U.S. patent application number 15/027549 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for intermediate element and system for fixing a rail for a rail vehicle onto a foundation.
The applicant listed for this patent is VOSSLOH-WERKE GMBH. Invention is credited to Winfried Bosterling, Nicole Wiethoff.
Application Number | 20160244919 15/027549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49385233 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160244919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wiethoff; Nicole ; et
al. |
August 25, 2016 |
Intermediate Element and System for Fixing a Rail for a Rail
Vehicle Onto a Foundation
Abstract
A system and an intermediate element for a system for fixing a
rail for a rail vehicle onto a foundation. The intermediate element
is arranged between an end section of a spring element and the rail
such that the spring element exerts a retaining force on the rail
by means of the intermediate element. The intermediate element has
a supporting surface, on which the end section of the spring
element rests during use, and a contact surface, with which the
intermediate element sits on the rail during use. The intermediate
element is elastically resilient in an active direction from the
supporting surface towards the contact surface.
Inventors: |
Wiethoff; Nicole; (Balve,
DE) ; Bosterling; Winfried; (Neuenrade, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VOSSLOH-WERKE GMBH |
Werdohl |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
49385233 |
Appl. No.: |
15/027549 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
October 9, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/071099 |
371 Date: |
April 6, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01B 9/60 20130101; E01B
26/00 20130101; E01B 9/303 20130101; E01B 2205/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01B 9/60 20060101
E01B009/60 |
Claims
1. An intermediate element for a system for fixing a rail for a
rail vehicle onto a foundation, wherein the intermediate element is
provided to be arranged between an end section of a spring element
and the rail such that the spring element exerts a retaining force
on the rail by means of the intermediate element, and wherein the
intermediate element comprises a supporting surface, on which the
end section of the spring element rests during use, and a contact
surface with which the intermediate element sits on the rail during
use, wherein the intermediate element is designed to be elastically
resilient in an active direction from the supporting surface
towards the contact surface.
2. The intermediate element according to claim 1, wherein an
elastic element is arranged between the supporting surface and the
contact surface.
3. The intermediate element according to claim 2, wherein the
elastic element is made of a synthetic material.
4. The intermediate element according to claim 2, wherein the
intermediate element has a dimensionally stable section on a free
upper side of which the supporting surface is configured.
5. The intermediate element according to claim 4, wherein the
intermediate element has a dimensionally stable section on an
underside of which the contact surface is configured.
6. The intermediate element according to claim 5, wherein the
elastic element is arranged between the dimensionally stable
sections.
7. The intermediate element according to claim 6, wherein the
dimensionally stable sections are connected by means of a support
made from a material which has less elasticity than the elastic
element, and wherein the dimensionally stable sections and the
support define a retainer on an upper side, underside and long side
thereof, in which the elastic element sits.
8. The intermediate element according to claim 7, wherein the
dimensionally stable sections and the support are manufactured as a
single piece.
9. The intermediate element according to claim 5, wherein the
respective dimensionally stable section is made from a synthetic
material.
10. The intermediate element according to claim 5, wherein the
elastic element is firmly bonded to the respective dimensionally
stable section.
11. The intermediate element according to claim 10, wherein the
elastic element is injection moulded onto the respective
dimensionally stable section.
12. The intermediate element according to claim 1, wherein the
intermediate element is configured in the shape of an elongated
rectangle.
13. The intermediate element according to claim 1, wherein the
intermediate element has a long side in which a recess is formed,
with which a section of the spring element engages during use, the
at least one end section of which is braced on the supporting
surface of the intermediate element during use.
14. The intermediate element according to claim 1, wherein moulded
parts are configured on the supporting surface, against which the
assigned end section of the spring element is braced during
use.
15. A system for fixing a rail for a rail vehicle to a foundation,
wherein the rail has a rail foot with which it is supported on the
base comprising: a spring element braced against the foundation by
means of a tensioning element, which has at least one spring arm
with an end section configured on the free end thereof, and an
intermediate element configured according to claim 1, the contact
surface of which rests on the foot of the rail and on the
supporting surface of which the end section of the spring arm of
the spring element rests.
