U.S. patent application number 10/486039 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-30 for travel way for a track-guided vehicle.
Invention is credited to Frisch, Theo, Hiller, Udo, Reichel, Dieter.
Application Number | 20040261647 10/486039 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7694998 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040261647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reichel, Dieter ; et
al. |
December 30, 2004 |
Travel way for a track-guided vehicle
Abstract
The invention relates to a travel way for a track-guided
vehicle, especially a magnetic levitation railway, comprising a
carrier (1) and at least one add-on piece (3) (functional element)
which is fixed to the carrier (1) and is used to guide the vehicle.
The inventive travel way is characterised in that the add-on piece
(3) is connected to the carrier (1) in a frictionally engaged
manner and means are provided, in the form of a redundancy system,
for an auxiliary non-positive connection.
Inventors: |
Reichel, Dieter; (Neumarkt,
DE) ; Frisch, Theo; (Velburg, DE) ; Hiller,
Udo; (Parsberg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen E Bondura
Dority & Manning
Post Office Box 1449
Greenville
SC
29602
US
|
Family ID: |
7694998 |
Appl. No.: |
10/486039 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
July 19, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP02/08032 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
104/124 ;
104/286 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01B 25/305
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
104/124 ;
104/286 |
International
Class: |
B61B 012/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 9, 2001 |
DE |
101 39 271.0 |
Claims
1-12. Cancelled
13. A travelway for a track guided vehicle, said travelway
comprising: a carrier; at least one attachment bound by a
frictional connection to said carrier, said at least one attachment
configured to provide guidance to the track guided vehicle; and at
least one first shape-fit auxiliary component operably disposed
between said carrier and said at least one attachment, said at
least one first shape-fit auxiliary component serves as a
redundancy system to retain said at least one attachment to said
carrier upon failure of said frictional connection, whereby said
redundancy system reveals said failure in such a manner that a
vehicle traveling over the travelway is capable of detecting a
displacement of said at least one attachment.
14. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein the travelway is for a
magnetically levitated railway.
15. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein said carrier includes a
console firmly bound to said carrier, said at least one attachment
connected to said console by said frictional connection and said
redundancy system.
16. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein said at least one first
shape-fit auxiliary component comprises a bolt fastened to said
carrier, at least one portion of said bolt resting within a
concentric opening formed in said at least one attachment with said
concentric opening being of a greater diameter than said at least
one portion of said bolt resting within said concentric opening so
that said at least one portion of said bolt and said concentric
opening are axially aligned when said frictional connection binds
said at least one attachment to said carrier.
17. A travelway as in claim 16, wherein a cross-section of said at
least one portion of said bolt and a cross section of said
concentric opening are circular and exhibit a difference in
diameters.
18. A travelway as in claim 17, wherein said difference in
diameters comprises 4 mm.
19. A travelway as in claim 17, wherein said cross-section of said
at least one portion of said bolt and said cross section of said
concentric opening are chosen based on the desired displacement of
said at least attachment.
20. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein said at least one first
shape-fit auxiliary component comprises a bolt fastened to said at
least one attachment, at least one portion of said bolt resting
within a concentric opening formed in said carrier with said
concentric opening being of a greater diameter than said at least
one portion of said bolt and said concentric opening are axially
aligned when said frictional connection binds said at least one
attachment to said carrier.
21. A travelway as in claim 20, wherein a cross-section of said at
least one portion of said bolt and a cross-section of said
concentric opening formed in said carrier are circular and exhibit
a difference in diameters.
22. A travelway as in claim 21, wherein said difference in
diameters comprises 4 mm.
23. A travelway as in claim 21, wherein said cross-section of said
at least one portion of said bolt and said cross section of said
concentric opening found in said carrier are chosen based on the
desired displacement of said at least one attachment.
24. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein at least one second
shape-fit auxiliary component is operably disposed between said
carrier and said at least one attachment, said at least one second
shape-fit auxiliary component serves as a second redundancy system
to retain said at least one attachment to said carrier upon failure
of said at least one first shape-fit auxiliary component
connection, whereby said second redundancy system reveals said
failure in such a manner that a vehicle traveling over the
travelway is capable of detecting a further displacement of said at
least one attachment.
25. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein at least one second
shape-fit auxiliary component are screws used in screw attachments,
whereby at least one of said carrier or said at least one
attachment forms screw borings that are larger in diameter than a
diameter of screws used in said screw attachment.
26. A travelway as in claim 25, wherein said screw borings and said
screws have a difference in diameters of 6 mm.
27. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein at least one first
shape-fit auxiliary component is a projection disposed on said
carrier, said projection configured to fit into a corresponding
boring within said at least one attachment with a specified annular
clearance.
28. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein at least one first
shape-fit auxiliary component is a projection disposed on said at
least one attachment, said projection configured to fit into a
corresponding boring within said carrier with a specified annular
clearance.
29. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein at least one of a carrier
connection surface of said carrier or an attachment connection
surface on said at least one attachment comprises a frictional
surface structure.
30. A travelway as in claim 29, wherein at least one of said
carrier connection surface on said carrier or said attachment
connection surface on said at least one attachment comprise a
friction enhancing coating.
31. A travelway as in claim 13, wherein said friction enhancing
coating comprises a alkali-zinc-silicate base.
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns a travelway for a
track-guided vehicle, in particular, a magnetically levitated
railway, said travelway comprising a carrier and with at least one
functional component affixed to the carrier for the guidance of the
vehicle.
[0002] DE 41 15 936 A1 demonstrates various fastening possibilities
for binding attachments onto the carrier. In accord with a first
embodiment example, attachments are bound to the carrier by means
of shape-fit connections. For this purpose, in the said
attachments, pins are provided, which can be introduced into
corresponding blind borings in the carrier or into a plate thereon.
The pins and the blind borings are required to provide exact
seating in order to make possible a position-perfect location of
the attachment. Accordingly, it is necessary, that the blind
borings be precisely drilled. Such an operation is especially
expensive in the manufacture of said carrier assembly.
[0003] In another embodiment shown in the said DE 41 15 936 A1, a
friction-based connection is employed. In this case, a console
plate is fastened on the carrier. Attachments can then be affixed
to the console plate by means of three bolts, which penetrate oval,
or extended holes. All forces to which the carrier is subjected are
to be overcome by the friction of the said closure. Should one of
the friction-based connections fail, the possibility cannot be
overlooked, that the attachment in the said oval hole of the
console plate would be pushed so far, that travel operation on the
corresponding carrier could no longer be possible, or at the best,
be executed in only a limited manner.
[0004] Thus, the purpose of the present invention is to create a
travelway, which assures a secure operation of the track guided
vehicle, even in a case, where the actual fastening means for the
attachment fail on the carrier.
[0005] This purpose is achieved by the features of claim 1.
[0006] In accord with the invention, the attachment has a
frictionally based connection in its binding to the carrier, and
further contains a redundant system, which, in a case of emergency,
can be activated into use.
[0007] Due to the frictional connection, it is possible that
adjustments of the attachment to the carrier can be very easily
made. The exercise of a force which might be damaging, in
particular a shearing stress on the fastening elements, for
instance, on the bolts, is substantially reduced or even entirely
avoided. Means for backing up the frictional connections have been
provided as a redundant system in order to be assured, that if the
frictional connection gives way, an alarm will be emitted as
quickly as possible without endangering safe running on the
travelway. A case of failure of frictionally based connection,
causes a shape-fit connection to come into play. Shearing forces
act upon the connection means as soon as the original connection
element fails.
[0008] Advantageously, the redundance system is so designed or
arranged, that it can detect an erroneous condition, and thus, as
soon as possible can release corrective measures as quickly as
possible, in order to restore the proper behavior of the
connection.
[0009] It is especially advantageous, if a plurality consoles are
placed on the carrier, onto which the said attachment can be
fastened. Where consoles are concerned, both the frictionally based
connection as well as the redundance system can be very easily
installed. Necessary machining of the consoles can be carried out
either in their position on the carrier, or before the installation
thereon.
[0010] Experience has advantageously shown, that if the redundance
system comprises at least one bolt, which is affixed to a console
or to the carrier, then the bolt boring should be found in a
concentric opening of the attachment of greater cross-section.
Alternately, or additionally, one bolt can also be fastened to the
said attachment in an opening of the carrier and/or of the console.
In the case of a failure of the original frictional connection, the
bolt can displace itself within the concentric opening of greater
cross-section up to the end of the bolt play distance. Only when
the bolt abuts the wall of the opening, can a shape-fit connection
of the attachment onto the carrier or console be established. It is
of particular advantage if the cross-sections of the bolt and the
opening are circular and exhibit a difference in diameter of about
4 mm. The bolt is then allowed, from a concentric starting point,
to have a free movement of about 2 mm. An important element in a
particularly advantageous embodiment is that the requirements of
signaling to the system a that a fault exists must be fulfilled,
that is to say, the system is made aware that a possibly damaging
condition in the attachment-fastening exists.
[0011] If the attachment is held by screws on the carrier or on the
console, and if the diameter of the penetrating screw boring is
clearly greater, especially 3 mm greater than the diameter of the
screw, then a second redundance system has been created. If the
non-slidable (i.e. frictional) binding, which is made by screws,
fails, then the attachment drops to the end of the bolt play. If
the bolt play, for example, is 2 mm, and if the screw play would
permit 3 mm, then, in this case, the bolt would seize-up in a
shape-fit connection and limit the distance through which the
attachment can drop. A vehicle, which travels by means of such a
dropped position of the attachment, can detect this sinking and
issue a signal, that at this position the actual, frictional
binding has released itself and the redundance system is in action.
