EP0360950B1 - Continuous-motion (non-stop) track-tamping, levelling and lining machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A continuously advancing machine for track leveling, lining and tamping comprises a main frame, a single undercarriage supporting the main frame and the main frame having a portion projecting in the track direction from the single undercarriage, a drive connected to the single undercarriage for continuously advancing the main frame in an operating direction, a brake connected to the single undercarriage for stopping the advancing main frame, and an operator's cab, a control arrangement and a power plant mounted on the continuously advancing main frame. The machine further comprises a tool-carrying frame, an undercarriage supporting the tool-carrying frame on the track, the tool-carrying frame supporting undercarriage being widely spaced from the main frame supporting undercarriage and the projecting main frame portion being longitudinally displaceably supported on the tool-carrying frame, a drive for intermittently advancing the tool-carrying frame, tie tamping and track position correcting tools mounted on the tool-carrying frame within sight of the operator's cab, the tools including drives for operating the tools and the drives being actuated by the control arrangement, and a track position reference system connected to the control arrangement for actuating the drives of the track position correcting tools in response to the track position detected by the reference system.

Description

The invention relates to a continuously (non-stop) movable and supported on rail trolleys track tamping, leveling and straightening machine, with a main frame supporting the operator cabin for the working tools and the drive, braking, energy supply and control devices, the at least a - equipped with a travel drive and a brake arrangement - rail undercarriage and a longitudinally adjustable connected to the main frame and at least one rail undercarriage having tool frame on which the between two widely spaced undercarriages and in the immediate field of vision of tamping, lifting and straightening units, together with their drives, are arranged with the main frame or provided with this continuously movable operator cabin, as well as with a device for a common step-by-step feed of these units and a leveling and straightening reference assigned to the unit tools system arrangement.

It is known - according to AT-PS 378387 by the same applicant or patent owner - for the first time developed and built continuously (non-stop) movable track tamping, leveling and straightening machine, which has already proven itself in use. This continuously displaceable track tamping, leveling and straightening machine - for example according to FIGS. 3 to 5 - has a chassis which is supported on two mutually spaced undercarriages, one of which is connected to the travel drive, the main drive, braking and energy supply and control devices carrying main frame and a tool frame located between the two chassis. This is supported at one end from and on a track designed as a pair of support and guide wheels on the track is articulated with its other end to the main frame on all sides and is connected to track tamping units including height adjustment and vibration as well as auxiliary drives and a track lifting and straightening unit including drives. The work units thus form a work unit that can be moved longitudinally together with the tool frame. This tamping machine is equipped with a device designed as a hydraulic cylinder-piston drive for a common, step-by-step feed of this work unit or the tool frame. A leveling and directional reference system arrangement is assigned to the tools for precise track position correction. Since the tool frame equipped with the tamping, lifting and straightening units is supported with its rear end adjacent to the tamping unit via a pair of support and guide wheels on the track, a considerable proportion of the weight and manpower of the tamping, lifting and Transfer straightening units to the track via the pair of support and guide wheels while driving. As a result, the main frame of the tamping machine, which moves continuously forward compared to the step-by-step tool frame, is subject to significantly lower static and dynamic loads. Furthermore, since the shocks and vibrations, in particular, are also kept away from an operator's cab of the tamping machine connected to the continuously movable main frame, considerably improved working conditions can be achieved for the operator. With this machine concept, this new tamping technology was put into practice for the first time with a continuous (non-stop) work approach and a cyclic tamping of the track.

A continuously (non-stop) movable track tamping, leveling and straightening machine of the type described at the outset, which is supported on rail running gear, is known - according to AT-PS 379835, a further development of the same Applicant or patent holder. This version differs from the version described in AT-PS 378387 essentially in that the step-by-step tool frame, for example according to FIG. 1, has a support and guide undercarriage, which, like the undercarriage of the main frame is equipped with its own drive and brake arrangement. These serve as a device for a common step-by-step feed of the working units. According to another exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 or 4, the step-by-step tool frame carrying the work units is also supported on two rail carriages which are arranged relatively far apart from one another to form a subsidiary vehicle. The tamping, lifting and straightening units are also arranged on the tool frame in the immediate field of view of an operator's cabin connected to the main frame or continuously movable together with it - in the working direction in front of this. In addition, for the gradual advancement of the tool frame, the latter is articulated to the main frame by means of a hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement which is also effective as a blocking device. This further machine development has already proven itself in practice. In particular, an even better and trouble-free relative displacement between the main frame and the tool frame was achieved by the travel drive and the brake arrangement of the tool frame chassis.

According to AT-PS 380280 by the same applicant or patent owner, it is also known a further continuously (non-stop) track-moving machine for stuffing the transverse sleepers of a track. According to FIGS. 8 and 9, this has a continuously movable main frame supported on two trolleys, which with a tool frame supported on two trolleys for the height-adjustable tamping and lifting straightening unit is articulated. For the longitudinal displacement of this tool frame relative to the main frame, a hydraulic cylinder and a travel drive connected to a chassis are provided, whereby the tool frame with the tamping unit gradually from threshold to threshold and the machine or the main frame continuously (non stop) is movable. Between the two trolleys of the main frame there is a height-adjustable track stabilization device with stabilization tools that can be actuated by vibration drives and pivoted sideways by drives, as well as its own leveling reference system, so that after the track has been stuffed in - as part of the continuous machine approach - to anticipate the initial settling of the track under the load of the train traffic or to increase the lateral displacement resistance of the sleepers compared to the bedding.

It is also known - according to CH-PS 648621 - a step-by-step track tamping machine with tamping, lifting and straightening units located between two rail carriages arranged on the end of a machine frame. From two cabs arranged at the end of the machine, the front cab connected to a work cabin in the working direction is mounted on the machine frame so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the machine and is connected to a hydraulic cylinder. When working with a step-by-step approach of the entire machine from threshold to threshold, the work and driving cabin should be continuously moved while the threshold is tamped when the machine is at a standstill. During a work advance of the machine to the next darning point, a relative shift of the work and driving cabin against the machine's right of way should take place, whereby the displacement path over a height-adjustable measuring wheel is measured. The purpose of this relatively large design effort is to enable the operator to have an even, continuous work route. However, it is particularly disadvantageous that the entire machine - without the relatively light cabin - still has to be moved step by step from tamping to tamping point with great energy and braking effort - with starting and braking at each threshold - so that alone Tamping performance with such a machine is in no way improved in comparison to a tamping machine which can be moved step by step together with the operator's cabin. The proposal to design this control and control cabin, which can be moved relatively to the machine, is also freely movable in the transverse direction relative to the machine frame or to be guided on the rails by means of flanged wheels, one of which can be driven by a motor, with this arrangement bring, since the entire drives are still provided in their own drive compartment - which moves up gradually. This machine has therefore not yet been built for practical use.

