Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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2
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONCRETING RAILWAY SLAB TRACK
Object of the invention
The invention, as its title indicates, relates to a method for concreting
railway slab track, proceeding from an initial position in which the assembly
formed by the rails fixed to the sleepers and/or fastening elements (which are
called premounted track or skeleton track), once laid and premounted on an
existing base or base plate (bed of the future slab track) and then perfectly
positioned with precision and fixed by means of fixing/fastening means in the
final suspended position, concreting of the assembly takes place, thus
constituting the concrete slab which forms the support means which replace the
ballast of a traditional track. In other embodiments, independent concrete
blocks
or fastening plates of the rail are mounted instead of the sleepers, (the
track
width being established until the setting of the concrete by way of
provisional
elements called "false sleepers" in these latter cases), or even any other
system
which either discretely or continuously serves for fastening the rail and
serves
as reference thereof with the concrete and once the system has been
positioned with precision in each case, either with the premounted rail or
even
without it, concreting takes place.
The invention also relates to a system for concreting a railway slab track
which joins a series of apparatuses which allow the concrete to be transported
from one supply point or area to the concreting point or area as well as for
carrying out the pouring of the concrete in a controlled and uniform manner,
distributing it over the skeleton track (between the sleepers or fastening
system
which is used in each case) to the required level, the latter having been
previously suitably position with the strict tolerances required and fixed in
the
final suspended position thereof to form the so-called railway slab track once
the concrete has set.
Background of the invention
The slab track allows high geometric quality to be obtained and reduces
the maintenance costs with the respect to ballast track (amongst other
advantages such as eliminating the problem of ballast flight, etc.), however,
the
cost of the construction thereof is higher. In Spain, slab track is not
generally
used, but it is used in particular areas such as for example in tunnels, in
which
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the problem and cost of maintenance of the ballast track are especially high,
particularly on high speed lines.
At present, there are various methods for carrying out the concreting of
slab track, which are described in general below:
In the case of there being sufficient space at the side of the track under
construction, for example in the case of a tunnel with a double track when the
first of the two tracks is intended to be constructed, the concreting can be
carried out by means of direct pouring, the trucks with concrete accessing
through the lateral space to the pouring point and then withdrawing, in the
case
of all this being possible ¨ including the necessary maneuvers and crossings.
In
these cases, the concreting of the second track can be carried out from the
first
already constructed track, using concrete tanks implemented on towed or
motorized railway platforms.
In the cases where direct pouring is not possible due to lack of space, an
alternative is to concrete by means of pumping the concrete. To this end, a
static pump can be used which is placed in the interior of the tunnel, or in
proximity thereto, which carries out the pumping of the concrete by way of a
pipe or tube to the concreting point. As the concreting point advances, it is
necessary to supplement the tube, the pump also being able to move to
advanced positions as the execution of the concreting advances. In order to
bring the concrete to the pump, it is necessary to use concrete mixer trucks,
in
the case where there is space for this, or either railway platforms equipped
with
tanks towed by means of a towing or motorized vehicle along the adjacent track
already constructed or along the track itself that is under construction on
the
area where the concrete has already set, in this case they can travel only to
the
area where the concrete has already acquired sufficient resistance, concreted
with sufficient time in advance.
The sections of pipe have to be cleaned in the interior thereof, moved,
connected and disconnected, the total pipe length being modified, sections
implemented or removed as the work advances, which is very laborious.
The lack of space is the main problem for carrying out these works
appropriately. In the case of tunnels with a single track, the problem is
heightened even further. In these tunnels, the difficulty of the work is
greater,
the options very limited and the yields of concreting are reduced.
The traditional methods of concreting slab track described are laborious,
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the mechanical means and above all manpower required are high, the degree
of automation is low and the yields are limited. The logistics of the supply
and
pouring process of the concrete is not efficient, interferences among the
different activities being frequent. The coordination of the tasks is complex,
the
stoppages are usually frequent due to various reasons and the stoppage times
can be long. Other noteworthy problems are those associated with pumping the
concrete in the case where this system is used: blockages in the pipe, etc.
Moreover, it should be pointed out that one problem in any of the many stages
of the process usually causes the interruption of the concreting, with the
consequences which these stoppages cause under these conditions.
