Joint Welders Patents (Class 104/15)
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Patent number: 10808364Abstract: An onsite steel rail laser processing engineering vehicle, including a laser processing power engineering vehicle and a laser processing cart, the laser processing power engineering vehicle is connected to the laser processing cart; the onsite steel rail laser processing engineering vehicle further comprises a transport mechanism disposed on the laser processing power engineering vehicle; through movement and rotation, the transport mechanism transports the laser processing cart into the laser processing power engineering vehicle or transports the laser processing cart out from the laser processing power engineering vehicle and places it on rails.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignees: WUHAN NRD LASER ENGINEERING CO., LTD., HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Xiaoyan Zeng, Qianwu Hu, Pinghua Guo, Xiaoming Xu, Ming Jiang, Dengzhi Wang, Chongyang Li, Li Meng
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Patent number: 10011956Abstract: Method for the aluminothermic welding of rails, involving the steps of: —triggering an aluminothermic reaction in a crucible, —pouring the metal resulting from said reaction into the mold so as to fill the molding cavity from the rail flange, —after filling the cavity, triggering a second aluminothermic reaction above the rail head, and pouring the metal resulting from said reaction into the cavity in the region of the rail head. The mold used in the method is designed to fit over the ends of two rails to form a molding cavity comprising a crucible positioned above the rail head region so that it can be fed with molten metal of the cavity via a secondary passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: SNCF RESEAUInventors: Arnaud Lorieux, Claude Monnet, Serge Detain, Rémy Delolmo
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Patent number: 9908198Abstract: A welding head for welding the extremities of two sections of rail and comprises two half-heads (10) aligned and sliding with regard to one another in a longitudinal direction. Each half-head comprises grip mechanism (12, 13) for grasping a respective section of rail and two electrodes (16) suitable for contact with respective sections of rail in order to carry out a flash butt weld. The head also comprises traction actuator mechanisms (20) which extend in a longitudinal direction and are connected to the two half-heads (10) to shift the two half-heads in a longitudinal direction one towards the other, the traction actuator mechanism (20) having a stroke suitable for allowing, during a cycle of welding two sections of rail, simultaneous regulation of rail tensions.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Inventor: Davide Vaia
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Patent number: 9160152Abstract: A transmission cable installation device is provided, which includes a protective sheath surrounding at least one transmission cable and having at least one longitudinal recess. A rigid element is inserted in one of said at least one recess. Also provided are a protective sheath and a profiled support suitable for being inserted in a recess in the protective sheath.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: FRANCE TELECOMInventors: Jean-Luc Campion, Jean-Pierre Louboutin, Jean-Michel Landouar
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Patent number: 8735761Abstract: A welding unit for welding rails of a track includes two unit bodies that can be moved in relation to each other by displacement cylinders along unit guides running parallel to the rails. The displacement cylinders are connected both to pull rods and to a crossbeam. Thus a simple design having high tensile forces is possible.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen- Industriegesellschaft mbHInventors: Josef Theurer, Bernhard Lichtberger, Heinz Mühlleitner
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Patent number: 8490548Abstract: A device (1) for the maintenance and the repair of rails and railroad apparatuses, includes: a frame (2); elements (3, 4, 5) of displacement on a rail; the elements of displacement including two wheels (4, 5) aligned with an axis (6) of displacement of the device along a rail (7). The frame (2) is arranged on the elements (3) of displacement so that, when the wheels of the device are positioned on a rail (7), the center of gravity (22) of the device is placed vertically to the rail. According to a preferred embodiment, each wheel is provided with two flanges (12, 13) having a substantially annular shape, the position of at least one of the flanges being axially adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: CTF FranceInventor: Jean Sauron
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Publication number: 20110168050Abstract: A device (1) for the maintenance and the repair of rails and railroad apparatuses, includes: a frame (2); elements (3, 4, 5) of displacement on a rail; the elements of displacement including two wheels (4, 5) aligned with an axis (6) of displacement of the device along a rail (7). The frame (2) is arranged on the elements (3) of displacement so that, when the wheels of the device are positioned on a rail (7), the center of gravity (22) of the device is placed vertically to the rail. According to a preferred embodiment, each wheel is provided with two flanges (12, 13) having a substantially annular shape, the position of at least one of the flanges being axially adjustable.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: CTF FRANCEInventor: Jean Sauron
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Publication number: 20090229486Abstract: An improved in-track welder eliminates conduction path force members and employs separate bridging current path conductors for DC welding of rail ends. In an embodiment, this enhancement allows for an increased closure distance, thus improving cold-weather operations. In a further embodiment, an increased allowable distance between conduction contacts also allows for the incorporation of an internal shear member for more efficient finishing of welds. The force members may be optimized for strength rather than electrical properties, and in an embodiment are comprised of relatively small diameter alloy steel rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: Chemetron-Railway Products, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Battisti, Gary Barnhart