On this account, a maintenance program can be subsequently
undertaken. However, the travel operation has not been
endangered.
[0012] In such a case, wherein even the shape-fit bolted connection
would break down, then the attachment would drop a further
distance, and just so far until the screw play is exhausted. By a
diameter difference of the bolt diameter to the opening of 2 mm,
then the bolt play is 2 mm. This means, that the attachment can
drop 2 mm until the bolt strikes against the opening wall and the
movement of the attachment stops. If the screw play is 3 mm, then,
in this case, the screw is still 1 mm away from the wall of the
screw boring. In the case of a failure of the bolt, then the
attachment can drop another one mm, until the screw abuts the well
of the screw boring. This second redundance provides in the
invented fastening system an additional element of security. The
operation of the track guided vehicle is thus, to the fullest
possible extent, assured of safety.
[0013] In order that a proper frictional connection can exist
between the attachment and the carrier and/or console, provision
has been made, that the contacting face of the carrier and/or the
console, or of the attachment, has a slide resistant surface. This
surface structure can, as an example, be roughed or be given
another structure which would provide a greater degree of
friction.
[0014] It has been particularly demonstrated, that it is
advantageous if the contacting surface of the carrier and/or the
console, and/or of the attachment, has a friction enhancing surface
material, especially an appropriate coating. By means of a
frictional coating, the machining work of the contacting surfaces
is made as simple as possible. Even in the case of a damaging of
the surface before the assembly of the attachment, this surface,
under some conditions, can be improved without the necessarily
impairing the frictional connection. With such a connective
arrangement, it is possible that the installation of a bolt can be
omitted. The shape-fit, redundant system would, in this case, be
created by the screw connection and/or inserts in the fastening
surfaces.
[0015] The use of a coating on an alkali-zinc-silicate basis has
proved itself in practice. A coating of this kind allows for a
favorable friction between the individual components, so that the
force from the attachment can be principally transmitted onto the
carrier/console.
[0016] Further advantages of the present invention are described
with the aid of the following embodiments. There is shown in:
[0017] FIG. 1 a section through a carrier, a console and an
attachment,
[0018] FIG. 2 a section through a connection position in the zone
of a bolt,
[0019] FIG. 3 a top view on a connection position in the
operational state,
[0020] FIG. 4 a top view of a connection position subjected to
action of a redundant system,
[0021] FIG. 5 a connection position in section in the zone of the
screw connection in the operational state,
[0022] FIG. 6 a section of the connection position in the zone of
the screws when subjected to the action of the redundant
system.
[0023] In FIG. 1 is shown a section through a portion of a concrete
carrier 1, a console 2 placed thereon to which is connected an
attachment 3. The concrete carrier 1 and the console 2 are,
normally, firmly bound together. This binding can consist of a
screwed connection, similar to that which is employed between the
console 2 and the attachment 3. The invented connection will be
described in relation to the binding together of the console 2 and
the attachment 3.
[0024] Both the console 2 as well as the attachment 3 possess,
respectively, a connection surface by means of which the two
components are bound together. The connection of console 2 and the
attachment 3 is carried out essentially by screws 4 which penetrate
through the said connection surfaces of the console 2 and the
attachment 3. By means of this screwed connection, the two
connection surfaces are pressed together, thereby causing the
frictional connection. This connection suffices, in general, for
the acceptance of the forces acting on the attachment 3 and for the
transmission of said forces to the console 2 and the carrier 1. As
an auxiliary component, which functions as a redundance system, a
bolt 5 is placed in the connection zone of the console 2. The bolt
5 is securely in threaded connection with the console 2 and is
contained in an opening 10 of the attachment 3, which opening 10 is
a boring of specified greater diameter than the bolt. In the
operational state, this opening 10 possesses, in comparison to bolt
5, a play in the boring, which, advantageously, is so dimensioned,
that even in a case of failure, that is, if the holding force of
the screws 4 have failed, a sinking of the attachment 3 can only
continue to an extent which does not endanger the travel operation
of the vehicle, during its run over the attachment 3.
[0025] In FIG. 2 is shown a detail view in the zone of a bolt 5.