An alternative to the methods described is the one used in the
construction of the Guadarrama tunnels, with a single track, by means of a
method consisting of introducing a complete train with mixers to the point
where
a static pump is situated close to the concreting point. The train travels
along a
16 provisional auxiliary track which must be constructed expressly for this
purpose
in parallel to the track which is desired to be concreted, on one side of the
same, and in the narrow space present for it ¨ the distance between the two
rails thereof must be reduced.
The work and the outline of the process are similar to those of the
traditional method already described, with some particularities:
- constructing a provisional auxiliary track in parallel to the track
which is
desired to be concreted in order to allow access of a train with mixers.
- transporting concrete in concrete mixer trucks from the concrete
factory to
the train with mixers initially situated at the exterior of the tunnel.
Transferring the concrete from the trucks to the train.
- Once the mixers of the train are full, it is moved to the point where the
pump is located, travelling along the constructed provisional auxiliary
track.
- the concreting is carried out by means of pumping, by means of a pump
which is moved gradually, always maintaining it close to the concreting
point,
- Vibrating to ensure the compactness of the concrete. Manual leveling
of
the surfaces to achieve the prescribed tolerances. Floating the concrete of
the track and cleaning the fastenings and the rail.
- Once all the concrete has been discharged from the train, it is pulled
out to
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receive another load at the exterior of the tunnel. At this time, the
concreting is interrupted until this train arrives once it has reloaded, or
until
another train already loaded and previously prepared arrives.
This method involves an improvement with respect to the traditional
5 methods when it is necessary to concrete sections of great length since
introducing a train full with mixers avoids discontinuous supply. However, on
the
other hand, it has significant disadvantages which ultimately limit its
competitiveness:
- the cost
is very high due to the high cost involved with a special train with
mixers and due to the cost involved with constructing the provisional
auxiliary track
- the flexibility of the method is low, The concrete volume to be pumped is
limited by the capacity of the train (no. of mixers). And in turn, the initial
dimensioning of the train and the volume with which it is loaded will limit
the process. In this aspect, it is difficult to scale.
- once the concrete of the train has been depleted, it must exit in order
to
reload, the concreting process being interrupted.
- given the process described and the cost thereof, this system is only
cost-
effective for constructing long lengths of slab track
- in the case of
there not being sufficient space for constructing the adjacent
auxiliary track, or in the case of it not being possible to construct it for
any
reason, the use of this method would not be viable
- the use of the pump continues bringing with it certain related problems.
The flow rate of concrete is limited by the capacity of the pump.
Among the recent developments intended to improve the application of
concrete, the particular work of the new tunnel at the base of San Gottardo
stands out. This is a railway tunnel beneath the Swiss Alps. The length of the
infrastructure is 57 km and with a total of 151.84 km of tunnel and galleries
it is
the longest railway tunnel in the world. The slab track is currently being
implemented and the German method is being used for concreting the track,
using a train with unprecedented dimensions (24 mixers). The improvement
variant consists of introducing a system for allowing the loading of the train
within the tunnel itself, at the mouth of the same. This avoid the train
having to
exit the tunnel and cover great distances when it has to be reloaded. However,
the system still has all the drawbacks described, even being heightened, given
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the implemented dimensions. Bringing the loading point of the train closer is
all
that has been achieved, but if we consider the lengths of the tunnel, each
time
the train has to reload, the stoppage time (movement + loading + return)
amounts to many hours, time during which the concreting remains interrupted.
In the patent literature, we can see document EP 0715023 in which a
mobile concrete mixing machine is described for concreting housing
mechanisms for railway tracks with the aid of shuttering during the course of
the
construction of a superstructure system without ballast with a concrete
roadway
slab for at least one railway track. This machine has a portal frame with
lateral
uprights extending in the direction of manufacture and crossbars which connect
them above, being mounted on moving assemblies, preferably on caterpillars
such that the frame of the machine is moved in the direction of manufacture
and
eventually in the return direction. On the longitudinal frame, there are
sliding
rails for a gantry crane and on these a gantry crane is guided. A plurality or
number of concreting frames is housed on the frame which can be moved in the
direction of manufacture and have mechanisms for vertical adjustment.
