Vacuum cleaner train for cleaning tracks, particularly for underground railway networks

A vacuum cleaner train comprises a blowing device mounted transversely and two suction devices disposed downstream and upstream of the blowing device with respect to the direction of the train. It is provided with deflectors for transversely deviating the blowing and suction flows to effect to a non-homogeneous distribution of said flows. The blowing and suction devices comprise nozzles equipped with obturation systems and apparatus for controlling the obturation system in synchronization. Moreover, the end piece of the nozzles may be orientable laterally for cleaning overhanging platforms.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner train for cleaning 
tracks, particularly of underground railway networks. It relates more 
particularly to a vacuum cleaner train comprising a suction and blowing 
hood covering the cleaning zone, and equipped, on the one hand, with a 
high speed air blowing device intended to detach the dust and debris from 
the surface to be cleaned and disposed transversely with respect to the 
direction of displacement of the train, and, on the other hand, with two 
suction devices disposed respectively, one, upstream and the other, 
downstream of the blowing device and intended to pick up the dust and 
debris lifted by the blowing device. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A vacuum cleaner train of this type is known, particularly by document FR A 
2 074 564. According to the teaching of this document, the suction devices 
are equipped with supple deflectors, sectioned in the form of a 
convergent-divergent duct; this particular embodiment aims at improving 
the pick-up of the dust and debris by the suction devices, avoiding a 
sudden dispersion of this dust and debris under the action of the blowing 
pipe, out of the zone of suction and blowing action. 
However, the improvement contributed in this document FR A 2 074 564 does 
not totally optimalize the cleaning of the tracks, in particular when 
there are pits located longitudinally between the rails, when there are 
projecting platforms, i.e. when the end of the platform is an extension in 
overhang arriving near the track, and, finally, when the vacuum cleaner 
train is intended to clean small and medium networks and is therefore a 
train of reduced dimensions. 
It is an object of the present invention to propose an improved vacuum 
cleaner train which overcomes the drawbacks set forth hereinabove in that 
it allows an optimal cleaning of all the configurations of the tracks and 
it may suit small and medium networks. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This object is perfectly attained by the vacuum cleaner train of the 
invention, with blowing and suction hood which, in known manner, comprises 
a blowing device mounted transversely and two suction devices disposed, 
one, downstream and, the other, upstream of the blowing device, said 
vacuum cleaner train being characterized in that it comprises means for 
transversely adapting the blowing and suction flows, adapted to effect a 
non-homogeneous distribution of said flows transversely with respect to 
the direction of the train. 
Thus, thanks to the transverse adaptation means, it is possible to 
concentrate the blowing and suction flows on a particular zone of the 
track and consequently obtain a perfect cleaning of this particular zone. 
According to a first version, intended for small and medium networks, the 
blowing and suction hood comprising a blowing pipe connected to a draft 
fan and two suction pipes disposed respectively downstream and upstream of 
the blowing pipe, and each connected to a suction fan, said pipes are 
partitioned into three independent compartments, transversely defining 
three work zones; moreover, the hood comprises three supple conduits for 
connection to the three draft and suction fans and it also comprises means 
for positioning said conduits, adapted to place the three conduits in 
position of connection with a given compartment. 
In this first version, the means for transversely adapting the blowing and 
suction flows consist in the positioning means adapted to effect the 
displacement and connection in synchronization of the three conduits for 
connection with one of the compartments of the blowing and suction pipes. 
When a vacuum cleaner train of this type is intended for cleaning small and 
medium networks, complete cleaning of the track is effected in three 
passages, each employing the three compartments respectively. As the zone 
to be cleaned is of smaller dimensions, the suction and blowing powers 
will be less great and consequently the fans of likewise smaller 
dimensions. 
This first version of the vacuum cleaner train may also be suitable for 
cleaning tracks which comprise a central pit, located between the rails, 
in particular the anti-suicide pits located in the stations. In that case, 
the three connection conduits are positioned on the central compartment of 
the blowing and suction pipes. 
According to a second version, the blowing and suction hood comprises a set 
of transversely juxtaposed blowing nozzles and two sets of suction nozzles 
disposed upstream and downstream of the blowing nozzles, and each nozzle 
is equipped with obturation means; moreover, the vacuum cleaner train 
comprises control means adapted to control in synchronization the 
obturation means of certain blowing and suction nozzles so as to channel 
the blowing and suction flows towards a given zone. 