The console 2 possesses a boring, within which the bolt 5 and its
shaft 7 is accommodated. The bolt head 8 is inset into the console
by a nut 6. Obviously, it is also possible, that the console 2, or
conversely, the attachment 3 can have a projection integrated into
the console 2 or the attachment 3, which projection engages itself
within the said opening of the opposite component. It is
particularly advantageous, if the bolt head 8, is visible in its
position in the opening 10 of the corresponding component, in order
to be able to carry out a visual assessment of the state of the
operational-position. If the predetermined position of the
operational position is occupied, then the open clearance 10,
relative to the bolt head 8 should be an annular opening. Upon a
failure of the screws 4, then the said open clearance, counter to
the specified operational position, will show a zero opening at one
place and the attachment 3 is directly abutting the bolt head
8.
[0026] In order to create a particularly strong frictional
resistance, the contact surfaces between the console 2 and the
attachment 3 are provided with a coating (9, 9'). In particular,
the said coating has an alkali-zinc-silicate base in the form of a
paint-like material which has proved itself to be very
advantageous. This coating causes an especially great frictional
resistance at a reasonable cost and is simple as to being restored.
If such a coating is used, consideration may be given to the
omission of the installation of bolt 5 either partially or
entirely.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the boring locations of the
console 2 and the attachment 3. The borings for the screws 4 are
found in their operational positions in concentric, axial
alignment. The same is true for the borings for the bolts 5, where
again a concentric, axial alignment can be seen. The bolt head 8
possesses a radius R1. The opening 10, in which the bolt head 8 is
seated, has a radius of R2 and radius R2 is greater than radius R1.
A radius difference of 2 mm has shown itself as being advantageous,
since with this dimensioning the travel operation of the vehicle
cannot be endangered, as the attachment 3 drops down onto the bolt
head.
[0028] In FIG. 4, the said boring clearance is shown when
attachment 3 and console 2 are mutually, vertically displaced. The
bolts 5 with their heads 8, in this depiction, are now being forced
into action. The attachment 3 is sunken to the outer circumference
of the bolt head 8, whereby the clearance, of the otherwise annular
opening, is reduced to zero at one point. The holes for the screws
4 are likewise no longer in concentric alignment but are offset
from one another. The boring openings, however, still suffice to
provide space for the screw shafts which are situation
therewithin.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a detail view of a connection position in the
zone of the screws 4 in their specified operational position. The
openings in the console 2 and the attachment 3 are in axial and
concentric alignment. The screw 4, by means of a nut 11, its shaft
12 and the screw head 13 threadedly binds the connection surfaces
of the console 2 and the attachment 3. The contacting surfaces,
which have the coating 9, 9' are securely bound with one another
and in this way create the frictional connection between the
console 2 and the attachment 3. The coating 9, 9' in this
embodiment, is also on the contacting surface of the attachment 3,
to bring about a particularly effective frictional connection.
Between the shaft 12 and the screw boring 14 is an annular opening
of sufficient size. This annular opening is particularly of
advantage if it can reach to the extent of a maximum of 3 mm. That
is to say, in a concentric coincidence, a diameter difference of 3
mm exists and thus is larger than the annular opening between the
bolt opening 10 and the bolt head 8. In other words, the
displacement possibility of the screw 4 in the screw boring 14 is
so to be designed, that it is indeed greater than the sliding
displacement of a bolt head boring 10.
[0030] In FIG. 6 a failure situation is shown. In this case, the
frictional connection became no longer sufficient, so that the
attachment 3 was caused to slide along the console 2 downward. In
the present presentation of the FIG. 6 the attachment 3 lies
against the (not shown) bolt head 8. Since the annular openings on
the bolt head 8 and the opening 10 are less than the annular
opening between the screw shaft 12 and the screw-boring 14, the
attachment 3, in this illustration, does not seat itself on the
screw shaft 12.
[0031] If the case were, that the bolt should also fail, then there
exists a further shape-fit redundance therein, in that the
attachment 3, in such a case, would seat itself on the screw shaft
12 and in this way create a renewed shape-fit connection. This
second redundance system provides added security for the fastening
of the attachment 3.
[0032] By means of the inherent redundant systems of the present
embodiment, it becomes possible, that the vehicle, which runs over
the damaged binder position, can receive/transmit data in regard
to, first the retention of the specified operational state, second
the attainment of the first redundant system, and third the
achievement of reaching the second redundant system. In this way,
for example, a reaction to such a signal can be, that by the
determination of the occurrence of the first redundant system, a
track service group can rework/replace the frictional connection
and upon determination of the of the second redundant system,
travel operation can be stopped on the basis of safety.
[0033] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment
presented in the description. Thus it is obviously possible, that
the first redundant system can be designed in a different manner,
for example, individually shaped edges on the console or in the
attachment are possible, and these can be so positioned that
thereby a shape-fit connection is created. The establishment of the
redundant system can again be accomplished by an opening, annular
or of a different shape, for instance, a rectangular form. Instead
of bolts, naturally also other marking and holding elements, such
as, for example, tensioning clamps or the like can be used.
* * * * *