US3357366A

US3357366A - Track tamping machine

Info

Publication number: US3357366A
Application number: US528277A
Authority: US
Inventors: Plasser Franz; Theurer Josef
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-03-09
Filing date: 1966-02-17
Publication date: 1967-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 1984-12-12
Also published as: CH470536A; GB1130889A; BR6677223D0; DE1287100B

Description

f. PLASSER ET AL Dec. l2, 1967 TRACK TAMPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 17, ,1965

INVENTORS. Femm @L Assrf T056? Tl-eue Kwl/ KM Dec. 12, 1967 F. PLASSER ET AL 3,357,366

TRACK TAMPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. men/UL @Lnsse mf :s-ose -meu United States Patent O 3,357,366 TRACK TAMPING MACHINE Franz Plasser and Josef Theurer, both of .Iohannesgasse 3, Vienna, Austria Filed Feb. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 528,277 Claims priority, application Austria, Mar. 9, 1965, A 2,113/65; .lune 24, 1965, A 5,759/65 28 Claims. (Cl. 1414-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Track tamping machine with groups of tamping tools spaced on the machine in the direction of elongation of the track, each group of tamping tools being designed to tamp a tie, and adjacent tamping tool groups being spaced so closely together that the adjacent tools of adjacent groups are immersed in the ballast betwen adjacent ties, and a common drive is provided for the adjacent groups of tamping tools.

This is a continuation-in-part of our copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 441,229, filed Mar. 19, 1965.

Conventional track tamper comprise pairs of opposing tamping tools arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent the track ties, with each tie positioned `between the opposing tools, and for reciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track so as to tamp the ballast underneath each tie upon reciprocation of the preferably vibratory tools. In one such type of track tamper, the tamping tools are vertically adjustably mounted on a carriage frame which moves along the track fo-r continuous tamping of one tie after another; According to our application Ser. No. 441,229, two such pairs of opposing tamping tools are mounted on the carriage frame and are so spaced l from each other in the direction of elongation of the track that adjacent ones of the tools of each pair are at a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacent ties whereby the adjacent tools may be immersed in the ballast between adjacent ones of the ties while the other tools of each pair immersed on the other side of the adjacent ties, thus doubling the eiiiciency of the tamping operation by simultaneously tamping two ties and/or producing a better quality of tamping.

In such an arrangement, it is preferred to space one of the pairs of tools from the other pair of tools in the direction of elongation of the ties so that the tamping t-ools of one pair are laterally off-set or staggered in relation to the tools of the other pair.

It is a primary object of the present invention to simplify the construction of the track tamping assembly, to decrease the number of operating parts and so to coo-rdinate these parts as to make the assembly as compact as possible.

The above and other objects and advantages are accomplished in accordance with this invention by constructing the track tamping assembly as a mechanical unit with a common drive for the pairs of tamping tools. More particularly, the common drive is a means, such as a Vibratory shaft, for imparting vibration to the tamping tools all of which are operatively connected to this single means.

A track tamping assembly constructed according to the invention requires so little space that a vertically adjustable tamping tool carrier therefor may be vmounted in the conventional manner in a forward portion of the mobile track tamper carriage frame, which overhangs the track section to be tamped ahead of the front axle. Thus, the efficiency of the tamper is doubled with a single tamping tool carrier and a single tamping tool vibrating means.

The indicated objects of the invention may be accomplished with a great variety of structures and some pre- ICC ferred embodiments thereof will be set forth in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, to afford a better understanding of the invention. In the drawing,

FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of one embodiment of a track tamping assembly, partly in section;

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along section line II-II of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detail in the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the entire track tamper showing the mounting of the tamping tool carrier with the tamping assembly;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views of two other embodiments; and

FIG..7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but illus trating still another embodiment.

, As appears from a joint consideration of FIGS. 1 and 4, a tamping tool carrier 5 ris slidably supported on

posts

5a, 5a mounted in carriage frame 20 of a mobile track tamper moving on track 1 which rests on ties 2. The illustrated machine may be used for grading and includes, as is conventional, a track lifting mechanism 20'. Vibratory shaft 11 is supported on the carrier with its axis parallel to the ties, this shaft being vibrated by rotation of an axle mounted eccentrically in a central bore of the shaft, as is conventional. Arms 10, 10' extend from the Vibratory shaft in diametrically opposite directions and are vibrated therewith.

