MACHINE FOR RENOVATING A TRACK

Abstract

A machine for renovating a track has a machine frame made of a main frame and an auxiliary frame connected by a hinge to the main frame at its front end. The main frame is connected at the end thereof to a multi-axis railway chassis, and to a tracked chassis in the area of a front end thereof. The auxiliary frame is supported by a railway chassis on the track at a front end at a distance from the hinge.

Description

The invention relates to a machine for renovating a track, including a device for continuously laying new sleepers and a machine frame supported at each end on an on-track undercarriage, wherein a vertically adjustable crawler track is arranged at the front end—with regard to a working direction of the machine—of the machine frame.

A machine of this type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,431. Due to the use of the crawler track, it is possible to run the machine on a ballast bed in order to lay new sleepers upon the same. Generally, between the two undercarriages in use which delimit a renewal gap, there must be sufficient space available to be able to accomplish without problems the laying of the sleepers as well as the insertion of pre-deposited rails. On the other hand, due to positioning several undercarriages at the front end of the frame, a part of the length of the frame is lost for the working devices. However, the overall length of the machine frame is limited to allow mobility also in smaller curve radii.

According to DE 2 928 152, it is also known to arrange at each end of a machine frame two on-track undercarriages and, between these in each case, a crawler track.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a machine of the specified kind on which a renewal gap of sufficient length is still available for working operations even when several undercarriages are arranged at the front end.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a machine of the type mentioned at the beginning by way of the features cited in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Such a two-part design of the machine frame has the advantage that some of the undercarriages which are procedurally required at the front end can be positioned in the region of the front auxiliary frame. Thus, it is possible to configure the renewal gap delimited by the undercarriages of the main frame to be of maximum length. As a result of the jointed connection of the two frame parts, the machine is mobile on the track for transfer travel unrestrictedly and without extensive retooling operations.

Additional advantages of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims and the drawing description.

The invention according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment represented in the drawing in which

FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine for renovating a track,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the front section of the machine.

A machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a machine frame 4 mobile on a track 3 by means of on-track undercarriages 2. Arranged between the on-track undercarriages 2 is a device 5 for continuously laying new sleepers 6 upon a ballast bed 8 levelled by a plough 7. Vertically adjustable guiding devices 9 are provided for lifting pre-deposited rails 10 and laying the same upon the sleepers 6. Coupled to the machine 1 are further wagons 11 for transporting the sleepers 6 and for accommodating a gantry crane 12.

As visible particularly also in FIG. 2, the machine frame 4 is composed of a main frame 13—supported at each end by a respective two-axle on-track undercarriage 2—and an auxiliary frame 16 fastened by means of a joint 15 to the main frame 13 at the front end 14 thereof, with regard to a working direction 17.

Arranged at the front end 14 of the main frame 13 is a crawler track 20 which is vertically adjustable by a drive 18 and equipped with a motive drive 19. Immediately rearward thereof, the front two-axle undercarriage 2 is connected to the main frame 13. A work cabin 21 is positioned above the same.

At a front end 22 spaced from the joint 15, the auxiliary frame 16 is connected to a one-axle on-track undercarriage 23 and to a driver's cabin 24. The auxiliary frame 16 further comprises an auxiliary on-track undercarriage 26, vertically adjustable by a drive 25 and positioned between the joint 15 and the front-most on-track undercarriage 23.

The universally movable joint 15 provided for connecting the main—and auxiliary frames 13, 16 can be blocked by means of a blocking device 27. The auxiliary frame 16 can be vertically adjusted relative to the main frame 13 by means of a drive 28.

The mode of operation of the machine 1 will now be described in more detail.

In a renewal gap, the old track has already been removed and the new rails 10 have been pre-deposited laterally on the exposed ballast bed 8. With the aid of the on-track undercarriages 2, 23, the machine 1 is moved all the way to the end of the track 3 adjoining the renewal gap. For transfer into working operations, the auxiliary frame 16 is lifted by the drive 28 so that the on-track undercarriage 23 is raised from the track 3. At the same time, the blocking device 27 is also activated in order to prevent an uncontrolled pivoting of the auxiliary frame 16.

Subsequently, the machine 1 is moved in the direction towards the renewal gap until the front on-track undercarriage 2 is situated just on the track still, and the crawler track 20 is lowered onto the ballast bed 8. This causes the front on-track undercarriage 2 to lift off the track 3. Now, with activation of the motive drive 19, working operations of the machine 1 begin, wherein the new rails 10 are lifted by means of the guiding devices 9 and laid upon the new sleepers 6 in front of the rear on-track undercarriage 2 of the machine 1. Immediately beforehand, said new sleepers 6 are laid continuously with the aid of the device 5 upon the ballast bed 8 levelled by the plough 7.

As soon as the front end of the renewal gap has been reached, the auxiliary frame 16 is centred above the adjoining track so that the on-track undercarriage 23 as well as the auxiliary on-track undercarriage 26 can be supported on the rails of the track. Then the crawler track 20 is raised and the machine 1 is moved further in the working direction 17 until the front on-track undercarriage 2 of the main frame 13 is also resting on the track.

Claims

1-6. (canceled)

7: A machine for renovating a track, comprising: a device for continuously laying sleepers;a machine frame including a main frame and an auxiliary frame fastened by way of a joint to a forward end of said main frame;said main frame having said forward end, with regard to a working direction of the machine, and a rearward end each supported on a multi-axle on-track undercarriage;a vertically adjustable crawler track vehicle disposed at said forward end of said main frame; anda forward on-track undercarriage connected to and supporting said auxiliary frame at a front end thereof distal from said joint.

8: The machine according to claim 7, which further comprises an auxiliary on-track undercarriage connected to said auxiliary frame, and a drive for vertically adjusting said auxiliary on-track undercarriage relative to said auxiliary frame.

9: The machine according to claim 8, wherein said auxiliary on-track undercarriage is positioned between said joint and said forward on-track undercarriage connected to said auxiliary frame.

10: The machine according to claim 7, which comprises a blocking device configured for selectively blocking said joint connecting said main frame and said auxiliary frame.

11; The machine according to claim 7, wherein said auxiliary frame is vertically adjustable relative to said main frame by way of a drive.

12: The machine according to claim 7, which comprises a work cabin disposed at said forward end of said main frame, and a driver's cabin disposed at said front end of said auxiliary frame.