Patent Application
20240401284
The invention relates to a machine with a ballast receiving device for receiving ballast located under a track by means of an endless excavating chain guided in a chain channel, with the chain channel being composed of a transverse channel which can be positioned under the track, an empty channel, and a transport channel provided for ballast transport.
A generic machine is known from AT 518225 A1. It is used to clean the ballast bed of a track. The machine travels along the track, with a revolving excavating chain surrounding the track which consists of sleepers and rails attached thereon. Under the track, the excavating chain is guided approximately parallel to the sleepers in a transverse channel. In this section, finger-shaped extensions on the chain links of the excavating chain loosen the ballast from the ballast bed and convey it in the direction of an adjoining transport channel. In the transport channel, the ballast is transported upwards to a screening unit. After an upper deflection, the chain links are guided back in the direction of the track in an empty channel.
Before work begins, the transverse channel is installed in an exposed trench under the track. For this process, either the chain channel and the excavating chain are removed or the track is temporarily severed. During ballast cleaning, the track remains travelable because cleaned ballast is placed on the exposed formation directly behind the working point. The possible cleaning width is determined by the length of the transverse channel.
Trouble-free transport of the ballast is crucial for a high cleaning output. If the ballast bed is highly fouled, disturbances may occur because the chain links cannot loosen all the ballast grains from each other. This results in the formation of clumps that prevent the ballast from being transported further in the direction of the transport channel. Plate-shaped ballast conglomerates that travel over the transverse channel may form. To prevent such disturbances, the forward-travel speed of the machine is usually reduced if the ballast bed is heavily fouled. This gives the excavating chain more time to loosen the ballast from the ballast bed at the respective working point.
The object of the invention is to improve a machine of the kind mentioned above in such a way that a trouble-free operation with high work output is ensured irrespective of the degree of fouling.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments of the invention.
A conveyor device for transporting ballast in the direction of the transport channel is arranged along a top edge of the transverse channel. This additional device increases the movement of the ballast so that it completely enters the transport channel. Ballast parts or clumps, which may travel over the excavating chain, are picked up by the conveyor device and conveyed to the entrance of the transport channel. The additional force effect is used to break up clumps of ballast, which also makes the subsequent screening process more effective.
In an optimized further development, a transport direction of the conveyor device runs parallel to a direction of rotation of the excavating chain in the transverse channel. In this way, the conveyor device and the excavating chain are particularly effective when transporting ballast in the transport channel. A coordinated sideways movement of the entire ballast material occurs, which is loosened from the ballast bed while the machine moves forwards.
Advantageously, a ballast guide blade that can be slewed about a slewing axis is arranged on the outer edge of a bottom ballast entrance opening of the transport channel. With this arrangement, the conveyor width can be increased without changing the length of the transverse channel. In the event of obstacles such as line masts, the ballast guide blade is slewed inwards to avoid collision. It is not necessary to interrupt work.
In a further improvement, the conveyor device comprises a hydraulic motor or an electric motor as a drive unit. A hydraulic motor has the advantage of a small and robust design with a comparatively high rated output. Additionally, an existing hydraulic system in the machine can be utilized, if necessary. An electric motor is usually more efficient and can be attached in an existing machine later using an easy-to-install electric cable.
In an advantageous addition, a sensor for detecting piled-up ballast is arranged above the conveyor device, with the sensor being coupled with the drive unit of the conveyor device. This modification enables operation of the conveyor device depending on the situation. The conveyor device is only activated automatically when the sensor detects insufficient removal of the ballast by means of the excavating chain. This saves energy and protects the conveyor device, thereby extending maintenance intervals.
In a simple embodiment of the invention, the conveyor device comprises a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain with revolving pushers. Such a device is easy to produce. Additionally, individual chain links and pushers (shovels) can be replaced if they show signs of wear.
In another preferred variant, the conveyor device is a screw conveyor with an axis of rotation that runs, in particular, parallel to the transverse channel. This screw conveyor ensures a continuous ballast movement in the direction of the transport channel with little energy required. The forces exerted on clumps of ballast by the rotating conveying screw lead to rapid splitting into individual ballast grains. Additionally, the dimensions of the screw conveyor are smaller compared to other designs with the same conveying capacity, so that installation is also possible in tight spaces.
In an advantageous embodiment, the screw conveyor is arranged along a subsection of the transverse channel adjoining the transport channel. In this variant, the screw conveyor acts on the most critical point, namely directly in front of the transition between the transverse channel and the transport channel. The additional ballast movement by means of the conveyor device prevents a ballast jam at the entrance of the transport channel.
There are also advantages with an alternative variant in which the screw conveyor is arranged along the entire transverse channel. The arrangement over the entire length of the transverse channel is particularly useful for large excavating depths. Here, ballast material is also moved over the entire excavating width, also above the excavating chain, in the direction of the transport channel. Additionally, any existing plate-shaped ballast clumping is broken across the entire width. In conventional ballast receiving devices, there is the risk that such clumps of ballast travel over the transverse channel and fall onto the formation behind the excavating chain.
