WO2016193726A1 - Appareil de verrou de sécurité permettant un agencement de points de chemin de fer - Google Patents

Appareil de verrou de sécurité permettant un agencement de points de chemin de fer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016193726A1
WO2016193726A1 PCT/GB2016/051616 GB2016051616W WO2016193726A1 WO 2016193726 A1 WO2016193726 A1 WO 2016193726A1 GB 2016051616 W GB2016051616 W GB 2016051616W WO 2016193726 A1 WO2016193726 A1 WO 2016193726A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blocking member
blocking
rail
stock
rails
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2016/051616
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Samuel David BEMMENT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Loughborough University
Original Assignee
Loughborough University
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Loughborough University filed Critical Loughborough University
Publication of WO2016193726A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016193726A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L5/00—Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
    • B61L5/10—Locking mechanisms for points; Means for indicating the setting of points
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
    • E01B7/00—Switches; Crossings
    • E01B7/20—Safety means for switches, e.g. switch point protectors, auxiliary or guiding rail members
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
    • E01B2202/00—Characteristics of moving parts of rail systems, e.g. switches, special frogs, tongues
    • E01B2202/08—Locking devices or mechanisms for inhibiting movement

Definitions

  • railway points also known as railway track switches, are a necessary part of all railway networks as they enable different routes through the network to be selected. They are a critical part of the network as a points failure often leads to delays, re-routing and cancellations.
  • the stretcher bars ensure that the free ends of the switch rails move simultaneously, as a pair, when commanded to do so by the actuator.
  • the stretcher bars also ensure that the switch rails are held spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance and maintain one of the switch rails in the unloaded open position depending on the route selected through the railway track junction, whilst the other switch rail is in the closed position.
  • the stretcher bars are, therefore, a particularly important and safety critical component of a traditional set of railway points because if one or more of the stretcher bars fails, the switch rails can separate, thereby allowing an open unloaded switch rail to move to the closed position, and this has been known to cause catastrophic derailment of rolling stock.
  • safety lock apparatus for a railway points arrangement comprising a pair of stock rails and a pair of switch rails located between the stock rails and movable simultaneously by an actuator arrangement, each switch rail being movable transversely between a closed position in contact with one of the stock rails and an open position spaced from said one of the stock rails, wherein the safety lock apparatus comprises:
  • a blocking member connected in use to the actuator arrangement and movable by the actuator arrangement between an active position in which the blocking member is positioned in a gap between an open switch rail and an adjacent stock rail and an inactive position in which the blocking member is positioned outside the gap.
  • a railway points arrangement comprising:
  • a method for preventing transverse movement of a switch rail in a railway points arrangement comprising a pair of stock rails and a pair of switch rails located between the stock rails and movable simultaneously by an actuator arrangement, each switch rail being movable transversely between a closed position in contact with one of the stock rails and an open position spaced from said one of the stock rails, wherein the method comprises:
  • the actuator arrangement operates the actuator arrangement to move a blocking member connected to the actuator arrangement between an active position in which the blocking member is positioned in a gap between an open switch rail and an adjacent stock rail and an inactive position in which the blocking member is positioned outside the gap.
  • the blocking member When the blocking member is in the active position, it prevents transverse movement of the switch rail from the open position to the closed position.
  • the blocking member When the blocking member is in the inactive position, it permits transverse movement of the switch rail from the open position to the closed position.
  • the blocking member when in the active position, provides a physical barrier which ensures that an open switch rail cannot move transversely from the open position to the closed position.
  • the blocking member may be pivotally mounted at a position beneath the stock rail for rotational movement between the active and inactive positions.
  • the pivot axis may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stock rail.
  • the apparatus may comprise a mounting member which may be removably attached to the stock rail beneath the stock rail and the blocking member may be pivotally attached to the mounting member.
  • the mounting member enables the blocking member to be retrofitted with ease to the stock rail.
  • the apparatus may comprise an actuating member which may be pivotally connected to the blocking member and which may be driven in use by the actuator arrangement to rotate the blocking member between the active and inactive positions.
  • the actuator arrangement may comprise an actuator means and the actuating member may be connected to, and driven by, the actuator means.
  • the actuator means may be an actuator rod.
  • the safety lock apparatus can, thus, be easily retrofitted to a conventional points arrangement by connecting the actuating member to the actuator means, e.g. the actuator rod.
