U.S. patent application number 09/774830 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for ballast tamping machine, and method of maintaining a track section.
Invention is credited to Peitl, Friedrich, Theurer, Josef.
Application Number | 20010017091 09/774830 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3482598 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010017091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Theurer, Josef ; et
al. |
August 30, 2001 |
Ballast tamping machine, and method of maintaining a track
section
Abstract
A machine for tamping ballast underneath a railroad track
includes a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and
supported on the track by undercarriages for mobility in an
operating direction. A tamping unit and a track lifting and lining
unit cooperate with one another and are mounted on the machine
frame. A suction apparatus is provided for aspirating ballast and
includes a suction line connected to a ballast suction nozzle which
is associated with the tamping unit. Drives are provided for
adjusting the ballast suction nozzle vertically and transversely to
the longitudinal direction. A ballast plow is mounted on the
machine frame, and a discharge chute is provided for ejecting
ballast onto the track. In this manner, short sections of track
exhibiting inferior ballast conditions can be ballasted and
tamped.
Inventors: |
Theurer, Josef; (Vienna,
AT) ; Peitl, Friedrich; (Linz, AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HENRY M FEIEREISEN
350 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 3220
NEW YORK
NY
10118
|
Family ID: |
3482598 |
Appl. No.: |
09/774830 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
104/7.1 ;
104/7.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01B 27/04 20130101;
E01B 27/17 20130101; E01B 27/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
104/7.1 ;
104/7.3 |
International
Class: |
E01B 027/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 29, 2000 |
AT |
GM 141/2000 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a railroad track,
comprising a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction
and supported on the track by undercarriages for mobility in an
operating direction; a tamping unit mounted on the machine frame; a
track lifting and lining unit cooperating with the tamping unit; a
suction apparatus for aspirating ballast, said suction apparatus
comprising a suction line connected to a ballast suction nozzle,
said ballast suction nozzle being associated with the tamping unit;
drives for adjusting the ballast suction nozzle vertically and
transversely to the longitudinal direction; a ballast plow mounted
on the machine frame; and a discharge chute provided for ejecting
ballast onto the track.
2. The tamping machine of claim 1, wherein the discharge chute is
positioned between the ballast suction nozzle and the ballast
plow.
3. The tamping machine of claim 1, and further comprising ballast
hoppers mounted on the machine frame, and a longitudinal conveyor
belt extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged partly
underneath the ballast hoppers, said longitudinal conveyor belt
having an ejection end associated with the discharge chute.
4. The tamping machine of claim 3, and further comprising a
transverse conveyor belt mounted on the machine frame and extending
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, said longitudinal
conveyor belt comprising a second end which is distanced from the
ejection end above the discharge chute, said second end of the
longitudinal conveyor belt being arranged above the transverse
conveyor belt.
5. The tamping machine of claim 4, and further comprising a second
discharge chute provided above the transverse conveyor belt and
having a receiving opening, said suction line including a discharge
opening communicating with the receiving opening.
6. The tamping machine of claim 3, wherein at least two of said
ballast hoppers are provided, one following the other in the
longitudinal direction, each said ballast hopper being associated
with a closeable discharge opening of the suction line for filling
the ballast hopper.
7. The tamping machine of claim 3, wherein each said ballast hopper
further includes a closeable outlet opening arranged above the
longitudinal conveyor belt.
8. The tamping machine of claim 1, wherein the ballast suction
nozzle, the discharge chute and the ballast plow are arranged
behind the tamping unit in the operating direction.
9. The tamping machine of claim 1, and further comprising a nozzle
suspension connected to the ballast suction nozzle, said nozzle
suspension being configured for pivoting about a horizontal swivel
axis which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
10. The tamping machine of claim 9, wherein the ballast suction
nozzle, in addition to being mounted on the swivel axis, is
swingably mounted on a horizontal axle extending perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction, and further comprising drives for
pivoting the ballast suction nozzle about the horizontal axle.
11. A ballast tamping machine, comprising a track-bound machine
frame defining a longitudinal axis and traveling in an operating
direction; a tamping unit mounted on the machine frame; a suction
apparatus having a suction nozzle which is positioned in proximity
of the tamping unit for withdrawing old ballast from a track
section, and a first drive for adjusting the suction nozzle in
directions vertical and transverse to the longitudinal axis; a
first discharge chute provided for ejecting new ballast onto the
track; and a ballast plow mounted on the machine frame for
distributing ballast on the track.
12. The tamping machine of claim 11, wherein the first discharge
chute is positioned between the suction nozzle and the ballast
plow.
