TRACK SUPPORT FOR A MAGNETIC LEVITATION RAILWAY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a track support for a magnetic levitation railway and to a method for production thereof, in which the track comprises at least two substantially parallel longitudinal supports (2), each longitudinal support (2) having a cross-section with at least one projection (3, 4) and the projections (3, 4) of parallel longitudinal supports (2) being substantially aligned with each other, and on the projection (3) of each longitudinal support (2) a receiving point is provided for reaction rails (8) for driving and/or guiding and/or supporting a magnetic levitation train (7). The two longitudinal supports (2) are connected at least at one of the axial ends thereof to a cross-member (5). At least one of the two cross-members (5) is an edge cross-member (5.1) provided in an end region of the longitudinal support (2) and at least one of the longitudinal supports (2) and/or at least one of the cross-members (5) has a mounting (14, 15, 16) for the track support (1).

Claims

1. A track support of a magnetic levitation railway, comprising: at least two substantially parallel longitudinal beams, each longitudinal beam having a cross-section with at least one projection, and the projections of parallel longitudinal beams being substantially aligned with each other, a receiving point for reaction rails for driving and/or guiding and/or supporting a magnetic levitation vehicle being provided at the projection of each longitudinal beam, wherein the two longitudinal beams are connected to a cross-member at least at one of the axial ends thereof, and at least one of the two cross-members is an edge cross-member arranged in an end region of the longitudinal beams, and at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or at least one of the cross-members has a bearing for the track support.

2. The track support according to claim 1, wherein rail pads are arranged at least at one of the projections.

3. The track support according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the longitudinal beams is divided into segments, in particular longitudinal segments.

4. The track support according to claim 1, wherein the track support, in the longitudinal direction thereof, has at least two consecutive, parallel longitudinal beams, which are connected to at least one cross-member, serving as a center cross-member.

5. The track support according to claim 1, wherein the cross-members are designed as an in-situ concrete topping of the parallel longitudinal beams and/or as a precast concrete part.

6. The track support according to claim 1, wherein the cross-members are arranged between two projections that are oriented toward each other.

7. The track support according to claim 1, wherein the cross-members are arranged at ends of the longitudinal beams, in particular at end faces thereof.

8. The track support according to claim 1, wherein the bearings of the track support are spherical bearings.

9. The track support according to claim 1, wherein sealing elements and/or centering elements are arranged between the longitudinal beams and/or between the longitudinal beams and the cross-members.

10. The track support according to claim 1, wherein end faces of the longitudinal beams and/or of the cross-members are machined, in particular ground and/or milled.

11. The track support according to claim 1, wherein a contact plate for a connection to a longitudinal beam or a cross-member is arranged at least at one of the longitudinal beams and/or at least one of the cross-members, in particular at an end face of the longitudinal beam and/or of the cross-member.

12. The track support according to claim 1, wherein a joint between the longitudinal beams and the cross-members is designed as a dry joint.

13. The track support according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal beams and/or the cross-members are connected to each other by way of tendons.

14. The track support according to claim 13, wherein the tendons are arranged in a garland-shaped manner in the track support.

15. The track support according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal beams are produced corresponding to an intended routing of the track, deviating from a straight line, in particular in a twisted and/or horizontally and/or vertically bent manner.

16. The track support according to claim 1, wherein conductor and/or set-down rails are attached on at least one of the projections and/or at least one of the cross-members.

17. A method for producing a track support of a magnetic levitation railway, comprising: at least two substantially parallel longitudinal beams, each longitudinal beam having a cross-section with at least one projection, and the projections being substantially aligned with each other, and a receiving point for reaction rails for driving and/or guiding and/or supporting a magnetic levitation railway vehicle being provided at the projection of each longitudinal beam, wherein the two longitudinal beams are connected to a cross-member at least at one of the axial ends thereof, the longitudinal beams are made of concrete as a precast concrete part, the length of the longitudinal beams and the bend of the longitudinal beams are produced corresponding to the installation point thereof in the routing of the track, and subsequently at least two of the longitudinal beams are connected to cross-members, at least one of the two cross-members being an edge cross-member, and at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or at least one of the cross-members being able to receive a bearing for the track support.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein rail pads are produced at least at one of the projections.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the cross-member is poured between the longitudinal beams from in-situ concrete.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the longitudinal beam and/or the cross-member are poured as a precast concrete part, extruded and/or printed.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the cross-members are produced as precast concrete parts and connected by way of tendons to end faces of the longitudinal beams.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein an end face of each longitudinal beam and/or of each cross-member and/or the receiving points for the reaction rails and/or the rail pads are machined, in particular ground and/or milled.