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Patent number: 7523707Abstract: A machine for welding the rails of a track includes a rail pulling device that grips the rail ends and pulls them together so that they can be welded to one another. Two rail clamps provided for gripping the rails are fastened to the rail pulling device. The rail clamps are each vertically adjustable in their position relative to the rail pulling device by way of a respective adjustment drive in a direction extending perpendicularly to a pulling device plane formed by hydraulic drives of the rail pulling device. With this, the rails can be lifted from ties in a simple manner in order to enable the clamping members of the rail pulling device to grip the rails.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen - Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventors: Josef Theurer, Bernhard Lichtberger
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Patent number: 7478596Abstract: In a method for efficiently removing a great number of damaged rail sections, after a first separating cut, the severed free rail ends are gripped by a rail pulling device connecting the rail ends to one another, and are pulled towards one another. The pulling force required for the pulling-together as well a current rail temperature are registered for calculation of that length of a replacement rail which is required for producing a desired rail tension. A second separating cut is carried out—with corresponding path measurement—spaced at a distance from the first separating cut as calculated on the basis of the selected length of the replacement rail.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen - Industriegesellschaft GmbHInventor: Josef Theurer
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Publication number: 20080230520Abstract: The invention relates to a method for welding two rails (8, 10, 14) of a track using a welding unit (1) of a welding machine (20). According to the method, two rails (8,10,14) each caught by a pair of clamping jaws (6) of the welding unit (1) are moved and welded together while subjecting them to crusher cylinders (3) in the longitudinal direction of the rails. A rail anchor (16) is produced in a so-called terminal-welding step in a working direction (11) upstream of the machine (20) by linking a section of the rail (14) with ties (15) in a non-positive manner. If the actual rail temperature differs from the local neutral temperature, tensions are passed into the rails to be welded together.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2004Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Bernhard Lichtberger, Heinz Muhlleitner
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Patent number: 6886470Abstract: A flash butt rail welding welderhead combines in a single unit, the ability for the three functions of rail pulling, flash butt forging and maintaining the “after forged” displacement without any change in platen position such that shearing may be accomplished in three stages, a single stage, multiple stages or a progressive stage, all while maintaining clamping and stretching force on the rails.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Holland CorporationInventors: Robert V. Norby, René A. Hunziker
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Patent number: 6852940Abstract: A welding device for welding together two rails of a track and producing a welded joint is composed of two halves. An air nozzle and a temperature sensor are mounted on one of the halves. Via a cooling opening of the air nozzle, a glowing-cooled hot welded joint can be cooled in a controlled manner, immediately after a welding bead has been sheared off, by supplying compressed air to the joint. Thus, optimal welding of head-hardened rails can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventor: Heinz Mühlleitner
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Patent number: 6787726Abstract: A rail restraining, robotic welding and weld delivery device uses a frame for supporting a welding head with a clamp for restraining a first rail end and a second rail end and a base twist assembly for aligning said first end and second end. An interconnected weld containment apparatus pivotally connects to the clamp by use of a cam actuated linear pin. This arrangement is operable in an environment in clearance between rails and sufficiently compact that it may be operated from and carried in a truck based on a standard over the road truck or from a container.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Holland LPInventors: Richard L. Thelen, Richard F. Kral
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Patent number: 6762390Abstract: A rail welding device arranged for mobility along a track direction for effectuating the electric resistance welding of two track rails, comprising a control unit, and two halves of the device movable in the track direction, each half of the device being aligned with a respective one of the track rails and comprising a pair of clamping jaws pivotal towards and away from each other in a plane extending transversely to the track direction. Hydraulic cylinders move the two halves of the device in the track direction, and further hydraulic cylinders pivot the clamping jaws of each half away from each other between a set-up position in which the rail heads of the track rails may freely pass between the clamping jaws and a welding position in which the clamping jaws engage the rail webs. A sensing device detects the welding position at the end of the pivoting motion of the clamping jaws and sends control signals required to effectuate the electric resistance welding to the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventors: Josef Theurer, Leopold Gruber
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Patent number: 6515249Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged railroad rail comprising the steps of: identifying a defect in the rail, removing the portion of the rail having a defect and leaving two truncated rail ends, preparing the truncated rail ends for welding, and welding the two truncated rail ends together.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignees: Harsco Technologies Corporation, Holland Company LPInventors: Greg A. Valley, Mark Edward Rovnyak