13. The tamping machine of claim 11, wherein the suction apparatus
includes a hopper arrangement mounted on the machine frame, and a
first conveyor belt extending in the direction of the longitudinal
axis and arranged partly underneath the hopper arrangement, said
first conveyor belt having opposite ends, with one of the ends
positioned adjacent the first discharge chute.
14. The tamping machine of claim 13, wherein the suction apparatus
includes a second conveyor belt mounted on the machine frame and
extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said other one of
the ends of the first conveyor arranged above the second conveyor
belt.
15. The tamping machine of claim 14, and further comprising a
second discharge chute disposed above the second conveyor belt and
having a receiving opening, said suction apparatus including a
suction line which terminates in the suction nozzle and includes a
discharge opening in communication with the receiving opening.
16. The tamping machine of claim 13, wherein the hopper arrangement
includes at least two hoppers arranged in series behind one another
in the direction of the longitudinal axis, said suction apparatus
including a suction line which terminates in the suction nozzle and
includes at least two discharge openings for filling the hoppers
with ballast, each of the discharge openings communicating with a
corresponding one of the hoppers, whereby the discharge openings
and the hoppers are placed into one-to-one correspondence.
17. The tamping machine of claim 16, wherein the hopper arrangement
includes means for closing the discharge openings of the
hoppers.
18. The tamping machine of claim 16, wherein each of the hoppers of
the hopper arrangement has an outlet opening arranged above the
first conveyor belt.
19. The tamping machine of claim 18, wherein the hopper arrangement
includes means for closing the outlet opening of each of the
hoppers.
20. The tamping machine of claim 12, wherein the suction nozzle,
the first discharge chute and the ballast plow are arranged in the
operating direction behind the tamping unit.
21. The tamping machine of claim 11, wherein the suction apparatus
includes a suspension for support of the suction nozzle, said
suspension being swingably mounted for rotation about a horizontal
first swivel axis which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis.
22. The tamping machine of claim 21, wherein the suction apparatus
includes a second drive for rotation of the suction nozzle about a
horizontal second swivel axis which extends perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis.
23. A track maintenance machine, comprising: a machine frame
defined by an axis; first means, mounted to the machine frame, for
tamping ballast underneath a track section; second means, mounted
to the machine frame, for withdrawal of old ballast from the track
section, said second means having a suction nozzle and a drive
mechanism for adjusting the suction nozzle in a direction vertical
and transverse to the axis; third means, mounted to the machine
frame, for supplying new ballast to the track section and
distributing new ballast across the track section.
24. A track maintenance machine, comprising: a track-bound machine
frame defining a longitudinal axis and traveling in an operating
direction; a suction apparatus for withdrawing old ballast from a
track section; a plurality of hoppers mounted in side-by-side
disposition on the machine frame, each of said hoppers optionally
connectable to the suction apparatus to thereby allow selective
loading of old ballast or new ballast; a first bi-directional
conveyor belt disposed underneath the hoppers for receiving ballast
from the hoppers; a first discharge chute disposed adjacent one end
of the first conveyor belt; a second bi-directional conveyor belt
extending transversely to the longitudinal axis to allow deposit of
ballast at shoulders of the track section; and a second discharge
chute disposed above the second conveyor belt and optionally
connectable to the suction apparatus to thereby allow selective
loading of old ballast or new ballast.
25. A method of maintaining a track section by means of a ballast
tamping machine, comprising the steps of: advancing the ballast
tamping machine along a track section to be maintained while
withdrawing old ballast from adjoining cribs of a track section and
transporting the ballast to a storage container; reversing the
travel of the ballast tamping machine while depositing new ballast
to fill the cribs of the track section; advancing the ballast
tamping machine to evenly distribute the ballast across the cribs
of the track section; and tamping the ballast to properly position
the track section.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of Austrian Patent
Application, Serial No. GM 141/2000, filed Feb. 29, 2000, the
subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a ballast
tamping machine.
[0003] This type of a track maintenance machine is provided for
tamping ballast underneath a railroad track, and generally includes
a machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for
mobility in an operating direction, and a tamping unit and a track
lifting and lining unit.
[0004] European Patent No. 0 436 757 B1 describes a ballast tamping
machine including a tamping unit and provided with a pipeline for
transporting ballast and associated with the tamping unit. In this
manner, new ballast can be discharged onto the track in the region
of the tamping unit. Thus, in track sections where there is a
deficiency of ballast, the ballast bed can be filled up, as
required, in parallel with the tamping operation.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,403 or British Patent No. 2 270 943 B
describe track maintenance machines having a suction nozzle for
aspirating ballast from the track.
