SPRING DEVICE FOR SUPPORT OF RAIL SWITCHING

Abstract

 Spring device (1) for support of a railway switch, which spring device comprises a casing (2, 2b), via which casing the spring device is connected to a railway sleeper or other fixed part of the railway switch, a sledge part (4) located inside and connected to the casing, a rod member (3) expending through the sledge part and the casing at least from one side of the casing, which rod member is configured to be connected to at least one switch blade of the railway switch from at least one of its ends, and at least one accumulator (23) connecting the sledge part and the rod member for providing torque to the movement of the rod member in relation to the sledge part, wherein the sledge part (4) and/or rod member (3) comprises at least a part (26a, 26b, 33) of a device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part during adjustment of the spring device (1). The invention also relates to a method for adjusting such a spring device (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a spring device, which supports the rail switching in railway switches.

[0002] Spring device supporting rail switching is typically used after a railway point machine of a railway switch to provide additional torque during the switch throwing process and to keep the switch blades of the railway switch at their places when train passes. This additional torque provided by the spring device increases the safety of the railway switch by securing the closed switch blade against the stock rail. Further, the open switch blade is held in position, thus ensuring that the gap between the stock rail and the open switch blade allows unobstructed travel of the wheel flange of train's wheels. The effect of thermal expansion of the rails is managed by the spring device by allowing controlled movement of the rod member connected to the switch blade(s) in the direction of the rails. This kind of spring device allows increased safe speeds for trains for passing the railway switch.

[0003] One this kind of spring device is disclosed in publication FI 94975 B, which comprises a casing, inside of which there is a sledge part through which sledge part expends a rod member, which rod member is connected to one or two switch blades of a railway switch, depending on the type of the railway switch, from respective ends of the rod member. The rod member connects to the sledge part via spring accumulators, which provide the additional torque to the switch blade(s) via the rod member.

[0004] Installation of the above kind of spring device to a railway switch is time consuming process, mainly due to the required adjustments for positioning the rod member correctly in relation to the switch blade(s).

[0005] The present invention provides an improved spring device for supporting a railway switch, which, among other benefits, is easier, quicker and less error prone to correctly adjust and use in a railway switch. The present invention also allows effortless and quick audits and adjustments of the spring device in conjunction of correct position related to the switch blade(s) and the stock rails in a railway switch.

[0006] The spring device of the present invention for support of a railway switch comprises a casing, via which casing the spring device is connected to a railway sleeper or other fixed part of the railway switch, a sledge part located inside and connected to the casing, a rod member expending through the sledge part and the casing at least from one side of the casing, which rod member is configured to be connected to at least one switch blade of the railway switch from at least one of its ends, and at least one accumulator connecting the sledge part and the rod member for providing torque to the movement of the rod member in relation to the sledge part, wherein the sledge part and/or rod member comprises at least a part of a device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part during adjustment of the spring device.

[0007] In the context of the present invention feature "switch blade" also comprises crossing rails and other similar movable pieces of a railway switch, which are moved planarly during operation of the railway switch.

[0008] The connection between the casing and the sledge part of the spring device of the invention preferably allows movement of the sledge part in relation to the casing in the longitudinal direction of the rails.

[0009] With the device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part the adjustment of the spring device for keeping the switch blade(s) in relation to the stock rails at correct positions at the end positions of the spring device can be done quickly and easily.

[0010] On an embodiment of the spring device of the invention the accumulator is preferably a spring accumulator, but any other similarly operating accumulator, such as hydraulic and pneumatic accumulator, as well as other types of accumulators based on material elasticity, which allow storing and release of energy, may be used.

[0011] In an embodiment of the spring device of the invention the device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part comprises at least one hole formed on the top surface of the sledge part, an indicator piece extending through the said hole into contact with the rod member, and at least one shape formed on the outer surface of the rod member for contacting with the said indicator piece. With this embodiment a simple indicator piece can be placed in the hole of the top surface of the sledge part, and the position of the indicator piece, when in connection with the sledge part, indicates the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part. The indicator piece itself is preferably a separate piece which can be removed from the spring device after its installation and adjustment.

[0012] In the above embodiment there may be two separate holes formed on the top surface of the sledge part for the indicator piece, and the rod member may comprise two separate shapes formed on the outer surface of the rod member for the indicator piece. This way the proper positioning of the rod member for each end position of the spring device is done separately and the structural integrity of the rod member at its center area, wherein the spring accumulators connect, is not diminished due to formation of the shape on the surface of the rod member.

