IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,559,889
Granted Patent B2
US 12,559,889 · App. 17/779,346 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

Machine and method for stabilising a ballast track

Inventors: Bernhard Antony (Stockerau, AT); Florian Auer (Vienna, AT); Fritz Kopf (Vienna, AT)
Assignee: Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
E01B27/20E01B27/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,559,889
App. No.
17/779,346
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for stabilising a track with a ballast bed, comprising a machine frame supported on rail-based running gears and a stabilising unit which can be rolled on rails of the track by means of work unit rollers, and which comprises a vibration exciter for generating a dynamic impact force as well as a loading device for generating a load acting on the track. Therein, the loading device is coupled with a control device for periodically changing the load during a stabilising process. The periodic change of the load alternately influences the near and far range of the load application. This leads to improved compaction effectiveness compared to a constant load.

Claims (20)

1 . A machine for stabilizing a track with ballast bed, comprising:

a machine frame supported on rail-based undercarriages and

a stabilizing unit which can be rolled on rails of the track by means of work unit rollers, and which comprises

a vibration exciter for generating a dynamic impact force; and

a loading device for generating a load acting on the track, wherein the loading device is coupled with a control device for periodically changing the load during a stabilizing process;

wherein two stabilizing units arranged one behind the other, each stabilizing unit with its own loading device, are operated together;

wherein an interval, adjusted to a driving speed of the machine, is predefined for the periodically changed load.

2 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein sensors are arranged for recording a progression of a force acting on the track from the stabilizing unit, in that measuring signals from the sensors are transmitted to an evaluation device and in that the evaluation device is set up to determine a characteristic value derived from the progression of the force.

3 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein for controlling a process parameter, a control loop is set up comprising a controller, a setting device for the loading device, and a measuring device for recording a process parameter.

4 . The machine according to claim 1 , wherein a further stabilizing unit is arranged, with a further loading device which is coupled with the control device for generating a periodically changed load.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a progression of a force acting on the track from the stabilising unit is recorded by means of sensors and in that measuring signals from the sensors are evaluated by means of an evaluation device to determine a characteristic value derived from the progression of the force.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the two loading devices are operated synchronously or asynchronously so that both stabilizing units exert the same load on the track in synchronous operation and different loads in asynchronous operation.

7 . A machine for stabilising a track with ballast bed, comprising:

a machine frame supported on rail-based undercarriages and

a stabilizing unit which can be rolled on rails of the track by means of work unit rollers, and which comprises

a vibration exciter for generating a dynamic impact force; and

a loading device for generating a load acting on the track, wherein the loading device is coupled with a control device for periodically changing the load during a stabilizing process

wherein the track is set into vibration by means of the stabilizing unit, wherein during the stabilizing process a periodically changed load is exerted on the track by means of the loading device;

wherein two stabilizing units arranged one behind the other, each with its own loading device, are operated together;

wherein an interval, adjusted to a driving speed of the machine, is predefined for the periodically changed load.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2022
From: ANTONY, BERNHARD; AUER, FLORIAN; KOPF, FRITZ
To: PLASSER & THEURER EXPORT VON BAHNBAUMASCHINEN GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
Reel/Frame 060000/0214 →
Priority Claims (1)
AT A 390/2019 · Dec 10, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220403605A1 · Dec 22, 2022
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