SUPPORT FOR A PANEL OF A SECTION OF GUIDED TRANSPORT TRACK

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a guided transport track section intended to be fixed to a ballastless track formation (15), characterised in that said section comprises: a track panel (20) comprising two stringers (21, 22) and at least one structure transverse to the stringers (23, 24), each stringer (21, 22) comprising an upper longitudinal groove (25) for receiving a rail; a plurality of panel supports (31, 32, 33, 34), each support comprising at least one stud (35) for fastening to the track formation, a cradle (37) for supporting a stringer (22) that is mounted so as to be movable vertically in said stud (35), and means for vertical movement of said cradle (37) relative to said stud (35) so that the height of the panel (20) relative to said track formation (15) can be adjusted, and the superelevation of the track section thus formed can be defined by means of coordinated adjustment of the various cradles (37).

Claims

1. A support for a panel of a guided transport track section intended to be fixed to a ballastless track formation, the track panel extending along a longitudinal axis, the support comprising: at least one fastening stud capable of being fixed to the track formation; at least one cradle capable of supporting the track panel; and means for vertical movement of said cradle relative to said stud so that a height of the panel relative to said track formation can be adjusted and the superelevation of the track section can be defined; wherein the cradle is mounted so as to be movable vertically in said stud along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. The support according to claim 1, wherein the fastening stud comprises at least one lateral wall connected to a base and extending along the vertical axis, said lateral wall being configured to guide said cradle along the vertical axis.

3. The support according to claim 1, wherein said means for vertical movement of a cradle comprises: a wedge mounted so as to be movable substantially along a transverse axis relative to said stud and that carries said cradle; means for horizontal locking, along the transverse axis, of said cradle relative to said stud, so that a horizontal movement of said wedge causes a vertical movement of said cradle, said wedge and the cradle having complementary means configured so as to guide the movement of the wedge relative to the cradle; and, means for horizontal movement of said wedge in said stud along the transverse axis.

4. The support according to claim 3, wherein said means for horizontal locking of said cradle relative to the stud comprises a threaded insert in engagement in said stud and extending horizontally through the stud bearing against said cradle.

5. The support according to claim 3, wherein said means for horizontal movement of said wedge comprises an adjustment screw bearing against said wedge and in engagement in said stud while extending horizontally through said stud.

6. The support according to claim 2, wherein the base of the stud comprises at least one first upper inclined plane on which said wedge is mounted, the first upper inclined plane being complementary to a lower inclined plane of the wedge.

7. The support according to claim 1, wherein the cradle comprises at least two lower inclined planes that are complementary to two upper inclined planes of the wedge, the two lower inclined planes being oriented in substantially opposite directions.

8. A guided transport track section intended to be fixed to a ballastless track formation, the track section comprising a track panel having: two stringers extending along a longitudinal axis, each stringer also comprising an upper longitudinal groove for receiving a rolling and/or guiding element for a guided transport vehicle, such as a rail; and at least one structure that is rigidly connected to said stringers and extends transversely between them; wherein the track section comprises a plurality of supports for the panel comprising at least one fastening stud capable of being fixed to the track formation, at least one cradle capable of supporting the track panel, and means for vertical movement of said cradle relative to said stud so that a height of the panel relative to said track formation can be adjusted and the superelevation of the track section can be defined, wherein the cradle is mounted so as to be movable vertically in said stud along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and, suitable for being fixed to said track formation and configured to be capable of supporting said panel above said track formation so that the height of the panel relative to said track formation can be adjusted and the superelevation of the track section thus formed can be defined by means of coordinated adjustment of the various cradles.

9. The guided transport track section according to claim 8, wherein the structure comprises at least two sleepers or a slab rigidly connected to the stringers.

10. The guided transport track section according to claim 9, wherein the slab comprises a central rib arranged between the two stringers.

11. The guided transport track section according to claim 8, wherein each stringer has a rounded lower face of a the same shape as the upper faces of said cradles of said supports.

12. The guided transport track section according to claim 8, wherein the section comprises at least two supports per panel.

13. The guided transport track section according to claim 8, wherein said stringers and said supports are made of concrete.

14. The guided transport track section according to claim 8, wherein said fastening stud is mounted on a metal block comprising a metal plate and a plurality of placement elements welded beneath the metal plate and extending along an axis perpendicular to the plate, said metal block being intended to be inserted in said track formation by driving or sinking in order to fix a corresponding one of the supports.