[0013] Alternatively, the device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part may be implemented with a suitable electrical apparatus, by using laser beam or other corresponding method for example, which apparatus measures and indicates the position of the rod member in relation to the sledge part. In this embodiment the device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part comprises at least one feature or electrical indicator in the rod member, and an electrical device for detecting the accurate position of the said feature or electrical indicator in relation to the sledge part. The feature in the rod member may be a groove, slot or other marking on the surface of the rod member, and the electrical device may be a suitable electrical detector detecting the location of this feature and its distance from or relation to the sledge part, based on machine vision for example. The electrical indicator in the rod member may be any suitable electronic tag or signal emitting device, and the electrical device may be device detecting the tag/device in the rod member and defining is position/relation to the sledge member.

[0014] Within this context it is to be noted, that the proper positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part requires accuracy which is not obtainable with mere human eye. The required accuracy is typically tenths of a millimeter or smaller.

[0015] In an embodiment of the spring device of the invention the corners of the top surface of the sledge part are cut out to provide improved visibility and access inside the sledge part. This allows the required greasing and other maintenance actions as well as visual or physical inspections to be carried out easier.

[0016] In an embodiment of the spring device of the invention the height of the casing, from the bottom surface to the top surface, is about 10 cm. This allows even low hanging parts of train cart couplings to pass above the top surface of the spring device without risk of impact.

[0017] In the embodiment of the spring device of the invention the casing comprises a separate cover piece with hinged connection to the rest of the casing, which cover piece comprises beveled sections in front and back sections of the cover piece in relation to the longitudinal direction of the rails of the railway switch. The cover piece allows easy access inside the spring device for maintenance purposes, and the beveled section improve impact resistance of the spring device.

[0018] In an embodiment of the spring device the casing comprises at least one wing section extending from the side of the casing in the direction of the rod member and covering the rod member. In an embodiment where the rod member extends from both side surfaces of the casing, there are preferably two wing sections on both sides of the casing to cover and protect the rod member on both sides of the spring device.

[0019] In an embodiment of the spring device of the invention the rod member comprises adjusting device for adjusting the length of the rod member at least on one section of the rod member located outside of the casing. In an embodiment where the rod member extends from both side surfaces of the casing, there are preferably one adjusting device on both sides of the casing. The adjusting device allows adjustment of the length of the rod member in order to adjust the positions of the switch blade(s) of the railway switch to fulfil set requirements in both end positions of the spring device.

[0020] In an embodiment of the spring device of the invention the casing is formed from metal, such as steel, polymer material, and/or composite material. Further, the casing is typically formed from sheet metal pieces by welding, wherein the thickness of the sheet metal is preferably about 6 mm.

[0021] The present invention also provides a method for adjusting a spring device supporting a railway switch, which spring device comprises a casing, via which casing the spring device is connected to a railway sleeper or other fixed part of the railway switch, a sledge part located inside and connected to the casing, a rod member expending through the sledge part and the casing at least from one side of the casing, which rod member is configured to be connected to at least one switch blade of the railway switch from at least one of its ends, and at least one accumulator connecting the sledge part and the rod member for providing torque to the movement of the rod member in relation to the sledge part, wherein the position of the rod member in relation to the sledge part is adjusted, and wherein the correct position of the rod member in relation to the sledge part is confirmed with a device, which device is at least partially integrated to the spring device.

[0022] More precisely the features defining a spring device in accordance with the present invention are presented in claim 1, and the features defining a method in accordance with the present invention are presented in claim 11. Dependent claims present advantageous features and embodiments of the invention.

[0023] Exemplifying embodiments of the invention and their advantages are explained in greater detail below in the sense of example and with reference to accompanying drawings, where

Figures 1A-1C show schematically an embodiment of the spring device of the invention,

Figures 2A and 2B show schematically an embodiment of a sledge part of the spring device of the invention,

Figure 3 shows schematically an embodiment of an indicator piece for the spring device of the invention,

Figure 4 shows schematically the use of the indicator piece of figure 3 in the spring device of the invention, and

Figures 5A-5C show schematically an alternative embodiment of the casing of the spring device of the invention.

[0024] Figures 1A-1C show schematically an embodiment of the spring device 1 of the invention, wherein figure 1A shows front view the spring device, figure 1B shows top view of the spring device, and figure 1C shows side view of the casing 2 of the spring device.

