A rail inspection device comprises a carriage having wheels, a first roller in contact with a side surface of a first rail, a second roller in contact with a side surface of a second rail, a first position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the first rail or an outer surface of the first roller, a second position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the second rail or an outer surface of the second roller, and at least one rotation sensor each configured to detect a rotation angle of a wheel, the first roller, or the second roller.

A rail inspection device comprises a carriage having wheels, a first roller in contact with a side surface of a first rail, a second roller in contact with a side surface of a second rail, a first position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the first rail or an outer surface of the first roller, a second position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the second rail or an outer surface of the second roller, and at least one rotation sensor each configured to detect a rotation angle of a wheel, the first roller, or the second roller.

The invention relates to a measuring device (13) for recording a track geometry of a track (5) immediately after a treatment of the track (5) by means of track maintenance machine (1), wherein the measuring device comprises wheel axles (16) for travelling on the track (5), connecting elements (15) for mounting to the track maintenance machine (1) and a data interface (41) for exchanging data with the track maintenance machine (1). Further, the measuring device (13) comprises an assembly frame (22) on which an inertial measuring unit (14) is arranged, wherein a front wheel axle (16) and a rear wheel axle (16) are mounted on the assembly frame (22) for rotation relative to one another about an axis of rotation (21) extending orthogonally to the wheel axles (16). Thus, an efficient check measurement of the lateral, longitudinal and vertical position of the track (5) is possible.

The invention relates to a measuring device (13) for recording a track geometry of a track (5) immediately after a treatment of the track (5) by means of track maintenance machine (1), wherein the measuring device comprises wheel axles (16) for travelling on the track (5), connecting elements (15) for mounting to the track maintenance machine (1) and a data interface (41) for exchanging data with the track maintenance machine (1). Further, the measuring device (13) comprises an assembly frame (22) on which an inertial measuring unit (14) is arranged, wherein a front wheel axle (16) and a rear wheel axle (16) are mounted on the assembly frame (22) for rotation relative to one another about an axis of rotation (21) extending orthogonally to the wheel axles (16). Thus, an efficient check measurement of the lateral, longitudinal and vertical position of the track (5) is possible.

A method for tamping a track in the region of a switch uses a tamping machine mobile on a track. In a first working pass a first branch is brought into desired position and tamped, thereafter the tamping machine travels backward to a point before a branching point, and in a second working pass a second branch is brought into desired position and tamped. During the backward travel, an actual position of the second branch is recorded by a sensor arrangement, particularly relative to the position of the first branch, and correction values for the position of the second branch are calculated based on the recorded actual position. Therefore, the backward travel, which is necessary anyway, is used to determine the position of the second branch, which position changes in the course of the first working pass. A tamping machine for carrying out the method is also provided.

A derail alarm system for notifying a tamping machine operator that a tamping projector buggy is in a derailed condition. A rail sensor with an ultrasonic beam attaches to a tamping projector buggy to sense alignment with a metal rail. When the ultrasonic sensor detects an out-of-tolerance condition, aural and red-LED light visual indications are electronically provided to the tamping machine operator. The tamping machine operator may disable the aural indication and change the red-LED indication to an amber-LED indication until the ultrasonic sensor detects an in-tolerance condition. A limit switch deactivates the cradle sensor when the tamping projector buggy is raised and stored in the travel position for a higher speed transport condition.

A method for determining vertical and lateral position faults of a track employs a track position measuring system having a common reference base formed of a single measuring chord disposed centrally between the rails and extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine. Two sensors are disposed on a central track position measuring unit for determining a longitudinal height and for determining a versine. The sensors each contact the measuring chord. Each track position measuring unit has two laser scanners, which are associated with respective rails, for scanning in a y-axis extending normal to a longitudinal direction of the rails and in a z-axis extending in a vertical direction. A track maintenance machine for carrying out track position corrections is also provided. Thus, a simplification of the track position measuring system with increased accuracy can be achieved.

A rail inspection device comprises a carriage having wheels, a first roller in contact with a side surface of a first rail, a second roller in contact with a side surface of a second rail, a first position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the first rail or an outer surface of the first roller, a second position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the second rail or an outer surface of the second roller, and at least one rotation sensor each configured to detect a rotation angle of a wheel, the first roller, or the second roller.

A rail inspection device comprises a carriage having wheels, a first roller in contact with a side surface of a first rail, a second roller in contact with a side surface of a second rail, a first position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the first rail or an outer surface of the first roller, a second position sensor configured to detect a position of a side surface of the second rail or an outer surface of the second roller, and at least one rotation sensor each configured to detect a rotation angle of a wheel, the first roller, or the second roller.

A method includes: taking a topographical survey of a plurality of geographical points near a structure to be built, the position of each point being determined in an absolute frame of reference XYZ; installing a plurality of reflectors, each reflector being placed at a geographical point of the topographical survey; measuring distances between reflectors and optical devices, using at least three optical devices fixed on a moving arm of an insertion device that bears an element to be inserted; computing, by trilateration, the absolute position of the arm of the insertion device from the measured distances and from the known position of each optical reflector; and moving the arm of the insertion device based on the computed absolute position, so as to bring the element to be inserted into a predetermined implantation position.