The track tamping assembly comprises two pairs of opposing tamping tools 3, 4 and 3', 4', the pairs, as illustrated, being so spaced that the tools 4, 4' of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, are at a smaller distance from each other than the distance between

adjacent ties

2, 2. As is well known, a group or series of such pairs of tamping tools may be arranged on the carrier in the direction of elongation of the ties for operation in unison, as shown in FIG. 2, only the outermost pair being seen in FIG. l because the other pairs are aligned therewith and, therefore, cannot be seen inthe elevational view.

As FIG. 2 indicates, it is preferred to stagger the pairs of opposing tamping tools laterally, i.e. in the direction of elongation of the ties.

As is also conventional, the tamping tools are pivotal levers pivotally secured intermediate their ends to fulcrurns provided in the tamping tool carrier. In the ernbodiment of FIG. 1, a iixed fulcrum 14, 14' is pivotally secured to each of the adjacent tamping tools 4, 4 of the pairs of tools, and the means for eifectuating the reciprocation of the adjacent tools consists of actuating

devices

16, 17 and 16', 17' linked respectively to each of the upper ends 15, 15' of the adjacent tools 4, 4 for moving the upper toolends in the direction of elongation of the track.

In the illustrated embodiments, all the actuating devices are hydraulic motors consisting of a stationary part and a moving part, one part being an hydraulic cylinder and the other part being a piston moving therein under hydraulic pressure supplied to the cylinder.

As shown, the stationary cylinders 17, 17' are linked to the outer ends of the Vibratory arms 10, 10', respectively, at pivots 18, 18', while the moving

pistons

16, 16 are linked to the

upper ends

15, 15 of tools 4, 4', respectively, thus transmitting vibration of the Vibratory arms to the tamping tools via their actuating devices.

Fulcrums

6, 6 are mounted for adjustmentl in thel latter tamping tools includes a movable piston 12, 12' connected to a respective one of the fulcrum supports, both pistons gliding in

stationary cylinders

13, 13 mounted in an integral unit below vibratory shaft 11 and, as the latter, centrally of the pairs of tools.

Vibration is imparted to the

tools

3, 3 by linking their upper ends at pivots 9, 9', respectively, to the vibratory arms` 10, 10'. In the above-described arrangement,` the vibratory movement of each of the opposing tools of eachpair is effected in opposite directions, which is novel and produces a particularly good compacting of the ballast between the opposing vibratory tools.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification in the mounting of the upper ends of the other tamping tools of each pair, which makes it possible to vary the path of reciprocation of the opposing tools of each pair so that the assembly may be used, for instance, for tamping double ties, i.e. ties of twice the width of the usual ties. For this purpose, the vibratory arms 10, 10' have elongated guide means illustrated as slots 19 for adjustably mounting the pivots to which the

upper ends

9,9 of these tools are linked.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the common vibratory shaft 111 carries diametrically oppositely extending vibratamping tools 104, 104', respectively, in the direction of' elongation of the track, the

piston

116, 116 of each actuating device being linked at one end to a respective one of the tools at their upper ends 115, 115', and the cylinder 117, 117' of the actuating devices being linked at 123, 123' to a respective one of the other tools 103, 103' of the same pair of tools. A fixed fulcrum 114, 114' is pivotally secured to each of the

adjacent tools

104, 104 intermediate its ends. In this manner, the vibration of the

other tools

103, 103 is transmitted via the actuating devices for the adjacent tools 104, 104' to the latter tools.

Additional fulcrums

106 and 106 are pivotally secured to each of the other tools intermediate its ends and are arranged for movement in the direction of the track. A second set of actuating

devices

121, 122 and 121', 122' is arranged to move the additional fulcrums in the direction of elongation of the track and thus to reciprocate the

other tools

103, 103 in this direction.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, vibration of the

other tools

203, 203 of each pair is etfectuated in the same manner as in FIG. 5 so that a repetition of the description of the structure and function of vibratory shaft 211, vibratory arms 210, 210' and their Ilinkage to the tools at upper ends 209, 209' need not be repeated. In this embodiment, however, a single set of actuating

devices

221, 222 and 221', 222' is provided for moving selected ones of the tamping tools of each pair in the direction of elongation of the track. In the illustrated embodiment, the selected tools are the

other tamping tools

203, 203 whose movable fulcrums 206, 206' are connected to the pistons 222, 222' of the actuating devices while the hydraulic cylinders 221, 221' of the actuating devices are stationary. Each driven tamping tool of one pair is coupled to the adjacent tamping tool 204, 204'-of the other pair by fixed connecting

rods

225, 225, these coupling means enabling the opposing tools of one pair to move in unison with the selected tools of the other pair. The upper ends of the

adjacent tools

204, 204 are linked to stationary brackets 224, 224'.