Description

[0034] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. The drawings in each case show schematic illustrations:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a track support according to the invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a vertical section through a track support according to the invention having a horizontal curvature;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a top view onto a track support according to the invention having a horizontal curvature;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a horizontal section through a track support according to the invention;

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a top view onto a track support according to the invention;

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a vertical section through a track support according to the invention according to FIG. 5;

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a track support according to the invention according to FIG. 6; and

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a front view of two longitudinal beams.

[0043] In the following description of the illustrated alternative exemplary embodiments, features that, compared to other exemplary embodiments of the present application, are identical and/or at least comparable in terms of the embodiment and/or mechanism of action thereof are denoted by the same reference numerals. If these are not explained again in detail, the embodiment thereof and/or the mechanism of action thereof correspond to the embodiment and mechanism of action of the features that have already been described above. Position information, such as top and bottom, or top side and underside, refer to the position in the intended ready-to-use installed state.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a front view of one example of a track support 1 according to the invention. A longitudinal beam 2, which is produced as a precast concrete part, is arranged at each of the two lateral edges of the track support 1. Each of the longitudinal beams 2 has a C-shaped design, including an upper projection 3 and a lower projection 4. The two open ends of the projections 3 and 4 point toward each other. The longitudinal beams 2 are spaced apart from each other and connected in sections to a cross-member 5. The cross-member 5 is preferably made of concrete and fixes the two longitudinal beams 2 in the desired position with respect to each other.

[0045] As a result of the arrangement of the two longitudinal beams 2, a cavity 6 arises therebetween. A magnetic levitation vehicle 7, which is only indicated by a dotted line, is driven, supported and guided in this cavity 6. In contrast, the passenger cabin of the magnetic levitation vehicle 7 is located above the track support 1.

[0046] A reaction rail 8 is arranged at the underside of the upper projection 3 of each longitudinal beam 2. The reaction rail is attached to the upper projection 3 by way of bolts 9. The bolts 9 protrude through the upper projection 3, so that the reaction rail 8 can be mounted and checked from above. The reaction rail 8 is part of a linear motor, which lifts, supports and drives the magnetic levitation vehicle 7. In the process, the reaction rail 8 cooperates with a short stator, which is arranged in the magnetic levitation vehicle 7 and is not shown.

[0047] A conductor rail 10 is arranged at the top side of the lower projection 4 of each longitudinal beam 2. The conductor rail 10 is attached to a tie 12 by means of a clamping device 11. A plurality of such ties 12 is attached along the top side of the lower projection 4 or preferably integrated into the lower projection 4. The magnetic levitation vehicle 7 picks up the electrical current required for driving at the conductor rail 10 in a manner that is not shown. Moreover, the conductor rail 10, which also serves as a set-down rail here, has a sliding surface 13, on which the magnetic levitation vehicle 7 is able to brake and/or be set down. The sliding surface 13 can be integrated into the conductor rail or be attached as a separate component to the conductor rail 10 or the longitudinal beam 2.

[0048] By clamping the conductor rail 10 onto the tie 12, changes in length that arise due to heating of the conductor rail 10 or of the track support 1 or longitudinal beam 2 can be compensated for. When the clamping force is overcome due to the changes in length, the conductor rail 10 is displaced on the lower projection 4 without being damaged.

[0049] The conductor rail 10 is used to pick up the electrical current required for driving the magnetic levitation vehicle 7. Additionally, the conductor rail 10 also has the sliding surface 13, on which the magnetic levitation vehicle 7 can be set down. For decelerating the magnetic levitation vehicle 7, in particular for a scheduled stop, for example at a train station, especially, however, when the linear drive is de-energized, the vehicle is no longer kept in the levitated state, but is supported on the sliding surface 13 of the conductor rail 10 or set-down rail. The conductor rail 10, which is made of a material that, in particular, has good current conductivity, for example aluminum, is therefore preferably equipped with a friction-resistant material, for example steel, at the sliding surface 13 so as to also serve as a set-down rail.