[0006] It would be desirable and advantageous to provide an
improved ballast tamping machine to realize optimal tamping results
even in track sections that exhibit unserviceable ballast
conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides for a machine for tamping
ballast underneath a railroad track, which comprises a machine
frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on the
track by undercarriages for mobility in an operating direction. A
tamping unit is mounted on the machine frame, and a track lifting
and lining unit cooperates with the tamping unit. A suction
apparatus for aspirating ballast is provided on the machine frame
and includes a suction line connected to a ballast suction nozzle
which is associated with the tamping unit. Drives are provided for
adjusting the ballast suction nozzle vertically and transversely to
the longitudinal direction. A ballast plow is mounted on the
machine frame, and a discharge chute is provided for ejecting
ballast onto the track.
[0008] This special combination of working devices makes it
possible in an advantageous way to remove and replace ballast which
is unfit for use in tamping operations or for attaining durable
tamping results. Unusable ballast can be substituted immediately
prior to the tamping procedure. The new ballast can be distributed
evenly across the track by means of the ballast plow and can
subsequently be compacted immediately with the aid of the tamping
unit in order to create a durable and permanent track position.
Advantageously, the tamping machine can be employed without any
restriction whatsoever also for operation in normal track sections
where the prevailing ballast conditions are satisfactory.
[0009] According to another feature of the present invention, the
discharge chute is positioned between the ballast suction nozzle
and the ballast plow. According to yet another aspect, ballast
hoppers are mounted on the machine frame, and a longitudinal
conveyor belt extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged
partly underneath the ballast hoppers and has an ejection end
associated with the discharge chute.
[0010] According to another feature of the present invention, a
transverse conveyor belt is mounted on the machine frame and
extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with the
longitudinal conveyor belt including a second end, distanced from
the ejection end, which is arranged above the transverse conveyor
belt. A second discharge chute having a receiving opening may be
provided above the transverse conveyor belt, and the suction line
may comprise a discharge opening emptying into the receiving
opening.
[0011] According to another feature of the present invention, at
least two ballast hoppers may be provided, one following the other
in the longitudinal direction, with each ballast hopper being
associated with a respective closeable discharge opening of the
suction line for filling the hopper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the
following description of a preferred exemplified embodiment of the
invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a front half of a
ballast tamping machine according to the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a rear half of the
ballast tamping machine of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements
are generally indicated by same reference numerals.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown side
elevations of the front and rear halves of a tamping machine 1 for
tamping ballast 16 under a railroad track 6 comprising two rails 5
fastened to ties 4. The tamping machine 1 includes a two-part
elongate machine frame 2 whose parts are linked together and which
is supported on the track 6 by undercarriages 3. A motor 7 and a
motive drive 8 are provided for advancing the tamping machine 1
along the track 6 in an operating direction indicated by arrow
9.
[0017] A tamping unit 10, adjustable by means of drives both
vertically and transversely to the longitudinal direction, and a
track lifting and lining unit 11 are positioned between the two
forwardly located undercarriages 3, as viewed in the operating
direction. The tamping unit 10 typically includes tamping tines 12
squeezable in the longitudinal direction by means of drives. A
track position control system 13, shown only in part here, is
provided for checking the position of the track 6.
[0018] Located immediately behind the tamping unit 10, with regard
to the operating direction of the tamping machine 1, is a ballast
suction nozzle 15 which is adjustable by drives 14 in directions
vertically and transversely to the longitudinal extension of the
machine 1 for aspirating ballast 16 of the track 6. The suction
nozzle 15 is connected to a suction apparatus 18 by means of a
suction line 17 which runs in the longitudinal extension of the
machine 1. The suction apparatus 18 is mounted on the machine frame
2 and essentially includes of a vacuum pump 19, three ballast
hoppers 20, which are arranged in series behind one other in the
longitudinal direction, as well as filter chambers which are not
explicitly shown in the drawing. Of course, the arrangement of
three ballast hoppers 20 is made by way of example only, and it
will be appreciated that the number of ballast hoppers may vary
depending on the need and situation at hand.
[0019] The suction line 17 includes a same number of discharge
openings 21 as the number of ballast hoppers 20 so as to provide a
communication of the suction line 17 with each of the ballast
hoppers 20. Although not shown in detail, each of the discharge
openings 21 enters the ballast hoppers 20 at the top thereof and
has a closure mechanism which is actuatable by remote control for
opening and closing the discharge openings 21. Thus, the ballast
hoppers 20 can be selectively filled. Each of the ballast hoppers
20 has a lower end region formed with an outlet opening 23 which is
also provided with a remote-controlled closure mechanism for
opening and closing the outlet opening 23. An exemplified
construction and manner of operation of a typical closure mechanism
for use with the discharge openings 21 and outlet openings 23 is
fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,904, to which reference is
made herewith. The outlets openings 23 are positioned above a
conveyor belt 22 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the
machine 1 and runs partly underneath the ballast hoppers 20. The
conveyor belt 22 has a forward ejection end 24 which is positioned
above a discharge chute 26 for ejecting ballast via outlet openings
25 that lead to the track 6. Positioned in the operating direction
behind the discharge chute 26 is a ballast plow 27 which is
connected to the machine frame 2 and configured for vertical
adjustment by means of drives (not shown).
