TURNOUT ARRANGEMENT WITH ELASTICALLY SUPPORTED TURNOUT BASES

Abstract

A turnout arrangement of a slab track with a ballastless superstructure for forming a main track (1) and a branch track (2) which branches off from the main track for railway traffic has a plurality of prefabricated turnout bases (3) of untensioned reinforced concrete, a casting compound (5), which is cast and hardened between the aligned turnout bases and the ground (4), a plurality of fastening areas (6) which are rail support points (7) provided on the turnout bases for the rail fastening of the main track, the branch track, and further turnout components. The turnout bases of the turnout arrangement are elastically supported, and each turnout base is provided with a positive-locking arrangement for positively holding the turnout base horizontally with respect to the casting compound. An elastic layer (8) is provided between a projection (13) of an element of the positive-locking arrangement and the turnout base.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A turnout arrangement of a slab track with a ballastless superstructure for forming a main track (1) and a branch track (2), which branches off from the main track (1), for railway traffic, comprising: a plurality of prefabricated turnout bases (3) of untensioned reinforced concrete; a casting compound (5), which is cast and hardened between the aligned turnout bases (3) and a ground (4); a plurality of fastening areas (6), comprising rail support points (7), which are provided on the turnout bases (3) for the rail fastening of the main track (1) and the branch track (2) as well as for fastening further turnout components; wherein the turnout bases (3) of the turnout arrangement are elastically supported, at least one positive-locking arrangement (9) is provided per turnout base (3) for positively holding the turnout base (3) horizontally with respect to the casting compound (5), wherein the positive-locking arrangement (9) comprises two positive-locking elements (10, 11), which are in positive active contact with one another, wherein one positive-locking element (10) of the positive-locking arrangement (9) is a casting opening (12) kept free in the turnout base (3), and wherein the other positive-locking element (11) is a projection (13) of the hardened casting compound (5) extending into this opening (12), the projections (13) and the openings (12) are designed in such a way that the total area of the cross-sections of the projections (13) is dimensioned in such a way that the introduced horizontal shear forces are below the maximum permissible load limit of the base (3) and the projections (13), and an elastic layer (8) is provided between the projection (13) and the turnout base (3).

18. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the turnout bases (3) of the turnout arrangement are elastically supported individually, and are supported or mounted free of constraint forces.

19. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the turnout bases (3) are elastically supported horizontally with respect to at least one of (a) the ground (4) and (b) each other, and transverse to the course of the track,

20. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein a gap is kept free between each of the turnout bases (3), and elastic support with respect to one another is provided by an elastic support with respect to the ground.

21. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the turnout bases (3) are elastically supported in the vertical direction.

22. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the elastic support comprises an elastic layer (8) arranged between the turnout bases (3) and the casting compound (5) for the elastic decoupling of the turnout bases (3).

23. The turnout arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the elastic layer is formed in several parts.

24. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the elastic layer (8) is arranged between each of the two positive-locking elements (10, 11) of the positive-locking arrangement (9) for the horizontal elastic support and in particular for the elastic decoupling of the turnout base (3).

25. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein at least one positive-locking arrangement (9) is provided per turnout base (3) for positively holding the turnout base (3) vertically with respect to the casting compound (5), wherein the at least one positive-locking arrangement (9) comprises two positive-locking elements (10, 11), which are in positive active contact with one another, and the elastic layer (8) is arranged between each of the two positive-locking elements (10, 11) of the positive-locking arrangement (9) for the vertical elastic support and in particular for the elastic decoupling of the turnout base (3).

26. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the positive-locking element (11) formed as a projection (13) has an undercut (14) such that a region located at the top of the positive-locking element projects beyond a region located further down in the horizontal direction of the positive-locking element or is designed to widen towards the top, and a part of the turnout base (3) extends into the undercut (14) of the projection (13) so that a vertical positive connection is formed.

27. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein two openings (12) are provided per turnout base (3), into each of which extends a projection (13) of the hardened casting compound (5).

28. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein a smallest overall cross section of the projections (13) extending into a turnout base (3) is bigger than a cross section which, taking into account the strength of the casting compound (5), is sufficient to absorb the horizontal forces, in particular the transverse forces and/or longitudinal forces introduced by a rail vehicle, without damage.

29. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein all the turnout bases (3) of the turnout arrangement are of a rectangular design and have a greater dimension in the transverse direction of the course of the track than in the longitudinal direction of the course of the track.

30. The turnout arrangement according to claim 29, wherein the smaller dimension of the turnout bases (3) is less than or equal to 2.6 meters.

31. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein all of the turnout bases (3), of the turnout arrangement extend continuously over the entire width of the turnout and comprise or form fastening areas (6) for the main track (1) and for the branch track (2) at least after the frog (15) of the turnout.

