Abrasive block for machining rails

Abstract

Vehicle for machining a rail by grinding and/or planing, including a mobile chassis and a metal abrasive module for grinding and/or planing the rail, the metal abrasive module including an eccentric drive performing an eccentric movement, at least one abrasive block mechanically connected with the eccentric drive and a force exerting drive pressing the abrasive block onto the rail, wherein the abrasive block and/or the metal abrasive module has a first hollow channel. This allows a more effective and improved metal removal and rail shaping capabilities, including the delivery of fluid i. a. for cooling.

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 planing the rail, the metal abrasive module comprising: an eccentric drive performing an eccentric movement; at least one abrasive block mechanically connected with the eccentric drive; a force exerting drive pressing the abrasive block onto the rail, wherein the abrasive block and/or the metal abrasive module has a first hollow channel.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the channel extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of the rail.

3. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first hollow channel has a first opening and a second opening.

4. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein hollow channel is filled with a coolant and/or fluid and/or the hollow channel is configured to guide a coolant and/or fluid.

5. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first hollow channel is configured to guide a coolant and/or fluid to a contact surface of the abrasive block with the rail.

6. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first hollow channel is configured to allow suction of debris and/or metal chips from the rail and/or from the environment of the rail.

7. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the abrasive block and/or the metal abrasive module has a second hollow channel with a first opening and a second opening.

8. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second hollow channel is configured to guide a coolant and/or fluid to a contact surface of the abrasive block and/or the metal abrasive module with the rail and/or the second hollow channel is configured to allow suction of debris and/or metal chips from the rail and/or from the environment of the rail.

9. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first hollow channel and/or the second hollow channel has a section extending substantially vertically and/or has a free-formed section.

10. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first hollow channel and/or the second hollow channel have an opening on top and on the bottom of the abrasive block and/or the metal abrasive module.

11. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the abrasive block is manufactured by hot embossing and/or additive manufacturing and/or chemical etching techniques.

12. Method for machining a rail by grinding and/or planing, comprising the steps of: approaching the surface to be machined until contact with a metal abrasive module having at least one abrasive block, wherein the metal abrasive module is mounted on a vehicle; performing movements with the abrasive block while pressing the abrasive block onto the rail; guiding a fluid and/or a coolant to the contact surface of the rail and the abrasive block through a first hollow channel in the abrasive block.

13. Method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of suction of debris and/or metal chips in the vicinity of the abrasive block through the first hollow channel.

14. Method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of alternating suction of debris and/or metal chips in the vicinity of the abrasive block through the first hollow channel and guidance of coolant through the first hollow channel.

15. Method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of suction of debris and/or metal chips in the vicinity of the abrasive block through a second hollow channel within the abrasive module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] 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.

[0038] In the drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a vehicle on rails having a metal abrasive module according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0040] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the metal abrasive module,

[0041] FIG. 3 schematically depicts an embodiment of the metal abrasive module with abrasive blocks being positioned in different angles,

[0042] FIG. 4 schematically depicts magnified excerpts of each of the three figures in FIG. 3,

[0043] FIG. 5 schematically depicts an embodiment of the guide roller,

[0044] FIG. 6 schematically depicts the guide roller of FIG. 5 including a mount for attaching to the metal abrasive module,

[0045] FIG. 7 schematically depicts one embodiment of the abrasive block and

[0046] FIG. 8 schematically depicts the abrasive block in a 3D-view including a channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 FIG. 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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. In the abrasive block 4 a simple hollow channel 9 is shown having the form of a cylindric bore allowing to guide a cooling fluid to the contact surface of the abrasive block 4 and the rail 1. FIG. 8 basically depicts the abrasive block of FIG. 7 in a 3D-view including the hollow channel 9 in form of a vertical and straight cylinder. The upper part of the cylinder has a wider diameter. This may allow bigger tolerances related to the positioning of the abrasive block 4 towards an outlet of a possible fluid delivery device or a suction device which both can be integrated in the metal abrasive module 2.

[0053] 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

[0054] Rail 1 [0055] Metal abrasive module 2 [0056] Eccentric drive 3 [0057] Abrasive block 4 [0058] Force exerting drive 5 [0059] Debris suction head 6 [0060] Guide roller 7 [0061] Mobile chassis 8 [0062] Hollow channel 9 [0063] Recess 10