Finally, according to AT-PS 350612 by the same applicant or patent owner, a step-by-step track tamping machine with height-adjustable working units located between two running gears, each arranged on the end of a main frame, is known. This main frame is preceded by an additional frame in the working direction, which is connected to the main frame for longitudinal displacement via a hydraulic drive and can be supported on the track via a running gear arranged in the front end region. Between this chassis and the hydraulic drive for longitudinal displacement, a height-adjustable sheet plow is connected to the additional frame. While working as a tamping machine trained main frame for stuffing the track is gradually moved forward, with the help of the hydraulic cylinder, a corresponding relative displacement of the additional frame, so that it is continuously moved for a uniform use of the ballast plow. With such a track tamping machine, a uniform ballast of the track can be achieved for improved tamping, but an increase in tamping performance is not possible compared to machines with gradual work approach - which only straighten, level and support the track.

The object of the present invention is now to provide a continuously (non-stop) movable track tamping, leveling and straightening machine of the type described at the outset, which has a simpler structure but improves in terms of tamping performance compared to step-wise advancing track tamping, leveling and straightening machines is.

This object is achieved in that, in the case of a machine of the type described at the outset, the main frame connected to the operator's cab and which can be moved continuously, protrudes in the machine longitudinal direction from a chassis adjacent to the rail frame of the tool frame and with this projecting frame part on the step-by-step movement Tool frame is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable or is supported by it, the continuously movable main frame having only a single undercarriage which is equipped with a travel drive and a brake arrangement. As a result of this special arrangement or design of the two frames which are longitudinally displaceable relative to one another and only of a single running gear, a construction which is structurally simpler in construction is continuous overall movable track tamping machine achievable. This simplification of the tamping machine also results in a relatively weaker frame design of the main frame which is possible due to the one-sided support, in addition to the saving of a second undercarriage for the latter. As a result of the end support of the main frame on the tool frame, it can also be pressed more strongly onto the track, whereby a possible lifting of the tool frame - when the tamping tools are immersed in hard, encrusted ballast - can be avoided. With the longitudinally displaceable support of the main frame, it can advantageously be moved continuously at least with a large part of the machine mass or machine weight and in particular with the operating cabin, so that the energy and braking effort in comparison to conventionally designed, step-by-step tamping machines can also be moved a machine designed according to the invention is reduced and the operator is not constantly exposed to changing acceleration and deceleration forces. With the tool frame, which is longitudinally displaceable relative to the main frame, only a relatively small proportion of the machine weight has to be accelerated step by step from tamping to tamping point and braked again. A main frame which has only a single running gear can also be constructed in a particularly simple manner in terms of construction, with a safe, continuous work approach being ensured by means of its own drive and braking arrangement.

Another advantageous simple embodiment of the invention is that both frames, both the continuously movable main frame and the step-by-step tool frame are designed in the machine longitudinal direction and with their respective projecting frame part on the other frame - on the main -Frame and longitudinal provided on the tool frame Roller bearings and guides - are adjustable or supported by them. Such a design allows with two simpler frames in addition to an even simpler overall structure, a relatively wide distance between the two bogies, within which the tamping, lifting and straightening units are arranged, so that even with strongly nested projecting frame parts for the continuous track lifting - and also during the side straightening process - a sufficiently long rail bending line can be achieved for a safe correction of the track position.

According to a particularly simple and advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that both the continuously movable main frame and the projecting frame part, which carries the tamping, lifting and straightening units, are connected to this longitudinally displaceably connected tool frame by only one single Has undercarriage which is equipped with a travel drive and a brake arrangement, the travel drive of the tool-frame single running gear preferably being designed as a device for the common stepwise advancement of the units. Even with this simplest design it is ensured that the main frame can be moved with its own drive in a smooth, continuous work approach by the own drive and the own brake arrangement of the single chassis connected to the tool frame, while also avoiding less impact effects.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protruding part of the tool frame extends below the operator's cabin arranged in the immediate field of vision and in the working direction or in front of the units on the main frame or up to the area in the working direction before or after the individual chassis of the Main frame, preferably the projecting frame part of the main frame supported on its individual chassis, which is preferably designed as a bogie chassis, at least as far as the tool frame supporting and preferably also designed as a bogie chassis and with a chassis Drive and a brake arrangement equipped single chassis is sufficient and is supported in this area by means of rollers and roller bearings or guides on the tool frame. By supporting the main frame above the single running gear assigned to the tool frame, this is subjected to lower bending stresses or, as a result, a frequently desired higher load on the track already stuffed can be achieved at this point immediately after the tamping unit. Furthermore, such a relatively simple arrangement of the main frame, which completely bridges the tool frame and yet is robust, provides the possibility of incorporating a two-sleeper tamping unit for simultaneous tamping of two adjacent sleepers.

Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the projecting frame part of the tool frame, which is supported on a single chassis equipped with a drive drive and brake arrangement, is mounted or guided on the main frame in the region above the single chassis connected to it and is longitudinally displaceable and the projecting frame part of the main frame with its end connected to the operator cabin on the projecting frame part of the tool frame between the two individual trolleys is mounted or guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner. In this embodiment too, the support of the tool frame end on the main frame above the individual chassis assigned to the main frame creates a very robust construction, which also withstands higher loads and allows the arrangement of stronger or heavy tamping unit constructions or a two-sleeper tamping unit for simultaneous tamping of two neighboring sleepers.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual undercarriage provided with the travel drive and the brake arrangement is arranged in front of the work units arranged on the tool frame in order to support the continuously movable main frame in the working direction. This pre-order of the single chassis connected to the main frame with driving drive and brake arrangement has, in addition to the advantageous possibility of controlling and monitoring the working units, from a location in front of these units in the working direction also the advantage that in particular those for the side straightening reaction forces required for the track straightening can be transferred from the displaceable mounting of the tool frame to the main frame and can also be safely accommodated by the running gear guide.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the continuously movable main frame with its projecting frame part is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable on a step-by-step tool frame, which is supported on two spaced-apart undercarriages, one of which is the subordinate chassis in the working direction for common, gradual feed of the tamping, lifting and straightening units is equipped with a travel drive and a brake arrangement, preferably the end of the projecting frame part of the main frame connected to the operator cabin in the working direction in front of this subordinate chassis or on front end area of the tool frame is guided or supported in a longitudinally displaceable manner. This frame combination enables a particularly short and simple, yet robust design of the main frame, which can be supported in a simple manner by supporting the tool frame on both sides on its own undercarriages, even while avoiding bending loads on the tool frame for longitudinal displacement. The operator's cab located in the protruding frame part of the main frame enables the operator to work comfortably and continuously while maintaining unrestricted view of the tamping units, with the simplest and most practical arrangement of all drive, brake, power supply and control devices on the main frame.

