ramp tip and the position of the couplings are so harmonised, that in the raised position the ramp base forms with the base element a flat track, 00 on the free ends of the lower girder tension couplings are provided, IO* on the free ends of the ramp base pressure couplings are provided, on the base element carrier elements with carrier rollers are provided, on the ramp base control elements with a control roller are provided, the carrier and control elements interact with the bridge-laying equipment carried on the vehicle, and with an erecting rail provided on the bridge-laying equipment.

In an advantageous manner in the case of the bridge system according to the invention with foldable ramps at each end the vertical movement of the ramps is also used to operate the bridge-laying system.

The sets of rollers are fastened on the bridge element, the roller tracks are situated on the laying equipment. The advantage of this is that all components, which could be subjected to wear during the laying process, can be easily replaced. The guide tracks of the laying equipment, carried on the bridge-laying vehicle, can be made from wear-resistant steel. The support construction of the bridge elements are not directly subjected to wear. The weight of the bridge elements will not be increased.

Due to the partial inclination of the laying equipment during the horizontal displacement of the bridge elements or its lowering during the building of a short or long bridge, the guide rollers mounted on the ramp base are automatically brought into the right position below or above the guide track of the laying equipment or a special erecting rail mounted thereupon, without the necessity of a special control device. The control rollers mounted on the ramp base are combined with the carrier roller provided on the base element for the purpose of O supporting the projection moments.

SIn addition two stabilisers may be provided, which during the building of a long bridge prevent the tilting or movemrnent of the protruding base element.

According to a development of the invention a double roller can be mounted 00 below the carrier roller. At the same time this pair of rollers does not have any IN function in case of an equilibrium. It forms, however, a stable three-point support that prevents the oscillation of the protruding bridge. As a projection of the entire bridge it temporarily assumes the support of the moments caused by the weight of the protruding portion of the bridge. In the intermediate positions it assumes an additional stabilising function.

By arranging the rollers on the bridge element the lower girder is not subjected to supporting forces of the rollers during the laying. Therefore a shape, convenient as far as space and weight are concerned, can be chosen.

Advantageously the joint between the base element and the ramp base is a covered continuous strap hinge.

According to a configuration of the invention the base element and the ramp base in the region of the track are dimensioned as a compression girder. At the same time claw couplings are provided at the ends of this compression girder.

According to a configuration of the invention the lower girder is dimensioned as a tension girder, while at the ends of the tension girder tension couplings are provided.

For the purpose of relieving the joints the ramp tip rests both in the raised and in the lowered position on the ramp base with the aid of pressure surfaces. Thus it can absorb the weight and bearing loads.

A further task of the ramp tip is to support the lower girder couplings in the driveon region and the pressure bars of the upper girder against getting soiled and C damaged.

e( In an advantageous manner the ramp tips and the lower girders are coupled in a Sform-locking manner to stabilise the protruding lower girder against lateral forces.

00 According to a development of the invention in the bridge element a mechanism IDis firmly installed, that couples the oscillating movement of the displaceable ramp C 10 base wit the oscillating movement of the displaceable ramp tip. This feature Sspeeds up the laying process, what is of particular importance in the case of a Smilitary bridge in the battlefield and leads to a further reduction of the weight of the bridge.

Preferably all highly stressed parts of the bridge element, for example the pressure surfaces, are made of steel, all other parts of a light metal alloy, preferably a high-tensile light metal alloy.

The invention is explained in detail based on the drawing using embodiments.

The following is schematically shown: Fig.l 1 a bridge element as short bridge, Fig.2 the bridge element of Fig.1 as central piece of a multi-modular bridge, Fig.3 two bridge elements, joined to form a two-modular bridge, Fig.4 a detail of Fig. 1, enlarged, Fig.5 a detail of Fig.2, enlarged, Fig.6 the raising of the ramp base by vertically lowering the bridge element, Fig.7 the raising of the ramp base by horizontally displacing the bridge element, Fig.8 parts of a bridge-laying vehicle that are essential for laying the bridge elements.

Fig.1 shows a short bridge, formed by a single bridge element 10. It has a O 5 stationary base element 1, on the two ends of which a ramp, formed by a ramp Sbase 2 and a ramp tip 3 joined to it, are hinged. As joint between the base element 1 and the ramp base 2 a covered, built-in strap hinge is suitable. The 00 length of the ramps 2, 3 is approx. one quarter of the length of the bridge O element. Tension girders 1' extend under the ramps 2, 3 and the base element 1.

ct1 In the position illustrated in Fig.1 the ramp bases 2 and the ramp tips 3 are joined Swith the base element 1 in a flexurally rigid manner. Details are explained based on Fig.4. By virtue of this the bridge element 10 is fit for use as a short bridge.

Fig.2 shows the bridge element 10 of Fig.1 converted in such a manner, that it can be used as a central element in a multi-module bridge. For this purpose the ramp bases 2 are pivoted upward so far, that they form a flat track 9 with the stationary base element 1 and are joined with the base element 1 in a flexurally rigid manner. The ramp tips 3 are folded down and with the aid of form-locking couplings 15 placed on the lower girder By virtue of this the lower girders 1' are stabilised against lateral forces. Details are explained based on Fig.3 shows a two-module long bridge comprising two bridge elements 10. The ramps 2, 3 at the ends are folded down, just like in Fig 1. The ramp bases 2, situated in the centre of the long bridge, are folded up just like in Fig.2 and are supported in this position by the downward folded ramp tips 3. By virtue of this a continuous track 9 is provided.

