Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
MODULAR SUPPORT STRUCTURE
OBJECT
The present invention relates, in general, to a provisional modular support
structure of
a railway line in service during the execution of works underneath the rails
of the
railway line itself.
STATE OF THE ART
It is known in the state of the art that removal of a level crossing in a
railway line in
service requires leaving the rails of the railway line without a support base.
Whilst the jacking works of a concrete box, for example, are performed, there
is an
infrastructure to support the rails of the railway line in service.
The support infrastructure in the form of a set of shoring or support rails
parallel to the
rails of the railway track disposed detachably along the outer side of the
rails and
fastened by brackets to the same rails, being braced by cross-beams, disposed
between
the sleepers of the rails of the railway line, which solidly joins both shafts
of shoring
rails, supporting at the same time the load of the circulating rail vehicles.
Sometimes it is necessary to position wooden chocks between the cross-supports
and
track sleepers, that serve to guarantee the correct level or cant of the rails
of the
railway line when the box is being jacked.
The shoring rails rest on the ends of the cross-beams and by means of a
mechanical
joining unit joining the ends of the cross-beams to the shoring rails.
Therefore, the assembly and dismantling works of the provisional support
infrastructure of the rails of the railway line are laborious and requires the
traffic to be
cut for considerable times, requiring a reduction in speed of the rail
vehicles that
circulate in the works execution area, creating an important interference in
normal rail
traffic.
SUMMARY
The present invention seeks to resolve or reduce one or more of the drawbacks
stated
above via a detachable modular support structure for the rails of a railway
line in
service during the execution of works underneath the rails as claimed in the
claims.
The modular support structure provides resistance, solidity and stability to
the stretch
of railway track wherein works are performed underneath the track;
guaranteeing the
track width and the inclination of the rails with respect to the running
surface and
allows easy detachment without the need to move the rails.
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
2
One object is to provide a modular support structure to support, temporally, a
stretch
of rails of a railway line in service, during the execution of works
underneath the rails
for the elimination, for example, of a level crossing; so that it allows that
the rails have
the same service conditions for the circulation of rail vehicles, as before
the works, not
being necessary, therefore, that the rail vehicles execute special manoeuvres
when they
travel along the stretch of railway line undergoing work.
The detachable modular support structure guarantees correct stability,
cohesion and
resistance of the stretch of railway line where work is performed underneath
the rails.
The modular support structure to detachably support a stretch of railway line
comprises at least one cross-beam resting on, respective, seat sockets of
shoring
beams, parallel externally to the rails; at least one regulating device
configured to be
detachable from the same shoring beams; where the regulating device comprises
a first
adjustable pressure cylinder disposed transversally to the shoring beams; a
second
adjustable pressure cylinder and a third adjustable pressure cylinder to
regulate the
height of the modular support structure to the running surface, in working
position of
the modular support structure.
The first adjustable pressure cylinder is disposed transversally to the
shoring beams
and its ends can be fixed by means of mechanical fixing elements to lower
bores of a
lower strip of the shoring beam, respectively; an anchoring projection, in the
form of
parallelepipedal strip, is fixed to the upper and outer face of the first
adjustable
pressure cylinder, in proximity to the middle area of the first adjustable
pressure
cylinder, and has at least one first bore and a second bore symmetrically
disposed in
parallel to the distal side of the anchoring projection; the second adjustable
pressure
cylinder can be fixed by means of a mechanical fixing element to an upper bore
of the
lower strip and, the opposite end of the second cylinder can be fixed to a
first bore of
the anchoring projection; and the third adjustable pressure cylinder can be
fixed by
means of a mechanical fixing element to a second upper bore of the lower strip
and,
the opposite end of the third cylinder can be fixed to a second bore of the
anchoring
projection.
The second and third adjustable pressure cylinder form, respectively, with the
first
adjustable pressure cylinder an acute angle oriented perpendicular to the
running
surface, in working position of the modular support structure.
