FR3134397A1 - Device for supporting a replacement rail - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for supporting a replacement rail The invention relates to a support device (10) for a replacement rail (RA) intended to be made integral with a circulating rail (RC), comprising: a first part (A) comprising removable fixing means (A1) to a shoe (P) of a running rail (RC), a second part (B) for receiving a replacement rail (RA), this second part (B) being movable in rotation around an axis (X) relative to the first part (A) and comprising two lateral portions (B3, B4) extending in a first longitudinal direction (L1) parallel to the axis of rotation (X), said two lateral portions (B3, B4) each being intended to come to bear on a crosspiece (T), the second part (B) comprising locking means (B2-1, B1-1) d a replacement rail (RA) in at least a second direction (L2) perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction (L1). Abstract Figure: Figure 3

Description

Device for supporting a replacement rail

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a replacement rail, the device being intended to be made integral with a circulating rail. The present invention also relates to a method of mounting the device.

A railway track extending in a longitudinal direction comprises two longitudinal rails spaced in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and in a vertical direction corresponding to the direction of the earth's gravity field. Longitudinal rails are called running rails because a train can travel on them.

Prior to an operation to replace the running rails, it is known to have rail coupons, that is to say sections of rails, along the track and generally outside it. It is desirable that the sections of replacement rail be arranged and maintained on the ground at a given location to prevent any movement of them when a train passes, particularly at high speed. These replacement rail sections are in a waiting position.

To this end, numerous technical solutions have been developed. Among these, we know an L-shaped support device comprising a fixing part on a rail shoe and a second part rigidly fixed to the first part. The first part and the second part have an elongated shape in a direction transverse to the rail. The second part includes a part for receiving a rail. Although this type of device is simple to design, it is not optimal because the rigidity of the assembly can lead to significant twisting on the rail being run. Furthermore, the typology of certain crosspieces and several fastening systems are incompatible with the installation of the device.

In a known device, the device for supporting a replacement rail comprises a first part fixed on a crosspiece and a second magnetic part capable of being fixed on the core of a circulating rail. However, the magnetization must be sufficiently significant to guarantee lasting fixation, which makes the device potentially very expensive and is, moreover, not guaranteed. Furthermore, this type of system turns out to be fragile.

Summary

• une première partie s'étendant selon une première direction et comportant des moyens de fixation amovibles à un patin d'un rail circulé,
• une seconde partie de réception d’un rail d’attente, cette seconde partie étant mobile en rotation autour d’un axe relativement à la première partie et comportant deux portions latérales s’étendant selon une première direction longitudinale parallèle à l’axe de rotation, lesdites deux portions latérales étant destinées à chacune venir en appui sur une traverse, la seconde partie comprenant des moyens de blocage d’un rail d’attente selon au moins une deuxième direction perpendiculaire à la première direction longitudinale.

A device is thus proposed for supporting a replacement rail intended to be made integral with a circulating rail, comprising:

• a first part extending in a first direction and comprising removable fixing means to a shoe of a running rail,
• a second part for receiving a waiting rail, this second part being mobile in rotation around an axis relative to the first part and comprising two lateral portions extending in a first longitudinal direction parallel to the axis of rotation , said two lateral portions each being intended to bear on a crosspiece, the second part comprising means for blocking a waiting rail in at least a second direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction.

According to the present invention, the support device is formed in two parts, one of which is movable relative to the other. The first part can thus be simply and quickly fixed to a running rail and the second part movable relative to the first part is arranged on two consecutive sleepers in the longitudinal direction. The rotating connection between the two parts makes it possible to arrange the second part simply and quickly on two consecutive sleepers, regardless of the height of the sleepers. Furthermore, this rotating articulation coupled with the arrangement of the second part on two consecutive sleepers makes the maintenance of this second part, intended to support a replacement rail, independent of the height of the ballast, which makes the handling of the device simple and fast for an operator. The rail here is a replacement rail, that is to say a rail intended to replace the circulating rail to which the device is attached. The first direction and the second direction are fixed relative to the second part B and are therefore movable relative to the first part around the axis X.

