Abstract: A mobile track leveling, lining and tamping apparatus is constituted by a single machine assembly of a first vehicle mounted on two undercarriages and carrying therebetween a track correction unit and a tamping unit, a reference system for controlling the track correction, a first instrument for measuring the track position during correction and a second instrument for measuring the track position after correction, and a drive for the vehicle, and a second vehicle associated with and preceding the first vehicle in the working direction but being mechanically separated therefrom. A separate drive for the second vehicle enables the machine assembly to be operated while the first vehicle advances intermittently and the second vehicle advances non-stop. A ballast plow and an indicator for indicating and surveying the corrected track position are mounted on the second vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a pair of tamping machines mounted in side-by-side disposition on a railway vehicle on a railway track for consolidating ballast supporting the railway track. Each tamping machine comprises two pairs of normally opposed tamping units juxtaposed on a carriage for simultaneous up-and-down motion therewith between a retracted and an operating position. Included in each tamping unit pair is a pair of tamping tools which, while being driven into ballast on opposite sides of a crosstie, are both vibrated and oscillated for compacting the ballast. For use of the machine at a railway switch or over guardrails, a swivelling mechanism comprising an adjusting bolt is provided for pivoting each pair of tamping units about vertical axes and holding the same in desired angular positions with respect to the carriage.

Abstract: A tamping head with a pair of vibratory and reciprocatory tamping tools mounted on a vertically adjustable carrier for immersion in the ballast in the cribs, with the ties positioned between the tools. Each tamping tool is constituted by a lever pivotal in a vertical plane about a transverse pivot, and stops are mounted on the carrier for setting at least three different reciprocating strokes for the tamping tools, with a remote-controlled multi-step drive for setting the stops.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for correcting the surface of a railroad track by exerting pressure on the shoulders of the track from both sides thereof by means of vibrating compactors mounted on a vehicle chassis and provided with pressure applying jacks. The ballast is compacted beneath the track which raises it to a desired first track level which may be above the final desired track level, whereafter the track is tamped down to the desired level by means of a force applicator which imparts pulsating force to depress the raised track.

Abstract: A railroad track lifting an aligning frame particularly for operation in switches has a rail engaging sub frame extending transversely of the main frame of a tamping machine. The sub frame has two members connected for relative adjustment transversely of the main frame in a telescoping fashion. A rail contacting element is provided on each member and abuts the inside of the rail of the track. A jack is provided to adjust and maintain the relative position of the members transversely of the main frame of the machine so as to adjust the track gauge spacing between the rail contacting elements. A pair of substantially vertically extending rail guides, one for each rail of the track are provided as is a device for moving the guides transversely of the main frame in the sub frame. Rail hooks are provided for each guide means which rail hooks externally engage each rail of the track.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of an apparatus for tamping the ballast of a railroad track in which a vibration imparting tamping means is inserted into the ballast adjacent a tie to be tamped and the vibration of the tamping means is increased in frequency until it imparts a vibratory excitation to the ballast of between 55 and 75 Hz producing a resultant force directed at an angle towards the underside of the tie to be tamped, whereby to consolidate the ballast beneath and adjacent the tie during the excitation period and thereafter reducing the vibration to below 55 Hz. and withdrawing the tamping head from the ballast.

Abstract: An on-track, off-track track tamper has a machine frame trailer mounted on a rear and front undercarriage having wheels adapted for engagement with, and mobility on, the track, coupled to a truck tractor mounted on undercarriages supporting the tractor and having wheels for engagement with, and mobility on, the road. The machine frame carries a vertically adjustable lifting and support jack as well as a vertically adjustable undercarriage having wheels adapted for engagement with, and mobility on, the road mounted on the end of the machine frame remote from the tractor.

Abstract: In a track tamping machine, opposed pivotally mounted tamping arms are oscillated by respective single acting hydraulic cylinders controlled by one or more hydraulic duplex rotary distributing valves. Fluid supply and return lines for each piston assembly are connected to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid by way of a respective rotary valve. Each valve has a stationary ported shell which receives a rotary cylindrical spool having a pair of axially displaced supply and return throughports which alternately register with supply and return line ports in the shell to open and close the connections between the oscillating cylinder and the supply and return lines. Such oscillating cylinders are useful in controlling the vibration of the tamper arms in a track tamper unit.