Description of the invention
In conclusion, the slab track concreting system existing at present have
substantial disadvantages and it is necessary to develop alternative methods
which allow the process to be optimized. Therefore, the slab track concreting
process requires an alternative which improves the existing methods and avoids
the disadvantages thereof.
The new method should optimize the supply and provision of concrete by
minimizing the risk of stoppages and waiting times, it should allow the
maximum
utilization of the space and avoid interferences between the different tasks,
it
should be flexible for different situations, dimensionable and scalable for
works
of different length and sizes and should provide high yields; the development
of
new specific equipment to be able to carry out this new method and optimally
applying the concrete is also necessary, with a limited cost and without the
risk
of blockages. It would also be desirable to achieve maximum automation of the
process. This method and the equipment necessary for carrying it out are the
object of the present invention.
The method for concreting object of the present invention presents the
utilization of the space on the track under construction itself for supplying
and
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applying the concrete. To this end, the equipment responsible for transporting
and applying the concrete travels in a self-propelled manner and by means of
railway wheels on two rails or guide profiles, auxiliary rails, situated one
at each
side of the track under construction and parallel thereto, transporting the
concrete, transferring it, in case it is necessary, and ultimately applying it
at the
desired point (all of which following different possible
strategies/configurations).
This concept therefore allows, since the concreting equipment is not supported
on the rails of the track itself, travel to take place on the track under
construction
during any phase of said construction, even when the premounted track is
suspended pending concreting, thereby providing the space on the same which
is not available in other methods, thus minimizing the problem associated with
the lack of space and the interference with other works.
Lastly, the concreting of the slab track is carried out by pouring concrete
from the vertical itself of the track under construction, on the assembly
formed
by the rails fixed to the sleepers and/or fixing systems, which is commonly
known as skeleton track, which have been previously laid and premounted on
the existing base which forms the base plate of the future slab track, the
assembly being positioned with precision and being fixed by means of support
means in a suspended position. Once the concrete has set, it constitutes the
slab which forms the support means which replaces the ballast of a traditional
track.
The conceived process comprises the following phases:
- the phase which must firstly be executed is a phase prior to the
concreting
process itself and consists of placing two parallel rails or guide profiles,
situated at the exterior of the track under construction, and the future slab
to be concreted, at both sides of said slab and parallel to the same, which
are supported and fixed in a stable manner on the platforms, semi-
platforms or in the space present at both sides. These rails or profiles,
which we can call auxiliary rails, are to allow for the movement of at least
one self-propelled autonomous device or self-propelled autonomous
hopper capable of loading concrete and/or moving it and/or pouring it in a
controlled manner on the track under construction, according to the
different possible configurations which are described below.
- the
following phase, first phase of the concreting process per se, consists
of receiving the concrete at the supply point and then transporting the
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same on the auxiliary rails, fixed at both sides of the track to be concreted,
to the pouring area. The transport of the concrete is carried out by means
of devices especially designed for this purpose and which are also object
of the present invention, although hoppers can also be used or any other
type of device suitably adapted for being able to travel on the auxiliary
rails
transporting and pouring concrete. The devices or hoppers thus move by
rolling on the two auxiliary rails previously fixed to both sides of the track
in
a self-propelled manner.
In terms of the location thereof, the concrete supply point to the system
can be established at any area of the tunnel or even at the exterior of the
same,
that is to say, it will be located at a point on the auxiliary rails of the
track under
construction or adjacent thereto, to which it is possible to introduce the
concrete
from the exterior. It will therefore be located either at the mouth of the
tunnel (or
even outside the same, extending the auxiliary rails outside the tunnel) or in
the
interior of the same. In this last case, the supply point will be an internal
point to
which it is possible to introduce the concrete from the exterior using
traditional
methods: either the point to which the concrete mixer trucks can access, the
point to which a train with mixers or platforms which transport concrete can
access, travelling along the adjacent track in the case of it being a tunnel
with 2
or more tracks, along the track itself to a concreting point with sufficient
time in
advance such that it has already acquired the sufficient consistency for it to
be
passable or along an auxiliary track at a side of the track under construction
either a point in an area with ventilation shafts, in an area with gaps or
gangways connected with the parallel tunnel for example in a tunnel with 2
tubes, 1 track per tube or in any other types of openings by way of which it
is
possible to introduce the concrete by traditional methods, etc.
