Patent Application
20190003130
The invention relates to a machine having a ballast take-up device for taking up ballast located underneath a track by means of an endless clearing chain guided in a chain channel, wherein the chain channel is composed of a transverse channel located underneath the track, an empty channel and a transport channel provided for ballast transport, and a ballast deflector blade pivotable about a pivot axis is fastened in a connecting joint from the transverse channel to the transport channel.
A ballast take-up device of this type is known, for example, from EP 2 238 296 and is used for transport of the ballast located underneath the track to a cleaning screen. As soon as catenary masts are present alongside the track, the operative width of the clearing chain, predefined by the length of the transverse channel, is restricted. Ballast situated between the adjacent catenary masts remains in place uncleaned or must be shifted in the direction towards the track prior to the operation of the cleaning machine.
From EP 0 152 643, a ballast take-up device is known the operative range of which can be changed with the aid of pivotable auxiliary excavating chains or backhoes for treating a switch or crossing. A design of this type, matched to switch sections, requires a very large additional structural expense.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a machine of the type mentioned at the beginning with which it is possible by simplified structural measures to quickly expand the operative range of the ballast take-up device.
According to the invention, this object is achieved with a machine of the specified kind in that a ballast conveyor, designed for ballast transport in the direction towards the pivot axis by means of a conveyor drive, is arranged on the ballast deflector blade.
In addition to being a structurally very simple embodiment, a solution of this kind has the advantage that the ballast conveyor can be adjusted very quickly into the working position, if needed, or just as quickly into an inoperative position. In this last-mentioned position, the ballast take-up device can continue to be used for taking up ballast entirely unhindered and uninfluenced. By way of the rapid change between working- and inoperative positions by pivoting of the ballast deflector blade, a permanent operation of the ballast take-up device with continuous machine advance is possible without any limitation. The ballast conveyor can be positioned at the ballast deflector blade in such a manner that the latter can fulfil its hitherto known function entirely unobstructed. Every machine already in operation can be retrofitted very easily.
Additional advantages of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims and the drawing description.
The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment represented in the drawing.
A machine 1 shown in
The endless clearing chain 8 is guided in a chain channel 14 having an approximately U-shaped cross-section (see
As can be seen in
As visible in
According to a variant shown schematically in
As visible in
An electronic sensor 33 provided for motion detection or for distance measuring (
The invention will be described in more detail below with regard to a working operation. For ballast cleaning, the machine 1 is moved continuously in the working direction 3, wherein the ballast 6 located underneath the track 4 is collected in the region of the transverse channel 15 and conveyed in the direction towards the connecting joint 18 and, in further sequence, transported upward in the transport channel 17 to the discharge end 9. During this, the position of the ballast deflector blade 20 with respect to the track 4 is constant and such that a catenary mast 34 can be passed without problem.
As soon as the catenary mast 34 has been passed, this is registered by the sensor 33 which then automatically activates an actuation of the pivot drive 21. This causes a swivelling outward of the ballast deflector blade 20 together with the ballast conveyor 24 which is now set in rotation after activation of the conveyor drive 23 for conveying the ballast 3 located within reach. The ballast 3 conveyed in this manner in the direction toward the transition from the transverse channel 15 to the transport channel 17 is at last automatically collected by the rotating clearing chain 8 and transported upwards in the transport channel 17 to the discharge end 9. The drive 27 enables an optimal adaptation of the ballast conveyor 24 to the ballast mass backed up by the ballast deflector blade 20.
As soon as the next catenary mast 34 comes within the radius of action of the sensor 33, the ballast deflector blade 20 is automatically pivoted back into the initial position for problem-free passing. Said pivoting of the ballast deflector blade 20 could of course also be controlled manually by an operator. In case that no ballast 3 is located between the catenary masts 34, an activation of the ballast conveyor 24 is naturally not required. Rather, the latter stays permanently in an inoperative position, wherein the already known function of the ballast deflector blade 20 remains available without restriction. Advantageously, the sensor 33 can also trigger an acoustical and/or optical warning signal.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 44/2016 | Jan 2016 | AT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/000001 | 1/2/2017 | WO | 00 |