Abstract: A mobile track tamper comprises two tamping tool assembly units mounted on a machine frame for vertical movement. Each tamping tool assembly includes two pairs of vibratory tamping tools spaced from each other in the direction of track elongation so that each pair of tools may be immersed in successive cribs and the two units are so spaced that all four pairs are immersible in successive cribs. The tools of each pair are reciprocable in opposite directions towards and away from the elongated edges of adjacent ties wherebetween the cribs are defined. A common drive vertically moves the tamping tools of each unit.

Abstract: A mobile track tamper comprises a tamping tool assembly mounted on a machine frame for vertical movement. Each tamping tool assembly includes two pairs of vibratory tamping tools spaced from each other in the direction of track elongation so that each pair of tools may be immersed in successive cribs and the two units are so spaced that all four pairs are immersible in successive cribs. The tools of each pair are reciprocable in opposite directions towards and away from the elongated edges of adjacent ties wherebetween the cribs are defined. A common drive vertically moves the tamping tools on a carrier.

Abstract: Opposed pivotally mounted tamper arms are oscillated by respective single-acting hyraulic piston assemblies controlled by separate hydraulic duplex rotary distributing valves. Fluid supply and return lines for each piston assembly are connected to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid via the respective rotary valve. Each valve has a stationary ported shell which receives a rotary cylindrical spool having a pair of axially displaced supply and return throughports which alternately register with supply and return line ports in the shell to open and close the connections between the respective piston assembly and the supply and return lines. While the rotary valves are preferably driven by a common drive unit, the relative phase of the oscillations of the arms can be determined by rotationally offsetting one of the spools with respect to the other by the desired phase angle.

Abstract: A mobile track tamping machine comprises a tamping tool assembly mounted on a carrier for vertical movement therewith and a drive for vertically moving the tamping tool assembly carrier. The tamping tool assembly includes three pairs of vibratory tamping tools spaced from each other in the direction of track elongation so that the pairs of tools may be immersed in three successive cribs. The tools of each pair are reciprocable in opposite directions towards and away from the elongated edges of adjacent ties wherebetween the cribs are defined. All tamping tools are vibrated by a common drive and drives are provided for reciprocating the tamping tools.

Abstract: A railroad track tamping machine for consolidating and compacting railroad track ballast includes ballast tampers, preferably rollers, adapted to roll over and between the ties, and guides for the rollers to guide them in a manner such that the rollers either roll over and between the ties or along the shoulders. The rollers are mounted in the guides and vibrator arrangements are provided for vibrating the rollers during operation thereof to consolidate and compact the ballast. In a preferred embodiment, the vibrator arrangement comprises a hydraulic system whereby the roller means are vibrated due to rapid fluctuations created in the system. Preferably the rollers are arranged in a set and are located one after the other so that each roller rolls over the same area of the ties and ballast as the other rollers of the set as the device moves once over a length of railroad track to be consolidated.

Abstract: A ballast tamping implement capable of tamping ballast under track ties is constituted by a rigid unit which consists of a tamping tool holder and tamping tools mounted thereon for immersion in the ballast to the left and to the right of a track rail. The tamping tool holder has an arm mounted on the tamper for pivoting in a vertical plane passing through the track rail and two arms extending transversely of the track from the vertically extending arm to the left and to the right of the vertical plane whereby the tamping tool holder is centered with respect to the rail. The tamping tools are symmetrically mounted on the transversely extending holder arms.

Abstract: A mobile track tamper comprises a frame and a tamping head vertically movably mounted thereon, the tamping head including a pair of vibratory ballast tamping tool implements arranged for reciprocation in the direction of track elongation and capable of tamping ballast under track ties upon vertical downward movement of the tamping head and immersion of the tamping tool implements in the ballast. Each implement is a rigid unit which consists of a tamping tool holder and tamping tools mounted thereon. The tamping tool holder has an arm mounted on the tamping head for pivoting in a vertical plane passing through the rail and two arms extending transversely of the track from the vertically extending arm to the left and to the right of the vertical plane whereby the tamping tool holder is centered with respect to the rail. The tamping tools are symmetrically mounted on the transversely extending holder arms.

