GB1577990A - Travelling railway ballast treating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The ballast-bed-cleaning machine has a bogie frame (1) supported on running gears. To receive the ballast beneath the track, use is made of an endless clearing chain (6) which is guided, in the form of a polygon obliquely with respect to the track plane and via deflecting rollers (10), in a chain-guide transverse path (7), which can pass through transversely beneath the track skeleton (3, 4), and two chain-guide longitudinal paths (8, 9) which are articulated on said transverse path and on the bogie frame (1). The two chain-guide longitudinal paths (8, 9) can be swivelled, via drives (31), upwards and to the side. Moreover, the two longitudinal paths (8, 9) are designed such that they can be vertically displaced in a telescopic manner by parts (20, 21) which are displaceable relative to each other, as a result of which the shape of the articulation polygon formed by the clearing chain (6) can be altered, while maintaining the peripheral length of the clearing chain (6), corresponding to the required setting angle of the chain-guide transverse path (7) with respect to the track axis (17). <IMAGE>

Description

(54) A TRAVELLING RAILWAY BALLAST TREATING MACHINE (71) We, FRANZ PLASSER BAHN BAUMASCHINEN INDUSTRIEGESELLSCHAFT M.B.H, of 3 Johannesgasse. Vienna 1. Austria an Austrian Company. do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed. to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a travelling ballast treating machine. more particularly a switch cleaning machine. for taking up and.

optionally. cleaning. distributing and reintroducing the bedding ballast. comprising an endless clearing chain guided in a polygonal circuit along one transverse chain guide path extending below the track grid and two longitudinal chain guide paths pivotally connected to the transverse chain guide path and to the machine frame.

British Patent No. 1423285 describes a ballast-cleaning machine in which the chain guide path extending below the track grid consists of two pivotally interconnected sections pivotal relative to one another in a plane parallel to the plane of the track which. at their outer ends. are pivotally connected to the longitudinal chain ,guide path. By varying the angle which the two sections of the articulated transverse chain guide path include with one another. it is possible to vary the effective working width of the clearing chain and to adapt it to the particular width of the ballast bed.Adjustment of the articulated transverse chain guide path. for example bv means of a cable. may even be carried out continuously so that it is also possible to treat ballast in the region of track branches, for example switches. in one and the same operation. In order to provide the articulated transverse chain guide path with sufficient strength and dimensional stabilitv to withstand the extremelv severe reaction forces of the ballast bed, this part of the chain guide. particularly in the region of the articulation, has to be of very solid construction. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to install and dismantle the transverse chain guide path below the track grid.In addition. different articulated positions of the transverse chain guide path also give rise to different degrees of penetration of the clearing chain in the ballast bed which are less favourable in the case of relatively narrow clearing widths.

British Application No. 30385/75 (1.494.034) described a conveyor chain for ballast cleaning machines in which the transverse chain guide path extending below the track gruid can be lengthened or shortened and hence adjusted to the particular clearing width necessary by adding or removing additional transverse path members. One of the two longitudinal chain guide paths consist of two sections which are displaceable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the chain and which are used for tensioning the clearing chain lengthened or shortened by adding or removing chain members to or from the transverse path members already present.Ballast cleaning machines equipped with clearing chains of this type have proved to be extremely effective in practice. Thev are suitable for use along free single-line sections of track and for cleaning the ballast of switches and crossings.

The object of the present invention is further to increase the performance and reliability of ballast treating machines of the type in question and even further to reduce the amount of work and time involved in adjusting the clearing width of the machine to work on switches and on plain track.

According to the invention. this object is achieved in that the rigid transverse chain guide path has a length corresponding to the maximum clearing width in the region of switches and is arranged to be pivoted and locked in position relative to the axis of the track in a plane extending parallel to;the plane of the track.

