Patents by Inventor Bernhard Lichtberger

Bernhard Lichtberger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11920308
    Abstract: A method is proposed for track position improvement by means of a track-movable track-tamping machine (6) with a three-point work measurement system having three measurement carriages (A, B, C) and a cord (9) stretched therebetween, a tamping unit (5), a lifting and straightening unit (8) for tracks and in particular an odometer. The position of the track after the correction work of the track-tamping machine (6) is recorded by means of a measurement system. In order to reduce the straightening error, it is proposed that a computer (R) calculates the difference between a predetermined desired track position (1) and an actual position recorded by the measurement system, i.e. a residual error (Kh), and in that the position of the rear cord end on the rear measurement carriage (C) of the track-tamping machine (6) of the three-point work measurement system is continuously corrected in such a way that the rear cord end on the measurement carriage (C) is guided on the desired track position (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 11807995
    Abstract: A tamping assembly for a track-tamping machine tamping tools designed as rocker arm pairs. Each tamping tool has a pick arm mounted on a support so as to be pivotally adjustable about a pivot axis and with a hydraulic drive engaging one end and a pick on the other end. The pick arm is of single web design and is mounted on the pivot axis between two axis supports assigned to the support. A pick holder is between the pick arm and the pick. The pick holder is mounted on the pick arm to be pivotally adjustable about an adjustment axis by a pivot drive. The adjustment axis is perpendicular to the pivot axis, and the point of attack of the hydraulic drive on the pick arm, the longitudinal axis of the pick arm, and the adjustment axis lie in a common plane between the axis supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20230313470
    Abstract: A track-tamping machine (100) for compressing the ballast bed of a track comprises a tamping assembly group that has at least two tamping assemblies (ST), which are arranged in a row and can be moved transversely to the track-tamping machine longitudinal direction (AR) by a transverse-movement device, in order to tamp the track on each track-tamping machine side (R, L). The tamping assembly group (V, H) is rotatably mounted on a support (18) for the purpose of a rotational adjustment about a track-tamping machine vertical axis (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 11713547
    Abstract: A tamping assembly (1) for a track tamping machine is proposed comprising tamping tool pairs (3), which are arranged on a girder (7) guided vertically adjustable in a tamping assembly frame and are formed as swing arms, and the lower tamping pick ends (10) of which intended for plunging into a ballast bed (4) are drivable using an oscillation drive and are hydraulically closable toward one another, wherein a hydraulic cylinder (11) and possibly a distance sensor (7) for determining the hydraulic cylinder position are associated with each of the tamping tools (3) of a tamping tool pair, and the hydraulic cylinders (11) form both the linear closing drive and also the oscillation drive of the tamping tools (3), and wherein electrohydraulic valves (25) are provided for actuation of the hydraulic cylinders (11), which comprise a mechanical hydraulic cylinder actuation valve part (12) and an associated valve electronic unit (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20230228042
    Abstract: A method for automatic autonomous control of a packing machine (C) having a position-measuring device (WMS, GPS, 32) for precise detection of the position of the track-building machine in a track, and signal detection by actuators of working assemblies (23, bv, 18, 26) of the packing machine (C). Track ballast data are detected by sensors (23, bv, 18, 26) during the packing and the current track ballast parameters are detected therefrom and stored for a subsequent work pass and analysed by a device for machine learning (17, ML). An analysis of the track ballast state data (EF7, S9, A3) is created on the basis of machine learning methods (ML, 17) and the track ballast parameters are analysed in view of a drop in compression forces that occurs in the longitudinal track direction and work instructions (EF7, S9, A3) for an optimal work approach are ascertained therefrom and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20230221448
    Abstract: A method for gauging a track position uses a track gauging trolley (7) moved on the track. A gauging run is carried out with the track gauging trolley (7), a GPS antenna (8) and an RTK GPS receiver (11) that communicates with an RTK correction data service (RTK-KD), wherein at least one wheel (10) of the track gauging trolley (7) is pressed against a rail (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20220349128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a track ballast levelling apparatus (1) comprising a machine frame (15) which is movable on rail bogies (14) and with which a levelling apparatus adjustable relative to the machine frame (15) and a sweeping device adjustable relative to the machine frame (15) are associated, wherein the levelling apparatus has a central plough (23) and two flank ploughs (24) and the sweeping device has a rotatably driven ballast-sweeping brush (2, 12) for sweeping away track ballast. and wherein the machine frame (15) is optionally assigned a ballast conveying device associated with the ballast-sweeping brush (2, 12) and a ballast silo (3) with ballast chutes (9, 10) for ballasting the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20210222373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automatic correction of the position of individual faults (H(n)) of a track formed by rails (16) and sleepers (9) with a track tamping machine (2). After the left and right rails have been surveyed independently by means of an inertial measuring unit (11), the length and position of the individual fault (TAMP, S, E) to be corrected is determined by taking into account a limit value of the individual faults (FLIM) and a maximum extension (smax) in the longitudinal direction of the track (s). The tamping units (7) of the tamping machine (s) are positioned exactly at the starting point (S) and end the tamping at the end point (E) of the determined track correction section (TAMP). Both track sections (FLI,FRE) are tamped and corrected simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20210010206