Abstract: Opposed pivotally mounted tamper arms are oscillated by respective single-acting hydraulic piston assemblies controlled by separate hydraulic duplex rotary distributing valves. Fluid supply and return lines for each piston assembly are connected to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid via the respective rotary valve. Each valve has a stationary ported shell which receives a rotary cylindrical spool having a pair of axially displaced supply and return throughports which alternately register with supply and return line ports in the shell to open and close the connections between the respective piston assembly and the supply and return lines. While the rotary valves are preferably driven by a common drive unit, the relative phase of the oscillations of the arms can be determined by rotationally offsetting one of the spools with respect to the other by the desired phase angle.

Abstract: A mobile ballast tamper comprises a vertically movable tamping head with vibratory tamping tools for tamping ballast under the track ties whereby the track is pressed upwardly. A counterpressure beam for holding the track in position against the upward pressure extends above each track rail in the direction thereof in the region of the tamping tools and has at least three points of engagement with the associated rail. Power-actuated drives are linked to ends of the counterpressure beams.

Abstract: A mobile track tamping and leveling machine comprises an elongated carrier beam centered between the track rails and mounted on two undercarriages for mobility on the track. A pair of tamping heads is mounted transversely symmetrically on the carrier beam for vertical movement thereon, each tamping head being mounted laterally of the carrier beam and astride a respective one of the rails. Each tamping head comprises a carrier supporting tamping tools capable of tamping ballast under the ties and drive means for vibrating and reciprocating the tamping tools in the direction of track elongation.

Abstract: A mobile track tamper comprises vibratory tamping tools for tamping ballast under the track ties and ballast removing tools associated with the tamping tools for removing at least a portion of the ballast from a region below the ties intermediate the track rails. The track is surfaced by tamping ballast at the points of intersection between the ties and rails and removing the ballast from between the points of intersection.

Abstract: A railroad track ballast tamper, operating on-track, having a workhead resiliently and pivotally supporting a pair of platforms on each side of each rail with tamping blades pivoted on each platform and vibration motors fixed to each platform. Lowering the workhead tilts the blades toward the rail because of the platform pivot locations, and actuators coupling the blades squeeze the blades toward the tie so as to tamp, with vibration and squeezing action, that region beneath the ties and under the rail.

Abstract: The tool comprises an elongated bar adapted for mounting at its normally upper end in a ballast tamping machine of conventional construction, and a tamper foot demountably secured to the opposite, normally lower end of the bar, the particular improvement consisting of a demountable, locked, pressure-fitted, dovetail connection between the foot and bar.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for dynamically stabilizing a ballast bed supporting a track at a desired level comprises a reference for determining a deviation of the track grade from the desired level, a chassis running on the track rails on flanged wheels, vibrators for imparting at least approximately horizontal vibrations to the track engaged by the flanged wheels, a mechanism for laterally pressing the flanged wheels into play-free engagement with their associated rails, the flanged wheels and the vibrators being arranged on the chassis to vibrate in unison to transmit the vibration to the track, the loads associated with each rail and supplemental to the weight of the apparatus for imparting a pressure to the rails in the direction of the ballast bed whereby the vibrating track is pressed to a lower level.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for dynamically stabilizing a ballast bed supporting a track at a desired level comprises a reference for determining a deviation of the track grade from the desired level, and at least two track stabilization units spaced from each other in the direction of track elongation. Each unit includes a chassis running on the track rails on flanged wheels, vibrators for imparting at least approximately horizontal vibrations to the track engaged by the flanged wheels, a mechanism for laterally pressing the flanged wheels into play-free engagement with their associated rails, and loads associated with each rail and supplemental to the weight of the apparatus for imparting a pressure to the rails in the direction of the ballast bed whereby the vibrating track is pressed to a lower level.

Abstract: A mobile track tamping machine has a vertically movable tamping tool assembly with pairs of tamping tools for tamping ballast under the track ties and an additional tamping tool reciprocable in the direction of the tie ends to box in the tamped ballast, as well as a vibratory surface tamper for tamping the ballast adjacent the tie ends. The additional tamping tool and the surface tamper are associated with each other in closely adjacent relationship next to the tie ends, the vibratory force of the surface tamper reaching at least to, preferably over the entire, reciprocatory path of the additional tamping tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the density of a mass of course particles, such as track ballast, uses the immersion of a tool capable of penetrating into the mass, for instance a tamping tool. The degree of the density is a function of the time of the immersion stroke, the length of the immersion stroke and the immersion force. One of these parameters is measured while the other two parameters are predetermined to determine the measured value of the degree of density, and the measured value is indicated. In a mobile track tamping machine, this is accomplished by actuating a time measuring device by switching elements arranged to be actuated by the immersing tool for measuring the time required by the tool for immersion in the ballast through a predetermined immersion stroke. The time measuring device transmits corresponding time signals to an indicator.