By virtue of this arrangement, it is possible for the first time, using a one-piece and, hence, both rigid and weight-saving construction of the transverse chain guide path, to vary the effective working width of the clearing chain as required, in particular continuously, without any need for assembly work and thus to adapt it to the particular width of the ballast bed. In this way, considerable time is saved, particularly in the cleaning of switch and crossing ballast, which in turn enables the work rate to be increased. In addition, now that there is no longer any need for refitting work, the work force has considerably less to do and may therefore be reduced in size.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the two longitudinal chain guide paths are constructed telescopically for longitudinal adjustment and a, for example hydraulic, longitudinal adjustment drive and a pivoting drive are associated with at least one of the two longitudinal paths. By means of this drive arrangement which is structurally very simple and easy to operate, the transverse chain guide path can be quickly brought into the required angular and lateral position relative to the axis of the track. Clearing chains, whose peripheral length remains unchanged during this movement, can be kept permanently under tension by correspondingly controlling the longitudinal adjustment drives during the adjusting operation so that the clearing work does not have to be interrupted.In cases where the two longitudinal chain guide paths are provided with hydraulic longitudinal adjustment drives, the hydraulic pressure prevailing in the system may be directly used for controlling the tension of the chain.

Further advantages are afforded if, with the transverse chain guide path adjusted obliquely and asymmetrically of the axis of the track, the longitudinal chain guide path containing the empty section of the clearing chain has a greater length than the longitudinal chain guide path containing the full section of the clearing chain. Since in this case the direction of movement of the clearing chain extends from the front end to the rear end of the transverse chain guide path, looking in the working direction of the machine, the components of the chain forces directed parallel to the axis of the track assist the advance of the machine, which is reflected in reduced stressing not only of the component parts of the propulsion drive, but also of the component parts of the chain guide path.

Finally, in another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transverse chain guide path is adjustable with the longitudinal chain guide paths to a minimum clearing width which guarantees the necessary clearance from adjoining tracks and from obstacles present alongside the track, such as masts for overhead powerlines and the like, in the oblique position of the transverse chain guide path relative to the axis of the track. This arrangement provides for rapid, continuous clearing both along open sections of track and also in the region of stations, level crossings and other confined sections of track without any interference with traffic on an adjoining track, if any.

The invention is described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure I is a side elevation of a ballast treating machine according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 diagrammatically illustrates the mode of operation of the machine in the region of a track switch.

The ballast cleaning machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 consists of a chassis 1 which is adapted to travel along the track 5 consisting of rails 3 and sleepers 4 on two undercarriages 2 in the form of bogies. The ballast beneath the track 5 is taken up by an endless clearing chain 6 which is guided in a polygon obliquely of the plane of the track over guide rollers 10 along one transverse chain guide path 7 extending transversely below the track grid 3,4 and two longitudinal chain guide paths 8,9 pivotally connected to this transverse chain guide path 7 and to the chassis 1. The two longitudinal chain guide paths 8,9 are connected to the chassis in such a way that they can be pivoted both vertically and laterally. In the embodiment illustrated, both the vertical adjustment drive 30 and also the pivoting drives 31 are formed by hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units.The clearing chain 6 is driven in the direction indicated by arrows in Figure 2 through a sprocket gear 11 arranged on the chassis 1. Accordingly, the longitudinal chain guide path 8 which is situated on the right in the working direction 12 of the machine contains the empty section of the clearing chain 6, whereas in the left-hand longitudinal chain guide path 9 the ballast taken up by the clearing chain 6 is carried upwards and, in the region of the sprocket gear 11, is discharged onto a vibrating sieve 13 arranged there below. The sifted ballast is carried back to the track by means of two laterally pivotable conveyor belts 14 situated below the vibrating sieve 13, whilst the waste spoil, i.e. fine-grained material, dirt and the like, is discharged either alongside the track 5 or onto a transporting vehicle coupled with the machine by a waste spoil conveyor belt 15 and a following laterally pivotable conveyor belt 16.