In this second version, the transverse adaptation of the blowing and 
suction flows consists in the means for obturating the blowing and suction 
nozzles as well as in the means for controlling these obturation means. 
It will be understood that, with respect to the first version described 
above, it is possible to work in much more supple manner on a precise work 
zone. To that end, it suffices to choose the blowing and suction nozzles 
corresponding to this precise zone. It goes without saying that, when one 
speaks of synchronization, it is necessarily question of employing a 
blowing nozzle and two suction nozzles disposed longitudinally with 
respect to the blowing nozzle upstream and downstream thereof. 
The vacuum cleaner train of the invention preferably comprises means for 
transversely deviating the blowing and suction flows. 
The purpose of these transverse deviation means is to direct the blowing 
and suction flows outside the zone covered by the hood and to allow a good 
cleaning of the track beyond the rails. In particular, when it is question 
of a track having a platform in overhang thereover, the transverse 
deviation of the blowing flow creates an eddying movement of the air in 
the cavity located beneath the projecting platform. This eddying movement 
makes it possible to lift the dust and debris located in this cavity which 
is normally inaccessible to the vacuum cleaner train. The deviation of the 
suction flows makes it possible to collect the dust and debris taken along 
in this eddying movement. 
The means for transversely deviating the flows may consist of deflectors, 
mounted at the end of the lateral blowing and suction nozzles and directed 
obliquely towards the outside of the hood. 
It may be question of deflectors which are fixedly mounted on the sides of 
the hood. 
However, the corresponding nozzle preferably comprising a supple conduit, 
the deflector is orientable by rotation about a horizontal and 
longitudinal axis, and the vacuum cleaner train comprises means for 
controlling rotation of the deflectors. 
In this latter case, the driver of the vacuum cleaner train may control, 
without stopping said train, the transverse deviation of the blowing and 
suction flows when he enters a station which comprises overhanging 
platforms. 
According to a preferred version, the vacuum cleaner train of the invention 
comprises a set of four blowing nozzles disposed transversely, two central 
nozzles and two lateral nozzles surrounding the two central nozzles, as 
well as two sets of six suction nozzles, one set being located upstream 
and the other downstream of the set of blowing nozzles; moreover, in each 
set of suction nozzles, four are exactly opposite the four blowing nozzles 
and two are beyond these four first ones disposed opposite the lateral 
nozzles; the end lateral suction nozzles are provided with deflectors 
mobile in rotation, whilst the two intermediate lateral suction nozzles 
are provided with fixed deflectors. 
Thanks to the presence of the four lateral suction nozzles, surrounding the 
lateral blowing nozzle, and the possibility of adjusting the deviation of 
the two end lateral suction nozzles, it is possible to obtain a highly 
efficient cleaning for all overhanging platforms whatever their 
dimensions. 
The vacuum cleaner train preferably also comprises sealing strips, 
laterally extending the blowing and suction hood and disposed so as to 
form with the edge of the platform a caisson, disposed on the side of the 
train and substantially tight. 
The sealing strips consist for example of a horizontal strip extending over 
the whole length of the hood, terminated at its ends by two vertical 
strips, said strips being fixed in overhang on the frame of the hood. 
The presence of these sealing strips makes it possible to maintain the air 
moving the dust and debris in a well determined zone, avoiding any 
excessive loss, which tends, on the one hand, to increase efficiency of 
cleaning and, on the other hand, to reduce the consumption of blown and 
sucked air.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
A vacuum cleaner train is a train on which is mounted all the equipment 
necessary for cleaning the track by suction. A vacuum cleaner train 
conventionally comprises a blowing installation, a suction installation 
and an installation for filtering and collecting residual dust and debris. 
FIG. 5 shows a partial view of the blowing and suction installations which 
are mounted on the frame 1 of the train. The blowing installation 
comprises a fan (not shown in FIG. 5) which propels the air at high speed 
in a collector 2, giving either into a blowing pipe disposed transversely 
with respect to the direction of displacement of the train, or into 
different blowing nozzles 4 juxtaposed with respect to one another along a 
transverse axis with respect to the displacement of the train. 
