Metal abrasive module for machining rails

Abstract

A vehicle for machining a rail by grinding and/or planing, including a metal abrasive module, an eccentric drive performing an eccentric movement, at least two abrasive blocks connected with the eccentric drive, and a force exerting drive pressing at least one abrasive block onto the rail, wherein the metal abrasive module and/or at least one of the abrasive blocks is individually tiltable around an axis parallel to the rail, and wherein at least one of the abrasive blocks is individually pressable onto the rail. This allows a more effective and improved metal removal and rail shaping capabilities.

Claims

1. Vehicle for machining a rail by grinding and/or planing, comprising a mobile chassis and a metal abrasive module for grinding and/or planning a rail, the metal abrasive module comprising: an eccentric drive performing an eccentric movement; at least two abrasive blocks connected with the eccentric drive; a force exerting drive pressing at least one abrasive block onto the rail; wherein the metal abrasive module and/or at least one of the abrasive blocks is tiltable around an axis parallel to the rail; and wherein at least one of the abrasive blocks is individually pressable onto the rail.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a translational movement component of at least one of the abrasive blocks is longer than the length of said abrasive block.

3. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric movement has a scotch yoke type mechanism.

4. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein multiple abrasive blocks are coupled together.

5. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric drive is driven by a variable frequency electric motor and/or a hydraulic drive.

6. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the abrasive module can be tilted from vertical towards an outer side and/or inner side of the rail.

7. Vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a debris suction head in the vicinity of the contact surface of the metal abrasive module with the rail.

8. Vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a guide roller in the vicinity of the metal abrasive module and/or abrasive block, wherein the guide roller is in contact with the rail.

9. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least two abrasive modules are each connected to an individual guide roller.

10. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the abrasive module is connected to a guide roller with a debris suction head.

11. Method for machining a rail by grinding and/or planing, comprising the steps of: approaching a surface to be machined until contact with a metal abrasive module with at least two abrasive blocks connected with a vehicle; tilting the metal abrasive module and/or at least one abrasive block parallel to a desired surface form; and performing eccentric movements with the metal abrasive module while pressing the metal abrasive module onto the rail.

12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of suction of debris and/or metal chips in the vicinity of at least one of the abrasive blocks.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. Such an embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claims and herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a vehicle on rails having a metal abrasive module according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0033] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the metal abrasive module,

[0034] FIG. 3 schematically depicts an embodiment of the metal abrasive module with abrasive blocks being positioned in different angles,

[0035] FIG. 4 schematically depicts magnified excerpts of each of the three figures in FIG. 3,

[0036] FIG. 5 schematically depicts an embodiment of the guide roller,

[0037] FIG. 6 schematically depicts the guide roller of FIG. 5 including a mount for attaching to the metal abrasive module,

[0038] FIG. 7 schematically depicts one embodiment of the abrasive block and

[0039] FIG. 8 schematically depicts the abrasive block in a 3D-view including a channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIG. 1 schematically shows a vehicle on rails having a metal abrasive module 2 with three abrasive blocks 4, wherein a guide roller 7 is attached to the metal abrasive module 2. The vehicle may also be a wagon or a train car or a service or maintenance car and allows to carry the metal abrasive module 2 to the place where a treatment of the rails is required.

[0041] In FIG. 2 one embodiment of the metal abrasive module 2, which can be attached to a chassis or a frame of the vehicle, with three abrasive blocks 4 and a guide roller 7 is shown. Further, the force exerting drive 5 for pressing the abrasive blocks 4 is depicted, which has the form of a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder presses also the part of the metal abrasive module 2 downwards in direction of the rails 1, which performs the eccentric movements.

[0042] The metal abrasive module 2 is schematically depicted in FIG. 3 with abrasive blocks 4 being positioned in different angles in a.), b.) and c.) towards the head of the rail 1 and with magnified excerpts of each of the three shown cases in FIGS. 4 a.), b.) and c.). By tilting the abrasive blocks 4, an adapted or optimized treatment of the profile form of the rails can be realized.

[0043] In FIG. 5 one embodiment of the guide roller 7 is shown in more detail from a side perspective. The guide roller 7 is illustrated with a debris suction head 6 adjacent to the guide roller 7. It can also comprise a channel for a vacuum and can have a separate suspension. The roller is usually made of steel, but can be of any other material which is adequate to a specific application.

[0044] In FIG. 6 schematically depicts the guide roller 7 of FIG. 5 in a perspective which is 90 degrees turned. Also shown is a mount in the middle of FIG. 6 for attaching the guide roller 7 to the metal abrasive module 2. In the left part of FIG. 6 a hydraulic cylinder is depicted that exerts force onto the lower part of the guide roller 7.

[0045] FIG. 7 schematically depicts two side views a.) and b.) of one embodiment of the abrasive block 4 which can substantially have the form of a cuboid. A recess 10 on one or two upper portions may serve for mounting the abrasive block 4 onto a rail system or another mounting or clamping mechanism or systems for holding the abrasive block 4. FIG. 8 basically depicts the abrasive block of FIG. 7 in a 3D-view.

[0046] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. Further, for the sake of clearness, not all elements in the drawings may have been supplied with reference signs.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0047] Rail 1 [0048] Metal abrasive module 2 [0049] Eccentric drive 3 [0050] Abrasive block 4 [0051] Force exerting drive 5 [0052] Debris suction head 6 [0053] Guide roller 7 [0054] Mobile chassis 8 [0055] Recess 9