The transverse chain guide path 7 extending below the track 5 is formed by a rigid full-width beam which, in the normal position relative to the axis 17 of the track shown in Figure 2, extends over the entire bedding width of a switch of which only part of the branch track 18 has been shown. The length of the transverse chain guide path 7 determines the maximum clearing width of the machine.

Each of the two longitudinal chain guide paths 8,9 connected to the ends of the transverse chain guide path 7 through a joint 19 is constructed telescopically for longitudinal adjustment and consists of two sections 20, 21 which are displaceable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the clearing chain 6 and which can be moved and fixed in any position by means of a longitudinal adjustment drive 22 in the form of a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder unit.

By virtue of this longitudinally adjustability of the longitudinal chain guide paths 8,9, it is possible to vary the shape of the triangle substantially formed by the chain guide paths, which is equilateral where they are symmetrically arranged relative to the axis 17 of the track, in regard to the lengths of its sides without altering the peripheral length of the clearing chain 6, and hence also to vary the angle of inclination of the transverse chain guide path 7 relative to the axis 17 of the track which determines the working width of the clearing chain 6.

Figure 3 diagrammatically illustrates this operation in several phases where the machine according to the invention is used for cleaning the ballast of a switch 23 from the frog side. At the beginning of the cleaning operation (left-hand side of Figure 3), the transverse chain guide path 7 extending below the main track 24 and the branch track 25 runs perpendicularly of the axis 26 of the main track 24, so that the maximum clearing width 27 of the clearing chain 6 is available. Corresponding to the reduction in the bedding width towards the tongue end of the switch 23, the working width of the chain is then continuously reduced by pivoting the two longitudinal chain guide paths 8, 9 by means of the pivoting drives 31 and by simultaneously gradually shortening the left-hand longitudinal chain guide path 9 and correspondingly extending the righthand longitudinal chain guide path 8.The transverse chain guide path 7 is increasingly pivoted relative to the axis 17 of the track so that, after passing the switch 23 (on the right in Figure 3), only the minimum clearing width 28 required for working on the continuous main track 24 is available. This minimum clearing width 28 is gauged in such a way that the necessary clearance from obstacles present alongside the track, for example masts 29 for overhead power lines, and from any adjoining track present is guaranteed. Accordingly, the clearing work may progress continuously, even along open sections of track, without any need for refitting work to the machine.

The starting position of the chain guide path 7, 8, 9 for working on a left-hand switch is indicated by dash-dot lines on the left-hand side of Figure 3. In this case, the position of the triangle substantially formed by the chain guide path 7,8,9 is mirrorinverted in relation to the arrangement shown in solid lines.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A travelling railway ballast treating machine for taking up and, optionally, cleaning, distributing and reintroducing the bedding ballast of switches and of plain track, comprising an endless ballast-clearing chain guided in a polygonal circuit along one transverse chain guide path extending below the track and two longitudinal chain guide paths pivotally connected to the transverse chain guide path and to the machine frame, and in which the transverse chain guide path is rigid and has a length corresponding to the maximum ballast-clearing width in the region of switches and is arranged to be pivoted and to be locked in position, relative to the longitudinal axis of the track, in a plane extending parallel to the plane of the track.

2. A machine as claimed in Claim 1, in which the two longitudinal chain guide paths are constructed telescopically for longitudinal adjustment, and a longitudinal adjustment drive and a pivoting drive are associated with at least one of the two said longitudinal paths.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which, when the transverse chain guide path is in a position oblique and asymmetrical relative to the axis of the track, the longitudinal chain guide path containing the empty section of the clearing chain has a greater length than the longitudinal chain guide path containing the loaded section of the clearing chain.