16. The intermediate element according to claim 1, wherein the
intermediate element has a dimensionally stable section on a free
upper side of which the supporting surface is configured.
17. The intermediate element according to claim 1, wherein the
intermediate element has a dimensionally stable section on an
underside of which the contact surface is configured.
18. The intermediate element according to claim 2, wherein the
intermediate element is configured in the shape of an elongated
rectangle.
19. The intermediate element according to claim 2, wherein the
intermediate element has a long side in which a recess is formed,
with which a section of the spring element engages during use, the
at least one end section of which is braced on the supporting
surface of the intermediate element during use.
20. The intermediate element according to claim 2, wherein moulded
parts are configured on the supporting surface, against which the
assigned end section of the spring element is braced during use.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an intermediate element for a
system for fixing a rail for a rail vehicle onto a foundation. The
intermediate element is provided to be arranged between an end
section of a spring element and a rail for rail vehicles such that
the spring element exerts a retaining force on the rail by means of
the intermediate element during use. The intermediate element has a
supporting surface for this purpose on which the end section of the
spring element rests during use, and a contact surface that sits on
the rail during use.
[0002] The invention also concerns a system having such an
intermediate element for fixing a rail for a rail vehicle onto a
foundation.
[0003] An intermediate element and a system of this kind are known
from DE 20 2007 018 500 UI, for example. In this known system, a
so-called `tensioning clamp` is used as the spring element, which
is configured in the shape of a `W` having a middle bend and two
spring arms extending away therefrom. The free end sections of the
spring arms of the spring element each rest inside a retainer which
is moulded into the supporting surface of the intermediate element.
The intermediate element made of a non-conductive synthetic
material rests on the upper side of the rail foot of the rail fixed
using the system. In this manner, the intermediate element
electrically separates the rail from the spring element and at the
same time guarantees extensive exertion of the retaining force on
the rail foot.
[0004] When a rail vehicle travels over rail fixing points set up
using systems of the type in question, low-frequency movements,
which are triggered by weight-loading, caused by the weight of the
respective rail vehicle or train comprising several rail vehicles,
medium-frequency movements, which are triggered by the distribution
and dead weight of the axles or bogeys of the train, or
high-frequency rail movements may occur, which are triggered by
geometric deviations of the wheels of the respective rail vehicle
travelling over said rail fixing points or damage on the running
surface of the respective fixed rail. Each of these types of
movement can lead to highly dynamic stresses on the spring element
used to retain the rail. They can even be such that the spring
element starts to resonate. The spring element is excited to its
natural frequency in the process and as a result may be exposed to
extremely high dynamic stress in spite of only minimal rail
movements. Stresses of this kind may lead to premature material
fatigue or such extensive wear and tear that early replacement is
necessary.
[0005] In the light of the prior art described above, the purpose
of the invention consists in providing means to minimise the risk
of a shortening of the service life of a spring element, which is
used in a system for fixing a rail to a foundation to hold down the
rail, occurring following intermittent movements.
[0006] A system for fixing a rail should also be mentioned wherein
simple means are used to prevent premature wear and tear of the
spring element used in such a system to hold the rail down on the
respective foundation.
[0007] To perform the task referred to above with respect to the
means, the invention provides an intermediate element having the
features indicated in claim 1.
[0008] In order to perform the task referred to above with regard
to the rail fixing system, the invention stipulates the use of an
intermediate element configured according to the invention.
[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in
the dependent claims and are explained in detail below along with
the inventive concept.
[0010] The intermediate element according to the invention for a
system for fixing a rail for a rail vehicle onto a foundation is
provided accordingly to be arranged between an end section of a
spring element and the rail to be fixed such that the spring
element exerts a retaining force on the rail by means of the
intermediate element. The intermediate element has a supporting
surface on which the end section of the spring element rests during
use, and a contact surface that sits on the rail during use.