The location of the supply point can always be the same or it can vary as
a function of the advance of the concreting, of the needs in this aspect and
of
the possibilities in terms of possible concrete supply points available.
In terms of the device or hopper for receiving the concrete, it could
directly be the device or hopper responsible for carrying out the transport of
the
concrete, or it could be a receiving device or hopper per se which in this
case
would have the function of "regulating tank of the concrete", that is to say,
storing the discontinuous supply coming from the exterior and carrying out the
transfer to the transport device or hopper when it is required. In this last
case,
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the "receiving" hopper could move on the auxiliary parallel rails or on the
principal track if the concrete which forms the slab is already conveniently
set in
this area, it can also remain static on the auxiliary rails, on the rails of
the track
or even at a lateral point adjacent to both.
In the case that the transport device is not responsible for
receiving/regulating, it will be necessary to carry out the transfer of
concrete
from the latter to the former, for which the receiving device itself will be
provided
with means for transferring the content thereof to the transport device or
hopper, such as a conveyor belt, direct discharge, etc. In the case of the
transport device being responsible for also carrying out the receiving, it
will not
be necessary to transfer the concrete to it.
Both the receiving and transport devices could be a single device or
various devices as a function of the different configurations which are set
up.
- The
following phase consists of the pouring of the concrete on the track
under construction in a controlled manner, distributing it uniformly along
the same to form the concrete slab, this operation being can-led out by
means of at least one device or hopper which moves in an autonomous
and controlled manner on the auxiliary rails.
The transport and pouring of the concrete could be carried out by means
of the same device or hopper, in which case this could have at least two
advance speeds, one fast in order to carry out the transport and return
journeys
and another slower speed which will be used when it pours the concrete on the
track under construction. It is also possible to carry out the pouring of
concrete
by means of a specific device or hopper for this, in which case the transport
of
the concrete from the supply point to said concreting device or hopper is
carried
out by means of a specific device or hopper for transporting which we could
called a satellite device or hopper which is provided with means for
transferring
the content thereto to the concreting device or hopper_ Any of these devices
or
hoppers moves by rolling on auxiliary rails.
In this way, in one of the possible configurations, the same device can be
responsible for carrying out the receiving of the concrete at the supply
point, the
transport to the pouring point and the pouring itself of the concrete. In this
case,
it is not necessary to carry out any transfer of concrete between devices, and
the single device will be equipped with at least two speeds (fast for
transporting
and returning and slow for the concreting). In this configuration, being
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considered a supply point, only one device can be used (concreting at a
"front"
of the track under construction) or two devices can be used (concreting at two
front, at both sides of the supply point) or even more.
In this last configuration of the process (two concreting devices or
5 hoppers being used simultaneously), with the supply point situated at an
internal area of the tunnel), the two devices will be responsible for concrete
at
the supply point and will each transfer it to each side of the same. Once the
respective initially fixed pouring points have been reached, they carry out
the
return concreting, that is to say, at both sides from the initial points to
the supply
10 point, that is to say, in opposite directions. Both devices will return
to the supply
point once the concrete has been depleted in order to be reloaded,
transporting
the concrete once again to the pouring point and once again proceeding to pour
the concrete, thereby advancing both concreting fronts until completing the
concreting of this section (contained between the two initial points fixed at
both
sides of the supply point and preferably, although not exclusively,
equidistant
from the same). The use of two devices means the productivity of this
operation
is doubled. The loading of concrete at the supply point of the two devices in
this
last case could be carried out in an alternative manner, for which purpose
they
can be offset in time. Alternative configurations based on this described
configuration can be used with slight variants] such as the two devices
concreting, approaching the supply point, the two in the same direction or
even
carrying it out at the same side of the supply point
Once the concrete has been poured, the traditional vibrating operations
are carried out, floating and the rest of the work required for the correct
finishing
of the slab. These operations can be carried out according to traditional
methods, using conventional means operated by operators; however, the
present invention provides for self-propelled platforms which move on the two
auxiliary rails following the pouring devices or hoppers, behind them in the
direction of advance of the concreting. These platforms will have the means
required for carrying out these operations as well as the required operators,
who can carry out the operations manually from the self-propelled platform
with
conventional means, or in the following manner: the vibrating means could be
provided vertically on supports movable on the self-propelled platform and
carry
out the vibrating with greater automation; in order to carry out the floating
in a
more automated manner, the possibility of incorporating a tray movable on the
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platform is also provided for.