The regulating device is configured to be disposed between two consecutive
railway
sleepers and underneath the rails of the railway line; and is adapted to fix
the track
width, the inclination of the rails with respect to the running surface and
maintain the
same rails in service position whilst the works are executed underneath the
rails of the
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
3
railway line, without support base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
A more detailed explanation of the invention is given in the following
description
based on the attached figures wherein:
figure 1 shows in a plan view the longitudinal distribution of shoring beams,
and
transversal distribution of cross-beams, regulating devices, manoeuvring beams
of a
detachable modular support structure disposed to support a stretch of rails of
a railway
line underneath which works are performed such as the jacking of a reinforced
concrete box;
figure 2A shows in a elevational view a shoring beam of the detachable modular
support structure resting on supports external to the rails of a railway line;
where there
are regularly distributed seat sockets for the cross-beams;
figure 2B shows in an elevational view how one end of a cross-bream is seated
on the
corresponding seat socket of a shoring beam of the detachable modular support
structure;
figure 3 shows in an elevational view a regulating device of the detachable
modular
support structure, in working position of the same structure; and
figure 4 shows in an elevational view a cross-beam of the detachable modular
support
structure, in working position of the same structure.
DESCRIPTION
Below, with reference to figures 1, 2A and 2B, a detachable modular support
structure
11 to provisionally support the rails 12 of a railway line in service during
the execution
of works underneath the track is shown, such as executing an underpass, by
means of
jacking a reinforced concrete box 13; so that the modular support structure
11, once
installed, does not interfere in the running surface of the rails 12 of the
railway line.
The modular support structure 11 comprises a plurality of transversally
distributed
height-regulating devices 18, perpendicular along the longitudinal axis of the
rails 12.
The detachable regulating device 18 is configured to be detachable from pairs
of
shoring or reinforcement beams 16, 161, 162 parallel externally to the same
rails 12
and at least one cross-beam or section 14 configured to be detachable from the
shoring
beams 16.
The cross-beams 14 and regulating devices 18 support and secure the rails 12;
being
disposed as if they were sleepers added to the original sleepers 15.
Therefore, the cross-beams 14 and the regulating devices 18 are disposed
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
4
perpendicular to the shoring beams 16, 161, 162 and between the sleepers 15 of
the
rails 12 of the railway line.
In relation now with figure 3, the transversal regulating device 18 can be
mechanically
assembled on the longitudinal shoring beams 161, 162. The assembly thereof is
performed via a plurality of articulated joints, which make it possible to
rotate the
regulating device 18 with respect to a longitudinal axis parallel to the
longitudinal axis
of the shoring beam 16.
Both the regulating device 18 and the cross-beam 14 are configured to be
installed
between two consecutive sleepers 15; and a regulating device 18 and a cross-
beam 14
can be distanced by at least one sleeper 15 of the rails 12; shown in figure
1.
Likewise, at least two regulating devices 18 or two cross-beams 14 can be
installed
consecutively and separated by a sleeper 15.
Consequently, both the regulating device 18 and the cross-beam 14 are
configured to
be installed underneath the rails 12 thereof; occupying the existing space
between two
consecutive sleepers 15.
The shoring beams 16, 161, 162 have a resistant cross-section composed of a [
profile
and an angular J profile with common web, i.e. cross section of_[ type,
defining a
lower seat flange 39 a section of internal seat flange 391 and a section of
external seat
flange 392.
The shoring beam 161, 162 is reinforced with a plurality of inner strips 37
distributed
longitudinally along same, which has a resistant raised section, of
rectangular type
such as a top truncated rectangle triangle; to mechanically join the section
of internal
seat flange 391 to the inner face of the common web of the shoring beam 161,
162 and
a plurality of outer strips 38 distributed longitudinally along same, which
has a
resistant raised section of rectangular parallelepipedal type, to mechanically
join the
flanges of the resistant [ section to the outer face of the common web of the
shoring
beam 161, 162.
The lower seat flanges 39 of the shoring beams 161, 162 may be installed
underneath
the track at a different or at the same distance from the running surface of
the rails 12.
The shoring beams 161, 162 comprise a plurality of metal strips 37, 38
distributed
regularly along the length of the shoring beams 161, 162 and configured to
mechanically fix the flanges to the web of the same shoring beams 161, 162.
The regulating device 18 is configured to regulate the height of the modular
support
structure 11 comprising a first adjustable pressure cylinder 32 disposed
transversally to
the shoring beams 161, 162, and the ends whereof are fixed by means of
mechanical
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
5
fixing elements a lower bores 372 of the lower strip 37 respectively; an
anchoring
projection 85, in the form of parallelepipedal strip, is fixed to the upper
and outer face
of the first adjustable pressure cylinder 32 by the middle area thereof and
has at least
two bores 351, 352 symmetrically disposed in parallel to the distal side of
the
anchoring projection 35; a second adjustable pressure cylinder 33 is fixed by
means of
a mechanical fixing element to an upper bore 371 of the lower strip 37 and, by
the
opposite end of the second cylinder 33, is fixed to a bore 351 of the
anchoring
projection 35; and a third adjustable pressure cylinder 34 is fixed by means
of a
mechanical fixing element to an upper bore 371 of the lower strip 37 and, by
the
opposite end of the third cylinder 34, it is fixed to a bore 352 of the
anchoring
projection 35.