According to the invention, the intermediate element is now
designed to be resiliently compliant in an active direction from
the supporting surface to the contact surface.
[0011] A system according to the invention for fixing a rail for a
rail vehicle onto a foundation in which the rail has a rail foot,
which supports it on the foundation, comprises accordingly [0012] a
spring element braced against the foundation by means of a
tensioning element, which has at least one spring arm with an end
section configured on the free end thereof, and [0013] an
intermediate element configured according to the invention, the
contact surface of which rests on the foot of the rail and the end
section of the spring arm of the spring element rests on its
supporting surface.
[0014] According to the invention, an intermediate element is
inserted between the respective rail to be fixed and the end of the
respective spring element acting on the rail. Compared with
insulating intermediate elements used in known rail fixing systems,
said intermediate element has significantly greater elastic
resilience and correspondingly less rigidity thereby creating a
cushioning effect. The intermediate element according to the
invention thus offers significantly better shock-absorbing
characteristics than is the case with insulating elements arranged
in conventional systems for fixing rails for the purpose of
electrical insulation between the respective spring element and the
rail.
[0015] In this manner, the intermediate element according to the
invention equipped with specific elastic resilience during use
allows isolation of the spring element exerting the retaining force
from the movements made by the rail. On account of the arrangement
of the elastic intermediate element between the ends of the spring
element and the rail, the vibrations of the spring arms are
minimised and the cushioning effect achieved in this manner results
in a reduction of the fading time for a natural vibration of the
spring element. The spring element is thus protected against
excessive stress and its service life is increased
significantly.
[0016] The default elasticity according to the invention and
cushioning effect of the intermediate element can be guaranteed
through a suitable design or the selection of a suitable material.
Thus it is possible, for example, to manufacture the intermediate
element from a solid material, but to shape it in the manner of a
spring such that it has elastic resilience that is adequate for the
purposes according to the invention.
[0017] The intermediate element as a whole can also be made from an
elastic or cushioning material, which has the required elasticity
or attenuating characteristics, and at the same time is so
wear-resistant that it can withstand the abrasive stresses that it
is exposed to during use. Such materials are used in rail systems
for intermediate plates, for example, which are placed in a rail
fixing point between the respective foundation and the rail resting
on it, in order to guarantee a defined resilience of the rail in
the direction of gravity.
[0018] In order that the intermediate element transmits retaining
forces, which are exerted by the respective spring element during
use, to the rail in a permanently safe manner, it may be
appropriate for the intermediate element to have a dimensionally
stable section, on the upper side of which the supporting surface
is configured, upon which the spring element acts using the
respective end section of its spring arm. In this case, the elastic
element is arranged on the underside of the dimensionally stable
section assigned to the rail. In this manner the retaining forces
applied by the spring element during use will be distributed over a
large area of the elastic element and will prevent the elastic
element from being damaged by the potentially sharp-edged end
section of the spring element acting upon it or, on account of too
small a contact surface between spring element and elastic element,
from being placed under such heavy local strain that premature wear
and tear occurs.
[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate element can
also have a dimensionally stable section on the underside of which
the contact surface is configured and on the upper side of which
facing away from the contact surface, the elastic element rests
accordingly. The dimensionally stable section thus arranged between
the elastic element and the rail during use protects the elastic
element, in particular against abrasive wear and tear, which may
otherwise occur in the event of contact between the elastic element
and the generally comparably rough surface of the rail.
[0020] An intermediate element according to the invention has
optimum effect and durability if the elastic element is arranged
between two dimensionally stable sections, i.e. is shielded both on
its upper side assigned to the respective end section of the spring
element and on its underside assigned to the rail by a
dimensionally stable section of the type explained above.