    Abstract: A tamping assembly (1) for a track tamping machine is proposed comprising tamping tool pairs (3), which are arranged on a girder (7) guided vertically adjustable in a tamping assembly frame and are formed as swing arms, and the lower tamping pick ends (10) of which intended for plunging into a ballast bed (4) are drivable using an oscillation drive and are hydraulically closable toward one another, wherein a hydraulic cylinder (11) and possibly a distance sensor (7) for determining the hydraulic cylinder position are associated with each of the tamping tools (3) of a tamping tool pair, and the hydraulic cylinders (11) form both the linear closing drive and also the oscillation drive of the tamping tools (3), and wherein electrohydraulic valves (25) are provided for actuation of the hydraulic cylinders (11), which comprise a mechanical hydraulic cylinder actuation valve part (12) and an associated valve electronic unit (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20210002831
    Abstract: A tamping assembly for a track-tamping machine tamping tools designed as rocker arm pairs. Each tamping tool has a pick arm mounted on a support so as to be pivotally adjustable about a pivot axis and with a hydraulic drive engaging one end and a pick on the other end. The pick arm is of single web design and is mounted on the pivot axis between two axis supports assigned to the support. A pick holder is between the pick arm and the pick. The pick holder is mounted on the pick arm to be pivotally adjustable about an adjustment axis by a pivot drive. The adjustment axis is perpendicular to the pivot axis, and the point of attack of the hydraulic drive on the pick arm, the longitudinal axis of the pick arm, and the adjustment axis lie in a common plane between the axis supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20200347557
    Abstract: A method is proposed for track position improvement by means of a track-movable track-tamping machine (6) with a three-point work measurement system having three measurement carriages (A, B, C) and a cord (9) stretched therebetween, a tamping unit (5), a lifting and straightening unit (8) for tracks and in particular an odometer. The position of the track after the correction work of the track-tamping machine (6) is recorded by means of a measurement system. In order to reduce the straightening error, it is proposed that a computer (R) calculates the difference between a predetermined desired track position (1) and an actual position recorded by the measurement system, i.e. a residual error (Kh), and in that the position of the rear cord end on the rear measurement carriage (C) of the track-tamping machine (6) of the three-point work measurement system is continuously corrected in such a way that the rear cord end on the measurement carriage (C) is guided on the desired track position (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 10794009
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tamping machine (1) for compacting the ballast bed of a track (9), comprising tamping units (4) for tamping a track (9), a lifting and lining device (2) for lifting and lining tracks and switches (9), said device being arranged between the running gears (8), preferably in front of the tamping units (4) in the working direction (C), and comprising lifting rollers (6) and lifting hooks (7). In order to provide advantageous conditions it is proposed that the lifting roller (6) with its associated vertical guide (18) and the lifting hook (7) with its associated vertical guide are displaceably mounted along a common transverse guide (16) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the tamping machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 10550525
    Abstract: A method and device for compacting the ballast bed of a track, especially in the region of a switch, comprising a switch tamping machine (1), which is fitted with a tamping unit (4), a lifting and lining device (2) comprising at least one pair of roller pincers (6) and at least one lifting hook (7) for lining the track position, and which is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the machine frame (2) in the longitudinal direction of the machine. In order to provide advantageous lining conditions, it is proposed that a switch component measuring system (3), which is provided upstream of the lifting and lining device (2) in the working direction (C), is provided for the position-dependent measurement of the position of the switch components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 10240300
    Abstract: A tamping machine for compacting the ballast bed of a track comprises at least two tamping units for each side of the tamping machine, which units can be displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine by means of a transversal displacement device. At least two guides, in particular motion bars or sliding tubes are associated with both tamping units of each side of the tamping machine, said guides being offset in relation to one another with respect to their height and in the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine. Each outer tamping unit and its associated guides can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine using an adjusting drive and the inner tamping unit can be displaced on the same guides, independently of the outer tamping unit, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine using an adjusting drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 10174461