In working position of the modular support structure 11, the second and third
adjustable pressure cylinders 33, 34 form, respectively, with the first
adjustable
pressure cylinder 32 an acute angle oriented perpendicular to the running
surface, both
acute angles not having to be fowled the same.
The lower strip 37 comprises at least one upper bore 371 and a lower bore 372
misaligned according to a vertical axis parallel to the vertical side of the
lower strip 37.
The upper or lower bores 371, 372 have a form that allows the introduction of
a
mechanical fixing element 23 of the type of threaded screw, dowel, rod, pin,
bolt or
similar; with the mechanical fixing element; the mechanical joint being
configured to
fix and allow rotation of the first pressure cylinder 32, the second
adjustable pressure
cylinder 33 and the third adjustable pressure cylinder 34 with respect to an
axis
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the railway line.
The regulating device 18 is disposed, initially, between the sleepers 15 of
the rails 12
in flat position; i.e. the second and third adjustable pressure cylinders 33,
34 are
disposed parallel to the first adjustable pressure cylinder 31; then the
distal ends, with
respect to longitudinal axis of the railway line, of the second and third
adjustable
pressure cylinders 33, 34 are vertically raised until reaching the working
position; to
be hooked to the corresponding upper bores 371 of the inner strips 37 of the
shoring
beams 161, 162 by means of the mechanical fixing elements.
The first, second and third adjustable pressure cylinders 32, 33, 34 are
configured as
adjustable tighteners to tighten and support the shoring beams 16, 161, 162
and,
consequently, the rails 12 are fixed and the running surface of the same rails
12 is
maintained; by modifying the length of each adjustable pressure cylinder 32,
33, 34.
Therefore, the regulating device 18 is a triangulated device joined in the
form of
triangles, subjected to traction and compression forces so that it has height
regulation
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
6
and locking mechanisms of the rails 12 with respect to the support base of the
same
rails 12.
As is shown in figure 3, the first, second and third adjustable pressure
cylinders 32, 33,
34 are formed by tightening elements threaded to threaded sleeves so that the
tightening elements are displaceable between a maximum and minimum length of
the
same threaded sleeve of the first, second and third adjustable pressure
cylinders 32,
33, 34, respectively, and fixed by their ends to the shoring beams 161, 162
and
anchoring projection 35 to regulate the height of the running surface of the
rails 12.
In short, the first, second and third adjustable pressure cylinders 32, 33, 34
comprise
adjustable tightening elements that mechanically cooperate with one another to
vary
the length of the adjustable pressure cylinders 32, 33, 34 laterally
tightening the
shoring beams 161, 162, which mechanically cooperate with the cross-beams 14,
to
establish or maintain a determined track width and a determined inclination of
the
running surface whilst work is being performed underneath the track, without
interfering in the circulation of the rail vehicles.
The longitudinal displacement of each pressure cylinder 32, 33, 34 is
transmitted to the
shoring beams 161, 162 through the ends of the pressure cylinder 32, 33, 34,
respectively, to maintain a constant tension which compensates for changes in
length
due to the deflection exerted by the rail vehicles which circulate along the
stretch of
rails 12 where works are being performed underneath the track.
In relation now with figure I, the shoring beams 16 are disposed respectively
along the
outer side of the rails 12 and are oriented perpendicular to the running
surface towards
the support base of the rails 12.
The cross-beams 14 support the sleepers 15 in working or service position and
.. mechanically cooperate with the regulating device 18 to maintain the track
width.
The modulating support structure Ii comprises a plurality of cross-beams 14
which
are disposed between the sleepers 15 of the rails 12 of the railway line and
underneath
the same rails 12 in working position; in orientation perpendicular to the
axis of the
railway line and in the direction of the jacked box 13, so that they transmit
the loads of
the rolling stock towards the plurality of shoring beams 16 disposed parallel
to the rails
12.
In relation now with the figures 2A, 2B and 4, the cross-beam 14 has a
resistant cross-
section composed of a H-profile; comprising flanges mechanically joined to a
web.