t The embodiment of FIG. 6 is particularly advantageous because of the relatively few structural parts required for driving the tamping tools.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the upper ends of all tamping tools are linked to respective actuating devices, illustrated as hydraulic motors, which, in turn, are connected to the common vibratory shaft for all the tools,

.4 the actuating devices being designed for effectuating reciprocation of the tamping tools in the direction of elongation of the track. This structure makes it possible to connect the vibratory arms of the shaft to the tamping tools in a particularly simple manner, in a minimum of space and by means of sturdy structural parts.

In FIG. 7, this embodiment is specifically illustrated as comprising

fixed fulcrums

306, 306 and 307, 307 to which the respective ones of

tamping tools

303, 303 and 304, 304' are pivotally secured intermediate their ends, the tools being the conventional pivotal levers and the fulcrums being arranged on the vertically adjustable tamping tool carrier 305 which supports the tamping assembly. The vibration imparting means for all `the tamping tools is the centrally positioned vibratory shaft 311 to which are fixed a pair of angularly spaced arms 310, 310', each arm extending diametrically from the shaft at opposite sides thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms are perpendicular to each other.

As shown, each

actuating device

316, 317 and 316', 317' for the

adjacent tamping tools

304, 304 is connected to one of the arms 310, 310' and each

actuating device

312, 313 and 312', 313 for the other tamping tools 303,

303 of each pair of tools is connected to `one of the arms. Each arm has connected thereto an actuating device for one of the adjacent tools and an actuating dcvice for one of the other tools of each pair, so that the upper ends of an adjacent tool of one pair and of another tool of the other pair are coupled together via their respective actuating devices and one of the vibratory arms.

In the illustrated embodiment, the

movable pistons

312, 312 of the actuating devices for the

other tamping tools

303, 303 of each pair are linked t0 the upper ends of these tamping tools at pivots 309, 309' while the stationary hydraulic cylinders of these actuating devicesare pivotally connected to the vibratory shaft arms at

pivots

310, 310. On the other hand, the stationary hydraulic cylinders 317, 317' of the actuating devices for the adjacent vtools of each pair are iixedly connected to the vibratory shaft arms the movable pistons 316, 316' of these devices being linked to the upper ends of the adjacent tamping tools at pivots 31S, 315.

As indicated at 2', a so-called double tie may also be tamped with this assembly and, for this purpose, adjustable stops are provided for limiting the outward movement of the other tamping tools 303, 303' of each pair of tools during their reciprocation. The illustrated stops 323, 323' are mounted for pivotal movement into and out of the path of the upper ends 309, 309 of tamping tools 303, 303', as indicated by arrows and the broken line position of stop 323. The stops are `arranged to move into the horizontal path of movement of the movable upper ends 309, 309 `between-these ends and the fixed cylinders 313, 313' of the actuating devices for these tools. The actuating devices for the stops are also hydraulic motors. These actuating devices are carried by the stationary cylinders 313, 313', the illustrated arrangement including lugs 318, 318' on the stationary cylinders to which the stationary

hydraulic cylinders

319, 319 are linked while the movable pistons 320, 320' of these actuating devices are linked to the stops at

pivots

321, 321 so as to pivot the stops about fulcrums 322, 322'.

While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it will be understood that many modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art, particularly after benefiting from the present teaching, and

that all such obvious changes are within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, said pairs of tools being spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools being such that the tools of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, are at a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacent ones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may -be immersed in the ballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pair being arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties, with the one tie positioned between the opposing tools, and for Ireciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track, and

(b) a common drive for said pairs of tamping tools.

2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising means for vertically adjustably supporting the tamping assembly on the carriage frame.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein one of the pai-r of tools is spaced from the other pair of tools in the direction of elongation of the ties.

4. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including rails supported on a plurality of spaced ties resting on the ballast, said machine comprising (l) a carriage frame; and

(2) a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, said pairs of tools being spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools being such that the tools `of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, are at a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacent ones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may be immersed in the ballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pair being arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties, with the one tie positioned between the opposing tools, and for reciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track, and

(b) a common drive for said pair of tamping tools, said common drive being a means for imparting vibration to the tamping tools.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein said vibration imparting means is a vibratory shaft to which `all the tamping tools are operatively connected.

6. The machine of claim 5, further comprising means for effectuating the reciprocation of the tamping tools in the direction of elongation of the track, said reciprocation means including a separate -actuating device for each of the tools, each actuating device being connected at one end to the vibratory shaft and being linked at-the other end to a respective one of the upper ends of the tamping tools.

7. The machine of claim 6, wherein each actuating device is an hydraulic motor.

8. The machine of claim 6, comprising a pair of angularly spaced arms lixed on the vibratory shaft, each arm extending diametrically from the shaft at opposite sides thereof, and each actuating device for the ,adjacentytamping tools being connected to one of said arms and each actuating device for the other tamping tools of each pair of tools being connected to one of the arms, each arm having connected thereto an actuating device for one of the adjacent tools land an actuating device for one of the other tools.

9. The machine of claim 6, wherein the actuating devices for the other tamping tools of each pair of tools are pivotally connected to the vibratory shaft.

10. The machine of claim 6, wherein the actuating devices for the adjacent tamping tools of each pair of tools are xedly connected to the vibratory shaft.

11. The machine of claim 6, further comprising fixed fulcrums pivotally secured to said tamping tools intermediate their ends.

12. The machine of claim 11, further comprising a vertically adjustable tamping tool carrier supporting the tamping assembly, the xed fulcrums being arranged on the carrier.

13. The machine of claim 6, further comprising adjustable stops for limiting the outward movement of other tamping tools of each pair of tools during their reciprocation.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein said stops are mounted for movement into and out of the path of movement of the upper ends of the other tamping tools of each pair of tools.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein said actuating devices include a stationary part and a moving part, the stops being arranged for movement between the iixed parts of the actuating devices and the upper ends of the other tamping tools.

16. The machine of claim 15, further comprising actuating devices for said stops, the latter actuating devices being carried by the stationary parts of the actuating devices for the other tamping tools.

17. The machine of claim 4, wherein -means is provided for elfectuating the reciprocation of the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools; the vibration imparting means including a vibratory shaft positioned centrally of said pairs of tools and two arms extending in opposite directions from the shaft and being vibrated therewith upon vibration of the shaft; and the reciprocation means including an actuating device for moving the upper tool ends of the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools in the direction of elongation of the track, a fixed fulcrum secured to each of the adjacent tools intermediate its ends, the adjacent tools being pivotal levers, and one end of each of the actuating devices being linked to a respective one of the upper ends of the adjacent tools and the other end of each actuating device being linked to a respective one of said arms.

18. The machine of claim 17, further comprising a ful- Crum mounted for adjustment in the direction of elongation of the track and pivotally secured to each of the other ones of the tamping tools of each pair intermediate their ends.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the reciprocation means further includes another actuating device for moving each of the last-named fulcrums, said other actuating device comprising a movable part connected to each of the latter fulcrums and a vcommon stationary pa-rt wherein the movable parts are mounted, the stationary part being mounted below the vibration imparting means and centrally of the pairs of tools.

20. The machine of claim 19, whereinV the upper ends of the othertamping tools of each pair are also linked to a respective one of said arms.

21. The machine of claim 2), further comprising guide means in said arms for adjustably linking the upper ends of the other tamping tools thereto.