32. The turnout arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the elastic layer (8) of a first of said plurality of turnout bases (3) has a different stiffness and/or a different shear modulus, than the elastic layer (8) of a second of said plurality of turnout bases (3) adjacent said first of said plurality of turnout bases (3).

33. A track arrangement, comprising: a turnout arrangement according to claim 17; and a plurality of tracks (17) adjoining the junctions (16) of the turnout arrangement; wherein the tracks (17) are configured as slab tracks with a ballastless superstructure and comprise a plurality of prefabricated track bases (18) of untensioned reinforced concrete, a casting compound (5), which is cast and hardened between the aligned track bases (18) and the ground (4), and a plurality of fastening areas (6) comprising rail support points (7), which are provided on the track bases (18) for the rail fastening of the tracks (1), the track bases (18) being elastically supported.

34. The track arrangement according to claim 33, wherein an elastic layer (8) is arranged between the track bases (18) and the casting compound (5) for the elastic decoupling of the track bases (18).

35. The track arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the elastic layer (8) is formed in several parts,

36. The track arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the elastic layer (8) of a turnout base (3) has a different stiffness and/or a different shear modulus, than the elastic layer (8) of a or an adjacent track base (18).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0063] With reference to the figures, the invention is now further described.

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a top view of a section of a track arrangement with the course of the track being divided into three lines for drawing reasons.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a sub-section of a turnout arrangement.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the sub-section of FIG. 2.

[0067] Unless otherwise stated, the reference signs correspond to the following components: Main track 1, branch track 2, turnout base 3, ground 4, casting compound 5, fastening area 6, rail support point 7, elastic layer 8, positive-locking arrangement 9, first positive-locking element 10, second positive-locking element 11, opening 12, projection 13, undercut 14, frog 15, junction 16, track 17, track base 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a turnout arrangement of a slab track with a ballastless superstructure for forming a main track 1 and a branch track 2, which branches off from the main track 1, for railway traffic. The turnout arrangement comprises a plurality of turnout bases 3, which extend in a row, starting from the junction 16 of the incoming track 17, to the junctions 16 of the outgoing tracks 17. The turnout bases 3 lie substantially in a row along the course of the track.

[0069] In particular, a gap between the individual turnout bases 3 is kept free or filled with an elastic material so that the individual turnout bases 3 are substantially decoupled from each other. In particular, a relative movement of the turnout bases 3 to each other is permitted.

[0070] The turnout bases 3 each comprise at least one, in particular two or more, openings 12. In the present embodiment, the openings 12 are formed as through-openings which extend substantially in a vertical direction through the entire turnout base 3. The openings 12 are at least partially filled with the casting compound 5, preferably over their entire height.

[0071] On the incoming side, a track 17 with a track base 18 adjoins the turnout arrangement. On the outgoing side, two tracks 17 with one track base 18 each adjoin.

[0072] Preferably, in all embodiments, the turnout bases 3 are substantially rectangular and have a smaller dimension when measured along the course of the track than when measured transverse to the course of the track. Optionally, individual turnout bases 3 are square or trapezoidal. In particular, as a preferred embodiment, the dimension along the course of the track is less than or equal to 2.6 m, so that the turnout bases 3 can be transported easily and efficiently.

[0073] The turnout bases 3 of the turnout arrangement extend over the entire width of the turnout arrangement. In particular in the area after the frog 15, but preferably also before the frog 15, each turnout base 3 supports the main track 1 and the branch track 2. An exception may be those plates at the beginning of the turnout arrangement where the branch track 2 and the main track 1 do not yet have diverging courses.

[0074] In particular in the end area of the turnout, for example after the frog 15, the turnout bases 3 have an elongated rectangular shape and extend over the entire width of the turnout so that the main track 1 and the branch track 2 rest on this turnout base 3.

[0075] The turnout bases 3 each comprise at least one positive-locking arrangement 9 with a first positive-locking element 10 and a second positive-locking element 11. In the present embodiment, the first positive-locking element 10 is formed as an opening 12 of the turnout base 3. The second positive-locking element 11 is formed as a projection 13 of the casting compound 5 in this embodiment. The projection 13 extends into the opening 12 from below, thus creating a positive-locking retention of the turnout base 3 relative to the casting compound 5 in the horizontal plane, here in the picture plane. At least one, preferably several, in particular two or four, projections 13 are inserted into openings 12 per turnout base 3.