As far as the suction installation is concerned, it comprises fans, 
preferably two fans, each being connected either to a suction pipe 
disposed upstream or downstream of the blowing pipe, or to suction nozzles 
juxtaposed transversely with respect to one another opposite the blowing 
nozzles. 
The high speed air jet blown by the blowing pipe or blowing nozzles serves 
to detach the debris and dust on the ballast to allow suction thereof by 
the suction pipe or nozzles disposed in the immediate proximity of the 
blowing ramp or nozzles. 
The assembly of these blowing and suction pipes or nozzles constitutes the 
blowing and suction hood 5 which overhangs the track to be cleaned. 
In a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaning train of reduced dimensions 
intended for cleaning small and medium networks, the blowing and suction 
pipes are partitioned into three juxtaposed compartments, a central 
compartment 6 and two lateral compartments 7 and 8, as may be clearly seen 
in FIG. 1. 
Each of these compartments 6, 7, 8 is fixed and overhangs a precise 
longitudinal zone of the track 9. The lateral compartments 7, 8 have 
slightly widening end edges 10, 11, so that the lower part of the 
corresponding compartment is in the immediate proximity of the walls 12, 
13 surrounding the track 9. 
Each of the compartments 6, 7 and 8 comprises in its upper part an opening 
14, 15, 16. 
A supple conduit 17, terminating in a blocking end piece 18, ensures 
connection of one of the compartments with either the blowing collector if 
it is question of a compartment of the blowing pipe, or with the suction 
fan if it is question of a compartment of the suction pipe. 
On the upper face of compartments 6, 7, 8 is provided a slideway 19 in 
which may slide the blocking endpiece 18 of the supple conduit 17. The 
endpiece 18 is fast with two sets of jacks, a first set of jacks of 
horizontal axis ensuring displacement of the endpiece in the slideway 19 
and a second set of jacks of vertical axis ensuring blocking of the 
endpiece on the slideway, when the free end 20 of the conduit 17 is placed 
opposite one of the openings 14, 15, 16. 
The vacuum cleaner train according to this first version also comprises a 
system for automatically controlling the jacks of horizontal and vertical 
axes, enabling the driver of the train to select the compartments which 
will be operational, namely the central compartment 6, the lateral 
compartment 7, to the left in FIG. 1, the lateral compartment 8, to the 
right in FIG. 1. 
Of course, the automatic control system effects in synchronization the 
positioning of the three supple conduits 17, corresponding to the three 
compartments aligned in the longitudinal direction, namely the central 
blowing compartment and the two suction compartments disposed upstream and 
downstream of this blowing compartment. 
Being given that, in this first version, the work zone is limited to one 
third of the track 9, the suction and blowing powers are reduced 
proportionally and the dimensions of the suction and blowing fans are also 
of reduced size, whereby the vacuum cleaning train according to this first 
version is of small dimensions and of lower cost and is perfectly suitable 
for small and medium networks. 
In a second embodiment, it is no longer question of blowing and suction 
pipes, but of individual nozzles. FIG. 2 schematically shows the 
arrangement of these nozzles, namely a set 21 of four blowing nozzles 22, 
23, 24 and 25 respectively from left to right in FIG. 2, set 21 
corresponding to an alignment of the four nozzles 22 to 25 transversely 
with respect to the direction of displacement of the train, and two sets 
59 and 60 of six suction nozzles. In each set 59, 60, four of the six 
suction nozzles, 26 to 29 respectively for the first set, from left to 
right in FIG. 2, and 30 to 33 for the second set, from left to right in 
FIG. 2, are disposed opposite the four nozzles 22 to 25 of the blowing set 
21. As for the other two suction nozzles, respectively 34 and 35 for the 
first set 59, and 36 and 37 for the second set 60, they are disposed in 
line with the lateral nozzles 22, 26 and 30 for nozzles 34 and 36, and 25, 
29 and 33 for nozzles 35 and 37, respectively. 
Laterally, there is therefore one blowing nozzle surrounded by two suction 
nozzles upstream and downstream. 
Each of the four blowing nozzles 22 to 25 is connected to the blowing fan 
by a pipe 38 opening on the collector 39. The pipe 38 comprises a supple 
conduit 48 and a chamber 40 giving onto the collector 39. 