[0050] Two bearings are in each case arranged at the underside of the lower projection 4 of each longitudinal beam 2. In the illustration of FIG. 4, only one of the bearings is apparent for each longitudinal beam 2. A fixed bearing 14 is arranged without degrees of freedom beneath the longitudinal beam 2 shown on the left. The track support 1 is attached by way of this fixed bearing 14, for example at a pedestal or a piling, in a defined manner to the ground. A floating bearing 15 is arranged beneath the longitudinal beam 2 shown on the right. The floating bearing 15 allows the track support 1 to move with two degrees of freedom. As a result, changes in length of the track support 1 in the transverse direction can be absorbed without stress.

[0051] The cross-member 5 can be produced as an in-situ concrete part or as a precast concrete part. It is essential that the custom-produced track support 1 maps the precise course of the route in the horizontal and vertical directions. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown here, the cross-member 5 is designed as an in-situ concrete part. The two longitudinal beams 2 can, for example, be produced so as to be bent corresponding to the requirements of the route and can be connected to the cross-member 5, which is poured between the two longitudinal beams 2. The fixed connection between the longitudinal beams 2 and the cross-members 5 can be created by way of a corresponding reinforcement, which is not shown.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a section II of the track support 1 from FIG. 1. In particular, one of the two longitudinal beams 2 produced as a precast concrete part is shown. Corresponding to this illustration, the longitudinal beam 2 has a curvature in the vertical direction V. This curvature, if needed, can also be present in the longitudinal beam or beams 2 in combination with a horizontal curvature H according to FIG. 3. Alternatively, the horizontal or the vertical curvature V, H can, of course, also be provided alone in the longitudinal beam 2, if needed. In addition, torsion of the longitudinal beams 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof is also possible. The respective shape of the longitudinal beams 2 depends, in particular, on the routing of the track.

[0053] A plurality of reaction rail elements 8.1 is connected to the upper projection 3 by way of bolts 9. These are spaced apart from each other at a distance A. In this way it is ensured that linear expansions do not cause damage to the reaction rail elements 8.1.

[0054] A plurality of ties 12 is arranged at the lower projection 4. The conductor rail 10 is attached to each of the ties 12 by way of the clamping device 11. The ties 12 can also be simple machined attachment points at the longitudinal beam 2, which are designed to be substantially flush with the lower projection 4. The conductor rail 12, and possibly the sliding rail 13 arranged thereon, is curved in the horizontal and/or vertical and/or twisted directions, corresponding to the curvature of the longitudinal beam 2.

[0055] In this exemplary embodiment, the track support 1 comprises two edge cross-members 5.1, which connect the two longitudinal beams 2 to each other in the end region of the longitudinal beams 2. Of course, it is also possible for several of these or similar cross-members 5 to be provided along the longitudinal beam 2 so as to create a stable connection of the two longitudinal beams 2 with each other.

[0056] A respective bearing is arranged in the region of the ends of the longitudinal beam 2. The fixed bearing 14 from FIG. 1 is located at the left end of the longitudinal beam 2. By way of this fixed bearing 14, the longitudinal beam 2, and thus the entire track support 1, is secured without any degree of freedom with respect to the ground or a piling or a pedestal. A sliding bearing 16, which preferably has only one degree of freedom, is located at the right end of the longitudinal beam 2. As a result, a linear expansion of the longitudinal beam 2, and thus of the track support 1, is possible without stress. As a result of the cooperation with the two floating bearings 15 of the adjacent longitudinal beam 2 (see FIG. 1), the track support 1 is able to expand in all directions, without stress or damage occurring.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a top view onto a track support 1 according to the invention having a horizontal curvature H. The track support 1 is designed as a double support in this exemplary embodiment. This means that two longitudinal beams 2 are in each case consecutively arranged in the longitudinal direction of the track support 1 and connected to each other. The horizontal curvature H is created by bent longitudinal beams 2. Cross-members 5, which here are edge cross-members 5.1 and center cross-members 5.2, connect the longitudinal beams 2 to each other. The edge cross-member 5.1 arranged in the end regions of the longitudinal beams 2 are arranged between the two longitudinal beams 2 at the ends of the double support. The center cross-member 5.2 bridges the two longitudinal beams 2 at the point at which the two longitudinal beams 2 abut each other in the longitudinal direction of the track support 1. As a result, the center cross-member 5.2 creates a stable connection of both the longitudinal beams 2 that extend parallel to each other and of the longitudinal beams 2 that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the track support 1.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a horizontal section through a track support 1 according to the invention. This track support 1 is also a double support, similarly to the track support 1 from FIG. 3. Due to the horizontal section through the longitudinal beams 2, the ties 12 on the lower projections 4 of the longitudinal beams 2 are clearly apparent. The center cross-member 5.2 is, in turn, arranged at the point at which two longitudinal beams 2 directly abut each other so as to connect the four longitudinal beams 2 to each other. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the edge cross-members 5.1 have a different design. While the edge cross-members 5.1 of FIG. 3 were only arranged between the longitudinal beams 2, they are not just present between the two longitudinal beams 2 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, but also at least partially straddle the end face thereof. The edge cross-members 5.1 thus also form the transition to the next, adjacent track supports 1, which are not shown here. The transition can occur both by direct contact of the adjacent track supports 1, and by a gap that is provided between the adjacent track supports 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the elements for mounting the track support 1 on pilings, for example, can be arranged both at the longitudinal beams 2 and at the edge cross-members 5.1.