In this way, the vibrating operation of the concrete is carried out after the
pouring either in a conventional manner or in a more automated manner.
However, this method also allows the vibrating and floating means of the
concrete to be mounted directly on the pouring devices or hoppers, actuated
and supported from the hopper itself. It is also possible to even couple the
self-
propelled platform to the pouring hopper so that it pulls it. These two last
possibilities can be used especially when hoppers intended exclusively for
pouring the concrete are used.
The system required for the concreting of railway slab track using the
method previously described comprises a series of essential devices
- Firstly
two parallel rails or guide profiles situated at the exterior of the track
under construction and, therefore the slab to be concreted, at both sides
thereof and parallel to the same which are supported and fixed in a stable
manner on the platforms, semi-platforms or in the space present at both
sides. These rails will serve as a roller track for the movement of a series
of apparatuses or hoppers which will be detailed below.
- At least
one device or hopper is required for transporting and pouring the
concrete, which carries out the transport from a concrete collection or
supply area ¨ supply point ¨ to the pouring area on the track under
construction, rolling in an autonomous and controlled manner on the
previously fixed auxiliary rails, and it will be provided with concrete
pouring
means, capable of carrying out the pouring in a controlled manner along
the track under construction to form the concrete slab.
- In the case it
is considered preferable for the transport and pouring to be
carried out by means of independent devices, instead of the previously
described device, at least two devices or hoppers will be required: at least
one transport device or hopper, which will carry out the transport from a
concrete collection or supply area ¨ supply point ¨ to the pouring device,
rolling in an autonomous and controlled manner on previously fixed
auxiliary rails; and at least once pouring device or hopper which will be
provided with concrete pouring means, capable of carrying out the pouring
in a controlled manner along the track under construction to form the
concrete slab.
As has been previously described, it is envisaged that the transport
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devices or hoppers can be either the pouring devices or hoppers themselves
with the capacity to move at a higher speed when they carry out this operation
or specific devices or hoppers for the transport ¨ satellite hoppers ¨ in
which
case they must be provided with means for transferring concrete to the pouring
hoppers. This gives rise to different possible configurations of the process
and
the selection of one option or another will depend on the external conditions
present in each case or work and on the study of timings which is carried out,
with the aim of achieving the maximum yield of concreting, various factors
should be considered such as for example the distance to which the concrete
supply point is from the pouring point (for example in a construction in which
both points can always be relatively close, the option of using only pouring
devices or hoppers for both operations could be considered; in other
conditions,
it may be preferable to use specific transport devices or hoppers ¨ satellite
hoppers ¨ for transporting the concrete to the pouring device or hopper,
thereby
enabling the pouring process to also be continuous). The satellite hoppers
will
be equipped with outlet means for the content to transfer the concrete to the
pouring device or hopper in an automatic and fast manner,
All the devices or hoppers are preferably metallic and automotive
structures. They are formed by: a peripheral structure with a regulatable
width,
formed by metallic profiles which are laterally supported by means of at least
two wheels at each side on the corresponding auxiliary rail (that is to say,
at
least four wheels in total), it being responsible for carrying out the rolling
of the
device on the auxiliary rails and supporting the central structure; a central
structure or hopper per se responsible for containing the concrete, supported
on
the peripheral structure, the internal width thereof is approximately
equivalent or
similar at the lower portion thereof to that of the slab which is going to be
concreted and which incorporates means for suitably carrying out the
operations with the concrete, either the loading, pouring or transfer thereof.