15. A ballastless track for a guided transport vehicle comprising a track formation and a plurality of track sections fixed successively to said track formation each of the track sections comprising a track panel having: two stringers extending along a longitudinal axis, each stringer also comprising an upper longitudinal groove for receiving a rolling and/or guiding element for a guided transport vehicle, such as a rail; and at least one structure that is rigidly connected to said stringers and extends transversely between them; wherein the track section comprises a plurality of supports for the panel comprising at least one fastening stud capable of being fixed to the track formation, at least one cradle capable of supporting the track panel, and means for vertical movement of said cradle relative to said stud so that a height of the panel relative to said track formation can be adjusted and the superelevation of the track section can be defined, wherein the cradle is mounted so as to be movable vertically in said stud along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and, suitable for being fixed to said track formation and configured to be capable of supporting said panel above said track formation so that the height of the panel relative to said track formation can be adjusted and the superelevation of the track section thus formed can be defined by means of coordinated adjustment of the various cradles.

Description

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0114] For the purposes of illustration and clarity, the figures are not drawn strictly to scale or in proportion. In the whole of the detailed description that follows with reference to the drawings, except where otherwise indicated, each element of a support as arranged relative to a track section and each element of a track section is described as it is arranged when the track section is mounted on and rigidly connected to a horizontal track formation. This arrangement is shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0115] In addition, the same reference signs are used to designate identical, similar or analogous elements. Lastly, the terms longitudinal, transverse and vertical are used non-restrictively with reference to the trihedral L, T, V as shown in the drawings. L represents a longitudinal axis corresponding to the main direction of the track section. The longitudinal axis L designates in particular the direction in which a guided transport vehicle moves on the track formed by a plurality of track sections according to the invention. T represents a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. V is a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the transverse axis T. The terms up, upper, lower, above and below are defined in the present invention in relation to the vertical axis V.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 1, a ballastless track 1 according to the invention intended to allow the transport of a guided vehicle, such as a railway or pneumatic vehicle, comprises a ballastless track formation 15 and a plurality of track sections 16, 17 according to a first embodiment of the invention that are fixed successively to the track formation 15. FIG. 1 shows just two successive sections 16, 17. However, it goes without saying that in practice, a track or a piece of track comprises a plurality of track sections arranged successively on an earthwork (or a track formation 15). FIG. 2 shows a portion of a track section 16 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0117] In the whole of the remainder of the description, a track section will be described in detail with reference to the track section 16, 16, it being understood that the other track sections can be identical.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 3, the track section 16 of the first embodiment comprises a track panel 20 and supports 31, 32, 33, 34 that are fixed to the track formation 15. One support 34 is shown in exploded view to clearly show the different elements that form the support, which are described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the track panel 20 extends horizontally along the longitudinal axis L. The panel 20 comprises two stringers 21, 22 that extend along the longitudinal axis, which coincides with the direction of movement of the vehicles, once the track has been installed. The track panel 20 also comprises a transverse structure extending along the transverse axis T. This transverse structure comprises, in this first embodiment, two sleepers 23, 24 that extend in particular transversely to the stringers 21, 22. According to this embodiment, these sleepers 23, 24 are formed by metal tubes the ends of which are rigidly connected to the stringers 21, 22. These stringers are preferably made of concrete. A track panel 20 according to this embodiment has the general shape of a ladder. According to a variant not described, the track panel 20 can comprise concrete sleepers and form shapes other than a ladder. For example, the sleepers can be arranged at each longitudinal end of the stringers.

[0120] The stringer 21 will now be described in detail, it being understood that the stringer 22 has an identical architecture. The stringer 21 comprises an upper longitudinal groove 25 for receiving a rolling and/or guiding element for a guided transport vehicle, such as a rail. This groove 25 therefore extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis L and is configured to receive the guiding or rolling element on which the transport vehicle will be able to move. In the case of a railway vehicle, the guiding element is a rail 41. This groove 25 is also intended to receive the means for fixing the rail to the stringer. The stringer 21 also comprises, according to a preferred embodiment, a rib forming a low wall 26 extending longitudinally at the lateral edge of the stringer 21. This low wall 26 allows a vehicle to be locked laterally in the event of derailment. This low wall 26 is therefore a track safety member. This low wall 26 also serves as an anti-noise device by stopping the propagation of the sound waves emitted because of the interactions of the vehicle and the rail. Each stringer also comprises, according to this embodiment, two transverse stops 27, 28 arranged on the lower surface of the stringer, as can be seen in FIG. 5. These stops 27, 28 are mutually spaced longitudinally by a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of a cradle of a support (described below in conjunction with FIGS. 13 and 14) so that once the cradle is accommodated between the two stops, it provides longitudinal locking, along the longitudinal axis L, of the stringer 21 and, therefore, locking of the corresponding track panel 20. In this embodiment, the stringer has a rounded lower face 47. Each support 31, 32, 33, 34 is suitable for being fixed to the track formation 15 and is configured to be capable of supporting a portion of at least one stringer.