[0020] Disposed in the operating direction immediately behind the
suction apparatus 18 is a second discharge chute 28 having a
receiving opening 29 and closeable outlet openings 30. The outlet
openings 30 are located above a transverse conveyor belt 32 which
is mounted to the machine frame 2 and runs perpendicular to the
longitudinal extension of the machine 1. The conveyor belt 32 is
operated by a drive 31 and is so configured that a part thereof is
positioned underneath a second conveyor belt end 33, distanced from
the ejection end 24, of the conveyor belt 22. A further, optionally
closeable, discharge opening 21 of the suction line 17 enters
through the receiving opening 29 of the second discharge chute
28.
[0021] The ballast suction nozzle 15, mounted transversely and
vertically adjustably on the machine frame 2, is fastened to a
nozzle suspension 34 which is swingable by means of a drive 35
about a horizontal swivel axle 36 extending perpendicular to the
longitudinal extension of the machine 1. In addition to the support
on the swivel axle 36, the suction nozzle 15 is additionally
supported on a second horizontal axle 37, which extends
perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the machine 1, for
pivoting by means of a drive 35.
[0022] The operation of the above-described tamping machine 1 will
now be described in more detail:
[0023] The tamping machine 1 is particularly suited for application
in track sections in which short portions of about six to ten
sleeper divisions in length exhibit ballast conditions which are no
longer acceptable to guarantee durable tamping results. As soon as
such a track section is reached, the ballast suction nozzle 15 is
lowered and immersed between the ties 4 and, by creating a vacuum,
spoiled ballast 16 is aspirated and, for example, stored in an
empty one of the ballast hoppers 20. Optionally, the track 6 may be
elevated by the track lifting and lining unit 11 during ballast
withdrawal. As the machine 1 is advanced step-by-step, the
following cribs are successively emptied until the soiled ballast
16 of the entire track section to be renewed has been suctioned off
and stored. Already during subsequent return travel of the machine
1, new ballast stored in the other two of the ballast hoppers 20 is
discharged onto the conveyor belt 22 via the associated outlet
openings 23 and transported by the conveyor belt 22 to the
discharge chute 26 for subsequent ejection of new ballast onto the
track 6 and distributed over the track profile.
[0024] During a subsequent forward travel by the machine 1 in the
operating direction (arrow 9), the ballast plow 27 is lowered to
distribute the discharged new ballast 16 evenly across the entire
width of the track 6. Thereafter, the renewed track section is
brought into the correct, desired position by the tamping unit 10,
the track lifting and lining unit 11 and the track position control
system 13.
[0025] Through arrangement of several ballast hoppers 20 with a
subjacent conveyor belt 22 as well as provision of the rear, second
discharge chute 28 and the transverse conveyor belt 32, the machine
1 can be suited to ballast conditions at hand. For example, in the
event a lack of storage capacity bars a storage of spoiled ballast,
the suction line 17 can be used to empty the excess spoiled ballast
into the second discharge chute 28. Optionally, the second
discharge chute 28 may also be used for additional storage, whereby
in this case the outlet openings 30 are then closed. As an
alternative, it is also possible at any time to unload soiled
ballast 16 from the second discharge chute 28 via the transverse
conveyor belt 32 to one of the two ballast bed shoulders of the
track 6. Likewise, it is possible to empty a ballast hopper 20 that
has been filled with soiled ballast 16 by discharging ballast
through the outlet openings 23 onto the longitudinal conveyor belt
22 for transfer to the transverse conveyor belt 32. Of course, it
is also possible in the event of increased storage demand to fill a
second one of the ballast hoppers 20 with soiled ballast, as soon
as cleaned ballast previously stored therein has been discharged
completely onto the track 6.
[0026] Suitably, the machine 1 further includes a sweeping brush 38
which is arranged at the rear end of the machine frame 2 to sweep
the track 6 in a final step, preferably in connection with the
track tamping operation. An operator's cab 39 is so located that
the operator has very good visibility of the ballast suction nozzle
15 and the tamping unit 10.
[0027] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a ballast tamping machine, and method of maintaining a
track section, it is not intended to be limited to the details
shown since various modifications and structural changes may be
made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0028] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
* * * * *