This chamber 40 is equipped with an obturation system whose functioning is 
illustrated in FIG. 4. This system comprises a jack 41 mounted outside the 
chamber 40. The end 42 of the rod 43 of the jack 41 is fast with the plate 
44 for obturating the chamber 40. This plate 44 pivots about pin 45 and is 
extended beyond this pin 45 by a rod 46 fast, by a ball joint, with the 
end 42 of the rod 43 of jack 41. On the inner periphery of the chamber 40 
is placed an O-ring 47 forming stop for the obturation plate 44. 
FIG. 4a shows the obturation plate 44 in closed position, i.e. it is 
applied on the O-ring 47 and totally obturates chamber 40, preventing the 
passage of air coming from the fan and the collector 39 in the supple 
conduit 48. 
FIG. 4b shows the obturation plate in open position. Jack 41 has been 
actuated so that rod 43 emerges from the body of the jack, which displaces 
the free end of this rod 42. Such displacement pivots the ball joint fixed 
to this end 42 and rotates plate 44 about pin 45. Such rotation makes it 
possible to open pipe 38 and to obtain passage of air from the collector 
39 towards the supple conduit 48. 
Each jack 41 is connected to the automatic control system, which enables 
the driver of the train to cause all or part of the blowing and suction 
nozzles to function. It will be understood, on studying FIG. 2, that the 
automatism is adjusted so that this selection is effected along 
longitudinal rows 49, 50, 51 and 52. 
Each pipe 38 is terminated by an endpiece 58 widening towards its lowermost 
part 50 so as to ensure good distribution of the blowing or suction air 
flow over the whole zone covered by the hood. This endpiece 58, which 
serves as deflector, is, at least for certain lateral nozzles, orientable 
by rotation about a horizontal and longitudinal pin 51. As may be seen in 
FIG. 3, the endpiece 58 may pivot by an angle .alpha. of the order of 20 
to 30.degree., about pin 51, so that the lower part 50 is slightly raised 
towards the inner cavity 52 of the overhanging platform 53. The suction 
nozzles equipped with such an orientable endpiece are preferably the end 
nozzles 34 and 36 for row 49 and 35 and 37 for row 52. In this way, when 
cleaning a station presenting an overhanging platform 53, the operator 
controls, on the one hand, operation of only the nozzles of a lateral row, 
for example 49, and, on the other hand, pivoting of the endpieces 58 
corresponding to the two end suction nozzles 34 and 36. All the dust and 
debris lifted by the high speed air jet coming from nozzle 22 is picked up 
either by the end suction nozzles 34 and 36 or by the intermediate nozzles 
26 and 30. The deviation of the suction flows of nozzles 34 and 36 
provoked by the pivoting of the corresponding endpieces 58, makes it 
possible to pick up the dust and debris at two levels in height and thus 
to obtain a greater efficiency of pick up. Such pivoting of the endpiece 
58 about pin 51 is, of course, possible only thanks to the deformability 
of the supple conduit 48 and to the action of jacks (not shown), of which 
the end of the rod is fixed on endpiece 58. 
Moreover, in order to complete this efficient cleaning, sealing strips have 
been fixed on the frame 54 of the train so as artificially to create a 
substantially tight caisson on the sides of the suction hood. The purpose 
of this artificial caisson is to avoid the dust and debris being projected 
by the air flow beyond the effective zone of action of the suction system. 
This artificial caisson is obtained by fixing a first sealing strip 55 
horizontally in overhang with respect to the frame 54 of the train. This 
strip is rectangular, with a width of the order of 15 cm and a length 
which corresponds to the length of the suction hood. This strip 55 is 
positioned on the frame 54 at a height which corresponds substantially to 
the level of the overhanging platform 53. The artificial caisson is closed 
at its two ends by two vertical strips 56 fixed on the frame 54 of the 
train at the ends of the first strip 55 and therebelow. Each of the 
sealing strips is made of a rigid rubber of the conveyor belt type. The 
presence of these strips 55, 56 fixed outside the frame 54 of the train 
improves the efficiency of cleaning, particularly during passage past an 
overhanging platform. 
In order to improve normal functioning of the vacuum cleaning train, it is 
possible to place sealing strips 57 on the endpieces 58 of the suction and 
blowing nozzles of the lateral rows 49 and 52 so as to allow better 
isolation of the air flows with respect to outside the suction hood.