METHOD FOR CONNECTING RAIL BARS AND RAIL BAR CONNECTION OBTAINED ACCORDING TO THE METHOD

Abstract: Rail bars (1, 2) are mutually connected with the end faces by connecting to the rail bar (1, 2) a connecting plate (4, 5) extending over the lengthwise direction of both rail bars (1, 2) for connecting by means of suitable means (10), for instance nut-bolt connections. The space (11, 12) between the rail bars (1, 2) and the connecting plates (4, 5) is filled with a curing adhesive. In this way a high-quality connection is obtained in a short time, for instance in the limited hours that a rail network is not in use. According to the invention the quality of the connection is less dependent on the quality of the personnel carrying out the work than in methods according to the prior art.

Description: METHOD FOR CONNECTING RAIL BARS AND RAIL BAR CONNECTION OBTAINED ACCORDING TO THE METHOD The invention relates to a method for mutually connecting with the end faces rail bars lying mutually in line and to a rail bar connection obtained in accordance with the method according to the invention. It is desirable in practice to have available a rapidly performed method for mutually connecting rail bars with the end faces. Due to the more intensive use of the rail network increasingly less time is available for connecting rail bars . The opportunity herefor is of en only available for a few hours during which the rail network is not in use, for instance at night. There is moreover a need for a qualitatively high-grade connection wherein the quality of the obtained connection depends as little as possible on the manner in which the method is performed by the personnel involved. In order to satisfy these requirements a method is provided according to the invention which is characterized by placing on either side against the rail bars a connecting plate extending in lengthwise direction over both rail bars for connecting, this with interposing of a sealing member, clampingly connecting the connecting plates to the rail bar by transversely directed nut-bolt connecting members and introducing a curing adhesive into the space between the rail bars and the connecting plates. The adhesive is preferably injected, thereby ensuring that all spaces between for instance bolt and bolt holes, between the end faces mutually and in the interspaces between the connecting plates and the rail are filled. The arranging of adhesive prior to placing of the connecting plates and coupling of the connecting plates by means of nut-bolt connections is greatly dependent on the quality and care of the personnel carrying out the work. Injection of the adhesive reduces this dependence on the quality of work of personnel. Otherwise in addition to supporting and guiding rail-bound vehicles, rail bars also have the function of conducting electrical currents and signals. Stricter requirements are recently being made of the conducting properties of rail bars. This is inter alia the result of the increase in the electrical power of locomotives . The material of rail bars generally has a limited electrical conductivity. Particularly at connecting positions between rail bars located mutually in line problems of electrical conduction can occur since the electrical conductivity is usually limited at these connecting positions. This can result in a temperature stress at this location. A further object of the invention is to obviate this drawback. According to the invention a good electrical conductivity is obtained due to the presence of at least one conducting wire, while tensile strain and pressure loads occurring in longitudinal direction can further be absorbed by the combination of the plates and adhesive agents . Preferably arranged between the end faces of the rail bars for mutual connection is an electrically conducting profile plate. The conducting member is preferably of copper in order to obtain a high electrical conductivity. The conducting member is received clampingly between the rail bar and the connecting bar so that a good contact pressure is obtained. After injection of the adhesive the pressure in the injected space is increased by tightening the connecting bolts. Spaces possibly not filled with adhesive are hereby filled and the excess adhesive is pressed outside. This excess adhesive can then be removed with suitable means. The invention further relates to a rail bar connection consisting of connecting plates placed on either side against rail bars located mutually in line with interposing of conducting wires, nut-bolt connecting means clampingly connecting the connecting plates located on either side of the rail bars and curing adhesive injected into the space between the respective connecting plates and the rail bar. The invention will be elucidated with reference to the drawings of an embodiment . In the drawings : figure 1 shows a perspective view with exploded parts of a connection of two rail bars according to the invention, figure 2 shows a section of the connecting construction according to figure 1, figure 3 shows a perspective view of the auxiliary implement for use in performing the method according to the invention, figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention, and figure 5 shows a perspective view with exploded parts of an electrical conductive connection of two rail bars according to the invention. According to the invention two rail bars 1, 2 are placed with the end faces against each other with interposing of a profile piece 3 of for instance plastic. Connecting plates 4, 5 are placed in overlapping manner on the side of the rail bars 1, 2 for connecting. Sealing rods 6, 7 and 8, 9 of flexible plastic are received clampingly between connecting plates 4, 5 and both rail bars 1, 2 at the top and bottom respectively in figure 1. The connecting plates 4, 5 for instance, and therein the flexible sealing rods 6, 7 and 8, 9, are then clamped fixedly by nut-bolt connections 10. The remaining interspace between connecting plates 4, 5 and rail bars 1, 2 is filled by injecting an adhesive 11, 12 (figure 2) . The adhesive 11, 12 then cures. The sealing members may also take a form other than a rod form. Flexible strip-like elements of plastic can likewise be applied. During performing of the method use can be made of the auxiliary implement according to figure 3. The auxiliary implement has two parts 20, 21 connected hingedly to each other. A covering of flexible material, for instance plastic, is arranged on the inside of the parts 20, 21. The auxiliary implement is placed round the end faces of the rail bars for connecting and subsequently closed and locked by means of locking means 22. The auxiliary implement serves as mould in order to prevent leakage of the injected adhesive between the end faces. After curing, the auxiliary implement is removed. According to figure 4 the sealing members are formed by a flexible profile part 23. The embodiment as disclosed in figure 5 is similar to figure 1, and the same reference numerals are used. According to figure 5, showing a conductive connection of two rail bars, the two rail bars 1, 2 are placed with their end faces against each other with interposing of for instance a profile piece 3. The latter can be of conductive material, like copper. Connecting plates 4, 5 are placed in overlapping manner on the side of the rail bars 1, 2 for connecting. Copper conducting rods 6 , 7 and 8 , 9 are herein received clampingly at the top and bottom respectively in figure 1 between connecting plates 4, 5 and both rail bars 1, 2. The connecting plates 4, 5 for instance, and therein the copper conducting rods 6, 7 and 8, 9, are then clamped fixedly by nut-bolt connections 10. The remaining interspace between connecting plates 4, 5 and rail bars 1, 2 is then filled by injecting an adhesive 11, 12 (figure 2) . The adhesive 11, 12 then cures. *****