The first part may comprise a substantially planar base extending in a fourth direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation and of which a first end in the fourth direction is connected in rotation to the second part around said axis and a second opposite end comprises means for clamping the first part on a shoe of a running rail. The clamping means can be removable on the first part so as to facilitate the insertion of said transverse portion of the first part under a shoe of a running rail. Thus, the clamping means are arranged on the second end when it has passed under the shoe of the running rail on which it is desired to fix the device.

The first end of the base may comprise at least two receiving and retaining notches, in a fifth direction perpendicular to the first direction and the fourth direction, of a first edge of a shoe of a running rail, said two notches being spaced apart along the axis of rotation.

Each lateral portion of the second part comprises a flat upper surface, said two upper surfaces being included in the same first plane. In this way, the flat upper surfaces of the lateral portions of the second part can receive the shoe of a replacement rail in the same position in the third direction, which allows good support of the replacement rail.

The second part may comprise two partitions whose upper ends are aligned along the same second plane. These partitions can be arranged between the two side portions of the second part. The partitions make it possible to stiffen the second part and can serve as support for the replacement rail when said first plane coincides with the first plane.

The second part may comprise a raising member comprising a bearing surface of a replacement rail, the raising member being capable of taking a first position in which the bearing surface is arranged below said plane and a second position in which the support surface is arranged above said plane. The raising member thus makes it possible to lift a replacement rail of the lateral portions of the second part so as to allow the free expansion of the latter during its heating for welding.

The raising member can for example comprise an eccentric axis whose external surface forms the support surface. The outer surface may be formed into a free rotating cylinder.

The second part may comprise at least one stop capable of abutting on an upper edge of the shoe of a running rail; the first part is fixed on said running rail.

The second part may comprise at least two stops spaced from one another along the axis of rotation.

When there are two stops, they can be spaced from one another according to the axis of rotation. These stops prevent the replacement rail placed on the second part from being moved on the rail being circulated. This limits malicious manipulation.

The blocking means in the second direction may comprise two longitudinal edges formed on each lateral portion, these longitudinal edges together delimiting a longitudinal groove for receiving a replacement rail.

The blocking means may be able to block the rail in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction and the first direction. The third direction is fixed relative to the second part B and is therefore movable relative to the first part around the axis X. The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular in pairs.

The blocking means may comprise at least one movable member between a first position for releasing the replacement rail in the third direction and a second position for blocking the replacement rail in the third direction.

Thus, we understand that a replacement rail positioned on the two lateral portions is blocked in the transverse direction and is also blocked in the vertical direction. Thus, the rail is integral with the second part, through the spaces provided between the replacement rail, the edges of the groove and the space between the movable member and the head of the replacement rail.

The device may include means for electrically isolating the first part and the second from the second part.

The electrical insulation means may comprise a socket carried by a connecting rod in rotation from the first part to the second part, the socket being interposed between the first part and the second part.

The present document also relates to an assembly comprising a device as described above, in which a circulating rail is fixed to the first part is fixed to a circulating rail.

1. Fixation de la première partie sur un patin d’un rail circulé,
2. Rotation de la seconde partie jusqu’à ce que les deux portions latérales viennent en contact avec deux traverses successives.

It also includes a method of using the device described above comprising the following steps:

1. Fixing the first part on a shoe of a running rail,
2. Rotation of the second part until the two side portions come into contact with two successive crosspieces.

Shims can be placed on said two crosspieces, the two side portions being applied to the chocks.

In a step prior to step a), the first part is inserted under the shoe of the running rail.

Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

there comprises a part A named Figure 1A and a part B named Figure 1B and illustrating the support device according to the invention, in two different orientations and in isolated manner;

there comprises a part A named Figure 2A and a part B named Figure 2B and illustrating the support device of the and in two different orientations and positioned on two adjacent sleepers;

there illustrates the device according to the invention secured to a circulating rail, the assembly being seen from above;

there comprises a part A named Figure 4A and a part B named Figure 4B each illustrating the device seen from a side opposite the rail on which it is fixed, Figure 4A illustrating a first position of the raising member and Figure 4B illustrating a second position of the enhancing member;

there illustrates the second part of the device according to the invention and seen in one direction of a circulating rail, the raising member being in its second position;

there is a schematic side view of a stop of the device according to the invention and capable of abutting on the shoe of the running rail on which the device is fixed;

there is a schematic side view of the stop of the device in a rotationally locked position on the shoe of a running rail;

there is a schematic perspective view of a connecting rod of the first part with the second part and of insulation means carried by said rod.

Reference is now made to Figures 1 to 3 which represent a device for supporting a replacement rail according to the invention.

The support device 10 comprises a first part A and a second part B, the first part A and the second part B being connected in rotation relative to each other around an axis X extending in a longitudinal direction L1'. There illustrates a device 10 whose second part B rests on two adjacent crosspieces T. The first part A comprises removable fixing means A1 to a shoe of an RC circulating rail, these means making it possible to rigidly fix and remove the first part B from the shoe of the RC circulating rail. The device will be described with reference to six directions of space, a first direction L1 or longitudinal direction, a second direction L2 and a third direction L3 perpendicular in pairs, and a fourth direction L4 and a fifth direction L5 and a sixth direction perpendicular in pairs. It is thus understood that a second orthonormal reference frame is fixed relative to the first part A and is defined by the fourth direction L4, the fifth direction L5 and a sixth direction corresponding to the direction L1' and that a first orthonormal reference frame is fixed relatively to the second part B and is defined by the first direction L1, the second direction L2 and the third direction L3. In use, the fifth direction L5 corresponds substantially to the vertical direction while the third direction L3 coplanar with the fifth direction L5 can form an angle therewith, this angle being a function of the position of the first part A relative to the second part B around the axis The first direction L1 and the sixth direction L1' are always parallel to each other and to the axis X of rotation of the second part B relative to the first part A.

When the second direction L2 and the fourth direction L4 are parallel then the third direction L3 and the fifth direction L5 are also parallel.

As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the first part A comprises a substantially flat base A2 extending in the fourth direction L4. This base A2 comprises a cutout A3 with a closed contour and carries a rod A4 at a first end in the fourth direction L4 and clamping means A5 at a second end. The tightening means belong to the removable fixing means and are capable of tightening the first part A on a shoe P of a circulating rail RC as will appear later. The rod A4 is inserted into the orifices of two branches A6 carried by the base A2, the rod A4 being integral with said two branches A6. We observe that the rod A4 is engaged in rotation in orifices of two branches B3 of the second part B. Thus, the first part A and the second part B are articulated in rotation relative to each other around the X axis of rod A4.

As illustrated in , the device 10 comprises means of electrical insulation of the first part A and the second part B. In this way, the current which circulates in the circulating rail RC cannot pass into the second part B. Otherwise , the current could pass from the first part A to the second part B, then in a replacement rail RA carried by the second part B then again in a second part B of another device 10 arranged further along the railway track, the current then passing through the first part A of this other device 10 then towards the circulating rail RC. Such current circulation avoids interfering with the current circulation which takes place in the RC circulating rails. The electrical insulation means comprise a socket A7 comprising a cylindrical part A7-1 and a radial annular part A7-2 ( ). Each cylindrical part A7-1 surrounds the rod A4 and is mounted in an orifice of a branch A6 of the first part A. Furthermore, the radial annular part A7-2 is interposed in the sixth longitudinal direction L1' between a branch A6 of the first part A and a branch B3 of the second part B. Thus arranged, the electrical insulation means A7 make it possible to electrically isolate the first part A from the second part B. The sockets A7 are here made integral with the rod A4.

The branches A6 of the first part A each comprise a finger A6-1, extending in the fourth direction L4, towards the clamping means A5 of the second end of the first part A. These fingers A6-1 or lugs each delimit with the base A2 a notch E intended to receive a first edge of a shoe P of a circulating rail RC. The two notches E are thus spaced from one another in the sixth longitudinal direction L1’. The fingers A6-1 belong to the removable fixing means since they cooperate with the clamping means A5.