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Patent number: 6396020Abstract: A rail restraining (1) and weld delivery device (100) uses a frame for supporting a welding head with a clamp (3) for restraining a first rail end and a second rail end and a base twist assembly (17) for aligning said first end and second end. An interconnected weld containment apparatus (290) pivotally connects to the clamp by use of a cam actuated linear pin (7). This arrangement is operable in an environment in which clearance between rails is about 7 to 11 inches and sufficiently compact that it may be operated from and carried in a truck based on a standard over the road truck.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Holland CompanyInventors: Richard L. Thelen, Richard F. Kral
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Patent number: 6152349Abstract: The present invention concerns a welding mold for butt welding two metal parts by casting a molten filler metal in an imprint defined by a mold. At least one of the components of the mould includes a spacer member shaped and sized so that it can be engaged in a gap between the two parts only if the latter have a mutual separation at least equal to a specific mutual separation, so as to allow the mutual assembly of the components of the mold around the parts to be welded only on this condition. Applications include the welding of railway rails, concrete reinforcing rods and metal bars.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Railtech InternationalInventor: Jean-Jacques Thuru
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Patent number: 5992329Abstract: A machine for welding rail comprises a rail vehicle with at least one energy generator set, a programmable automatic control unit and a raised chassis disposed between the bogies of the vehicle. The chassis supports at least one welding unit, grinders, two workbench units, each comprising a beam equipped with grippers for gripping, lifting and holding the rails in a working position, a set of grippers at the ends of the vehicle, and position sensors.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Scheuchzer, S.A.Inventors: Antoine Scheuchzer, Gerard Schelling, Christian Wenger, Jean-Jacques Aubert
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Patent number: 5850962Abstract: In order to reduce the residual stresses which occur in the region of a fusion weld of two rail ends (1,2), in order to reduce, in particular to make uniform, the cooling-down rate and--associated with this--the crystallization process within the solidifying weld material, a casting mold is proposed which is equipped with a system of risers (9) and air vents (10) which are designed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center plane (5) and a transverse center plane (3) of the welded joint, the risers (9) and the air vents (10) being physically distributed as a function of geometric parameters of the rail foot (8) and of the weld bead (4), and the cross sections of the air vents (10) being dimensioned as a function of the cross sections of the risers (9).Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Elektro-Thermit GmbHInventors: Frank Kuster, Gerhard Skreba, Michael Steinhorst
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Patent number: 5469791Abstract: A mobile machine for preparing rails for welding comprises an elongated bridge-like machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction, the machine frame having an upwardly recessed frame portion extending between opposite ends of the machine frame and defining a work space, and undercarriages support the opposite machine frame ends. Rail lifting devices are mounted on the machine frame for displacement in the longitudinal direction, and drives vertically adjust the rail lifting devices. The machine further has support shelves for storing rails on the machine frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1994Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-IndustriegesellschaftInventors: Josef Theurer, Herbert Worgotter
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Patent number: 5419484Abstract: The disclosure relates to a multi-part mold for aluminothermic welding without preheating of metal parts, said mold having internally employed a welding cavity and two rising channels with variable cross-sections along their height, the central part of welding cavity being located below with respect to the lateral parts of welding cavity, said welding cavity having an increased moment of inertia of cross-section and an increased height from the lower side of base portion of welding cavity to the neutral axis of welding cavity, said rising channels extending from a region lower than said base portion, said welding cavity and said rising channels being connected together through two connecting ducts extending from the lower side of base portion to the head portion of welding cavity, the invention further relating to a process of reaching the metal parts by the liquid steel first underneath the lower side of base, a process of creating a liquid bath of constant height in an early stage of pouring operation and tType: GrantFiled: April 19, 1993Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Inventor: Stefam R. Radulescu
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Patent number: 5323709Abstract: A demolder for and a method of separating and removing mold material formed around two rail ends of longitudinally adjacent railroad rails during the use of a thermite weld system to join the rails into a continuous rail. The demolder includes an open-ended steel box sized to be positioned about the mold material having substantially aligned slots provided on opposite sides of the box to freely receive the rail and a handle extending upwardly from the box for moving and handling the box.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1993Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: ESCO Equipment Service CompanyInventors: Thomas E. Dickey, Thomas Y. Gehr, Jr.