Abstract: A process and a machine for tamping railway tracks so as to obtain the same degree of compactness of the ballast under all the sleepers of the track tamped by the machine. A movable tamping machine with vibratory tamping tools tamps the ballast between and under the sleepers. A pick-up device measures the amplitude of vibrations retransmitted by the ballast across the sleepers and the rails to a part of the machine which is maintained in non-elastic connection with one rail of the track. The pick-up is rigidly fixed to this part of the machine. A computer is provided to emit a control signal to a control device for stopping the compacting operation of the tools. This signal is emitted when a predetermined value (K) of increase in amplitude of the vibrations measured by the pick-up device is reached, this value being characteristic of the approach of the maximal degree of compactness of the treated ballast.

Abstract: A tamping tool unit for a ballast tamping machine comprises a pair of reciprocatory tamping tools pivotally supported on axles which are rotatable in eccentric bearing bushings rotatably mounted on the axles. Rotation of the eccentric bearing bushings imparts a compound motion to the tamping tools consisting of a vertical and a horizontal component.

Abstract: Hydraulically reciprocable and vibratory track working tools are operated with a control in the hydraulic circuit which generates a pulsating stream of hydraulic fluid and delivers this stream to a separate hydraulic motor to which hydraulic reciprocating motors are connected or directly to the hydraulic reciprocating motors for the tools so as to vibrate the same. The control includes an impulse generator for imparting impulses to the hydraulic fluid and a check valve assembly, control conduits for delivering the pulsating hydraulic fluid stream to inlets of the valve assembly, further conduits for delivering the pulsating hydraulic fluid stream from the outlets of the valve assembly to respective chambers defined by the hydraulic motors, and respective ones of the valves alternatingly blocking and permitting passage of the pulsating hydraulic fluid stream from the inlets to the outlets of the valve assembly.

Abstract: In a mobile track working machine, which comprises a track lining and leveling unit which may be moved transversely and vertically to the track for lining and leveling the track, flanged lining rollers mounted on the unit for engagement with an associated rail, and power-actuated rail lifting hooks mounted on the unit, the improvement of drives for continuously and simultaneously moving the lining rollers into substantially play-free engagement with the associated rails, and a control for the drives for temporarily holding the lining rollers in a fixed relation to the unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning track and compacting ballast therebetween. A pair of shoes contoured to fit the shoulder of the ballast is placed in contact with the shoulder whereby each shoe is located on the outside of a respective one of the rails and extends in a longitudinal direction along the shoulder. A vibration device is used to fluidize portions of the ballast beneath each of the shoes and between each shoe and the ends of the adjacent ties. A lifting jack is articulately connected to each shoe and the two jacks apply a lifting force to the rails substantially equal to the weight of the track by means of laterally and vertically adjustable clamps adapted to grasp each of the rails. A lateral force is then applied to the rails by means of the clamps to displace the track in a substantially horizontal position through said fluidized ballast.

Abstract: In a mobile track tamping and leveling machine a controlled degree of ballast compaction is obtained at each tie in proportion to the track level error by connecting a pressure control valve to a track level error pickup and transmitting device to control the pressure on the tamping tools continuously in proportion to a maximum error signal received from the device while the track is held at the leveled position by a reference against upward pressure of the tampered ballast.

Abstract: In track surfacing, a downward thrust is exerted upon the abutting ends of the adjacent rails at a rail joint, the abutting rail ends are simultaneously upwardly bent above the correct track level against the downward thrust and the ballast is tamped under the ties in the region of the joint. For this purpose, control means is arranged to discontinue actuation of the operating means of the track level correction means used to bend the abutting rail ends upwardly when the rail joint level has reached a set limit.

Abstract: A track or switch tamping machine wherein the machine includes tamping and ramming units having longitudinal ducts for injecting liquid binder into the ballast. The longitudinal ducts terminate in a plate or cavity within the lower portion of the tamping and ramming units. A nozzle is also included in the unit as is means for conveying liquid binder from a storage tank carried on the machine.