The clamping means A5 of the first part comprise a movable member A8 in the fifth direction L5 and receiving a threaded rod A9 passing through said movable member A8 and screwed into the base A2. The movable member A8 comprises a pin A8-1 oriented towards the lugs A6-1 in the fourth direction L4 and delimiting with the base a notch for receiving a second edge of a shoe of an RC circulating rail.

The positioning of the first part A on a circulating rail is carried out in the following manner. The movable clamping member A8 is removed, the base A2 is inserted under an RC circulating rail and so that a first edge of a shoe of said RC circulating rail comes into the notches delimited by the lugs A6-1 . Secondly, the movable member A8 is mounted on the base A2 and is tightened so as to block the second opposite edge of the shoe of the circulating rail RC. Thus positioned, the first part A is blocked on the shoe of the circulating rail RC and the second part B can be moved in rotation around the axis X of the rod ( ). In this position the X axis of the rod is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the RC circulating rail.

We now describe the second part B of the device 10 for supporting a replacement rail RA. This second part B is itself intended to support a replacement rail RA. It comprises a rigid structure formed of a first longitudinal wall B1 and a second longitudinal wall B2 spaced from one another in the second direction L2. The longitudinal walls B1, B2 are connected by two lateral portions B3, B4 and by two partitions B5, B6 extending along the plane formed by the directions L2 and L3.

The two lateral portions B3, B4 serve as support for a replacement rail RA and each comprise a flat upper surface B3-1, B4-1 which are included in the same first plane so as to support the replacement rail RA on this plane . Likewise, the two partitions B5, B6 have upper ends in the third direction L3 which are aligned along the same second plane, this second plane being merged here with the first plane so as to also be able to support the replacement rail RA. Shims can be inserted between the branches B3 and B4 and a crosspiece to compensate, when necessary, for a significant difference in height between a horizontal plane passing through the axis X of the rod A4 and the upper surface of the crosspieces T. In this way, we can guarantee a substantially horizontal positioning of part B and therefore of surfaces B3-1 and B4-1.

We observe that the two longitudinal walls B1, B2 extend projecting in the third direction L3 relative to the surfaces B3-1, B4-1 or in the foreground so as to form longitudinal edges B1-1, B2-1. In this way, the longitudinal edges B1-1, B2-1 together form a longitudinal groove for receiving a replacement rail RA, this groove making it possible to block the replacement rail RA in the second direction L2. Each edge B1-1 and B2-1 comprises a part formed on a side portion B3 and another part formed on the other side portion B4.

The first longitudinal wall B1 carries the two branches B7, these two branches B7 extending from this first longitudinal wall B1 in a direction opposite to the second longitudinal wall B2. Each branch B7 of the second part B comprises fingers or lugs B7-1 for blocking the rotation of the second part B on the shoe P of the circulating rail RC on which the first part A is fixed (figure 1A, 2B, 6 and 7 ). These lugs B7-1 form are able to abut on one edge of the shoe P of a circulating rail RC to prevent the tilting of the second part B on the circulating rail RC.

The device 10 also includes means for blocking the replacement rail RA on the second part B and in the third direction L3. These blocking means are optional and make it possible to limit movements in the third direction L3 of the replacement rail RA when a train, more particularly of the high-speed type, is traveling on the railway tracks.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the blocking means in the third direction L3 comprise at least one movable member B8 between a first release position of the replacement rail RA in the third direction L3 and a second blocking position of the replacement rail RA according to the third direction L3. This movable member is movable in rotation along an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X of the rod A4 of the first part A. This axis Y is perpendicular to the surfaces B3-1 and B4-1. In the second blocking position of the replacement rail RA, the free end of the movable member is positioned above the shoe P of the replacement rail RA as shown in .

