U.S. patent number 3,594,912 [Application Number 04/823,314] was granted by the patent office on 1971-07-27 for measuring apparatus for the geometric checking and-or correction of railroad tracks.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Matisa Materiel Industriael S.A.. Invention is credited to Gerard Sauterel.
United States Patent |
3,594,912 |
Sauterel |
July 27, 1971 |
MEASURING APPARATUS FOR THE GEOMETRIC CHECKING AND-OR CORRECTION OF
RAILROAD TRACKS
Abstract
There is disclosed a measuring apparatus for the geometric
checking or correction of railroad tracks, which is of the type
incorporating two measuring means extending in the lengthwise
direction of the track. A deformable mechanism serves to
operatively interconnect the two measuring means, each of which
bears upon at least one of both rails of the railroad track. The
deformable mechanism incorporates at least two converging rod
members. The one respective end portions of the two converging rod
members are pivotably connected with one of the measuring means
through the agency of a movable element and the opposite end
portions of these two converging rod members are pivotably
connected with the other measuring means.
Inventors: |
Sauterel; Gerard (Pully,
CH) |
Assignee: |
Matisa Materiel Industriael
S.A. (Crissier Pres Lausanne, CH)
|
Family
ID: |
4322464 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/823,314 |
Filed: |
May 9, 1969 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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May 15, 1968 [CH] |
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7267/68 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
33/523;
33/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61K
9/08 (20130101); E01B 35/00 (20130101); E01B
2203/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B61K
9/08 (20060101); E01B 35/00 (20060101); B61K
9/00 (20060101); G01b 005/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;33/144--146,174A,18A,60,1R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Haroian; Harry N.
Claims
I claim:
1. A measuring apparatus for the geometric checking and/or
correction of railroad tracks incorporating spaced rails,
comprising two measuring means defining two reference datums
extending in the lengthwise direction of the track, said measuring
means bearing upon at least one track rail, one of said measuring
means defining a first reference datum bearing upon two points
along the track rail, which points define a straight line, the
other of said measuring means defining a second reference datum
bearing upon two other points of the track rail defining another
portion of a straight line, a deformable mechanism incorporating at
least two converging rod members and defining a linkage mechanism
for operatively interconnecting with one another said first
reference datum and said second reference datum defined by said
measuring means, said converging rod members being connected in the
direction of their converging ends with said measuring means
defining said second reference datum, a measuring element movably
connected with said first reference datum defined by said one
measuring means, the diverging ends of said rod members being
articulated with said movable measuring element, said converging
rod members converging at a point selected to be disposed
perpendicular to a point of the track rail situated forwardly of
said first reference datum and at or with said points defining the
portion of said straight line defining said second reference
datum.
2. A measuring apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
converging rod members are arranged above one another.
3. A measuring apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
converging rod members are arranged in a plane which is
perpendicular to the plane of the railroad track.
4. A measuring apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
converging rod members are arranged in a plane which is
substantially parallel to the plane of the railroad track.
5. A measuring apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including
means for adjusting the point of intersection of said converging
rod members.
6. A measuring apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein one end of
one of said rod members is secured to said movable measuring
element at a location at which said movable measuring element is
connected with said one measuring means which carries said movable
measuring element.
7. A measuring apparatus for the geometric checking and/or
correction of railroad tracks incorporating spaced rails,
comprising two measuring means extending in the lengthwise
direction of the track, a deformable mechanism for operatively
interconnecting said two measuring means, each measuring means
bearing upon at least one of the rails of the railroad track, the
position of each measuring means being determined by two reference
points, said deformable mechanism incorporating at least two
converging rod members, a movable element cooperating with one of
said two measuring means, the one end portions of said two
converging rod members being pivotably connected via said movable
element with said one measuring means and the opposite end portions
of said two converging rod members being pivotably connected with
the other measuring means, said deformable mechanism comprising a
number of successive pairs of aligned rod members, intermediate
support means for interconnecting successive pairs of rod members
with one another, said intermediate support means bearing upon said
rails, said rod members being pivotably connected with their
associated intermediate support means, the respective free ends of
the first and last pair of rod members of said successive pairs of
rod members being pivotably connected with a respective one of said
two measuring means.
8. A measuring apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said first
pair of rod members is pivotably connected via said movable element
with said one measuring means and said last pair of rod members is
pivotably connected with said other measuring means.
9. A measuring apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each
measuring means bears upon both rails of the railroad track, and
wherein the position of each measuring means is determined by two
reference points at each track rail.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention broadly relates to track maintenance
equipment and, in its more specific aspects, concerns an improved
measuring apparatus for the geometric checking and/or correction of
railroad tracks.