Provision is also made for the wheels to be mounted on two vertical
support structures, or profiles, regulatable in height (either with the
possibility of
being supplemented or telescopic) such that the device or hopper can remain in
a horizontal position or parallel to the plane of the track and in a stable
position
independent of the heights at which the two auxiliary rails are arranged.
In the interior of the central structure or hopper per se there are, at the
bottom, a motorized endless screw, the revolutions of which are facilitated
and
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regulated by the outlet flow, directing it and therefore controlling the
concreting,
in line with the opening of lower opening gates and with the advance speed of
the device during the pouring. Provision is made for there to be one single or
various pouring mouths arranged at the bottom, in this last case these mouths
can be separated by blind areas matching the position of the rails and
fastenings of the track under construction. These pouring mouths are
controlled
by gates, the opening of which is controlled by means of hydraulic actuations.
Description of the figures
In order to complement the description being given and with the aim of
facilitating the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set
of
drawings accompany the present description in which, in an illustrative and
non-
limiting mariner, the following has been depicted:
Figure 1 depicts a section of a tunnel in which the premounted track fixed
in suspension, in the final position thereof, (2) is being concreted to form
the
slab (3) of the slab track.
Figure 2 shows, in two views, in plan and lateral elevation, a slab track
under construction in which a concrete pouring device or hopper (6) is working
(which, as has been described, can be exclusively for pouring concrete or
transporting + pouring concrete).
Figure 3 shows, in two views, in plan and lateral elevation, a track under
construction in which two concrete pouring devices or hoppers (6) (or for
transporting + pouring concrete) are working.
Figure 4 shows, in two views, in plan and lateral elevation, a track under
construction in which a concrete pouring device or hopper (6), a concrete
transporting satellite device or hopper (7) and a regulating device or hopper
(8)
are working which in this case constitutes the receiving point of the concrete
coming from the external supply, that is to say, which constitutes the
concrete
supply point and accumulates it in order to regulate the inlet flows_
Figures 5 and 6 respectively depict a sectional transversal and
longitudinal view of a concrete pouring device or hopper (6) (or concrete
transporting + pouring device).
Preferred embodiment of the invention
In the figures, the basis of the method of the present invention for
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concreting the slab (3) of a slab track can be observed, said concreting is
carried out on the previously mounted track, suspended and fixed in the final
position (2), in a tunnel area (1), in which this type of track (2-3) is
usually
constructed in this manner, without a ballast. The concreting method envisages
the placement of two rails (5) or guide profiles which we can call auxiliary
rails,
supported on the platforms, semi-platforms or lateral spaces (4) at one side
and
the other side of the track and the transfer and pouring of the concrete by
means of devices or hoppers (6) which move along said rails in an autonomous
manner and at a controlled speed
The pouring operation is carried out by means of types of devices or
hoppers (6) which are internally equipped at the bottom with a mechanism for
controlling this operation; while the transport operations of the concrete
from the
supply point (PS) to the pouring point can be carried out by means of the
pouring device or hopper (6) itself, in which case it is desirable for it to
have at
16 least two
speeds for being able to carry out the transport at a greater speed
than the pouring or by means of a specific device or hopper, which we can call
a satellite device (7) which moves from the supply point (PS) to the pouring
device or hopper (6), in which it deposits its load, for the purposes of which
these types of devices or hoppers (7) are equipped with a lower pouring
mechanism and a conveyor belt (72) to transfer the content thereof from the
lower portion thereof to the upper mouth of the pouring device or hopper (6),
or
alternatively any other means for carrying out this transfer. This satellite
device
(7) can be one single device or it could even be various devices functioning
in a
chain.
The controlled concrete-pouring operation is observed in Figure 2. The
device or hopper (6) moves by rolling in an autonomous and controlled manner
supported on the auxiliary rails (6) on at least four roller means (61)
situated at
both sides on the front and rear part of the peripheral structure of the
device.