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for mutually connecting rail bars with the end faces, characterized by - placing on either side against the rail bars a connecting plate extending in lengthwise direction over both rail bars for connecting, this with interposing of a sealing member, - clampingly connecting the connecting plates to the rail bar by transversely directed nut-bolt connecting members , and - introducing a curing adhesive into the space between the rail bars and the connecting plates . 2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that prior to mutual connection of the rail bars a profile plate is arranged between the end faces of the rail bars for connecting. 3. Method as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that the profile plate is of plastic. 4. Method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the profile plate is of conducting material . 5. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sealing member is a rod of a flexible plastic. 6. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the conducting member is of copper. 7. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the conducting member is received clampingly between the rail bar and the connecting plate. 8. Method as claimed in claims 1-5, characterized in that after injection of the adhesive the pressure in the injected space is increased. 9. Method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the pressure is increased by tightening the connecting bolts. 10. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive is injected. 11. Rail bar connection consisting of connecting plates placed on either side against rail bars located mutually in line with interposing of sealing members, nut-bolt connecting means clampingly connecting to the rail bars the connecting plates located on either side of the rail bars and curing adhesive injected into the space between the respective connecting plates and the rail bars . 12. Rail bar connection consisting of connecting plates placed on either side against rail bars located mutually in line with interposing of electrically conducting members, nut-bolt connecting means clampingly connecting to the rail bars the connecting plates located on either side of the rail bars and curing adhesive injected into the space between the respective connecting plates and the rail bar. 13. Auxiliary implement for use in the method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized by mould parts hingedly connected to each other and placeable in close-fitting manner round the end faces of the rail bars for connecting, and means for releasably connecting the mould parts .

Inventors: VOGELAAR ROBBERT, VOGELAAR, ROBBERT
Applicants: EDILON BV, VOGELAAR ROBBERT, EDILON B.V., VOGELAAR, ROBBERT
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E01B11
IPC codes: E01B11