  • the actuator means may be movable in a transverse direction and may be arranged to move the actuating member in the transverse direction. The transverse movement of the actuating member rotates the blocking member between the active and inactive positions.
  • the blocking member may include a blocking arm which may be positioned in the gap between an open switch rail and an adjacent stock rail when the blocking member is in the active position and which may be positioned in use below the stock rail, outside the gap, when the blocking member is in the inactive position.
  • a first end of the blocking arm may contact part of the stock rail when the blocking member is in the active position and in normal operation of the points arrangement.
  • the first end of the blocking arm may, for example, contact the web of the stock rail. This can help to ensure that the blocking member is held securely in the active position.
  • a second end of the blocking arm may be spaced from the switch rail when the blocking member is in the active position and in normal operation of the points arrangement.
  • the second end of the blocking arm may, for example, be at the same height as, and spaced from, the base of the switch rail when the blocking member is in the active position.
  • the blocking arm may be substantially horizontal when the blocking member is in the active position. This provides an optimum physical barrier between an open switch rail and an adjacent stock rail.
  • the blocking arm may be substantially vertical when the blocking member is in the inactive position.
  • the safety lock apparatus may comprise first and second blocking members, the first blocking member being movable by the actuator arrangement between an active position in a gap between a first open switch rail and an adjacent first stock rail and an inactive position outside the gap, the second blocking member being movable by the actuator arrangement between an active position in a gap between a second open switch rail and an adjacent second stock rail and an inactive position outside the gap.
  • the first and second blocking members may be arranged so that when the first blocking member is in the active position, the second blocking member is in the inactive position, and so that when the first blocking member is in the inactive position, the second blocking member is in the active position.
  • this arrangement is suited to a conventional points arrangement which is arranged so that when the first switch rail is in the closed position, the second switch rail is in the open position (e.g. to select the straight route), and so that when the first switch rail is in the open position, the second switch rail is in the closed position (e.g. to select the turnout route). With such an arrangement, it is necessary that when one blocking member is in the active position, the other blocking member is in the inactive position.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a railway track junction and associated points arrangement which includes a safety lock apparatus according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the points arrangement of Figure 1 showing the detail of the safety lock apparatus with a first blocking member in an active position and a second blocking member in an inactive position;
  • Figures 3 to 5 are enlarged views showing the operation of the first blocking member in Figure 2 as it rotates from the active position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to the inactive position shown in Figure 5.
  • Figures 3 to 5 are enlarged views showing the operation of the first blocking member in Figure 2 as it rotates from the active position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to the inactive position shown in Figure 5.
  • the railway track junction 10 includes a points arrangement 16, also known as a railway track switch, which enables different routes, for example a straight route 12 and a turnout route 14, to be selected through the railway track junction 10 by allowing rolling stock to transfer between different railway tracks.
  • the points arrangement 16 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a traditional set of railway points in which movable switch rails 18, comprising first and second switch rails 18a, 18b, are located between stock rails 20.
  • the stock rails 20 are securely fixed to prevent movement and the free ends of the switch rails 18 slide transversely on suitable supports when commanded to move by an actuator arrangement 24 enabling either the straight route 12 or the turnout route 14 to be selected.
  • Each switch rail 18 is movable between an open position in which it is spaced from a corresponding stock rail 20 to allow the passage of a wheel flange and a closed position in which it is in contact with the stock rail 20.
  • the first switch rail 18a is in the open position and that the second switch rail 18b is in the closed position, thus enabling rolling stock to follow the turnout route 14.
  • the actuator arrangement 24 can be operated to move the switch rails 18 to an alternative configuration (not illustrated) in which the first switch rail 18a is in the closed position and the second switch rail 18b is in the open position, thus enabling rolling stock to follow the straight route 12.
  • the free ends of the switch rails 18 are linked via stretcher bars 22 spaced in the longitudinal direction of the rails and it will be understood that any suitable number of stretcher bars 22 can be used depending on the particular operational requirements.
  • the stretcher bars 22 perform an important function because they ensure that the free ends of the switch rails 18 move simultaneously, as a pair, when commanded to do so by the actuator arrangement 24 and that the switch rails 18 are held spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance.
  • the stretcher bars 22 hold the first switch rail 18a in the open position and under normal operating conditions prevent it from springing back towards the stock rail 20.
  • the points arrangement 16 includes a safety lock apparatus 30 which comprises first and second blocking members 32a, 32b which are pivotally mounted beneath the stock rails 20.