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Patent number: 5237143Abstract: The process for on-track neutralization of the rails of a railway consists in causing to move past continuously along the rails (R2) at least one heating element (12), measuring continuously the value of the temperature of the rails before heating, measuring the value of the speed of movement past of the heating elements in relation to the rails, measuring the value of the change in the temperature of the rails after heating until the moment of their on-track fixing and controlling the heating of the heating elements (12) as a function of the said values.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1991Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Scheuchzer, S. A.Inventor: Antoine P. Scheuchzer
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Patent number: 5222435Abstract: A track is progressively renewed in an operating direction by continuously lifting the used track rails from the used ties, replacing the old ties by new ties and laying new rails on the new ties. Before the new rails are laid, adjoining ends thereof are continuously welded together behind the location where the ties are exchanged and the welded rails are exchanged for the used rails.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1992Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventors: Josef Theurer, Manfred Brunninger, Friedrich Oellerer
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Patent number: 5195436Abstract: A process for the continuous welding of railroad rail sections (3) during the laying down thereof, involves a particularly equipped train set (5-5'), formed by one or more trucks (5,5') having a lowered load platform inserted into the operating train, between the trucks (1) which carry the new rail sections (3) and ties (2), and the operating machine which lays them down. On board this equipped train set (5-5') there are performed the operations for arranging to line, to level and to abut the subsequent rail sections (3), as well as their welding, by welding machines (15-17) which are movable on a trolley (8) along the train set (5-5').Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Inventor: Sergio Valditerra
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Patent number: 4800817Abstract: An alignment system and method are described for aligning and supporting facing ends of two rails so that they can be secured together (e.g., by welding or bonding). The alignment system includes a pair of lift plates to support the ends of the rails. The lift plates are able to adjust the relative vertical positions of the ends of the rails to be joined and are also able to adjust the angular position or attitude of the rail ends. A pair of adjustable gauge members are separately attached at one end to the lift plate and at the opposite end to a rail member parallel to the rails to be joined. The gauge members are adjustable as to length so that the lateral position of the rails to be joined can be determined and controlled. After the ends of the two rails are properly aligned they can be joined together (e.g., by welding or bonding).Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1987Date of Patent: January 31, 1989Inventors: Calvin L. Carstensen, Randall J. Schommer
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Patent number: 4716836Abstract: A suspended rail welder which includes, generally, two clamping units which are supported by a beam which is affixed to a boom for raising and lowering the rail welder to the rails which are to be welded together. The two clamping units are coupled to one another by a pair of upset tube assemblies which extend between and through both clamping units. Each of these upset tube assemblies is formed of a hollow rectangular tube which supports within them a straight edge which is used to geometrically align both horizontally and vertically the rails to be welded together.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1986Date of Patent: January 5, 1988Assignee: H. A. Schlatter AGInventor: Robert C. Hardt
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Patent number: 4641818Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting two butt-ends of rails to be connected by welding comprises a rigid structure having two aligned support plates one for each rail. Each support plate comprises a non-adjustable retaining press and an adjustable retaining press. The fixed jaws of one of each of the presses are intended to be placed on the side of the head of one of the rails and the fixed jaws of the other presses are intended to be placed on the corresponding side of the head of the other rail thus forming four spaced supports. The movable jaws of the presses for the one rail are intended to be placed on the opposite side of the head of this rail and the movable jaws of the presses for the other rail are intended to be placed on the opposite side of the head of the other rail.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1981Date of Patent: February 10, 1987Assignee: C. DelachauxInventor: Patrick T. Bommart
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Patent number: 4414454Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous railroad track including a mobile welding plant which is comprised of, for example, a string of flat cars for transporting a number of already formed continuous rails, another flat car or the like carrying means such as a winch and other related apparatus for delivering the individual continuous rails to the mobile welding plant, and another flat car or the like transporting a puller or pusher apparatus for controlling the movement of the continuous track which is formed, in and from the mobile welding plant.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1981Date of Patent: November 8, 1983Assignee: H. A. Schlatter AGInventor: Hans R. Zollinger