In Figure 3, a configuration is observed which allows the concreting
operation of the slab (3) to be doubled. Two devices or hoppers (6) are used
in
this case, each one of which carries out successive transport and pouring
operations of the concrete ¨ from which they are loaded at a supply point (PS)
situated at an intermediate point between the pouring area of each one of
these. This configuration and operation is possible when there are possible
concrete supply points in the interior of the tunnel (for example by way of
CA 02931260 2016-05-27
ventilation shafts, by way of the communication spaces with the parallel
tunnel,
for example in tunnels with 2 tubes, 1 track per tube, etc.); in these cases,
the
filling of both devices, hoppers (6) is carried out at the intermediate supply
point,
which once loaded transport the concrete to the respective concreting points
5 thereof, proceeding to carry out the pouring in the advance direction
towards
the supply point. Once the concreting of the section contained between the 2
initial points has been completed, the new supply point is taken as the next
intermediate point available for this purpose, the same process focused on the
same is initiated once again. In order for the method according to this
10 configuration to be effective, it is necessary to have intermediate
supply points
(PS), each a certain distance inside the tunnel along the length which is
going
to be concreted such that the transport distance of both devices or hoppers is
not excessive.
This described configuration (Figure 3) can be carried out with different
15 variants: both devices can carry out the concreting in the direction
opposed to
the supply point (moving away from it) instead of towards it, or for example
both
devices can work at the same side of the supply point instead of at both sides
of
it, either concreting towards the supply point or moving away from it, or any
combination which is desired in these aspects,
In Figure 4, a form of operation is observed which, in this case, uses
satellite devices or hoppers (7) which carry out the transport of the concrete
from the supply point to the pouring device or hopper (6). In this case, work
is
carried out in only one direction and with one pouring device or hopper. The
concrete supply point in this case would be set up, situated on a regulating
device or hopper (8) which moves on the auxiliary rails (5). The concrete
supply
would arrive to here from the exterior, either on a train with concrete or
with
mixers (or tanks on towed platforms) along the track itself under construction
to
the concreting point with sufficient time in advance such that it has
conveniently
hardened and is passable, or along the adjacent track in the case of there
being
2 tracks, or along an auxiliary track, or by means of mixing trucks in the
case of
there being space for this, or by means of pumping, or by any other possible
means. This regulating device (8) which would therefore establish the supply
point, would be responsible for accumulating the concrete coming from the
exterior and providing it to the satellite device (7), acting as an
accumulator or
regulator of the exterior flow of concrete in the case of it being
discontinuous, or
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for maintaining the supply to the satellite device in the case of the external
supply being interrupted for any reason. This regulating device (8) would move
on the auxiliary rails to more advanced points, as required.
However, alternatively, this regulating device or hopper (8) could also
move on the principal track (2) instead of on the auxiliary rails; in this
case it
could only do this on section concreted with sufficient time in advance and
conveniently hardened, and therefore passable without therefore being able to
surpass a certain point. Other alternatives would also be possible, for
example
setting up a regulating hopper on the adjacent track in the case that one
exists,
or directly at the side of the track without the possibility to move on rails
(outside
of the track and the auxiliary rails), etc.
Another alternative within this configuration consists of dispensing with
the regulating device (8). In this case, the loading of the satellite device
(7)
would be carried out directly at the supply point, to which the concrete
supply
would arrive from the exterior by any of the means described or other possible
means.
Another alternative within this configuration consists of dispensing with
the satellite device (7), therefore the concrete pouring device (6) itself
being
responsible for carrying out the transport and pouring operations of the
concrete. To this end, this device would have at least two speeds. In this
case,
the transport and pouring device would be loaded with concrete at the supply
point (either receiving the concrete from the regulating device or directly
from
the external supply) it would transport the load to the pouring point,
preferably at
high speed, and once situated at the concreting point, the pouring of the
concrete would be carried out at the required speed.
The apparatuses that form part of this system are observed in Figures 5
and 6. In this case, a pouring device or hopper (6) is depicted, which is
supported on the auxiliary rails (5) by means of wheels (61) which support the
peripheral structure (62) on which the central body itself or hopper per se
(60) is
supported, responsible for containing the concrete. The peripheral structure
(62)
is formed by preferably metallic profiles and is regulatable in width at both
sides
in relation to the degree of approximation to the supports on both auxiliary
rails
(5) such that the central body or hopper per se (60) is always situated on the
vertical of the slab track (3) to be concreted.
