Patent EA-000461-B1 (EA)
Title: Railway track and sleeper and gap-covering element therefor
IPC: E01B1/00
Filed: 1997-02-17
Abstract: 1. Railway track comprising a ballast bed, sleepers disposed on the ballast bed and tracks mounted on the sleepers, wherein the distance between the sleepers defines the distance of the supporting points of the rails, characterized in that the sleepers (12, 62, 64) are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the track closely adjoining one another, but without mutual contact and leaving a gap and that at least one drainage channel (33, 68, 70, 134, 160), extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track is assigned to each sleeper for lateral water drainage. 2. Railway track according to Claim 1, characterized in that the drainage channels (134) form an integral part of the sleepers. 3. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the drainage channels (134) are inclined in the longitudinal direction of the sleepers (12). 4. Railway track according to Claim 3, characterized in that the drainage channels are designed in ridge-roof fashion with two oppositely inclined sections (136, 138). 5. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the upper sides of the sleepers (12) are designed at least partly inclined in the longitudinal direction of the track. 6. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a gap cover (142, 162) is provided covering or sealing the gap (14) from the top. 7. Railway track according to Claim 6, characterized in that the gap cover comprises a cover element (142) or sealing element (162) bearing on adjoining sleepers on either side of the gap (140) or adjoining either side of the gap. 8. Railway track according to any one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the gap cover in the gap is provided in a form-fitting or press-fitting relationship. 9. Railway track according to any one of Claims 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the gap cover in the gap or in the region of the gap is adhesively bonded. 10. Railway track according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the gap cover (142) in cross-section comprises a roof section (144), in particular mushroom-shaped, covering the gap (140) and a section of th e sleepers (12) bordering thereon and further comprising a foot section (146) projecting downwardly into the gap, which is held in the gap in press-fitting or form-fitting relationship. 11. Railway track according to Claim 10, characterized in that preferably resiliently deformable holding means (148) are provided at the foot section (146), able to adapt to the respective gap width. 12. Railway track according to Claim 11, characterized in that the holding means are designed as expansion elements (148) extending transversely to the gap (140). 13. Railway track according to any one of Claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the gap cover (142, 162) consists of rubber or synthetic material. 14. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that each sleeper (12) along each of its opposite longitudinal sides in each case comprises a drainage channel (134) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track. 15. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a joint drainage channel (33, 68, 70) is in each case assigned to two adjoining sleepers (12, 62, 64). 16. Railway track according to Claim 15, characterized in that adjoining sleepers (12; 62, 64) overlap in the longitudinal direction of the track without mutual contact and that the drainage channel (33, 68) in the region of t he overlap preferably forms an integral part of one of the adjoining sleepers. 17. Railway track according to Claim 16, characterized in that each sleeper (12) along its one longitudinal side comprises a salient projection (30) and along its opposite longitudinal side a laterally projecting channel section (32) forming the drainage channel (33), in which context the channel section (32) engages underneath the salient projection (30) of the adjoining sleeper. 18. Railway track according to Claim 16, characterized in that sleepers (62) of a first type and sleepers (64) of a second type are alternately provided, that each sleeper (62) of the first type comprises a salient projection (66) along its two opposite longitudinal sides and that each sleeper (64) of the second type along its two opposite sides comprises a laterally projecting channel section (68) forming the drainage channel, in which context each passage section (68) engages under the salient projection (66) of the adjoining sleeper. 19. Railway track according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that at the end of the salient projections (30) along their underside a drip section (34, 48) is designed, formed in particular by a downwardly pointing drip ledge or by an upwardly facing groove (48). 20. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that tamping apertures (54) are provided in the sleeper (12) preferably opposing one another in pairs. 21. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that continuous filling apertures (50) are provided in the sleeper (12). 22. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that on the underside of the sleeper at least one recess (44; 74, 76) is provided, which is in particular centrally disposed and extends over the entire sleeper width and which may in particular be filled with synthetic resin material (46). 23. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that at least one depression (52) or projection (56) is provide d on the sleeper heads (38, 40). 24. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the sleepers (12) consist substantially of concrete and include at least one cavity, which is preferably filled with a material lighter than concrete, such as in particular synthetic resin material. 25. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that on or in the sleeper a duct passage (42) is provided extending in longitudinal direction of the track. 26. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the track supports (16) of the sleepers (12) are disposed off-centre in relation to the longitudinal-central plane of the sleeper. 27. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the sleeper (12) surfaces are provided at least in part with sound absorbing or sound refracting means, in particular such as structures. 28. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the sleepers consist of concrete having a non-prestressed reinforcement and/or a prestressed reinforcement. 29. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that on the sleeper heads (38, 40) a groove (58) is provided along their upper edge. 30. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the drainage channel (134), in particular at the sleeper face end, exits into a further drainage channel (154) extending in the longitudinal direction of the track. 31. Railway track according to Claim 30, characterized in that the further drainage channel (154) at the sleeper head forms an integral part of the sleeper (12). 32. Railway track according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the drainage channel at the sleeper face end comprises an upwardly directed retaining wall (156). 33. Railway track according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, 13 and 20 to 32, characterized in that the gap (140) is sealed and that adjoining sleepers amongst one another define a joint drainage channel (160) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track for lateral water drainage. 34. Sleeper for a railway track according to Claim 1, characterized by the characterizing features of one or more of Claims 2 to 5 and 14 to 17, and 19 to 32.