22. The machine of claim 4, wherein means is pro# vided for eifectuating the reciprocation of the opposing tools lof each pair of tools; the vibration imparting means including a vibratory shaft positioned centrally of said pairs of tools and two-arms extending in opposite directions from the shaft and being vibrated with the shaft upon vibration thereof, the upper ends of the other ones of the tamping tools of each pair of tools being linked to a respective one of said arms intermediate the ends of the arms; and the reciprocation' means including a first set of actuating devices for moving the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools in the direction of elongation of the track, each of said actuating devices having one end linked to an upper end of a respective one of said adjacent tools of each pair of tools and another end linked to an outer end of an opposite one of said arms, a fixed fulcrum 7 pivotally secured to each of the adjacent tools intermediate its ends, and another set of actuating devices for moving the other tools of the pairs of tools in the direction of elongation of the track, each of theactuating devices of the other set having a movable part linked to a fulcrum intermediate thev ends of a respective one of the other tools of each pair of tools, and a common xed part mounted on the carriage frame below the shaft, the movable parts being mounted in the common xed art.

p 23. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including rails supported on a plurality of spaced ties resting on the ballast, said machine comprising (l) a carriage frame; and

(2) a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, said pairs of tools being spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools being such that the toolstof eachpair, which are adjacent to each other, are at a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacent ones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may be immersed in the ballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pair being arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties, with the one tie positioned between the opposing tools, and for reciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track,

(b) a `common drive for said pair of tamping tools, and

(c) means for effectuating the reciprocation of the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools, said adjacent tools being pivotal levers, a lxed fulcrum pivotally secured to each of the adjacent tools intermediate theirtends, and said reciprocation means consisting of an actuating device linked to each of the upper ends of the adjacent tools for moving the upper tool ends in the direction of elongation of the track.

24. The machine of claim 23, wherein the actuating devices are hydraulic motors.

25. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including rails supported on a plurality of spaced ties resting'on the ballast, said machine comprising 1) a carriage frame; and

(2) -a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, vsaid pairs of tools being spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools being such that the tools of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, are at a smaller distance from each other than the dist-ance between adjacent ones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may beimmersed in the ballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pair being arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties, with the one tie positionedbetween the opposing tools, and for reciprocation in the direction of elongation `of the track,

(b) a common drive for said pair of tamping tools, and (c) means for eiectuating the reciprocation of the opposing tools of each pair of` tools, the

Cil

reciprocation means comprising a first set of Iactuating devices for moving the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools in the direction of elongation of the track,teach of said actuating devices having one end linked to a respective one of the adjacent tools of each pair of tools and another end linked to a respective one of the other tools of the same pair of tools, a fixed fulcrum pivotally secured to each of the adjacent tools intermediate its ends and arranged for movement in the direction of elongation of the track, and a second set of actuating devices for moving the additional fulcrums kin said direction.

26. `rThe machine of claim 25, wherein the common `drive is a means for imparting vibration to all the tamping tools of each pair of tools, the vibration imparting means including a vibratory shaft positioned centrally of said pairs of tools and two arms extending in ropposite directions from the shaft and being vibrated therewith upon vibration of the shaft, the upper ends of the other ones of the tamping tools of each pair of tools being linked to a respective one of said arms.

27. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including rails supported on a plurality of spaced ties resting on the ballast, said machine comprising (l) a carriage frame; and

(2) a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, said pairs of tools kbeing spaced from `each other in the direction of elongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools being such that the tools of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, are at a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacent ones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may be immersed in the ballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pair being arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties, with the one tie positioned between the opposing tools, and for reciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track, (b) a common drive for said pair of tamping tools, and (c) means for efiectuating the reciprocation of the opposing -tools of each pair of tools, the reciprocation means comprising a single set of actuating devices for moving selected ones of the tamping tools of each pair in the direction of elongation of the track, and means coupling the tool opposing the selected one of the tools of one pair of the selected tool of the other pair whereby the opposing tools of one pair move in unison with the selected tools of the other pair. 28. The machine of claim 27, wherein the opposing tools are the adjacent tools and the selected tools are the other tools of each pair.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 42,734,463. 2/1956 Hursh et a1. 1021-7

Claims

1. A MACHINE FOR TAMPING BALLAST UNDERNEATH A TRACK INCLUDING RAILS SUPPORTED ON A PLURALITY OF SPACED TIES RESTING ON THE BALLAST, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING (1) A CARRIAGE FRAME; AND (2) A TRACK TAMPING ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, THE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING (A) TWO PAIRS OF OPPOSED TAMPING TOOLS, SAID PAIRS OF TOOLS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN THE DIRECTION OF ELONGATION OF THE TRACK, THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF TOOLS BEING SUCH THAT THE TOOLS OF EACH PAIR, WHICH ARE ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER, ARE AT A SMALLER DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ADJACENT ONES OF SAID