To transfer the forces between the coupled bridge elements 10 the base elements 1 and the ramp bases 2 are constructed in the region of the track 9 as a compression girder. In addition, at the coupling position they are furnished with pressure couplings These are in the simplest case form-locking pressure bars, which transfer not only the compression forces but also the transverse forces.

The lower girders 1' are constructed as tension girders and are provided with tension couplings 4 at the joints. In the simplest case these are claw couplings.

Thus a load-bearing framework is produced, so that in the case of a 26 m long C bridge and appropriate dimensioning large loads, e.g tanks of the MLC 70/80 class, can travel over the long bridge.

SAs Figs. 1-3 show, the bridge elements 10 are fitted on the base elements 1 with three carrier rollers o00

\O

IDBelow the carrier rollers 5 two stabilisers 5' may be provided at a horizontal C 10 distance from one another to prevent an uncontrolled oscillation of the short or Slong bridges moved on the bridge-laying equipment. The vertical distance between the roller 5 and the stabilisers 5' is harmonised with the bridge-laying equipment (Fig.8) carried on the bridge-laying vehicle (Fig.8).

As it can be also recognised from Figs.1-3, a control roller 6 each is situated on one and/or the other side of the ramp bases 2. These control rollers 6 are so positioned, that in the case of a lowered ramp base 2 (Fig.l) they are below the guide rail of the bridge-laying equipment (Fig.8), in contrast to this in the case of the raised ramp base 2 (Fig.2) they are at the level of the carrier roller 5. This is affected by a horizontal or vertical movement of the bridge element 10 during the laying by interacting with an erecting rail A, A' (Fig.6 or Fig.7 and Fig.8) provided on the laying equipment. By virtue of this the movements of the bridge elements during the laying process are also used to set the desired length of the bridge without the necessity of an additional adjustment mechanism. This will achieve that both short bridges and long bridges can be mounted and laid without alterations.

Fig.4 shows on an enlarged scale a detail of Fig. 1. One can recognise the end of the base element 1, to which the ramp base 2 is joined with the aid of a hinge 11, preferably a strap hinge. The ramp base 2 is constructed as a box section with a U-shaped cross-section. It has two prepared coupling orifices 12, 13, so that with the aid of coupling pins (not illustrated) a flexurally rigid joint can be produced with the base element 1.

The ramp tip 3 is joined to the free end of the ramp base 2 with the aid of a hinge 14, the ramp tip being supported in the position illustrated against the ramp base S2, while suitable support surfaces made of steel are provided. In this position both the ramp base 2 and the ramp tip 3 can transfer the weight to the substrate, a river bank, for example.

shows on an enlarged scale a detail of Fig.2. The ramp base 1 pivoted 00oO upward and it forms, together with the base element 1, the continuous flat track 9.

NO

INO The ramp base 2 is joined with the base element 1 in a flexurally rigid manner by means of the pin orifice 12 and a coupling pin (not illustrated) passing through it.

SThe ramp tip 3 is pivoted downward and stands in a form-locking coupling 15 on the lower girder As a result of the form-locking coupling 15 the ramp tip 3 can stabilise the lower girder 1' against transverse forces.

Fig.6 shows on an enlarged scale a detail of Fig.2. The ramp base 2 is aligned by the vertical movement of the base element 1. During the vertical movement of the base element 1 the control roller 6 rests on the erecting rail A provided on the laying equipment (Fig.8) and by virtue of it aligns the ramp base 2.

Fig.7 also shows on an enlarged scale a further detail of Fig.2. In this embodiment the raising of the ramp base 2 is carried out by a horizontal movement B of the base element 1. During the horizontal movement B the control roller 6 runs up the ramp of an erecting rail A' of the laying equipment (Fig.8) and by virtue of it aligns the ramp base 2.

Fig.8 shows purely schematically a bridge-laying vehicle 20, in this case in the form of a bridge-laying tank. The laying equipment 21 has already been extended to the laying position. The bridge element 10 has completely moved forward on the laying equipment 21. The control roller 6 is situated below the erecting rail 22, so that the ramp base 2 and the ramp tip 3 are in the extended position and consequently form a drive-on ramp, as this is illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

Claims

2. A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: preferably two stabilisers are provided on the base element
3. A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: the carrier elements on the base element also comprise double CK1 rollers. e(
4. A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: the hinge (11) between the base element and the ramp base is a covered continuous strap hinge. 00oO \O A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: C 10 the base element and the ramp base are dimensioned as a compression girder in the region of the track
6. A bridge element according to claim 5, characterised by the feature: form-locking pressure couplings are provided on the compression girder transferring transverse forces.
7. A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: the tension girder is flexible.
8. A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: Sthe ramp tip rests both in the raised and in the lowered position on the ramp base with the aid of pressure surfaces
9. A bridge element according to claim 8, characterised by the feature: a form-locking coupling (15) is provided between the ramp tip and the tension girders A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the features: the base element is constructed as a downward open U-shaped carrier, the ramp base is constructed as a box section.
11. A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: on the bridge-laying equipment (21) an erecting rail is provided, that with C the aid of the control roller aligns the ramp base during the vertical j) movement of the base element S12. A bridge element according to claim 1, characterised by the feature: on the bridge-laying equipment (21) an erecting rail with ramp is 00 provided, that with the aid of the control roller aligns the ramp base (2) \O IN during the horizontal movement of the base element C( 0 13. A bridge element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised by the tC features: all highly stressed parts are made of steel, all other parts are made of a light metal alloy.