  • Each blocking member 32a, 32b is movable between an active position in which it is positioned in a gap between an open switch rail 18 and an adjacent stock rail 20 and an inactive position in which it is positioned outside the gap.
  • the first blocking member 32a is in the active position and acts as a physical barrier to prevent transverse movement of the first switch rail 18a from the open position to the closed position.
  • the second blocking member 32b is in the inactive position such that transverse movement of the second switch rail 18b has been possible from the open position to the closed position.
  • the actuating member 38 synchronises the rotational movement of the first and second blocking members 32a, 32b and moves them as a pair. It will, therefore, be apparent from Figure 2 that when the actuating member 38 moves transversely in the left hand direction viewed in Figure 2, the first blocking member 32a is rotated in the clockwise direction from the illustrated active position to the inactive position and that the second blocking member 32b is simultaneously rotated in the clockwise direction from the illustrated inactive position to the active position.
  • the first and second actuating arms 38a, 38b forming the actuating member 38 are connected to the actuator rod 28 by a coupling member 40 at the pivotal connection 38c.
  • each blocking member 32a, 32b includes a blocking arm 42 which is located in the gap between an open switch rail 18 and an adjacent stock rail 20 when the blocking member 32a, 32b is in the active position.
  • the blocking arm 42 adopts a substantially horizontal orientation when the first blocking member 32a (or the second blocking member 32b) is in the active position. Conversely, and as is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 5, the blocking arm 42 adopts a substantially vertical orientation beneath the stock rail 20 when the first blocking member 32a ( Figure 5) or the second blocking member 32b ( Figure 2) is in the inactive position.
  • a first end of the blocking arm 42 contacts the web 20a of the adjacent stock rail 20. This ensures that the blocking member 32a, 32b is held securely in the active position and eliminates any rotational play in the drive system.
  • a second end of the blocking arm 42 is spaced by a small distance from the base of the switch rail 18a, 18b thus ensuring that the switch rail 18a, 18b is unloaded under normal operating conditions.
  • the points arrangement 16 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is in a configuration in which the switch rails 18 are set to select the turnout route 14.
  • the actuator drive 26 is commanded by the signalling system to transversely displace the actuator rod 28 in the left hand direction viewed in Figure 2 to move the switch rails 18 transversely so that the first switch rail 18a is moved from the open position shown in Figures 1 to 3 to the closed position shown in Figure 5 and so that the second switch rail 18b is moved from the closed position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to the open position (not shown).
  • the blocking arms 42 of the first and second blocking members 32a, 32b are unloaded.
  • the stretcher bars 22 fail when the points arrangement 16 is in the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first switch rail 18a will have a tendency to spring back towards the adjacent stock rail 20 due to the inherent stiffness of the switch rail 18a.
  • the base of the first switch rail 18a will come into contact with the second end of the blocking arm 42 and, thus, the blocking arm 42 will act as a physical barrier preventing transverse movement of the first switch rail 18a from the open position to the closed position and, thus, preventing the points arrangement 16 from adopting an unsafe configuration in which both the first and second switch rails 18a, 18b are in the closed position in contact with their respective stock rails 20.
  • the points arrangement 16 would be jammed and inoperative, and a failure signal would be communicated via the actuator drive 26 to the signalling system as part of the existing obstacle detection system, thereby enabling the defective points arrangement 16 to be identified and remedial action to be taken.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de verrou de sécurité (30) permettant un agencement de points de chemin de fer (16), qui comprend une paire de contre-aiguilles (20) et une paire de lames d'aiguille (18a, 18b) situées entre les contre-aiguilles (20) et mobiles simultanément par un agencement d'actionneur (24). Chaque lame d'aiguille (18a, 18b) est mobile transversalement entre une position fermée en contact avec l'une des contre-aiguilles (20) et une position ouverte espacée de la contre-aiguille (20). L'appareil de verrou de sécurité (30) comprend un élément de blocage (32a, 32b) qui est relié à l'agencement d'actionneur (24) et mobile par l'agencement d'actionneur (24) entre une position active (24), dans laquelle l'élément de blocage (32a, 32b) est positionné dans un espace entre une lame d'aiguille ouverte (18a, 8b) et une contre-aiguille adjacente (20), et une position inactive dans laquelle l'élément de blocage (32a, 32b) est positionné à l'extérieur de l'espace. Lorsque l'élément de blocage (32a, 32b) est dans la position active, il empêche un mouvement transversal de la lame d'aiguille (18a, 18b) de la position ouverte à la position fermée. Lorsque l'élément de blocage (32a, 32b) est dans la position inactive, il permet un mouvement transversal de la lame d'aiguille (18a, 18b) de la position ouverte à la position fermée.
PCT/GB2016/051616 2015-06-04 2016-06-02 Appareil de verrou de sécurité permettant un agencement de points de chemin de fer Ceased WO2016193726A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1509669.6A GB2531624B (en) 2015-06-04 2015-06-04 Safety lock apparatus for a railway points arrangement
GB1509669.6 2015-06-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016193726A1 true WO2016193726A1 (fr) 2016-12-08