A very expedient embodiment of the invention is that the operator cabin arranged on the main frame, which can be moved continuously with a single running gear, in the working direction immediately before or after the tamping, lifting and straightening units in the immediate field of vision above the working tools and between two machine end sides , in particular provided for transfer cabins. The invention thus enables for the first time the approximately central arrangement of the operator's cab either in front of or after the units, with the operator with his back in the direction of travel being able to control or observe the tools of these units when arranged in the working direction in front of the units.

The tamping unit arranged between two - for a sufficiently large lifting and straightening path spaced far apart - chassis on the tool frame and the lifting-straightening unit are according to an expedient and advantageous embodiment of the invention in this order directly in the working direction before - arranged with its own travel drive and its own brake assembly chassis of the tool frame. Such a sequence of the work units and the undercarriage with its own travel drive connected to the tool frame, in addition to the technologically correct order, enables an unimpeded or particularly free view of the operator in the work cabin to the work units.

Another expedient development of the invention is that between the single chassis of the main frame and the one or more provided with a travel drive and a brake arrangement and downstream in the working direction of the tool frame on the main frame one with all drives provided plow arrangement is provided. With this advantageous, simplest combination or design, continuous and even ballasting of the track can be carried out using the continuous working right of way of the main frame with its own drive system to achieve even tamping by the immediately following tamping units arranged on the tool frame.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the single undercarriage for supporting the continuously movable main frame in the working direction is arranged after the tamping, lifting and straightening units of the tool frame, which is supported by two widely spaced undercarriages and can be moved step by step, whereby this is connected to the operator's cabin End of the protruding main frame part on the tool frame in the area above the rear chassis of the same is mounted or guided longitudinally. Such training with a "subordinate" arrangement of Main frame in relation to the tool frame enables the operator to directly observe the working units located on the tool frame in the working direction in the previously known advantageous manner, with the upstream track area also being easier to control at regular intervals. The arrangement of two carriages spaced far apart from one another on the tool frame relieves the main frame of the weight of the tool frame connected to the work units.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, on the main frame - between the single undercarriage and the rear undercarriage of the tool frame provided with the drive mechanism and the brake arrangement - there is at least one height-adjustable via a drive and with all the tool drives and a reference system equipped track stabilizer. With this special design of a combination of the two different tool assemblies, the completely different working methods (continuous or cyclical) with respect to the necessary work priority of the track stabilization and the track tamping are advantageously used on a single one, taking advantage of the advantages of the inventive continuously movable tamping machine , so in the construction simplified machine can be implemented or carried out. This combination of a continuously movable track tamping machine with a stabilizer with the simplest basic structure in connection with the projecting frame part of the main frame represents a particularly economical construction solution.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that the main frame equipped with the single running gear has an end at each end Operator or driver's cabin is connected and is formed on its projecting frame part, which has the longitudinal roller bearings or guides, with a flanged wheel support that can be swiveled in and out via a drive. This design enables the main frame to be uncoupled from the tool frame on the track in a quick and simple manner. Furthermore, the tool frame can also be used alone for smaller tamping work after uncoupling. There is also the option of combining the main frame with another tool frame for a special, different job.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that between the main frame, which can be moved continuously by the drive drive of its individual running gear, and the tool frame which can be moved step by step by the driving drive of its running gear, a blocking which can be operated manually or remotely can be operated -Device for common movement on the track, in particular when transferring, is provided. This blocking device enables a quick, positive connection of the two frames to one another, so that the tamping machine formed by the two mutually displaceable frames can be moved easily and quickly for transfer trips and can also be incorporated into a train set.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, in addition to the device formed by the driver's own drive and brake arrangement on the chassis of the tool frame for the gradual advance of the work units, one is articulated on the tool frame and on the main frame and as Blocking device acting - hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement provided, preferably together with this Device can be automatically controlled via the control device provided on the main frame, in particular also temporarily. With the help of a hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement that also acts as a blocking device, the tool frame can be accelerated or braked even more quickly in connection with the drive and the brake arrangement in order to achieve an increased tamping performance. The blocking position itself can preferably take place in any position of the two mutually displaceable frames.

Finally, it is provided according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention that the brake arrangement and the drive drive of the chassis of the tool frame, depending on the working cycle, in particular the lifting and lowering process of the tamping unit, via switching sensors arranged thereon and preferably interacting with delay elements or Limit switches or, depending on the step-by-step feed movement, via a distance measuring wheel device arranged on the tool frame and / or on the main frame - can be controlled automatically by the control device. This training is particularly advantageous in the case of such continuously movable track tamping machines, since the time required for the actual working movements, for example the auxiliary movements or the lifting and lowering of the tamping tools, can be set to a maximum extent if these movements are carried out quickly and precisely. Such an automated step-by-step approach to work of the tool frame with the work units, with the elimination of errors caused by the operator's fatigue, always achieves a uniformly high tamping output even after a long period of use. Furthermore, an exact and automatic forward movement of the tool frame is by the Wegmeßrad device Tamping to tamping point can be achieved, in particular on new tracks with uniform threshold distances, which means that the tamping performance is always consistently high even when the machine is in use for a long time.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten kontinuierlich verfahrbaren Gleisstopf-, Nivellier- und Richtmaschine ― bei welcher der vorragende Haupt-Rahmen-Teil oberhalb eines Einzel-Fahrwerkes eines die Stopf- und Gleishebe-Richtaggregate tragenden, schrittweise verfahrbaren Werkzeug-Rahmens längsverschiebbar gelagert ist,
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Stopfmaschine,
• Fig. 3 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten, kontinuierlich verfahrbaren Gleisstopf-Maschine, wobei der Werkzeug-Rahmen auf zwei Fahrwerken abgestützt ist,
• Fig. 4 ein anderes vorteilhaftes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Gleisstopf-Maschine nach der Erfindung, bei welcher der vorragende Rahmen-Teil eines mit dem Einzel-Fahrwerk versehenen Werkzeug-Rahmens im wesentlichen oberhalb des Einzel-Fahrwerkes vom Haupt-Rahmen längsverschiebbar gelagert ist,
• Fig. 5 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten, kontinuierlich verfahrbaren Gleisstopf-Maschine ― mit einem am Haupt-Rahmen angeordneten Gleisstabilisator und
• Fig. 6 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Gleisstopf-Maschine ― bei welcher der kontinuierlich verfahrbare und auf dem Werkzeug-Rahmen längsverschieb- und abstützbare Haupt-Rahmen mit einer höhenverstellbaren Pflug-Anordnung verbunden ist.