[0121] According to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 6 to 9, the track section 16 comprises a track panel 20 and supports. The panel 20 also comprises two stringers 21, 22 extending along the longitudinal axis L. These stringers also each comprise an upper longitudinal groove 25 for receiving a rolling and/or guiding element for a guided transport vehicle. According to this embodiment, the groove 25 extends along the longitudinal axis but in a discontinuous manner. The transverse structure of the panel 20 comprises a slab 29 extending transversely between the two stringers 21, 22. In particular, the slab 29 is rigidly connected to the stringers. This slab 29 is defined in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis V. The slab 29 comprises a central rib 30 arranged between the two stringers relative to the transverse axis T so as to structurally reinforce the slab 29. This rib also forms means to prevent derailment of the guided vehicle. The central rib 30 extends along the axis L. In particular, said rib is provided in the upper portion of the slab 29. According to a variant shown in FIG. 9, the central rib 30 is formed in the lower portion of the slab 29. The slab is advantageously made of concrete. Each support is suitable for being fixed to the track formation 15 and configured to be capable of supporting a portion of at least one stringer.

[0122] The supports will now be described in detail, it being understood that the supports have a substantially identical architecture. Each support comprises at least one fastening stud capable of being fixed to the track formation, at least one cradle capable of supporting the panel, and means for vertical movement of said cradle relative to said stud so that the height of the panel relative to said track formation can be adjusted and the superelevation of the track section can be defined.

[0123] With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 13 to 16 and 22, the support 34, according to the first embodiment, comprises a stud 35 for fastening to the track formation 15. This fastening stud 35 has a generally cylindrical shape. In particular, the stud 35 comprises a base 35a intended to rest on the track formation 15, lateral walls 35b, a rear wall 35c, and a base 35d. The lateral walls 35b, the rear wall 35c and the base 35a form a housing for accommodating other elements of the support 35. In particular, the lateral walls 35b and also the rear wall 35c extend along the vertical axis V. The lateral walls 35b are joined to the base 35d. They are also joined to the rear wall 35c. The other elements of the support comprise a wedge 36 that rests on the base 35d of the stud 35, and a cradle 37 for supporting the stringer 22 that rests on the wedge 36. As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 13 and 14, the wedge 36 and the cradle 37 are installed between the two lateral walls 35b of the stud 35. In addition, the support comprises an adjustment screw 38 and a screw 39 for horizontal locking of the cradle 37. Each screw extends through the rear wall 35c of the stud via a tapped hole 53 formed in the rear wall 35c. This tapped hole 53 in this instance has an axis parallel to the transverse axis T. Each tapped hole has a thread that matches the thread of the screw that it receives so that the screw is engaged in the rear wall and so that a rotation of this screw in this tapped hole causes a horizontal movement, in this case along the transverse axis T, of this screw relative to the stud 35. The wedge 36 has, in addition, an upper inclined plane that matches a lower inclined plane of the cradle 37. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the wedge 36 also has a lower inclined plane P6 that matches an upper inclined plane of the base 35d of the stud 35 (cf. FIG. 14).

[0124] Thus, a rotation of the adjustment screw 38 by an operator causes the wedge 36 to move on the base 35d of the stud 35. This movement of the wedge 36 causes the inclined planes of the wedge 36 and the cradle 37 to slide on one another. Since the cradle 37 is locked horizontally by the locking screw 39, the cradle 37 is spontaneously caused to move vertically in the stud 35. In other words, a rotation of the adjustment screw 38 allows the cradle 37 to be raised or lowered in the stud 35 and consequently allows the height of the stringer borne by this support to be adjusted. More specifically still, the lateral walls 35b of the stud allow the vertical movement of the cradle in the stud to be guided. The expression the mounting or movement of the cradle in the stud is therefore intended to mean that the cradle is arranged and accommodated inside the stud 35 and that it is guided inside the stud. The support is therefore compact and the stud allows the movements of the cradle to be guided.

[0125] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a support according to another variant. According to this variant, the stud 35 has a flat base and the means for adjusting the height are formed by a single screw 38 which is engaged in the wedge 36 so that the wedge 36 can be moved horizontally in one direction or the other direction. According to this variant, the means for horizontal locking of the cradle are formed by a tube 42 that extends between the lateral walls of the stud 35.