The device 10 also comprises a raising member B9 formed on the second part B capable of taking a first position (FIG. 4A) in which a support surface B10 is arranged below the first reference plane formed by the surfaces B3-1, B4-1 of the lateral portions B3, B4 and a second position in which the support surface B10 is arranged above said plane (Figure 4B). This second position is illustrated on the where we see the support surface B10 arranged above, in the third direction L3. In the example illustrated in the figures, the raising member B9 comprises an eccentric axis B11 whose external surface forms the support surface B10. This elevator member B9 can be manipulated between the first position (Figure 4A) and the second position (Figure 4B) via a crank B12.

Claims (18)

Support device (10) for a replacement rail (RA) intended to be made integral with a circulating rail (RC), comprising:

• a first part (A) comprising removable fixing means (A1) to a shoe (P) of a running rail (RC),
• a second part (B) for receiving a replacement rail (RA), this second part (B) being movable in rotation around an axis (X) relative to the first part (A) and comprising two lateral portions ( B3, B4) extending in a first longitudinal direction (L1) parallel to the axis of rotation (X), said two lateral portions (B3, B4) each being intended to bear on a crosspiece (T), the second part (B) comprising means for blocking (B2-1, B1-1) of a replacement rail (RA) in at least a second direction (L2) perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction (L1).

Device according to claim 1, in which the first part (A) comprises a substantially planar base (A2) extending in a fourth direction (L4) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (X) and of which a first end according to said fourth direction (L4) is connected in rotation to the second part (B) around said axis (X) and a second opposite end comprises means for clamping the first part (A) on a shoe (P) of a circulating rail ( RC). Device according to claim 2, in which the first end of the base (A2) comprises at least two notches (E) for receiving and retaining, in a fifth direction (L5) perpendicular to the axis X and to the fourth direction (L4), of a first edge of a shoe (P) of a circulating rail (RC), said two notches (E1, E2) being spaced along the axis (X) of rotation. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which each lateral portion (B3, B4) of the second part (B) comprises a flat upper surface, said two upper surfaces (B3-1, B4-1) being included in the same foreground. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the second part (B) comprises two partitions (B5, B6) whose upper ends are aligned along the same second plane. Device according to claim 4 or 5, in which the second part (B) comprises a raising member (B9) comprising a bearing surface of a replacement rail (RA), the raising member (B9) being able to take a first position in which the support surface (B10) is arranged below said plane and a second position in which the support surface (B10) is arranged above said plane. Device according to claim 6, in which the raising member (B9) comprises an eccentric axis whose external surface forms the support surface (B10). Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second part (B) comprises at least one stop (B7-1) capable of abutting on an upper edge of the shoe (P) of a running rail (RC) the first part (A) is fixed on said circulating rail (RC). Device according to claim 9, in which the second part (B) comprises at least two stops (B7-1) spaced from one another along the axis (X) of rotation. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the blocking means in the second direction (L2) comprise two longitudinal edges (B2-1, B1-1) formed on each lateral portion (B3, B4), these longitudinal edges ( B2-1, B1-1) together delimiting a longitudinal groove for receiving a replacement rail (RC). Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the blocking means are capable of blocking the rail in a third direction (L3) perpendicular to the second direction (L2) and to the first direction (L1). Device according to claim 11, in which the blocking means comprise at least one movable member (B8) between a first position for releasing the replacement rail (RA) in the third direction (L3) and a second blocking position for the replacement rail. replacement (RA) according to the third direction (L3). Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which it comprises means of electrical insulation of the first part (A) and the second of the second part (B). Device according to claim 13, in which the electrical insulation means comprise a socket (A7) carried by a connecting rod in rotation from the first part (A) to the second part (B), the socket (A7) being interposed between the first part (A) and the second part (B). Assembly comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first part (A) is fixed to a circulating rail (RC). Method of using the device according to one of the preceding claims comprising the following steps:

1. Fixing the first part (A) on a shoe of a running rail (RC),
2. Rotation of the second part (B) until the two lateral portions (B3, B4) come into contact with two successive crosspieces (T).

Method according to claim 16, in which wedges are arranged on said two crosspieces (T), the two lateral portions (B3, B4) being applied to the wedges. Method according to one of claims 16 or 17, in which it comprises a step prior to step a) of inserting the first part (A) under the shoe (P) of the running rail (RC).