Apparatus and method of flash butt welding of railway lines

摘要

This invention relates to a flash butt welding process for joining sections of a railway line using vibration apparatus, the process including configuring and attaching a vibration apparatus on the railway line such that a vibration means is attachable to the railway line, and controlled vibration of the railway line at a suitable low frequency of vibration and amplitude of vibration, and then welding sections of railway line together using a flash butt welding means, and applying vibration to the sections of railway line until the flash butt weld is complete, and applying a controlled vibration to the welded sections of railway line for a period of time sufficient to allow for heat to dissipate from the weld area, and to allow for the weld area to be stress relieved for an improved weld joint.

主权项

1. A flash butt welding process for joining axially aligned sections of railway line, the ends of the aligned sections of railway line forming a weld area, the process including the step of:
a. aligning the sections of railway line axially using alignment clamping means, and attaching a vibration apparatus on the railway line, the vibration apparatus including a vibration control means and a vibration means, the vibration control means being configured and arranged to control a frequency of vibration and amplitude of vibration being applied by the vibration means to the sections of railway line, the vibration control means receiving signals from a frequency of vibration measurement means, an amplitude of vibration measurement means, and a temperature measurement means, and vibrating the sections of railway line at a low frequency of vibration and amplitude of vibration, the frequency of vibration and amplitude of vibration being preset, and being adjustable during the process by the vibration control means; b. welding the ends of the aligned sections of railway line together using a flash butt welding means and by applying electrical current to the sections of railway line and raising the temperature of the line to an operating temperature, and longitudinally separating and then flashing and forging by pressing together the ends of the aligned sections of railway line with force, and applying vibration to the sections of railway line until the flash butt weld is complete; and after releasing the clamping-means, c. applying vibration to the welded sections of railway line for a period of at least 5 minutes after welding is completed to allow heat to dissipate from the weld area, and to allow for the weld area to be stress relieved.