[0126] With reference to FIGS. 2, 10 to 12, 16, 17, 22 and 23, the support 34 according to the second embodiment also comprises a stud 35 for fixing to the track formation 15. A plurality of wedges 36 and a plurality of cradles 37 are mounted in this stud 35. The stud 35 in this instance extends along the longitudinal transverse axis T. In this stud 35, as shown in more detail in FIG. 10, four wedges 36 are mounted, each carrying a cradle 37. In other words, four cradles 37 are accommodated in the stud 35. In this instance, these four cradles 37 are arranged in pairs. Each pair of cradles 37 cooperates, by lateral bearing and sliding or movement, with one lateral wall 35b of the stud 35. In other words, the cradle 37 is guided in its vertical movement relative to a lateral wall 35b. The stud 35 comprises a projection 40 extending transversely in the stud 35 along the transverse axis T. In particular, the projection 40 extends along the longitudinal axis L. This projection 40 is arranged substantially at the middle part along the axis T. The projection 40 also extends along the vertical axis from the base 35a of the stud 35. Of course, the stud 35 can be produced without this projection 40. Two wedges 36 carrying a cradle 37 are mounted either side of the projection 40. In the next part of this description, the arrangement of the wedges and cradles on one side of the projection 40 is described.

[0127] The base 35d of the stud 35 comprises a first upper inclined plane P5 on which a wedge 36 is mounted. The base 35d also comprises a central upper plane P7 inclined relative to the transverse axis T. This central upper inclined plane P7 is arranged between the lateral walls 35b of the stud 35. In particular, two first upper inclined planes P5 are arranged on either side of this central inclined plane P7. In other words, the first upper inclined plane P5 is arranged between a lateral wall 35b and the central upper inclined plane P7 so as to form a trough 43. The wedge 36 is therefore accommodated in this trough 43. In this stud 35 four troughs 40 are formed, each accommodating a wedge 36. The first upper inclined plane P5 is complementary to the lower inclined plane P6 of the wedge 36. The first upper inclined plane P5 forms an angle of between 10 and 20 with the transverse axis T (cf. FIG. 11), while the central upper inclined plane P7 forms an angle of between 15 and 30 with the transverse axis T. The first upper inclined plane P5 of the base 35d also forms an angle of between 5 and 15 with the longitudinal axis L (cf. FIG. 12). As can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first upper inclined planes P5, P5 of the base 35d are oriented in opposite directions. Each first plane P5, P5 of the base 35d is inclined towards a lower end of an adjacent lateral wall 35b.

[0128] Each cradle 37 comprises two lower inclined planes P1, P2 complementary to two upper inclined planes P3, P4 of the wedge 36. The two lower inclined planes P1, P2 of the cradle 37 are oriented in substantially opposite directions. Likewise, in the case of the wedge 36, the upper inclined planes P3, P4 are oriented in opposite directions. This facilitates the movement of the cradle 37 relative to the wedge 36 and also allows continuous contact between the wedge 36 and the cradle 37. Advantageously, the lower inclined planes P1, P2 of the cradle 37 each form an angle of between 10 and 20 with the longitudinal axis L. Advantageously, but not restrictively, the inclined planes P3, P4 of the wedge 36 form between them a V that opens upwards, i.e. towards the cradle 37.

[0129] Each cradle 37 also comprises a rounded upper face 48. This upper face 48 fits the rounded shape of the face 47 of the stringer 22. Advantageously, but not restrictively, the upper face 48 is covered by a cover plate 49 so as to damp any vertical movements of the track panel 20. This cover plate 49 is made of a polymer material. The polymer material is, for example, an elastomer.

[0130] In this embodiment, the tapped hole 53 intended to receive the locking screw 39 is made in the wall of the projection 40. The tapped hole 53 extends along the transverse axis T. The screw 39 for locking the cradle 37 extends through the stud 35 along the transverse axis T. The rear wall 35c of the base comprises the tapped hole 53 intended to receive the adjustment screw 38 allowing the cradle 37 to be raised or lowered in the stud 35.

[0131] Thus, a rotation of an adjustment screw 38 by an operator causes the corresponding wedge 36 to move on the base 35d of the stud 35. This movement of the wedge 36 causes the inclined planes P1, P2, P3, P4 of the wedge 36 and the cradle 37 borne by this wedge to slide on one another. Since the cradle 37 is locked horizontally by the locking screw 39, the cradle 37 is spontaneously caused to move vertically in the stud 35. Each lateral wall 35b of the stud makes it possible to guide the vertical movement of the cradle in the stud. The support is therefore compact and the stud makes it possible to guide the movements of the cradles.

[0132] FIGS. 17 to 20 show the different types of adjustment that can be performed with a track section according to the embodiments of the invention.