[0059] In this exemplary embodiment, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the cross-members 5 are made of in-situ concrete and connect the positioned longitudinal beams 2 to each other by being poured between the longitudinal beams and cured.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a top view onto a track support 1 according to the invention. The track support 1 is also designed as a double support here. The edge cross-members 5.1 terminate the longitudinal beams 2 toward the ends of the track support 1. The center cross-member 5.2 is arranged between two consecutive longitudinal beams 2, at the end faces thereof. In this embodiment, the edge cross-members 5.1 and the center cross-member 5.2 are designed so as to also substantially have the cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal beams 2 at the contact points thereof. As a result, the edge cross-members 5.1 and the center cross-member 5.2 also comprise ties 12, for example, which are not visible here, but shown in FIG. 6, as well as attachments for the reaction rails 8. The track support 1 has a multi-piece design. The cross-members 5 can be individually produced precast concrete parts, which are connected to the longitudinal beams 2. In particular, as is apparent from this illustration, more than two longitudinal beams 2 are also possible, wherein several of the longitudinal beams 2 are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction, here by way of the interposed center cross-member. Of course, it is also possible for more than two longitudinal beams 2 to be arranged one after the other in this way by way of multiple center cross-members 5.2.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a vertical section through a track support 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 5. The lengths of the two illustrated longitudinal beams 2 are shown in a sectional view. The bearings 14 and 16 are arranged at the edge cross-members 5.1. The center cross-member 5.2, in contrast, does not have any bearing elements. By connecting the edge cross-members 5.1 of the longitudinal beams 2 and of the center cross-member 5.2, a double support made of individual segments is created, which is inherently stable. A tendon 20 is provided to create a corresponding connection of the individual segments of the track support 1 at the contact points K thereof. The tendon 20 runs in a garland-shaped manner through all segments of the track support 1. As a result, the edge cross-members 5.1, the center cross-member 5.2 and the longitudinal beams 2 are pressed firmly against each other. Using an appropriate course of the tendon 20 in the track support 1, it is also possible, for example, to implement a cant of the track support 1, whereby the track support 1 is deformed in a substantially horizontal plane when the magnetic levitation railway vehicle passes over due to the loading thereof. This prevents unfavorable deflection of the track support 1 when the magnetic levitation railway vehicle passes over, and thereby increases the riding comfort. Preferably, several of the tendons 20 run in the track support 1. However, it is also possible that not all tendons 20 run through the entire track support 1. It is likewise possible that only the edge cross-members 5.1 are tensioned by way of tendons to the adjoining longitudinal beams 2.