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Patent number: 4348959Abstract: A device for adjusting the butt-ends of two rails to be connected has a fixed frame for enclosing one of the two rails and two integral bars, parallel to the rails, and extending from the fixed frame toward the other rail. Two movable frames are slidable over a limited portion of the parallel bars in the vicinity of the other rail and can be selectively secured to the other rail so that only one of these two frames is slidably movable. Jacks are provided to effect relative movement between the two movable frames. Actuation of the jacks effects movement of the two movable frames relative to each other and, depending upon which of these frames is secured to the parallel bars, the gap between the two butt-ends will be either increased or decreased.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1980Date of Patent: September 14, 1982Assignee: C. DelachauxInventor: Patrick Bommart
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Patent number: 4320708Abstract: A device for adjusting two butt ends of rails to be connected by welding comprises a rigid structure which is formed by two support plates. The support plates are aligned and interconnected by a concave part and which is able to be disposed horizontally so that the two support plates are pressed one against one vertical side of the head of one of the rails and the other against the corresponding vertical side of the head of the other rail. The concave part provides a region for access around the butt ends. Each support plate is provided with a retaining clamp which is provided with a jaw able to bear against the opposite vertical side of the head of the rail. The device can be applied to the welding of rails on a track or on a fixed installation.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1980Date of Patent: March 23, 1982Assignee: C. DelachauxInventor: Patrick Bommart
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Patent number: 4313382Abstract: An improved apparatus for aligning and setting the gap between two rail ends comprises a rigid housing overlapping the two rails and providing an access area around the two rail ends. A first pair of presses and a second pair of presses are mounted in line on the frame and arranged so that the first pair of presses is situated between the second pair of presses. Each combination of a first press and a second press serves to grip one of the two rails to be joined. A pair of vertically mounted jacks are operatively secured to the second pair of presses to provide vertical movement of the second pair of presses independent of the rigid housing. Vertically adjustable support stops engage the tops of the rails and together with the vertically adjustable second presses effect vertical adjustment of the rails. The improved apparatus can be mounted singly or in pairs on a gantry and can include gap setting apparatus and weld dressing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1980Date of Patent: February 2, 1982Assignee: C. Delachaux, S.A.Inventor: Patrick Bommart
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Patent number: 4272664Abstract: A mobile rail welding machine comprises a frame, two undercarriages supporting the frame, a hydraulically driven flash butt welding unit for welding abutting rail section ends of a track rail mounted on the frame intermediate the undercarriages, a hydraulically driven weld burr removal unit mounted on the frame intermediate the undercarriages, which units may be integrated with each other, and a hydraulic jack for the frame operable to relieve the track rails of the machine weight.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1978Date of Patent: June 9, 1981Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventor: Josef Theurer
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Patent number: 4236453Abstract: A mobile rail welding machine comprises a frame, a hydraulically driven flash butt welding device, a "Thermit" welding unit and preferably an electric arc welding device mounted on the frame for selectively flash butt welding, "Thermit" welding or arc welding abutting rail section ends of a track rail, and a weld burr removal device adjustably mounted on the frame for selectively removing weld burrs at either rail.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1978Date of Patent: December 2, 1980Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventor: Heinrich Collen
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Patent number: 4232610Abstract: A mobile apparatus for laying railway track comprises a car running on the rails and a carrier frame with a track on which a power-driven trolley is mounted. The trolley includes a beam for carrying and laying an assembled section of the railway track including rails fastened to ties. A vertically and transversely adjustable flash butt welding machine is arranged below the carrier frame and in the region of the region of the forward end of the car for welding the rails of the assembled railway track section laid by the beam to the rails on the railway track whereon the car is mounted. Associated with the welding machine are devices for removing the welding bead resulting from the flash butt welding of the rails to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1978Date of Patent: November 11, 1980Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventor: Josef Theurer
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Patent number: 4063720Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic unplugging aluminothermic welding crucible comprising a crucible per se made of refractory material, shaped generally as a truncated cone with a vertical axis, said cone tapering inwardly to the lower base thereof and comprising a conical hole receiving a crown provided with a conical bore, said conical bore receiving a casting socket, the conduit thereof being sealed by sealing means before filling of said crucible, said sealing means comprising a plug made of an aluminothermic compound consisting of iron oxide and aluminum agglomerated with a suitable binder, said plug resting on a steel washer.According to the invention, said sealing means comprise a plug made of an aluminothermic compound consisting of iron oxide and aluminum agglomerated with a suitable binder, for example, made of silicate.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1975Date of Patent: December 20, 1977Inventors: Camille Boutet, Andre Fevre