In Figure 6, it is observed that at each side, this hopper is supported on
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at least one pair of wheels (61) which are supported by a cylinder (66) or
other
telescopic means or with the possibility of being supplemented which allows
the
height of each wheel to be varied with the aim that, independently of the
height
of the two auxiliary rails (5) and of these being at the same height or not,
the
hopper (60) is situated transversally in a noticeably level position and it
can
function in a horizontal position or parallel to the plane of the track and
therefore
in a position that is always stable_ A second pair of wheels (64), with a
greater
size than the previous wheels (61), is observed in this figure, also supported
on
a telescope means (65) or with the possibility of being supplemented. In the
figure, the wheels (61) are in an operative position, therefore being situated
below the wheels (64); it is like this when the device is carrying out the
pouring
function and a slower and more controllable speed is required. The wheels (64)
are placed in an operative position, that is to say, below the wheels (61),
when
the device carries out the transport function. This duality can be avoided by
regulating the rotational speed transmitted to the wheels, by incorporating,
to
this end, a change of speeds in the motor which moves the hopper (6), an
electronic regulation if it is an electric motor or any other system, with
which
only one pair of wheels would be necessary at each side.
On the lower portion of the hopper (60), means are observed for
facilitating the pouring of the concrete constituted by a motorized endless
screw
(68), with the revolutions of which the pouring of the concrete is
facilitated, also
orientating the outlet thereof in the desired direction, thereby regulating
the
concreting in line with the advance speed of the device or hopper during the
pouring, the quantity of concrete distributed on the track (2) under
construction
for forming the slab (3) of the same thus being controlled. The outlet mouth
is
closed by gates (69) which are actuated by means of hydraulic cylinders (67)
which allow the discharge mouth to open and close, either completely or by
sectors. In one preferred embodiment, there are three pouring mouths along the
width of the hopper (60) separated by blind areas (63) which match the
approximate position of the rails and the heads of the sleepers of the track
under construction (2) with the aim of avoiding the pouring of concrete on
these.
The three mouths can be opened simultaneously, or independently in order to
orientate the concreting to an area of the section as desired.
The central body or hopper (60) per se is formed by profiles or metallic
plates. The interior walls of the hopper can be covered with sheets or
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antiadhesive material for preventing the concrete adhering to them and thus
facilitating the pouring. This device can be disassembled, by separating the
central body (60) from the peripheral structure (62).
The satellite device or hopper (7) used specifically for the transport of
concrete and the regulating device or hopper (8) have a structure equivalent
to
the pouring device or hopper (6) depicted. They have two sets of wheels (71)
and (81) respectively and in this case the pouring means deposit the content
thereof on conveyor belts (72, 82) by way of which it is possible to transfer
the
concrete from the hopper (8) to the hopper (7) and from this hopper to the
pouring hopper (6) as can be observed in Figure 4. In these cases, the opening
gates of the lower outlet mouths are configured to match the conveyor belt(s)
or
the transfer apparatus used.
The pouring device (6) can also incorporate the vibrating means (9), on
the rear part thereof, in the advance direction, which would be actuated for
carrying out the vibrating of the concrete once it has been poured. The means
for carrying out the floating could also be incorporated in the same place.
The present invention also provides for self-propelled platforms which
move on the two auxiliary rails after the pouring devices or hoppers, behind
them in the advance direction of the concreting. These platforms have the
means required for carrying out these operations as well as the required
operators who can carry out the operations from the self-propelled platform
manually with conventional means or in the following manner: the vibrating
means can be arranged vertically on supports movable on the self-propelled
platform and carry out the vibrating with a greater degree of automation; in
order to carry out the floating in a more automated manner, the possibility of
incorporating a tray movable on the platform is also provided for.
In this way, the vibrating operation is carried out after the pouring either
in a conventional manner, or in a more automated manner. It is also even
possible to couple the self-propelled platform to the pouring hopper so that
both
advance inseparably.
All the devices envisaged in the present invention are preferably
automotive devices.
With the nature of the invention sufficiently described as well as a
preferred exemplary embodiment, it is stated for the appropriate purposes that
the materials, form, size and arrangement of the elements described could be
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modified, provided this does not involve an alteration of the essential
characteristics of the invention which is claimed below.