Show it:

• Fig. 1 is a side view of a continuously movable track tamping, leveling and straightening machine designed according to the invention - in which the projecting main frame part above a single chassis of a step-and-move tool frame carrying the tamping and track lifting straightening units is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable ,
• 2 is a schematic plan view of the tamping machine shown in FIG. 1,
• 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a continuously movable track tamping machine designed according to the invention, the tool frame being supported on two undercarriages,
• 4 shows another advantageous exemplary embodiment of a track tamping machine according to the invention, in which the projecting frame part of a tool frame provided with the single running gear is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable substantially above the single running gear,
• Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a continuously movable track tamping machine designed according to the invention - with a track stabilizer and arranged on the main frame
• Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a track tamping machine designed according to the invention - in which the continuously movable and longitudinally displaceable and supportable main frame on the tool frame is connected to a height-adjustable plow arrangement.

A track tamping, leveling and straightening machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 consists of an elongated, upwardly cranked main frame 2 and a tool frame 3 arranged within the cranked section. The main frame 2 has two longitudinal ends at each a driving or working cabin 4 and in the area of the tool frame additionally an operator cabin 5 and an energy supply device 6 and is only connected to a single chassis 7. This has a travel drive 9 and a brake arrangement 10 for a continuous work advance of the main frame 2 in the working direction shown by an arrow 8. The tool frame 3 can be moved via a single running gear 13 connected to a travel drive 11 and a brake arrangement 12 on a track formed by rails and sleepers and with its front end in the working direction can be moved longitudinally on two roller guides 14 connected to the main frame 2 as well articulated. The continuously movable main frame 2 protrudes beyond its chassis 7, which is adjacent to the chassis 13 of the tool frame 3, and is mounted on the step-by-step tool frame 3 so as to be longitudinally displaceable or supported by the latter. This longitudinal displacement takes place by means of a roller bearing 15 connected to the main frame 2, the rollers 16 of which have axes of rotation running transversely to the machine longitudinal direction in a longitudinal guide 17 connected to the tool frame 3 Support of the projecting frame part 18 of the main frame 2 are guided or supported.

Arranged in a projecting frame part 18a of the tool frame 3 is a tamping unit 19 which is height-adjustable via drives, can be provided and vibrated with tamping tools, and a lifting and straightening unit 20 which is height-adjustable and laterally adjustable via drives. Between the main frame 2, which can be moved continuously by the travel drive 9 of its individual running gear 7, and the tool frame 3, which can be moved step by step by the driving drive 11 of its single running gear 13, a blocking device 21 is provided for the common movement during transfer trips. This consists of a holder 22 connected to the main frame 2, in which a plug-in bolt 23 is mounted so as to be adjustable in height. The tool frame 3 has a bore in the area of the roller guide 14 for receiving the bolt 23. All drives of the track tamping machine 1, which can be moved on a track 24 formed from cross sleepers and rails, can be controlled from a central control device 25 located in the operator cabin 5. A leveling and directional reference system arrangement 26 is provided for determining the track position errors. In addition to the device for the gradual advancement of the working units 19, 20 formed by the own drive mechanism 11 and the own brake arrangement 12 on the chassis 13 of the tool frame 3, a hydraulic cylinder articulated on the tool frame 3 and on the main frame 2 Piston arrangement 27 is provided. Small arrows indicate the step-by-step approach of the tool frame 3 together with the tamping and track lifting straightening unit 19, 20 from tamping to tamping point.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, there are two in the roller bearing 15 connected to the main frame 2 Rollers 16 spaced apart in the transverse direction are supported. These are each guided by a separate longitudinal guide 17 in the machine longitudinal direction. In the area of the frame part 18a projecting over the individual running gear 13, the tool frame 3 is formed from two supports 28 which run parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the machine and which each have a bore in the area of the blocking device 21 for receiving the bolt 23. The operator cabin 5 is arranged essentially above between the two carriers 28 on the main frame 2 for direct observation and control of the work tools or the units 19 and 20, so that an unimpeded relative displacement of the tool frame 3 with respect to the main frame 2 is feasible.

When working the track tamping machine 1 in the working direction shown by the arrow 8, the main frame 2, together with the driving or working and operating cabins 4, 5 and the energy supply device 6 connected to it, is moved continuously (non-stop) on the track 24, by using the control device 25 to set the travel drive 9 of the individual running gear 7 into operation. Parallel to or simultaneously with this continuous work approach of the main frame 2, the tool frame 3 is moved step by step from the darning to darning point according to the arrow. For this purpose, after the tamping process has ended and the tamping unit 19 has been lifted, the travel drive 11 assigned to the individual undercarriage 13 of the tool frame 3 is put into operation with the aid of the central control device 25. As a result, with continuous uninterrupted work advance of the main frame 2, the tool frame 3 moves rapidly into its foremost working position, indicated by dash-dotted lines. In this the tamping unit 19 is above the next threshold in the working direction, which then is immediately supported by lowering the tamping unit 19. During the rapid work advance of the tool frame 3 and the subsequent braking by the brake arrangement 12, there is a rolling or a longitudinal displacement of the rollers 16 along the two longitudinal guides 17. Because the two rollers 16 in the recessed longitudinal guide 17th roll, there is an exact lateral guidance at the same time as the longitudinal displacement. After completion of the work, the bolt 23 of the blocking device 21 is inserted into the bore of the tool frame 3, so that the two frames 2, 3 are fixed immovably to one another for the transfer travel. The roller guide 14 can be mounted on the main frame 2 in a cross-adjustable manner by means of remotely actuatable drives, so that a better centering of the working units 19, 20 above the track 24 is possible when working in bends.