[0133] In FIGS. 17 and 20, a vertical movement of the track panel 20 along the vertical axis V is performed by coordinated action on the adjustment screws 38 of the various track panel supports. This allows the height of the track panel to be adjusted relative to the track formation 15 by adjusting the various cradles of the various supports in a coordinated manner.

[0134] In FIGS. 18 and 21, the track panel 20 is pivoted about a longitudinal axis by means of an adjustment of the cradle of one side of the panel. This allows a superelevation to be formed on the track alignment by an inclination of the track.

[0135] A track section according to the invention therefore allows the track to be adjusted in two separate degrees of freedom.

[0136] FIG. 22 shows the stops 27, 28 that are arranged below the stringer 22 and between which the cradle 37 comes to be accommodated in order to prevent any longitudinal movement of the stringer 22. Preferably, each stringer comprises only two stops so that, in the situation in which one stringer is borne by two supports, only the cradle of one of the two supports is in engagement with the two stops to provide longitudinal locking of the stringer.

[0137] With reference to FIGS. 12, 23 and 24, each lateral wall 35b comprises at least one through-opening 44 having an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis L and capable of receiving means 45 for disengaging the wedge 36 from the trough 43. In particular, the lateral walls 35b comprise an opening 44 arranged opposite a wedge 36. In this example, two through-openings 44 each pass through the lateral wall 35b on either side and each lead into a trough 43. The disengagement means 45 comprise an actuator of which the rod 46 is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. In FIG. 22, the rod 46 is inserted into a through-opening 44 and its end is in abutment against a lateral edge 54 of the wedge 36. The wedge 36 is always accommodated in the trough 43 because of the planes inclined towards the lower end of the lateral wall 35b. The rod 46 exerts a force on the wedge 36 accommodated in the trough so as to remove it from the trough as shown in FIG. 23.

[0138] FIGS. 24 and 25 are views according to two embodiments of a metal block 50 allowing the stud 35 to be fixed in the track formation 15. In both embodiments, the metal block 50 comprises a metal plate 51 intended to come into contact with the base 35a of the support 35. The plate has a rectangular shape. However, it could have another shape that is fitted to the track formation and/or to the support 34, 34. The metal block 50 also comprises a plurality of placement elements 52 extending from the plate 51 in a direction perpendicular to said plate 51. The placement elements 52 extend along the vertical axis V. Advantageously, but not restrictively, the placement elements are welded to the metal plate 51. Of course, other means allowing the placement elements to be rigidly connected to the plate are conceivable. The length, the diameter and the number of placement elements 52 are determined according to the ground. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the placement elements 52 comprise H-shaped section profiles. These profiles are advantageously made from a metal material such as steel. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 26, the placement elements 52 comprise tubes 52. These tubes are also advantageously made of a metal material such as steel. According to the example shown in FIG. 26, the metal block 50 can comprise sixteen tubes welded to the metal plate 51. The metal block 50 is intended to be fixed to a track formation 15 by driving or sinking. The base 35a of the support 35 can be fixed to the metal plate 51 by bonding or by nut and bolt means or by any other equivalent means allowing the base 35a of the support 35 and the metal plate 51 of the metal block 50 to be rigidly interconnected.

[0139] The metal block 50 also comprises means for bracing the stud. These bracing means are arranged on the metal plate. The bracing means 57 have, as in the example shown in FIG. 24, pads that are arranged on an upper face of said plate 51. Each pad is placed at a corner of the plate 51. The pads are mounted by means of fixing members such as screws or other appropriate members. These pads 51 serve as a stop when the stud 35 is mounted on the metal block 50.

[0140] FIG. 27 is a view of a guided transport track section comprising a support according to the first embodiment of the invention, the track section being fixed to a track formation 15 by means of the metal blocks 50 described above. The track formation 15 typically comprises an upper portion 56 of the earthwork and a layer of fill material 55. These metal blocks 50 are preferably determined such that, once they are anchored in the track formation 15, placement elements 52 extend as far as the fill layer 55 of the track formation 15. In addition, preferably, the upper surface of the track formation 15 is slightly inclined, for example by approximately 4%, in order to facilitate its drainage. A section according to the invention allows this slight inclination of the track formation to be compensated for, if necessary, by an inverse adjustment of the supports.

[0141] The invention is not restricted only to the embodiments described. In particular, other types of architecture for the supports can be envisaged in order to perform the function of vertical movement of the cradles. According to the embodiments described, the vertical movement of each cradle results from a horizontal or almost horizontal movement of the wedge. Other kinematics can be devised to arrive at a vertical movement of the cradle relative to the stud in order to provide an adjustment of the height and/or the inclination of the track panel borne by the supports.