[0021] The embodiments of the intermediate element according to the
invention explained above and requiring at least one dimensionally
stable section prove particularly practical if the elastic element
is a layer made of an elastic, more particularly visco-elastic
material, which is covered by the respective dimensionally stable
section. However, the elastic element can also be configured as a
separately pre-assembled spring which is connected to the
respective dimensionally stable section.
[0022] In practice, the dimensionally stable sections can each
consist of a wear-resistant, hard material with a rigidity that is
sufficient to absorb the strains occurring during use and to
guarantee adequate dimensional stability of the respective
section.
[0023] Thus, the dimensionally stable sections can be made of
metal, for example. However, it is advantageous with regard to
their wear behaviour and the costs of their manufacture if the
dimensionally stable sections are made from a synthetic material.
Synthetic materials, which come into consideration here, are known
per se from the manufacture of insulating intermediate elements of
the type referred to at the beginning. They offer not only
sufficient resistance to wear and tear and stability, but are also
not electrically conductive.
[0024] In a case advantageous for practical use where the
intermediate element is formed from at least one wear-resistant
hard component acting as a vibration or electrical voltage
insulator, which establishes contact with the rail or tensioning
clamp, and an elastic soft component acting as an attenuator, the
soft component can be applied to the hard component, i.e. the
respectively available dimensionally stable section, in the
manufacturing process such that a firmly bonded connection is
established. This can be done through injection moulding or
casting. However, it is also possible to pre-fabricate the
respective dimensionally stable section and the elastic component
separately and assemble them with the intermediate element
subsequently. The elastic element can be firmly bonded to the
respective dimensionally stable element, for example, more
particularly glued or moulded, or connected in another manner, for
example, through a form-fit connection.
[0025] It may be advisable from a manufacturing perspective, if the
elastic element is intended to be arranged as an intermediate layer
between two dimensionally stable sections, to connect the
dimensionally stable sections together by means of a material
support, which is less elastic than the elastic element, and
consequently the dimensionally stable sections and the support
define a retainer on the upper side, underside and long side
thereof, in which the elastic element sits. This embodiment has the
advantage that the dimensionally stable sections connected to each
other by means of the support can be manufactured as a single piece
in one operation, for example from a suitable, hard synthetic
material. The support can be easily designed through a
corresponding reduction in its wall thickness such that it does not
prevent the necessary elastic resilience of the elastic element
sitting between the dimensionally stable sections.
[0026] A particularly suitable embodiment of an intermediate
element according to the invention, in particular for use in rail
fixing systems, in which a W-shaped tensioning clamp is used as a
spring element, is characterised in that it is configured in the
shape of an elongated rectangle. In this manner, the end sections
of the spring arms of such a tensioning clamp spring element can
act upon the rail together by means of a single intermediate
element. However, an individual intermediate element can of course
also be assigned to each of the spring arms.
[0027] In order to ensure particularly secure bracing of the
respectively assigned end section on the supporting surface of an
intermediate element according to the invention, moulded elements
can be configured on the supporting surface thereof against which
the assigned end section of the spring element is braced during
use.
[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below using a
drawing that represents an example embodiment. A schematic view is
shown in each case:
[0029] FIG. 1 a cross-section of a fixing point for a rail at right
angles to the long side of the rail.
[0030] FIG. 2 a perspective view of an intermediate element for a
system for fixing the rail.
[0031] The fixing point B shown in FIG. 1 comprises two identically
constructed systems 1, 1' for fixing the conventionally configured
rail S onto a fixed foundation U formed, for example, by a concrete
sleeper or a concrete slab. A system 1, 1' is arranged on each of
the long sides of the rail S. The rail S is part of a track for
rail vehicles (the rest of which is not shown) and has a rail foot
F, a support resting on the top thereof as well as a rail head
borne by the support on the free upper side of which the running
surface for the wheels of the rail vehicle is configured.
[0032] The systems 1, 1' each comprise a guide plate 2, 2'. A
spring element 3, 3' configured as a conventional W-shaped
tensioning clamp sits on each of said guide plates. Each spring
element 3, 3' is braced against the foundation U by means of a
tensioning element 4, 4' configured as a conventional sleeper
screw, which is screwed into a hole running through the respective
guide plate 2, 2' from the upper to the underside thereof and into
a plastic pin 5, 5' embedded in the foundation U.