A track tamping machine 29 shown in FIG. 3 consists of a relatively short main frame 33 connected to operator and driving cabins 30, 31 and an energy supply device 32 and an elongated tool frame 36 connected to tamping units 34 and a track lifting straightening unit 35. The front end region of the main frame 33 with respect to the working direction represented by an arrow 37 is supported by a single running gear 38 on a track 41 formed from sleepers 39 and rails 40. This single undercarriage 38 is connected to a travel drive 42 and a brake arrangement 43. The continuously movable main frame 33, which is supported only on a single running gear 38, is mounted with a projecting frame part 44 on the tool frame 36, which can be moved in steps and is supported on two spaced-apart running gears 45, 46. Of these two trolleys 45, 46 of the tool frame 36 is the rear one Chassis 46 for the common stepwise advancement of the tamping and lifting straightening units 34, 35 is equipped with a travel drive 47 and a brake arrangement 48. The main frame 33 is supported with its frame part 44 projecting over the running gear 38 via a roller guide 49 connected to the main frame 33 and a roller 50 on the front part of the step-by-step tool frame 36. A longitudinal guide 51 is provided on the tool frame 36 for the longitudinal displacement of the rollers 50. The tamping unit 34, which is connected to the tool frame 36 and can be provided and vibrated with respect to one another and has vibrations, is designed to be height-adjustable via a drive 53. The lifting-straightening unit 35 which can be placed on the rails 40 and has lifting tools is connected to the tool frame 36 via height and straightening drives 54. A driver's cabin 55 and a cover 56, which rests on the operator's cabin 30 for longitudinal displacement, are also connected to this in the rear end region. The track tamping machine 29 is equipped with a leveling and directional reference system arrangement 57 for the track position correction. All drives on the two frames 33, 36 can be controlled by a central control device 58 located in the operator cabin 30. The two frames 33, 36 can be positively connected to one another for a transfer travel by means of a blocking device, which is designed similarly to the blocking device 21 shown in FIG. 1.

During work, the operator is in the operator's cabin 30 and, with the help of the control device 58, puts the drive 42 into operation for a continuous (non-stop) work advance of the main frame 33 together with the cabins 30, 31 and the energy supply device 32. In parallel or at the same time, the drive 47 of the tool frame 36 connected undercarriage 46 is only put into operation until the tool frame 36 is moved from the rear end position shown in broken lines to the front end position shown in full lines (see arrows 59). After centering the tamping tools 52 over the sleepers 39 to be tamped, the two-sleeper tamping unit 34 is lowered to the tamping by acting on the drive 53. Appropriate loading of the lifting and straightening drives 54 of the lifting-straightening unit 35 results in a corresponding height and transverse displacement of the track 41 in accordance with the deviation from the desired track position determined by the leveling and straightening reference system arrangement 57 local stopping of the tool frame 36, the tamping process takes place as a result of the continuously continuously moving main frame 33, a longitudinal displacement of the rollers 50 connected to the roller guide 49 into the front end region of the longitudinal guide 51. The distance between the two undercarriages 38 and 45 also increases enlarged until after the tamping process and lifting of the tamping unit 34, the travel drive 47 is put into operation and thus the tool frame 36 is again moved quickly into the front end position shown in full lines.

4, continuously (non-stop) movable track tamping, leveling and straightening machine 60 consists of a main frame 61 with a single trolley 62 designed as a bogie and a tool frame 64 connected to a single trolley 63 The main frame 61 has a frame part 65 protruding beyond the running gear 62, which is connected to an energy supply device 66, an operator cabin 67 and a driving or working cabin 68. The The main frame 61 is U-shaped for receiving the front end region of the tool frame 64, the lower of the two legs or frame parts running parallel to one another having a longitudinal guide 69 for receiving a roller 70 and with the tool frame 64 connected roller bearing 71. The projecting frame part 65 of the main frame 61 is also connected to a roller bearing 73 having rollers 72. These rollers 72 are mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner in a longitudinal guide 74 connected to the tool frame 64. The single undercarriage 62, which is designed as a bogie and is connected to the main frame 61, has a travel drive 75 and a brake arrangement 76. A control device 77 located in the operator's cabin 67 is designed to control all drives located on the tamping machine 60.

In addition to the device 80 - formed by its own travel drive 78 and its own brake arrangement 79 on the undercarriage 63 of the tool frame 64 - for its gradual advancement, a hydraulic system which is articulated on the tool frame 64 and on the main frame 61 and acts as a blocking device 81 Cylinder-piston arrangement 82 is provided. In the working direction of the tamping machine 60, shown by an arrow 83, directly in front of the individual running gear 63, a tamping and lifting-straightening unit 84, 85 is connected to the tool frame 64 in a height-adjustable manner. The tamping unit 84, which has tamping tools 86 that can be provided and vibrated, is designed to be height-adjustable via a drive 87. For the height and side adjustment of the lifting-straightening unit 85 which can be placed on the rails with lifting rollers, lifting and side-straightening drives 88, 89 are provided on the tool frame 64. The brake arrangement 79 and the drive 78 of the chassis 63 connected to the tool frame 64 are dependent on the work cycle, in particular the lifting and lowering process of the tamping unit 84 - can be controlled automatically by the control device 77 via limit switches 90 connected to the tool frame 64 and delay elements interacting with them. In order to determine the height and lateral position errors of a track 93 formed from sleepers 91 and rails 92, a leveling and directional reference system arrangement 94 formed from tensioning wires and feeler rollers is provided, the feeler rollers 95 of which are height-adjustable mounted on the tool frame 64. The two limit switches 90 and the longitudinal guide 74 are arranged on a projecting frame part 96 of the tool frame 64.

In operation, the travel drive 75 is put into operation with the aid of the central control device 77 for a continuous forward movement of the main frame 61 together with the cabins 67, 68 and the energy supply device 66. At the same time, by alternately starting up the traction drive 78 or the brake arrangement 79, the tool frame 64 connected to the working units 84 and 85 is gradually advanced from tamping to tamping point according to the small arrows 97. During the lowering of the tamping unit 84 by starting up the Drive 87 for tamping the sleepers 91 located underneath it comes to a relative displacement with respect to the continuously advancing main frame 61 due to the standstill of the tool frame 64. This causes the rollers 70 and 72 to roll along the two longitudinal guides 69 and 74. The two limit switches 90 ensure that the longitudinal displacement of the rollers 70, 72 takes place only within the longitudinal guides 69 and 74. The hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 82 is used to support the gradual work advance of the tool frame 64 by the travel drive 78 or the brake arrangement 79. Through these are for a rapid advance of the tool frame 64 after the tamping has been carried out, the two frames 61 and 64 are moved rapidly to one another, and after reaching the front end position of the tool frame 64 (dash-dotted lines) by blocking the pressure medium supply, rapid braking to assist the brake arrangement 79 can also be achieved and in all of these operations, the operator's cab 67 connected to the main frame 61 always performs a smooth, quiet continuous (non-stop) forward movement.