[0062] A dry joint can be present at the contact points K between the longitudinal beams 2 and the edge cross-members 5.1 or the center cross-member 5.2. This means that the contact points K are designed and machined so as to directly fit each other. The required shaping can be carried by means of machining operations, for example by means of milling or grinding of the end faces, at points at which contact with the adjacent segment is intended.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a track support 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 6. A reaction rail 8 is attached to the underside of the upper projection 3. The reaction rail 8 rests against a horizontal stop surface 17 of an abutment region. This abutment region is preferably machined, in particular milled or ground, at the stop surface 17, whereby this region forms a defined bearing surface for the reaction rail 8. This is particularly advantageous so that the reaction rail 8 can assume a position in which the stator of the magnetic levitation train vehicle 7 can cooperate with the reaction rail 8 as loss-free as possible for driving the magnetic levitation vehicle 7. The reaction rail 8 furthermore rests against a vertical stop surface 18 of the upper projection 3. It is thus ensured, in particular during cornering of the magnetic levitation vehicle 7, that the reaction rail 8 maintains the position thereof at the upper projection 3, and that the forces that occur in the process can be transferred into the track support 1. It is easily apparent from the illustration that the abutment region of the reaction rail 8 at the stop surfaces 17 and 18 is shorter than the corresponding length of the reaction rail 8. This reduces the surface to be machined, saving machining costs and time.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows not only the end face of the track support 1, but also the end face of the edge cross-member 5.1. It is apparent that the cross-section of the edge cross-member 5.1 is clamp-shaped. At the edges, it substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the adjoining longitudinal beams 2. As is apparent from this illustration, the edge cross-member 5.1 extends across the entire width of the track support 1. Accordingly, attachments for the reaction rail 8 are provided on the underside of the edge cross-member 5.1 which corresponds to the underside of the upper projection 3 of the longitudinal beam 2. Likewise, ties 12 for attaching the conductor rails 10 are arranged on the underside of the cavity 6 of the edge cross-member 5.1 which corresponds to the top side of the lower projection 4 of the longitudinal beam 2.

[0065] Furthermore, it becomes clear from the illustration of FIG. 7 that several tendons 20 are provided, which run both through the cross-members 5 and through the longitudinal beams 2. Tensioning of the tendons 20 causes the individual segments of the track support 1 to be pressed against each other, thus forming a stable unit.

[0066] It is furthermore apparent from the illustration of FIG. 7 that centering elements 21 are provided at the end faces of the cross-members 5. The centering elements 21 can, for example, have a frustum-shaped design. As a result, they fit in corresponding centering elements 21 of adjacent segments of the track support 1 or of adjacent track supports 1. This ensures that the adjacent segments or track supports 1 precisely match each other in terms of their shape and thus allow a magnetic levitation railway vehicle 7 to pass over unobstructed. The end face of the cross-members 5 is preferably machined, wherein in particular contact points K with adjacent segments or track supports 1 are machined to ensure small tolerances between the adjacent segments or track supports 1.

[0067] The illustration of FIG. 7 furthermore outlines a seal 22. The seal 22 ensures that moisture cannot penetrate between the adjacent segments or track supports 1. With this, it prevents, amongst others, the risk of corrosion of the tendons 20.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a front view of two longitudinal beams 2 that face each other. It is apparent from this illustration that the two C-shaped longitudinal beams 2 are spaced apart from each other. They are only held together by the above-described cross-members 5. In addition to the C-shaped cross-sectional shape shown here, other cross-sectional shapes are also possible, of course. For example, a longitudinal beam 2 in which only one projection 3 or 4 is provided is also possible. The only essential aspect is that the cross-members 5 according to the invention correspondingly connect the longitudinal beams 2 and yield a stable track support 1.

[0069] Contact plates 23 are arranged at the end faces of the longitudinal beams 2. The contact plates 22 enable a defined contact with an adjacent segment. A corresponding contact plate 22 is preferably also arranged at the adjacent segment, for example a further longitudinal beam 2 or a cross-member 5, whereby these segments can be reliably and durably connected to each other.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the shown and described exemplary embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are possible, and it is possible to arbitrarily combine the features, even if these are shown and described in different parts of the description or the claims or in different exemplary embodiments, provided that no conflict with the teaching of the independent claims arises.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0071] 1 track support [0072] 2 longitudinal beam [0073] 3 upper projection [0074] 4 lower projection [0075] 5 cross-member [0076] 5.1 edge cross-member [0077] 5.2 center cross-member [0078] 6 cavity [0079] 7 magnetic levitation vehicle [0080] 8 reaction rail [0081] 8.1 reaction rail element [0082] 9 bolt [0083] 10 conductor rail [0084] 11 clamping device [0085] 12 tie [0086] 13 sliding surface [0087] 14 fixed bearing [0088] 15 floating bearing [0089] 16 sliding bearing [0090] 17 horizontal stop surface [0091] 18 vertical stop surface [0092] 20 tendon [0093] 21 centering element [0094] 22 seal [0095] 23 contact plate [0096] A distance [0097] H horizontal curvature [0098] K contact point [0099] V vertical curvature