The work required for the maintenance of railroad tracks has a real
need for machines which are suitable for checking the geometric
condition of the track and, if need be, for correcting this
condition. It is for these reasons that modern track maintenance
machines are equipped with different measuring systems. The most
widespread used systems employ a reference datum which is movable
along the track with the machine.
The use of a relative reference datum enables the measurement of
errors appearing at the lengthwise profile of the track and,
consequently to reduce such to a certain degree.
Attempts have been made to improve the results obtained with the
aid of relative reference datums in that there are employed
reference datums of very great length. However, such datums are
composed of very long elements, so that the entire structure from
which the datum is materialized, is exceptionally flexible and
subjected to oscillations or vibrations which impair proper
functioning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide an improved measuring apparatus of the aforementioned type
which effectively overcomes the previously mentioned drawbacks
associated with the prior art constructions.
Another, more specific object of the preset invention relates to
improved measuring apparatus for the geometric checking and/or
correction of railroad tracks in a relatively simple, accurate and
reliable fashion.
Still a further noteworthy object of the present invention relates
to an improved type of measuring apparatus for the geometric
checking, correction, or both, of railroad tracks in a relatively
simple manner in relation to the prior art techniques used for this
purpose, and wherein the apparatus structure is extremely
economical to manufacture, relatively easy to use, and provides for
accurate results.
Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the
present invention, which will become more readily apparent as the
description proceeds, the inventive measuring apparatus is
manifested by the features that it incorporates two measuring means
or devices which extend in the lengthwise direction of the track
and which are operatively interconnected with one another by means
of a deformable mechanism. Each measuring device is supported upon
at least one of both rails of the track, with the position of each
measuring device being determined by two reference points.
According to an important aspect of the invention, the deformable
mechanism embodies at least two converging rod members, of which
the one ends thereof are pivotably connected with one of the
measuring devices and the opposite ends thereof with the other
measuring device through the agency of a movable element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood, and objects other than
those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of inventive
measuring apparatus for the geometric checking and/or correction of
railroad tracks;
FIGS. 2 to 6, inclusive, schematically depict the operation of the
measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6b schematically depicts a further arrangement of the
converging rod members in a plane substantially parallel to the
plane of the track;
FIG. 7 is a graphic illustration serving to explain the operation
of the measuring apparatus of FIG. 1; and,
FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a modified form of inventive
measuring apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Describing now the drawings, the exemplary illustrated embodiment
of inventive measuring apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 will be seen to
comprise three different successively arranged elements 1, 2 and 3.
In the description to follow, the elements 1 and 3 each defining a
reference datum will each be conveniently referred to as a
measuring device or means and the remaining element 2 as a
deformable mechanism. The measuring device 1 will be seen to datum
1. consist of a long tubular member 4, the front end 5 of which is
secured to a roller member 6. Roller member 6 bears upon the rail 7
at the support point A. The other or opposite end of the tubular
member 4 is secured to a carriage 8 which bears by means of a
roller 9 at support point B upon the rail 7. Points A and B define
the terminal points of a straight line of the corresponding
reference datum 1.
Considering now the element 2, namely, the deformable mechanism, it
will be seen that such embodies two converging rod members 10 and
11. These rod members 10, 11 which are situated above one another,
are pivotably connected at locations 10a and 11a, respectively,
with the carriage 8 and are connected with a movable measurement
element or portion 16 of the measuring device 3.
Now, the measuring device 3 will be seen to be composed of a frame
unit 12, the front region of which bears by means of a roller 13 at
support point C and the rear end of which by means of a roller 14
at support point D upon the rail 7. Points C and D define the
terminal points of a straight line of the other corresponding
reference datum 3. Frame unit 7 is rigidly connected with a track
maintenance machine 15 and supports, pretty exactly over the point
C, the rotationally movable mechanism 16. The neighboring ends of
both rod members 10 and 11 are articulated at 10b and 11b,
respectively, with this rotationally movable mechanism 16.
Mechanism 16 can, for instance, be an indicating device, a control
device for correcting the position of the track, or a combination
of these two type units. Hence, from what has been stated above, it
will be seen that the measuring device 3 defines a first reference
datum supported at the points C and D defining a straight line, and
the other measuring device 1 defines a second reference datum
supported at the points A and B likewise defining a straight
line.