A continuously (non-stop) movable tamping machine 98 shown in FIG. 5 consists of a tool frame 100 arranged upstream, with respect to the working direction shown by an arrow 99, and a subordinate main frame supported for longitudinal displacement on this 101. The tool frame 100, which is connected to a height-adjustable double tamping unit 102 and to a lifting and straightening unit 103 which is height and side-adjustable via drives, is supported by two trolleys 104, 105 arranged at the ends on a track formed by sleepers 106 and rails 107 from. Of these two undercarriages 104, 105, the rear one in the working direction is equipped with a travel drive 108 and a brake arrangement 109. The tamping unit 102, which is height-adjustable via a drive 110, has four tamping tools 111, which can be provided and vibrated via drives, on each longitudinal side of the rail, for simultaneous tamping of two adjacent sleepers 106. A dashboard 112 for transfer trips is indicated by dashed lines in the front end region of the tool frame 100. In addition to the device formed by the own drive 108 and the own brake arrangement 109 on the chassis 104 of the tool frame 100 113 for the gradual advancement of the working units 102, 103 is provided a hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 115 articulated on the tool frame 100 and on the main frame 101 and acting as a blocking device 114. This, together with the device 113 mentioned, can preferably be controlled automatically via the central control device 117 located in an operator's cab 116.

The main frame 101, which is connected to a driving or working cabin 118 and a power supply device 119, is supported in the rear end region by a single running gear 122 equipped with a travel drive 120 and a brake arrangement 121 on the track. With a frame part 123 protruding in the working direction over this undercarriage 122, the continuously movable main frame 101 is supported in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the step-by-step movable tool frame 100. This support takes place via a roller bearing 124 connected to the main frame 101, which can be unrolled in a longitudinal guide 126 with guide rollers 125 which is connected to the tool frame 100 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. Between the individual undercarriage 122 of the main frame 101 provided with the travel drive 120 and the brake arrangement 121 and the undercarriage 104 of the tool frame 100 provided with the travel drive 108 and the brake arrangement 109, a height-adjustable drive 127 is provided on the main frame 101. and track stabilizer 128 which can be pressed onto the track and is arranged with a vibration drive 129. The frame part 123 of the main frame 101, which is connected to the roller bearing 124 and projects beyond the chassis 122, is connected to a flanged wheel support 131 which can be swiveled in and out via a drive 130. For determining the height and lateral position errors of the track and for controlled lowering of the stuffed track A leveling and directional reference system arrangement 132 is provided for the track stabilizer 128. The brake arrangement 109 and the travel drive 108 of the undercarriage 104 of the tool frame 100 can be controlled automatically as a function of the step-by-step feed movement via a distance measuring wheel device 133. In the area of the tamping unit 102, an inductive sensor 134 which interacts with the rail fastening means or screws is provided and is connected to the control device 117 via a corresponding control line.

During work, the upstream tool frame 100 is moved step by step according to the arrows 135 shown, by briefly starting up the drive 108 and / or the hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 115, after which the brake arrangement 109 and the blocking of the hydraulic cylinder Piston arrangement 115 brought about stoppage of the tool frame 100, the tamping units 102 are lowered for simultaneous tamping of two adjacent sleepers. At the same time, the main frame 101 is moved continuously and continuously with the operator's cab 116 with the help of the travel drive 120, the stuffed track being lowered in a controlled manner with the help of the track stabilizer 128. Due to the continuous working approach of the main frame 101 on the one hand and the gradual working approach of the tool frame 100 on the other hand, there is a constant relative shift in the area of the longitudinal guide 126 which changes with respect to the working direction. Due to the fact that the longitudinal guide 126 is rotatably mounted on the tool frame 100 about a vertical axis, even narrow track bends can be easily driven on with the tamping machine 98. Since, as a result of the double tamping unit 102, the threshold division is twofold the work frame 100 can be moved forward accordingly, the main frame 101 together with the track stabilizer 128 can be moved continuously (non-stop) at increased speed. The step-by-step approach to work of the tool frame 100 can be controlled automatically either by the operator located in the operator's cab 116 or by the measuring wheel device 133. This gives each control unit of the feed path covered by the tool frame 100 a control pulse to the control device 117, which controls the pressure medium flow to the hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 115 accordingly, so that the tool frame 100 with the tamping units 102 until the end of the tamping process remains in place in the centering position of the threshold to be tamped. At the moment when the tamping units 102 are started up, the control device 117 reverses the hydraulic cylinder / piston arrangement 115 and / or the travel drive 108 accordingly, so that the tool frame 100 moves forward at high speed until the tamping units 102 move into the centering position regarding the next thresholds to be filled. When the tamping units 102 are lowered, the distance measuring wheel device 133 is simultaneously set to zero, whereupon a new working cycle begins. Precise centering of the tamping unit 102 over the two sleepers to be tamped can be achieved by the inductive transmitter 134 on the tool frame 100. For the transfer travel, the two frames 100, 101 are immovably blocked with the aid of the hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 115 and, if appropriate, by a further mechanical blocking device. By pivoting the flanged wheel support 131 onto the rails (dash-dotted lines), after the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 115 has been uncoupled from the main frame 101, the two frames 100, 101 are separated feasible, for example to use the tool frame 100 for smaller tamping inserts alone or to combine this with a differently equipped main frame.

A track tamping machine 136 shown in FIG. 6 and movable continuously (non-stop) consists of a main frame 139, which is supported on an individual running gear 138, and a subsequent, longitudinally displaceable with respect to the working direction shown by an arrow 137 arranged and supported on two spaced-apart undercarriages 140, 141 tool frame 142. The rear undercarriage 141 of the tool frame 142 is equipped with a travel drive 143 and a brake arrangement 144. A driving or working cabin 145 arranged in the rear end area is provided for transfer trips. Immediately in front of the undercarriage 141, a height-adjustable tamping unit 146, which can be provided and vibrated with tamping tools, and a lifting-straightening unit 147 connected to lifting and straightening drives are connected to the tool frame 142. In addition to a device 148 formed by the own travel drive 143 and the own brake arrangement 144 on the undercarriage 141 of the tool frame 142 for the gradual advancement of the work units, a hydraulic system is articulated on the tool frame 142 and on the main frame 139 and acts as a blocking device 149 Cylinder-piston arrangement 150 is provided. This can be automatically controlled together with the device 148 for the gradual advancement of the work units via the control device 152 provided on the main frame 139 in an operator's cabin 151. In addition to the operator cabin 151, the main frame 139 is connected to an energy supply device 153 and a driving cabin 154. Between the chassis 138 provided with a travel drive 155 and a brake arrangement 156 Main frame 139 and the chassis 140 of the tool frame 142, a height-adjustable plow arrangement 158 provided with drives 157 is provided on the main frame 139. Immediately behind this plow arrangement 158 is arranged a flange wheel support 160 which can be swiveled in and out like a trailer via a drive 159. The rear end region or protruding frame part of the main frame 139 is connected to a roller bearing 162 designed in the manner of a bogie and rotatably mounted about a vertical axis 161, with rollers 163 spaced apart from one another in the machine longitudinal direction and provided with wheel flanges. These rollers 163, which can be rotated about a horizontal axis and transverse to the machine longitudinal direction, can be rolled off in longitudinal guides 164 connected to the tool frame 142. To guide the rollers 163 in the longitudinal guide 164, side guide rollers 165 rotatable about a vertical axis are connected to the tool frame 142. At each longitudinal end region of the longitudinal guides 164 there are limit switches 166 connected to the control device 152, by means of which the maximum incremental relative displacement of the tool frame to the main frame 139 is limited. A distance measuring wheel device 167 and an inductive transmitter 168 are also connected to the central control device 152. The track tamping machine 136 which can be moved on a track formed by sleepers 169 and rails 170 - with the tool frame 142 and the main frame 139 and its projecting frame part 171 - for determining the height errors of the track is with a leveling and directional reference system - Arrangement 172 equipped.