Family

ID=53784917

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2016/051616 Ceased WO2016193726A1 (fr) 2015-06-04 2016-06-02 Appareil de verrou de sécurité permettant un agencement de points de chemin de fer

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2531624B (fr)
WO (1) WO2016193726A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4301647A4 (fr) * 2021-03-05 2025-02-19 American Solar Rail, LLC Système de transport ferroviaire

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US463074A (en) * 1891-11-10 Foot-guard for switches
DE7403608U (fr) * 1974-05-16 Wengeler F Kg
EP1762454A1 (fr) * 2005-09-13 2007-03-14 Schwihag Gesellschaft für Eisenbahnoberbau mbH Dispositif dans un système de manoeuvre d'aiguilles pour le verrouillage d'une lame d'aiguillage
EP2165914A1 (fr) * 2008-09-22 2010-03-24 Vae Eisenbahnsysteme Gmbh Verrou d'aiguillage pour sécuriser la position d'un aiguillage de rails
DE102012218557B3 (de) * 2012-10-11 2014-03-13 Upz Sitech Gmbh Weichenhandverschluss

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US618536A (en) * 1899-01-31 Third to george e

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US463074A (en) * 1891-11-10 Foot-guard for switches
DE7403608U (fr) * 1974-05-16 Wengeler F Kg
EP1762454A1 (fr) * 2005-09-13 2007-03-14 Schwihag Gesellschaft für Eisenbahnoberbau mbH Dispositif dans un système de manoeuvre d'aiguilles pour le verrouillage d'une lame d'aiguillage
EP2165914A1 (fr) * 2008-09-22 2010-03-24 Vae Eisenbahnsysteme Gmbh Verrou d'aiguillage pour sécuriser la position d'un aiguillage de rails
DE102012218557B3 (de) * 2012-10-11 2014-03-13 Upz Sitech Gmbh Weichenhandverschluss

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2531624B (en) 2016-09-14
GB2531624A (en) 2016-04-27
GB201509669D0 (en) 2015-07-22

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