BALLAST CLEANER Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: railway transport; track facilities. SUBSTANCE: invention provides mechanization of ballast cleaning directly on section between stations. Proposed machine contains welded frame on two self-propelled bogies, raking device, ballast cleaning mechanism with endless wire-mesh belt, conveyors for evacuation of litter, hopper-distributor and metering device. Ballast cleaning mechanism is made in form of horizontally arranged high-speed conveyor with wire-mesh belt furnished additionally with vibration agitator. Vibration agitator consists of spatial framework rigidly secured on conveyor frame over upper run of wire-mesh belt. Frame-work accommodates two spatial spring-loaded frames whose lower cross bars are made in form of axles carrying stacks of disks installed for free rotation and supporting carrying upper run of conveyor belt from below. Vibrators are installed on upper cross bars of frames. Invention makes it possible to create self-propelled ballast cleaning machine with cleaning mechanism providing complete cleaning of ballast at one pass, provides increase of service life of expensive wire-mesh and reduction of specific energy consumption. EFFECT: reduced operating expenses and increased capacity. 3 dwg