When the track tamping machine 136 is being used, the main frame 139 together with the operator in the operator's cabin 151 is continuously moved in the direction of the arrow after the drive 155 has been started up 137 procedure. If necessary, the plow arrangement 158 can be lowered onto the track in order to evenly ballast it. Parallel to or simultaneously with this continuous work approach of the main frame 139, the tool frame 142 is moved step-by-step from tamping to tamping point by briefly starting up the travel drive 143 and the hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 150 (see small arrows). By blocking the pressure medium supply to the hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 149 and by applying the brake arrangement 144, the tool frame 142 for carrying out the tamping comes to a rapid standstill, the tamping tools of the tamping unit 146 being lowered into the threshold intermediate compartments. As a result of the stationary tool frame 142 and the continuously moving main frame 139, there is a relative displacement of the tool frame 142 from the front end position, shown with broken lines, to the rear end position, shown with full lines. The displacement takes place by rolling the rollers 163, which are designed as flanged wheels, in the longitudinal guides 164, wherein, as a result of the axis 161, the frames 139, 142 can be articulatedly adapted to track arches. After the tamping process has ended and the tamping unit 146 has been raised, the tool frame 142 together with the working units 146 and 147 is moved into the front end position (dash-dotted lines) in rapid motion to the front drive position and the hydraulic cylinder-piston arrangement 150, with the distance measuring wheel device 167 reset to zero, the distance covered is measured. After reaching the distance, entered into the control device 152 and corresponding to an average threshold division, for the step-by-step advance of the tool frame 142, the pressure medium supply for automatically the hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly 150 and the travel drive 143 stopped and the brake assembly 144 actuated. However, this step-by-step feed of the tool frame 142 can also be controlled manually by the operator using the control device 152. Should the relative displacement be too great due to the tool frame 142 being idle for too long or also due to the continuous work advance of the main frame 139 being too rapid, and thus the front limit switch 166 having been reached, the speed of the continuous work priority is reduced and / or or an immediate rapid advance of the tool frame 142 is initiated. If the rear limit switch 166 is actuated by opening the rear end region of the main frame 139, the speed of the continuously moving main frame 139 is automatically increased. The front feeler roll of the leveling and directional reference system arrangement 172, which can be rolled on the rails 170, is connected to the tool frame 142 in a height-adjustable manner and is passed through a slit-shaped opening in the main frame 139, so that the entire arrangement 172 can be carried out step by step with the tool -Frame 142 is movable. By pivoting the flanged wheel support 160 into the position shown with dash-dotted lines, the two frames 139, 142 are easier to separate from one another, the main frame 139, for example, having a tool frame having a two-sleeper tamping unit to achieve a higher tamping performance in the is connectable in the same way and the self-propelled tool frame 142 with its tamping, lifting and straightening unit 146, 147 can be used on another track with gradual approach.

Claims (16)

1. A continuously advancing (non-stop) track tamping, levelling and lining machine supported by on-track undercarriages and comprising a main frame, which supports the operator's cabin for the working tools and the drive, brake, power supply and control systems and which comprises a least one on-track undercarriage equipped with an axle drive and a brake arrangement, and a tool frame which is connected for longitudinal displacement to the main frame and comprises at least one on-track undercarriage and on which are arranged the tamping, lifting and lining units and their associated drives provided between two undercarriages spaced far apart from one another in the immediate view of the operator's cabin connected to and advancing continuously with the main frame; and further comprising a unit for the common step-by-step advance of these units and a levelling and lining reference system associated with the unit tools, characterized in that the main frame (2; 33; 61; 101; 139), which is connected to and advances continuously with the operator's cabin (5; 30; 67; 116; 151)) projects longitudinally of the machine through its undercarriage (7; 38; 62; 122; 138) adjacent an on-track undercarriage (13; 45; 63; 104; 141) of the tool frame (3; 36; 64; 100; 142) and, with this projecting frame section (18; 14; 65; 123; 171), is mounted or supported for longitudinal displacement on the tool frame (3; 36; 64; 100; 142) advancing in steps, the continuously advancing main frame (2; 33; 61; 101; 139) comprising only a single undercarriage (7; 38; 62; 122; 138) which is equipped with an axle drive (9; 42; 75; 120; 155) and a brake arrangement (10; 43; 76; 121; 156) (Figs. 1 to 6).

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that both frames (2, 3; 61, 64; 100, 101), namely the continuously advancing main frame (2;61;101) and the tool frame (3; 64; 100) advancing in steps, are designed to project longitudinally of the machine and, with their respective projecting frame sections (18, 18a; 65, 96; 123), are mounted or supported for longitudinal displacement on the other frame (2, 3; 61, 64; 100, 101) through longitudinal roller mountings or guides (15, 17; 71, 73, 69, 74; 124, 126) provided on the main frame (2; 61; 101) and on the tool frame (3; 64; 100) (Figs. 1, 4, 5).

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both the continuously advancing main frame (2; 61) and the tool frame (3; 64) which is connected for longitudinal displacement thereto through its projecting frame section (18a; 96) supporting the tamping, lifting and lining units (19, 20; 84, 85) comprise only a single undercarriage (7, 13; 62, 63) equipped with an axle drive (9, 11; 75, 78) and a brake arrangement (10, 12; 76, 79), the axle drive (11; 78) of the single tool frame undercarriage (13; 63) preferably being in the form of a unit for the common step-by-step advance of the units (Figs. 1, 4).