[0025] In the embodiment shown in figures 1A-1C the spring device 1 comprises a casing 2, a rod member 3 extending through the casing, and a sledge part located inside the casing. Of the sledge part there is shown only portion of the fixing part 25 in figure 1A. The sledge part is discussed in more detail with reference to figures 2A and 2B.

[0026] In the embodiment of figures 1A-1C the casing 2 of the spring device 1 is fixed to a hollow block-type railway sleeper with fixing bolts 5 via holes formed in the bottom plate 6 of the casing. As can be seen from figure 1B, the holes for fixing bolts 5 formed in the bottom plate 6 are elongate to allow some movement of the casing 2 in relation to the fixing bolts in the longitudinal direction of the rails in the railway switch to which the spring device 1 is installed.

[0027] In addition to the bottom plate 6, the casing 2 comprises walls 7 extending upwards from and connected to the bottom plate and a cover piece 8 connected with hinges 9 to the bottom plate. The cover piece 8 also comprises wing sections 10 on both sides of the cover piece to cover and protect the rod member 3 on both sides of the casing 2.

[0028] At both ends of the rod member 3 are fixed fixing devices 11 with adjusting devices 12. The fixing devices 11 are connected to the switch blades of the railway switch wherein the spring device 1 is installed. The adjusting devices 12 allow adjustment of the length of the rod member 3 and thus adjustment of the distance of fixing devices 11 from the fixed casing 2 of the spring device 1. In this embodiment the adjustment devices 12 are threaded sleeves with opposite threading at both of their ends which connect to the threaded portions of the rod member 3 and the fixing devices 11. Thus, by turning the threaded sleeve with a suitable tool the distance of the fixing devices 11 in relation to the fixed casing 2 can be adjusted.

[0029] The sledge part of the spring device 1, which will be discussed next with reference to the figures 2A and 2B, is located in the area restricted with the walls 7 of the casing, as can be seen from the location of the fixing part 25 in figure 1A.

[0030] Figures 2A and 2B show schematically an embodiment of the sledge part 4 of the spring device 1 of the invention, wherein figure 2A shows a top view of the sledge part and figure 2B shows side view of the sledge part.

[0031] The sledge part 4 comprises in this embodiment a top plate 21, a bottom plate 22, spring accumulators 23 connected turnably to the top and bottom plate, and guide pieces 24 for the rod member.

[0032] The spring accumulators 23 are connected to each other with a plate 28, which plate passes through the rod member 3 via a corresponding through hole formed in the rod member. This way the spring accumulators 23 turn in relation to the top and bottom plates 21, 22 when the rod member moves.

[0033] In the top plate 21 there are two holes 26a and 26b, which are located on top of the rod member, when it is located in the sledge part 4. These holes 26a and 26b are used in the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part 4 when the spring device is installed.

[0034] In the corners of the top 21 there are cut outs 27, which cut outs allow improved access inside the sledge member 4 during maintenance actions.

[0035] The sledge part 4 is connected to the bottom plate 6 of the casing 2 of the spring device with the fixing part 25, as can be seen from figure 1A.

[0036] Figure 3 shows schematically an embodiment of an indicator piece 30 for the spring device 1 of the invention.

[0037] The indicator piece 30 in this embodiment comprises a body portion 31 and a tip portion 32. The cross section of the body portion 31 corresponds substantially the shape of the holes 26a and 26b formed in the top plate 21 of the sledge part 4 as shown in figure 2A, and it is sized so that it can freely move in those holes by the force of gravity.

[0038] The tip portion 32 of the indicator piece 30 is dimensioned to correspond a size and form of a slot formed on the outer surface of the rod member of the spring device.

[0039] Figure 4 shows schematically the use of the indicator piece 30 of figure 3 in the spring device of the invention.

[0040] When the spring device is installed at its place in the railway switch and the ends of the rod member 3 are connected to the switch blades, the position of the rod member in relation to the sledge part 4 of the spring device need to be adjusted in correct position, so that the position of the switch blades of the railway switch is correct in relation to the end positions of the rod member, and adjustment of the spring device allows correct flangeway clearance.

[0041] In the adjustment process the switch blade is first firmly connected to the stock rail. Then the indicator piece 30 is placed in the hole 26a on the top plate 21 of the sledge part 4 closest to the positioned switch blade. Then the position of the rod member 3 is adjusted via the adjustment device (12 in figures 1A and 1B), until the tip portion 32 of the indicator piece 30 falls into the slot 33 formed on the outer surface of the rod member. This indicates that the adjustment is done and the rod member 3 is properly positioned in relation to the sledge part 4.