[0033] The guide plate 2, 2' is configured in the manner of a
conventional angled guide plate. Said guide plate has a heel on its
underside assigned to the foundation U with which it sits in a
bonded manner in a correspondingly configured narrow channel 6, 6'
moulded into the foundation and extending along the rail S. The
supporting surface of the respective guide plate 2, 2' facing the
foot F of the rail S abuts the long side of the respective rail
foot F assigned thereto. In this manner, the rail S is braced
laterally by the guide plates 2, 2' on the respectively assigned
long side. The guide plates 2, 2' divert the shearing forces Q,
which occur when a rail vehicle travels over the fixing point B, to
the foundation.
[0034] In order to give the rail S a defined resilience in
direction of gravity K at fixing point B, an intermediate layer Z
commonly used for this purpose made of an elastically resilient
material, is placed between the rail foot F and the foundation
U.
[0035] The respective spring element 3, 3' in system 1, 2 exerts a
retaining force N, N' on the foot F of the rail S by means of the
end sections 7, 8 of its respective elastically resilient spring
arms 10, 11 extending from its middle bend 9, with which the rail S
is held pressed against the foundation U.
[0036] An intermediate element 12, 12' sits between the respective
end sections 7, 8 of the spring elements 3, 3' and the foot F of
the rail S.
[0037] The elongated rectangular and identically configured
intermediate elements 12, 12' each have a first, dimensionally
stable, plate-shaped section 13 extending over their length LZ and
width BZ, on the upper side of which a supporting surface 14 is
configured for the respectively assigned end sections 7, 8 of the
spring elements 3, 3'. Moulded parts 17, 18 are moulded onto the
end sections of the supporting surface 14 adjacent to the front
sides 15, 16 of the intermediate elements 12, 12' which each define
a cavity-like retainer 19, 20 extending in the longitudinal
direction L of the intermediate element 12, 12'. The respectively
assigned straight end section 7, 8 of the spring elements 3, 3'
sits in said retainers 19, 20 during use. In this manner, the end
sections 7, 8 are guided on their long sides such that their
position remains secure on the respective intermediate element 12,
12' even in the event of stronger relative movements between spring
element 3, 3' and rail S.
[0038] The intermediate elements 12, 12' also comprise a second,
plate-shaped, dimensionally stable section 21, which is arranged in
a direction normally aligned towards to the supporting surface 14
at a distance from the first section 13, and also extends along the
length LZ and width BZ of the respective intermediate element 12,
12'. A flat contact surface 22 is configured on the underside of
the second dimensionally stable section 21 assigned to the rail
foot F with which the respective intermediate element 12, 12' rests
on the upper surface of the rail foot assigned thereto during
use.
[0039] The dimensionally stable sections 13, 21 are connected by
means of a support 23, which extends along one long side 24 of the
intermediate elements 12, 12'. Looking at a cross sectional view of
the long side L of the intermediate elements 12, 12', the
dimensionally stable sections 13, 21 and the support 23 encompass a
`C` shaped slot-like retainer 25, which is open in the direction of
the respective spring element 3, 3' in the position of use and
extends along the length of the intermediate element 12, 12'.
[0040] The dimensionally stable sections 13, 21 and the support 23
for the intermediate elements 12, 12' are formed in a single-piece
from a solid, dimensionally stable synthetic material, such as
polyamide, for example, which optionally may be fibre or
particle-reinforced.
[0041] An elastic element 26 consisting of a viscoelastically
resilient synthetic material, such as a mixed or closed-cell
material, for example polyurethane or ethylene propylene diene
rubber, sits in the retainer 25 of the intermediate elements 12,
12'.