4. A machine as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the transverse chain guide is adjustable together with the longitudinal chain guide paths to a minimum clearing width which guarantees clearance from adjoining tracks and from obstacles present alongside the track, in the oblique position of the transverse chain guide path relative to the axis of the track.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The transverse chain guide path 7 extending below the track 5 is formed by a rigid full-width beam which, in the normal position relative to the axis 17 of the track shown in Figure 2, extends over the entire bedding width of a switch of which only part of the branch track 18 has been shown. The length of the transverse chain guide path 7 determines the maximum clearing width of the machine. Each of the two longitudinal chain guide paths 8,9 connected to the ends of the transverse chain guide path 7 through a joint 19 is constructed telescopically for longitudinal adjustment and consists of two sections 20, 21 which are displaceable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the clearing chain 6 and which can be moved and fixed in any position by means of a longitudinal adjustment drive 22 in the form of a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder unit. By virtue of this longitudinally adjustability of the longitudinal chain guide paths 8,9, it is possible to vary the shape of the triangle substantially formed by the chain guide paths, which is equilateral where they are symmetrically arranged relative to the axis 17 of the track, in regard to the lengths of its sides without altering the peripheral length of the clearing chain 6, and hence also to vary the angle of inclination of the transverse chain guide path 7 relative to the axis 17 of the track which determines the working width of the clearing chain 6. Figure 3 diagrammatically illustrates this operation in several phases where the machine according to the invention is used for cleaning the ballast of a switch 23 from the frog side. At the beginning of the cleaning operation (left-hand side of Figure 3), the transverse chain guide path 7 extending below the main track 24 and the branch track 25 runs perpendicularly of the axis 26 of the main track 24, so that the maximum clearing width 27 of the clearing chain 6 is available. Corresponding to the reduction in the bedding width towards the tongue end of the switch 23, the working width of the chain is then continuously reduced by pivoting the two longitudinal chain guide paths 8, 9 by means of the pivoting drives 31 and by simultaneously gradually shortening the left-hand longitudinal chain guide path 9 and correspondingly extending the righthand longitudinal chain guide path 8.The transverse chain guide path 7 is increasingly pivoted relative to the axis 17 of the track so that, after passing the switch 23 (on the right in Figure 3), only the minimum clearing width 28 required for working on the continuous main track 24 is available. This minimum clearing width 28 is gauged in such a way that the necessary clearance from obstacles present alongside the track, for example masts 29 for overhead power lines, and from any adjoining track present is guaranteed. Accordingly, the clearing work may progress continuously, even along open sections of track, without any need for refitting work to the machine. The starting position of the chain guide path 7, 8, 9 for working on a left-hand switch is indicated by dash-dot lines on the left-hand side of Figure 3. In this case, the position of the triangle substantially formed by the chain guide path 7,8,9 is mirrorinverted in relation to the arrangement shown in solid lines. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A travelling railway ballast treating machine for taking up and, optionally, cleaning, distributing and reintroducing the bedding ballast of switches and of plain track, comprising an endless ballast-clearing chain guided in a polygonal circuit along one transverse chain guide path extending below the track and two longitudinal chain guide paths pivotally connected to the transverse chain guide path and to the machine frame, and in which the transverse chain guide path is rigid and has a length corresponding to the maximum ballast-clearing width in the region of switches and is arranged to be pivoted and to be locked in position, relative to the longitudinal axis of the track, in a plane extending parallel to the plane of the track.

2. A machine as claimed in Claim 1, in which the two longitudinal chain guide paths are constructed telescopically for longitudinal adjustment, and a longitudinal adjustment drive and a pivoting drive are associated with at least one of the two said longitudinal paths.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which, when the transverse chain guide path is in a position oblique and asymmetrical relative to the axis of the track, the longitudinal chain guide path containing the empty section of the clearing chain has a greater length than the longitudinal chain guide path containing the loaded section of the clearing chain.

4. A machine as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the transverse chain guide is adjustable together with the longitudinal chain guide paths to a minimum clearing width which guarantees clearance from adjoining tracks and from obstacles present alongside the track, in the oblique position of the transverse chain guide path relative to the axis of the track.

5. A switch ballast-clearing machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.