The cross-beam 14 has in the opposite ends of the web at least one oblong bore
41
horizontally elongated towards a central vertical axis of the cross-beam 14,
to facilitate
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
7
the mechanical joining and securing between the cross-beam 14 and the shoring
beams
16, 161, 162.
The shoring beams 16 comprise a plurality of seat sockets 22 regularly
distributed
throughout the web to join the pair of shoring beams 16 longitudinally through
the
cross-beams 14.
The shoring beams 16 and the cross-beams 14 mechanically cooperate to fix the
track
width, maintaining the rails 12 and the sleepers 15 in the working position
whilst
works are being performed underneath the rails 12.
Each end of a cross-beam 14 is introduced and rests in a seat socket 22 of a
shoring
beam 16; being detachably mechanically fixed by means of the introduction of
mechanical fixing elements 23 of mechanical joining within the corresponding
oblong
bores 41.
Obviously, if the shoring beams 16 comprise a high number of seat sockets 22,
a high
number of cross-beams 14 can be housed and, therefore, the support provided by
the
assembled support structure 11 shall be greater and, consequently, there will
be greater
immobilization provided to the rails 12 of the railway line.
The dimensions and distribution of the seat sockets 22 within the web of the
shoring
beams 16 depend on the dimensions of the cross beams 14 that are detachably
housed
in the same sockets 22 and on the relative position of the cross-beams 14
between the
sleepers 15.
The sockets 22 may have a form of circular, hexagonal, octagonal or similar
type,
which are adapted in order to provide a mechanical seat to the cross beam 14.
The cross-beam 14 is a beam of!, II, double T-type profile or similar.
The design of the shoring beams 16 equally allows the ,installation of the
cross-beams
14 underneath the rails 12 and between the sleepers 15, previously removing
the
ballast existing between the sleepers 15, after or before installing the
shoring beams 16
parallel to the rails 12.
The shoring beams 16 can rest on vertical supports 21, installed through the
outer area
of the rails 12 of the railway line.
Once the regulating devices 18 and the cross-beams 14 have been installed
between
the sleepers 15, the pairs of shoring beams 16 must be positioned along the
outer area
adjacent to the rails 12 until the final assembly position of the modular
support
structure.
When the shoring beams 16, the regulating devices 18 and the cross-beams 14
are
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
8
already in their assembly position, the unit is fixed by means of the
corresponding
mechanical fixing elements; then fixing the relative position between the
cross-beams
14, the regulating devices 81 and the shoring beams 16.
Next, the corresponding mechanical fixing elements are tightened, achieving
the
working position of the modular support structure 11, definitive resistant
configuration
of the detachable modular support structure 11.
Do the reverse as for assembly for the dismantling process.
The load transmission system is designed so that the modular support structure
11
forms a grill capable of supporting the rails 12 and the rail vehicles when
they travel
along the same rails 12.
The loads generated are transmitted by the modular support structure to a
plurality of
manoeuvring beams 17, allowing the box 13 to be jacked underneath the rails
12.
During the jacking operation of the box 13 to position the box 13 in its final
position,
the modular support structure rests on the metal manoeuvring beams 17,
parallel to the
jacking direction of the box 13
The manoeuvring beams 17 initially work, resting on the furthest away end on
foundations previously executed resting on groups of micropiles, and by the
other side
on the actual box by means of sliding supports.
The manoeuvring beams 17 must support all loads of the modular support
structure 11
and of the rail traffic in safe conditions and with the permissible
deformations for the
train circulation service on the rails 12.
During the transfer or jacking of the box 13 underneath the manoeuvring beams
17,
these beams 17 can transfer a relative sliding movement to the cross-beams 14
with
respect to the shoring beams 16.
All elements of the modular support structure 11 are easy to assemble and
dismantle
and can be reused thanks to their modular distribution for any length of
railway that
that needs to be reinforced and supported, for which reason the cost is lower
for
replacement of the normal track conditions. It is not necessary to replace the
sleepers
as they remain in their position from the start.
The length of the detachable modular support structure 11 must be such that it
allows
the necessary excavation to transfer the box 13 to be jacked. In consequence,
to
achieve the objective of supporting the track and transmitting the circulating
loads on
the rail tracks several support structures can be placed adjacently such as
those
described above, since to obtain a more optimum length of the first
longitudinal beams
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
9
they have a predetermined maximum length.
CA 2996203 2018-02-22