[0042] In this embodiment, since there are two separate holes formed in the top plate 21 of the sledge part, similar process is carried out for the other side with the other hole 26b.

[0043] Figures 5A-5C show schematically an alternative embodiment of the casing 2b for the spring device of the invention.

[0044] In this embodiment the fixing bolts 5 and the related holes in the bottom plate 6b are located at one end of the casing 2b, which allows the casing to be fixed on a normal concrete railway sleeper.

[0045] Also, in this embodiment the cover piece 8b covers substantially the area restricted with the walls 7b of the casing, and the wing sections 10b are fixed to the walls 7b instead of the cover piece 8b as in the embodiment of figures 1A-1C.

[0046] The specific exemplifying embodiments of the invention shown in figures and discussed above should not be construed as limiting. A person skilled in the art can amend and modify the embodiments described in many evident ways within the scope of the attached claims. Thus, the invention is not limited merely to the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. Spring device (1) for support of a railway switch, which spring device comprises:

- a casing (2, 2b), via which casing the spring device is connected to a railway sleeper or other fixed part of the railway switch,

- a sledge part (4) located inside and connected to the casing,

- a rod member (3) expending through the sledge part and the casing at least from one side of the casing, which rod member is configured to be connected to at least one switch blade of the railway switch from at least one of its ends, and

- at least one accumulator (23) connecting the sledge part and the rod member for providing torque to the movement of the rod member in relation to the sledge part,

characterized in that
the sledge part (4) and/or rod member (3) comprises at least a part (26a, 26b, 33) of a device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member in relation to the sledge part during adjustment of the spring device (1).

2. Spring device (1) of claim 1, wherein the device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member (3) in relation to the sledge part (4) comprises at least one hole (26a, 26b) formed on the top surface of the sledge part, an indicator piece (30) extending through the said hole into contact with the rod member, and at least one shape (33) formed on the outer surface of the rod member.

3. Spring device (1) of claim 2, wherein the device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member (3) in relation to the sledge part (4) comprises two separate holes (26a, 26b) formed on the top surface of the sledge part for the indicator piece (30), and the rod member comprises two separate shapes (33) formed on the outer surface of the rod member.

4. Spring device (1) of claim 1, wherein the device for confirming the correct positioning of the rod member (3) in relation to the sledge part (4) comprises at least one feature or electrical indicator in the rod member, and an electrical device for detecting the accurate position of the said feature or electrical indicator in relation to the sledge part.

5. Spring device (1) of any of claims 1-4, wherein the corners of the top surface of the sledge part (4) are cut out to provide improved access inside the sledge part.

6. Spring device (1) of any of claims 1-5, wherein the height of the casing (2, 2b), from the bottom surface to the top surface, is about 10 cm.

7. Spring device (1) of any of claims 1-6, wherein the casing (2, 2b) comprises a separate cover piece (8, 8a) with hinged connection to the rest of the casing, which cover piece comprises beveled sections in front and back sections of the cover piece in relation to the longitudinal direction of the rails of the railway switch.

8. Spring device (1) of any of claims 1-7, wherein the casing (2, 2b) comprises at least one wing section (10, 10b) extending from the side of the casing in the direction of the rod member (3) and covering the rod member.

9. Spring device (1) of any of claims 1-8, wherein the rod member (3) comprises adjusting device (12) for adjusting the length of the rod member at least on one section of the rod member located outside of the casing (2, 2b).

10. Spring device of any of claims 1-9, wherein the casing (2, 2b) is formed from metal, polymer material and/or composite material.

11. Method for adjusting a spring device (1) supporting a railway switch, which spring device comprises a casing (2, 2b), via which casing the spring device is connected to a railway sleeper or other fixed part of the railway switch, a sledge part (4) located inside and connected to the casing, a rod member (3) expending through the sledge part and the casing at least from one side of the casing, which rod member is configured to be connected to at least one switch blade of the railway switch from at least one of its ends, and at least one accumulator (23) connecting the sledge part and the rod member for providing torque to the movement of the rod member in relation to the sledge part, wherein the position of the rod member in relation to the sledge part is adjusted, characterized in that the correct position of the rod member (3) in relation to the sledge part (4) is confirmed with a device, which device is at least partially integrated to the spring device (1).

Drawing