In an improvement of this variant, the transverse channel comprises two transverse channel sections that are connected with a joint, with the screw conveyor comprising two conveying screws that are connected in the area of the joint by means of a coupling. Here, the transverse channel is also connected with the empty channel and the transport channel via joints. In this way, the excavating width can be changed by bending the two transverse channel sections forwards. Thus, in the lifted position, transfer travel of the machine is also possible without disassembling the transverse channel. The coupling between the conveying screws is, for example, a claw coupling which allows the conveying screws to slew towards each other. In this way, the conveying screws move together with the assigned transverse channel sections when the excavating width changes. The coupling also enables the arrangement of a common drive, which saves space. In an alternative variant, each conveying screw is equipped with a separate drive.
In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The following figures show in schematic illustrations:
The machine 1 shown in
During work operation, the excavating chain 6 surrounds the track 2 formed of sleepers 9 and rails 10 attached thereon. The excavating chain 6 is guided from the upper deflection point 7 in an empty channel 11 to a second deflection point 12 located under the track 2. Here, an end of a transverse channel 13 connects to the empty channel 11 with an articulated connection. The excavating chain 6 runs under track 2 in this transverse channel 13, which is open to the front. The excavating chain 6 loosens ballast grains from the ballast bed 3 while the machine 1 is moving forwards in the direction of travel 14.
A third deflection point 15 of the excavating chain 6 is located at the other end of the transverse channel 13. At this point 15, a transport channel 16 which leads back in the direction of the Turas drive 8 connects to the transverse channel 13 with an articulated connection. When the respective chain link enters a bottom opening 17 of the transport channel 16, the ballast 3 enters this transport channel 16. By means of the revolving excavating chain 6, the ballast 3 is conveyed in the transport channel 16 to the upper deflection point 7 and fed to a screening unit 18. The screened ballast 3 is conveyed back under the track 2 via a placement device 19, where it in turn forms a support for the sleepers 9. Spoil separated from the cleaned ballast 3 is transported via a conveyor belt 20 to the end of the machine 1, where it is transferred to a storage wagon.
Ballast guide blades 22 at the sides are advantageously arranged to extend an excavating width 21. In particular, such a ballast guide blade 22 is arranged to slew about a vertical slewing axis 23 on the outer edge of the bottom opening 17 of the transport channel 16. This ballast guide blade 22 prevents ballast 3 loosened by the excavating chain 6 from flowing past the bottom opening 17 of the transport channel 16 when the ballast 3 accumulates/piles up on the outside. The position of the respective ballast guide blade 22 is changed by means of an assigned actuating drive 24.
According to the invention, a conveyor device 26 for transporting ballast 3 in the direction of the transport channel 16 is arranged along a top edge 25 of the transverse channel 13. Advantageously, a transport direction 27 of this conveyor device 26 runs parallel to a direction of rotation 28 of the excavating chain 6 in the transverse channel 13. This optimizes the conveying of the ballast 3 into the bottom opening 17 of the transport channel 16. In particular, the conveyor device 26 prevents an unfavourable accumulation of the ballast 3 in front of the transverse channel 13 and, subsequently, an overflowing of the transverse channel 13.
In an embodiment not shown, the conveyor device 26 comprises a conveyor chain or a conveyor belt with two deflections. On one front side, the conveying direction runs parallel to the transverse channel 13 in the direction of the bottom opening 17 of the transport channel 16. The deflections are made by means of horizontally aligned deflection pulleys, with one deflection pulley being coupled to a drive. Pushers (shovels) for the individual ballast grains are arranged on an outside of the conveyor chain or the conveyor belt.
An improved variant comprises a screw conveyor 29 with an axis of rotation 30 which preferably runs parallel to the transverse channel 13. A conveying screw 31 rotating about the axis of rotation 30 picks up the ballast 3 travelling over the transverse channel 13 and conveys it towards the bottom opening 17 of the transport channel 16. Ballast conglomerates, which occur when the ballast bed 3 is heavily fouled, are broken up by the rotating conveying screw 31, making it easier to transport and clean the ballast 3.
Advantageously, a sensor 34 is arranged on the conveyor device 26, which recognizes a ballast jam. This is done using a mechanical or optical transducer, for example. This sensor 34 monitors the area in front of the transverse channel 13. As soon as too much ballast 3 accumulates, which is no longer sufficiently transported in the direction of the transport channel 16 by the excavating chain 6, the sensor 34 signals a ballast jam. The conveyor device 26 is automatically activated through this notification signal. This ensures that the conveyor device 26 only runs when it is actually needed.
In a variant suitable for heavily fouled ballast, the conveyor device 26 extends over the entire length of the transverse channel 13 (
In an embodiment in the form of a screw conveyor 29, two conveying screws 31 are preferably coupled by means of a flexible quick coupling 35. For example, one of the two conveying screws 31 is connected directly to a drive unit 33, and the second conveying screw 31 is connected to the first conveying screw 31 via a claw coupling 35. In this way, a torque generated by the drive unit 33 is transmitted to both conveying screws 31, with the flexible coupling 35 enabling a variable angular position of the two conveying screws 31 towards each other.
Such a screw conveyor 29, like the screw conveyor 29 shown in
The cross-section in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A50864/2021 | Nov 2021 | AT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/079768 | 10/25/2022 | WO |