[0042] A circular recess 27 extending above the height H of the
intermediate element 12, 12' is formed in a central section of the
intermediate element 12, 12', starting from the long side, which is
assigned to the respective spring element 3, 3' during use, with
which the arc of the U-shaped middle bend 9 of the respective
spring element 3, 3' engages in ready-assembled systems 1, 1'.
[0043] During the manufacture of the intermediate elements 12, 12'
the material of the elastic element 26 is injected into the
retainer 25 such that a firm, inseparable bond is created between
the dimensionally stable sections 13, 21 and the support 23 on the
one hand and the elastic element 26 on the other.
[0044] The arrangement of the elastic element 26 in the retainer
25, firstly guarantees adequate dimensional stability and secondly,
a defined elastic resilience of the intermediate elements 12, 12'
in an active direction W corresponding to the active direction of
the retaining force N, which is directed from the supporting
surface 14 towards the contact surface 22.
[0045] As a result of the viscoelastic properties of the respective
intermediate element 12, 12' effected by the elastic element 26, in
particular high and medium frequency movements of the rail S, which
occur when a rail vehicle travels over the fixing point B, will be
dampened if need be and transmitted to the respective spring
element 3, 3'. This minimises the risk that the respective spring
element 3, 3' will resonate and wear prematurely.
[0046] On account of the design according to the invention as
described, in addition to high elasticity and the associated
attenuation effect in active direction W, the intermediate elements
12, 12' are extremely rigid in a transverse direction to the active
direction W. This ensures a higher creep resistance as a result of
which a relative movement between the respective intermediate
element 12, 12' and the assigned spring element 3, 3' is
guaranteed.
[0047] According to an embodiment not shown here, the second
dimensionally stable section 21 can even be dispensed with. In this
case, in an assembled position, the elastic element 26 rests
directly on the upper surface of the rail foot F assigned thereto.
If a suitable material is available, the elastic element 26 could
itself be used as an intermediate element or positioned
sandwich-style between two dimensionally stable layers, which
ensures even distribution of the loads acting on the elastic
element. The elastic element can also be enclosed in a robust
material, wherein in this case, said enclosure must be configured
such that use can be made of the attenuation effect of the elastic
element as before.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0048] 1, 1' Systems for fixing the rail S [0049] 2, 2' Guide
plates [0050] 3, 3' Spring elements [0051] 4, 4' Clamping screws
[0052] 5, 5' Plastic pin [0053] 6, 6' Narrow channel [0054] 7, 8
End sections of the spring elements 3, 3' [0055] 9 Middle bend of
the spring elements 3, 3' [0056] 10, 11 Spring arms [0057] 12, 12'
Intermediate element [0058] 13 First dimensionally stable section
of the intermediate elements 12, 12' [0059] 14 Supporting surface
of the intermediate elements 12, 12' 15, 16 Front sides of the
intermediate elements 12, 12' 17, 18 Moulded parts [0060] 19, 20
Retainers on the supporting surface 14 [0061] 21 Second
dimensionally stable section of the intermediate elements 12, 12'
[0062] 22 Contact surface of the intermediate elements 12, 12'
[0063] 23 Support for intermediate elements 12, 12' [0064] 24 A
long side of the intermediate elements 12, 12' [0065] 25
Slot-shaped retainer for the intermediate elements 12, 12' [0066]
26 Elastic element of the intermediate elements 12, 12' [0067] 27
Recess for intermediate elements 12, 12' [0068] B Fixing point
[0069] BZ Width of the intermediate elements 12, 12' [0070] F Rail
foot [0071] H Height of the intermediate elements 12, 12' [0072] K
Direction of gravity [0073] L Longitudinal direction of the
intermediate elements 12, 12' [0074] LZ Length of the intermediate
elements 12, 12' [0075] N, N' Retaining force [0076] Q Shearing
forces [0077] S Rail [0078] U Foundation (sleeper or concrete slab)
[0079] W Active direction of elastic resilience of the elastic
element 25 [0080] Z Intermediate layer
* * * * *