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a device for measuring tracks having a track-driveable track-measuring car with a lifting and lining device and track-position measurement sensors measuring the height, direction and superelevation of the rails of the track using the machine frame as a reference zero line. A lifting and lowering device is associated with the track-measuring car. A calibration device is associated with the machine frame the track-measuring car, for calibrating the sensors, is first lowered from a parking position, in which the track-measuring car is lifted from the track, onto the track or into an intermediate position. Calibration stops are moved by an actuator from an idle position into a calibration position, against which the track-measuring car is subsequently raised and applied. The values of the track-position measurement sensors are read out and stored in the measurement system as calibration values, and the track-measuring car is lowered onto the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 10119227
    Abstract: A method for measuring and displaying the track geometry of a track system uses a track-driveable permanent-way machine, comprising a control measurement system measuring the track position to be corrected before a lifting and lining device, an acceptance measurement system measuring the corrected track position after it, and output units displaying the measured values. The lifting and lining device is controlled depending on the measured values of the control measurement system and the acceptance measurement system to achieve a specified target track geometry. A three-dimensional position image is calculated from the curvature image (k(s)), longitudinal level image (h(s)) and superelevation image (u(s)) of the target track geometry, put into a perspective display, and displayed by the output unit, supplemented by measured error curves for track parameters of track direction, superelevation, twist, and longitudinal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20180298564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tamping machine (1) for compacting the ballast bed of a track (9), comprising tamping units (4) for tamping a track (9), a lifting and lining device (2) for lifting and lining tracks and switches (9), said device being arranged between the running gears (8), preferably in front of the tamping units (4) in the working direction (C), and comprising lifting rollers (6) and lifting hooks (7). In order to provide advantageous conditions it is proposed that the lifting roller (6) with its associated vertical guide (18) and the lifting hook (7) with its associated vertical guide are displaceably mounted along a common transverse guide (16) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the tamping machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 10100469
    Abstract: A tamping assembly for a track tamping machine comprises a carrier guided in a height-adjustable manner with respect to a tamping assembly frame along guides, on which carrier pairs of tamping tools formed as oscillating levers are pivotably mounted, the tamping tools of which can be oppositely driven by an oscillation drive and can be hydraulically adjusted relative to one another, said tamping tools being intended for introduction into a ballast bed. To reduce the number of required drives, several of the tamping tools are combined into tamping units with a compartment between them engaging around a rail and are mechanically connected to each other, and each oscillating lever is associated with a tamping unit and an adjusting drive, wherein the guides, especially the guide rods, act directly on the respective carrier and run in fixed guides of the tamping assembly frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HP3 Real GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Publication number: 20180274179
    Abstract: A tamping machine for compacting the ballast bed of a track comprises at least two tamping units for each side of the tamping machine, which units can be displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine by means of a transversal displacement device. At least two guides, in particular motion bars or sliding tubes are associated with both tamping units of each side of the tamping machine, said guides being offset in relation to one another with respect to their height and in the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine. Each outer tamping unit and its associated guides can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine using an adjusting drive and the inner tamping unit can be displaced on the same guides, independently of the outer tamping unit, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tamping machine using an adjusting drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: System 7-Railsupport GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard LICHTBERGER
  • Patent number: 9982396
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for compacting the ballast bed of a track, comprising a machine frame which is movable on the track with a stabiliser unit which runs on rollers on the track and is equipped with a vibration drive for producing a vibration in a plane parallel to the track. The stabiliser unit is preferably equipped with tension rollers engaging around the rail head. The stabiliser unit is linked in a height-adjustable manner to the machine frame with an adjusting drive and can be moved against the track under load. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is provided that the vibration drive comprises at least one cylinder vibrator which is formed by a hydraulic cylinder and is triggered via a proportional or servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HP3 REAL GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Lichtberger, Hans Joerg Hofer