4. A machine as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the projecting part (18a) of the tool frame extends to beneath the operator's cabin (5; 116) arranged on the main frame in front of (in the working direction) and within immediate view of the units (19, 20; 102, 103) or into the region in front of or behind (in the working direction) the single undercarriage (7; 122) of the main frame (2; 101), the projecting part (18; 123) of the main frame (2; 101) supported by its single undercarriage (7; 122), preferably in the form of a bogie, preferably extending at least up to the single undercarriage (13; 104), again preferably a bogie, supporting the tool frame (3; 100) and equipped with is own axle drive (11; 108) and brake arrangement and being supported for longitudinal displacement on the tool frame (3; 100) in this region by rollers (16) and roller bearings or guides (17; 124; 126) (Figs. 1 and 5).

5. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projecting section of the tool frame (64) supported by a single undercarriage (63) equipped with an axle drive (78) and brake arrangement (79) is mounted or guided for longitudinal displacement on the main frame (61) above the single undercarriage (62) connected thereto while the projecting section (65) of the main frame (61), at its end connected to the operator's cabin (67), is mounted or guided for longitudinal displacement on the projecting section of the tool frame (64) between the two single undercarriages (63; 62) (Fig. 4).

6. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the single undercarriage (7; 38; 62; 138) provided with the axle drive (9; 42; 75; 138) and the brake arrangement (10; 43; 76; 156) is arranged in front (in the working direction) of the working units (19, 20; 34; 35; 84, 85; 146; 147) arranged on the tool frame (3; 36; 64; 142) to support the continuously advancing main frame (2; 33; 61; 139) (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6).

7. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the projecting section (44; 171) of the continuously advancing main frame (33; 139) is mounted for longitudinal displacement on a tool frame (36; 142) advancing in steps supported by two undercarriages (45, 46; 140, 141) spaced apart from one another of which the trailing undercarriage (46; 141) (in the working direction) is equipped with an axle drive (47; 143) and a brake arrangement (48; 144) for the common step-by-step advance of the tamping, lifting and lining units (34, 35; 146, 147), that end of the projecting section (44; 171) of the main frame (33; 139) which is connected to the operator's cabin (30; 151) preferably being guided or mounted for longitudinal displacement in front (in the working direction) of this trailing undercarriage (46;141) or on the front end of the tool frame (36; 142) (Figs. 3 and 6).

8. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operator's cabin (5; 30; 67; 116; 151) arranged on the main frame (2; 33; 61; 101; 139) advancing continuously on the single undercarriage (7; 38; 62; 122; 138) is provided immediately in front of or behind (in the working direction) the tamping, lifting and lining units (19, 20; 34, 35; 84, 85; 102, 103; 146, 147) within immediate view of and above the working tools and between two driver's cabins (4; 31; 55; 68; 112; 118; 145, 154) provided at either end of the machine, particularly for in-transit journeys (Figs. 1 to 6).

9. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tamping unit (19; 34; 84; 102; 146) and the lifting/lining unit (20; 35; 85; 103; 147) arranged on the tool frame (3; 36; 64; 100; 142) between two undercarriages (7, 13; 45, 46; 62, 63; 104, 105; 140; 141) spaced far apart from one another ― to provide for a sufficiently long lifting and lining path ― are arranged in this order immediately in front (in the working direction) of the undercarriage of the tool frame (3; 36; 64; 100; 142) provided with its own axle drive (11; 47; 78; 120; 143) and brake arrangement (12; 48; 79; 109; 144) (Figs. 1 to 6).

10. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a plough arrangement (158) provided with all drives (157) is arranged on the main frame (139) between the single undercarriage (138) thereof and the following (in the working direction) undercarriage(s) (140, 141) of the tool frame (142) provided with an axle drive (143) and brake arrangement (144) Fig 6).

11. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the single undercarriage (122) supporting the continuously advancing main frame (101) is arranged after the tamping, lifting and lining units (102, 103) (in the working direction) of the tool frame (100) advancing in steps and supported by two undercarriages (104, 105) spaced far apart from one another, that end of the projecting section (123) of the main frame which is connected to the operator's cabin (116) being mounted or guided for longitudinal displacement on the tool frame (100) above the rear undercarriage (104) thereof (Fig. 5).

12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that at least one track stabilizer (128) vertically adjustable by a drive (127) and equipped with all drives and with a reference system (132) is arranged on the main frame (101) between the single undercarriage (122) and the rear undercarriage (104) of the tool frame (100) provided with the axle drive (108)and the brake arrangement (109) (Fig. 5).

13. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the main frame (101; 139) equipped with the single undercarriage (122; 138) is connected at either end to an operator's cabin and driver's cabin (116, 118; 151, 154) and, on its projecting section (123; 171) with the longitudinal roller mountings or guides (124, 126; 163, 164), is provided with a flanged wheel support (131; 160) designed to be raised and lowered trailer-fashion by a drive (130, 159) (Figs. 5 and 6).

14. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a locking unit (21; 81; 114; 149) operated by hand or by remote control is provided between the main frame (2; 33; 61; 101; 139) designed to advance continuously under the power of the axle drive (9; 42; 75; 120; 143) of its single undercarriage (7; 38; 62; 122; 138) and the tool frame (3; 36; 64; 100; 142) designed to advance in steps under the power of the axle drive (11; 47; 78; 108; 143) of its undercarriage (13; 46; 63; 104; 141), enabling the main frame and tool frame to travel together along the track, particularly on intransit journeys (Figs. 1 to 6).

15. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder assembly (27; 82; 115; 150) pivotally connected to the tool frame (3; 64; 100; 142) and to the main frame (2; 61; 101; 139) and acting as a locking unit (21; 81; 114; 149) is provided in addition to the unit (80; 113; 148) formed by the separate axle drive (11; 78; 108; 143) and separate brake arrangement (12; 79; 109; 144) on the undercarriage (13; 63; 104; 141) of the tool frame (3; 64; 100; 142) for the step-by-step advance of the tool units (19, 20; 84, 85; 102, 103; 146, 147) and is preferably designed for automatic control together with that unit (80; 113; 148), above all periodically, from the control console (25; 77; 117; 152) provided on the main frame (2; 61; 101; 139) (Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6).

16. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the brake arrangement (79; 144) and axle drive of the undercarriage (63; 141) of the tool frame (64; 142) may be or are automatically controlled from the control console (77; 152) in dependence upon the work cycle, particularly the lifting and lowering, of the tamping unit (84; 146) through switching sensors or limit switches (90; 166) arranged thereon and preferably cooperating with delay elements or in dependence upon the step-by-step advance movement through an odometer (167) arranged on the tool frame (64; 142) and/or on the main frame (61; 139).

Images