According to an important aspect of this invention, the depicted
apparatus structure utilizes quite advantageously the
characteristics of the converging rod members 10, 11. The mode of
operation is readily understandable by making reference now to
FIGS. 2 to 7, inclusive. It will be understood that point P
represents the point of intersection or convergence of the
extensions of the converging rod members 10 and 11. It is assumed
that this virtual or imaginary point P is located vertically above
the point A. The rollers 6, 9, 13 and 14 are situated in aligned
fashion upon a straight line, as best observed by referring to FIG.
2. Furthermore, it is presupposed that the rail member 7 is
deformed at the point B, that is to say at the location where the
roller member 9 bears, as schematically indicated for instance in
FIGS. 3 and 4. Owing to the articulated mounting of the rod members
10 and 11 the movable mechanism or element 16 is not influenced. On
the other hand, if the rail member 7 is deformed at the location A,
as indicated in FIG. 5, then this mechanism 16 indicates the
displacement of such point A. It will be seen from FIG. 5 that such
displacement of point A can be represented or shown at a suitable
graduated scale 50.
Consequently, it will be observed that the measuring mechanism 16
measures the displacement of the element or measuring device 1
above the imaginary point P wherein such displacements are measured
with respect to the reference line through both of the points C and
D. Consequently, when the point P is located above the point B,
then, the mechanism 16 will measure the displacements of the point
B, and the displacements or shifting of the point A naturally will
not have any influence. Thus, by selecting the convergence point of
the rod members 10 and 11, it is possible to randomly vary the
influence of the points A and B upon the indication of the
mechanism 16.
If the apparatus of the invention is used in conjunction with a
machine for the correction of the track position, then it enables
considerable reduction in the influence of local track errors upon
the corrections carried out by the machine 15, since the
measurements are not with respect to a point, rather are based upon
an error which is determined from a number of measurement points.
This is so because the measurement is not undertaken at a point,
rather is determined as an average value of a number of error
determinations performed at different points. In actuality, if one
assumes that the track is deformed at point A of FIG. 6, as well as
if it is assumed that the imaginary point P is located at the
depicted position of FIG. 6, then from FIG. 7 it will be recognized
that the effect of the error d.sub.A upon the position of the
imaginary point P is reduced and that the reduction is still even
more pronounced at point C.
The apparatus according to the invention possesses the advantage
that it has a long measuring datum or basis, without exhibiting the
drawbacks previously discussed such as susceptibility to
oscillations and deformability.
The invention also contemplates that the hinge points 10a, 11a for
the rod members 10, 11, respectively, can be mounted at an
adjustable support 51 (FIG. 6) at the carriage 8, in order to
provide the possibility of varying the point of convergence P of
such rod members 10 and 11 and therefore to conveniently change the
position of this imaginary convergence point P. It will be seen
from FIG. 6a that the adjustable support 51 includes a dovetail
slot for slidably receiving, for selective vertical adjustment, the
ends 10a and 11a of the rod members 10 and 11, respectively, which
then can be fixed in desired position by a wedge means 52 or the
like.
Finally, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,
as best recognized by referring to FIG. 8, the deformable element
or mechanism 2 consists of two pairs of rod members 10, 11 and 10',
11'. It will be seen that these rod pairs 10, 11 and 10', 11' are
arranged in alignment behind one another in succession and are
interconnected with one another by intermediate support or carriage
17. Carriage 17 bears upon the track 7 through the agency of a
roller 18. Furthermore, it is also possible to use an element or
deformable mechanism 2 which consists of more than two pairs of rod
members, which, in turn, are operatively interconnected with one
another through a suitable number of intermediate carriages or
supports, such as the ones shown by reference character 17. Such an
arrangement enables the element 2 to be appreciably lengthened
without necessitating the use of extremely long connecting
rods.
It will be understood that for convenience, the apparatus according
to the invention, has been depicted and described with respect to a
single track rail, yet it should be clear that each of both
elements 1 and 3, the measuring devices, can bear upon both rails
of the railroad track, whereby their position will be determined by
two points at each track rail. In such case, the rods 10 and 11 can
be connected with the elements 1 and 3 at locations situated at the
central plane of the track.
Furthermore, for measuring during track-lining operations, it is
possible to replace the superimposed rod members 10 and 11 by
converging rod members which are situated in a plane which is
parallel to the plane of the track, as best shown by referring to
FIG. 6b.
Finally, it is mentioned that the apparatus of the invention can be
associated with a track maintenance machine and can control the
correction work carried out by such a machine; however, it can also
be used as an independent measuring apparatus.
It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description, that
the objects set forth at the outset of the specification have been
successfully achieved.
* * * * *