[0076] The cross sections of the projections 13 in the horizontal plane, which extend into a single turnout base 3, must be dimensioned in such a way that the strength of the projections 13 is sufficient to absorb the forces introduced by the rail vehicle. In particular, the maximum permissible shear forces of this cross section must not be exceeded. While in the starting area and in the end area of the turnout arrangement in the present embodiment two openings 12 and two projections 13, respectively, each are provided, in the central area of the turnout four openings 12 and four projections 13, respectively, are provided per turnout base 3. The cross sections of all projections 13 of a turnout base 3 which are relevant for the strength, are preferably added up for the strength calculation.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of a turnout base 3, in particular a turnout base 3, which is arranged after the frog 15 of the turnout arrangement. The turnout base 3 comprises several fastening areas 6 for the main track 1 and the branch track 2.

[0078] In particular, the fastening areas 6 form the rail support points 7 for receiving the rail fasteners. Furthermore, the turnout arrangement comprises a positive-locking arrangement 9 in the area of the illustrated turnout base 3 for positively holding the turnout base 3 relative to the casting compound 5. The positive-locking arrangement 9 comprises a first positive-locking element 10 and a second positive-locking element 11, which are in positive active contact with each other. In particular, a part of the elastic layer 8 is provided between the first positive-locking element 10 and the second positive-locking element 11.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the first positive-locking element 10 is formed as an opening 12 in the turnout base 3. The second positive-locking element 11 is formed as a projection 13 of the casting compound 5, wherein the projection 13 extends into the opening 12 of the turnout base 3 from below. In particular, the opening 12 is designed as a through-opening, whereby in the present embodiment the casting compound 5 can be introduced through these openings 12 during casting. As can be seen in the illustration of FIG. 2, a majority of the area of the turnout base 3 is occupied by the fastening areas 6. The remaining areas between the fastening areas 6 may be used to provide the openings 12 to form a part of the positive-locking arrangement 9. However, the openings 12 cannot extend over the entire free area between the fastening areas 6, as otherwise the strength and/or functionality of the turnout base 3 would be compromised.

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the turnout arrangement of FIG. 2, wherein the sectional plane is substantially a normal plane of the direction of the course of the track.

[0081] The turnout arrangement comprises a turnout base 3, which is arranged at a distance from the ground 4 and in particular is aligned. The space between the turnout base 3 and the ground 4 is at least partially filled with a casting compound 5. When the turnout arrangement is produced, the casting compound 5 is hardened. The turnout arrangement comprises a main track 1 and a branch track 2 branching off from the main track 1. The branch track 2 usually branches off from the main track 1 in the form of a curve. The branch track 2 is curved, but in contrast to a conventional track curve, it usually has no superelevation.

[0082] An elastic layer 8 is provided between the turnout base 3 and the casting compound 5. This elastic layer 8 is preferably made of several parts and extends between the turnout base 3 and the casting compound 5 in such a way that these two components are elastically supported relative to each other and in particular elastically decoupled from each other. Nevertheless, the turnout base 3 and the casting compound 5 are positively connected to each other. Thus, a positive-locking arrangement 9 is provided, which comprises at least one first positive-locking element 10 and at least one second positive-locking element 11.

[0083] In the present embodiment, two first positive-locking elements 10 and two second positive-locking elements 11 are provided. The first positive-locking elements 10 are formed as openings 12, which extend through the turnout base 3. The second positive-locking elements 11 are formed as projections 13 of the casting compound 5, which extend into the openings 12 of the turnout base 3. The elastic layer 8 is arranged between each projection 13 and the associated opening 12. The elastic layer 8 is also provided between the, preferably substantially horizontal, underside of the turnout base 3 and the casting compound 5.

[0084] This design of the positive-locking arrangement 9 forms a positive, elastic coupling of the turnout base 3 with the casting compound 5, which acts in the horizontal plane.

[0085] In addition, a vertically acting positive connection is also formed in the present embodiment. In this respect, the projection 13 has an undercut 14 into which a part of the turnout base 3, in particular a part of the opening 12 of the turnout base 3, extends. Preferably, the opening 12 is widened towards the top, so that an undercut area is formed when this opening 12 is filled with the casting compound 5. Due to the arrangement of the elastic layer 8 in this area, the vertically positive connection is elastic.

[0086] Preferably, in all embodiments, an elastic layer 8 is provided in the area of the rail fastenings. In this respect, an elastic insert is usually provided between the rail support point 7 and the rail foot. Advantageously, by varying the hardness or shear modulus of this/these elastic insert(s), the elasticity and in particular the stiffness of the track 17 can be influenced in two different areas.

[0087] The first area can be varied, for example, by selecting the elastic layer 8. For example, different materials or dimensions with different shear moduli or hardnesses can be used. Additionally, when using an elastic rail insert, the stiffness can further be varied. This flexibility allows the comfort of the present turnout arrangement and track arrangement to be flexibly adapted and improved.