Railways – Track layers – Track raising car
Patent
1995-11-07
1998-01-06
Oberleitner, Robert J.
Railways
Track layers
Track raising car
E01B 2717, E01B 2904, E01B 2916
Patent
active
057042934
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lifting device for manipulating a track element. The lifting device is adapted for transport to a manipulating location on a transport platform. The platform is included in a transport vehicle intended for handling a track element at the manipulating location at least partially above the track in both vertical and horizontal direction by means of lifting elements and transfer elements. Such elements are included in a lifting device frame and operated by an auxiliary force, preferably a pressure medium. The frame is further provided with power and drive means. Such as a hydraulic gear and a control center or the like. The frame is fitted with at least one, and preferably two pairs of support members. Which are successive in the longitudinal direction of the frame. The support members are extensible in the transverse direction of the frame and are provided with transfer elements, such as wheels, crawlers, or the like for maneuvering the frame on the ground. As a result of the extending the support members, the frame is fitted with substantially transverse telescopic arms situated successively in the longitudinal direction of the frame. In the transport condition, the transfer elements included in the lifting device mounted on a transport platform are retractable essentially upon the transport platform and extensible substantially beyond the transport platform for the operating condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A lifting device partially of the above type is known from the published application DE-2309930. This publication discloses a lifting device which is provided with a single pair of parallel crawlers operable in the vertical direction relative to the lifting device. The lifting elements of this particular lifting device further include separate lifting cylinders for solidly supporting the lifting device on the ground for lifting operations or lateral transfer operations. The lifting device further includes flanged wheels for carrying the lifting device on a track, e.g. for bringing it to a manipulating location. The flanged wheels further provide a support for a track element to be handled during the manipulation thereof. The published application DE-3419240 discloses a lifting device slightly different from that described above, which is particularly intended for transport to a manipulating location on a transport platform included in a trackbound transport vehicle. In the transport operation, the crawlers of a lifting device mounted on the transport platform are retractable upon the transport platform and extensible beyond the transport platform for the manipulating operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,335 discloses a lifting device distinctively different from those described above, wherein the support members are fastened at their ends in an articulated fashion to a frame located on the center axis of the lifting device. The support members include crawlers adapted to be pivotable in horizontal plane. In addition, the lifting device frame is provided in its mid-section with a pivot joint, thereby enabling turning of the lifting device ends in the longitudinal direction to a certain angle relative to each other.
The solution disclosed in the published application DE-2309930 comprises a pair of crawlers coupled directly to a frame carrying the track elements. Thus, the handling of even the most common track elements requires the use of two successive lifting devices which, of course, further requires a linkage between the lifting devices for their synchronized operation. The synchronization of separate lifting devices, e.g. for operating the same at sufficiently matching speeds, may cause major problems as is well known in the art. In addition, the directional stability of the above type of solutions, especially when using two separate lifting devices, is questionable and, thus, the transfer of a track element to be manipulated e.g. in a given longitudinal direction, requires continuous surveillance and correction of the advancing direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4249467 (1981-02-01), Theurer et al.
patent: 4516503 (1985-05-01), Boccaletti
patent: 5127333 (1992-07-01), Theurer
patent: 5127335 (1992-07-01), Whitaker, Jr.
patent: 5172637 (1992-12-01), Theurer
Koivisto Seppo
Mustasilta Timo
Venalainen Einari
Bartz C. T.
Insinooritoimisto Desec Oy
Oberleitner Robert J.
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