DE29601095U1 - Sound absorption element - Google Patents

Description

Sound absorption element Description

The present invention relates to a sound absorption element, in particular for track systems, in particular ballast track systems, wherein the sound absorption element comprises a sound absorption body made of sound-absorbing material.

The German utility model G 94 17 008 discloses a sound reduction element for dampening the sound that is generated in the area of railway tracks when trains travel over them. The sound reduction element is constructed as an artificial stone body. The artificial stone body consists of sand, gravel, chippings or concrete, for example, and is solidified using cement, glue or plastic glue. The artificial stone body known from this document is shaped and profiled in such a way that a large number of artificial stone bodies can be laid directly adjacent to one another on the subsurface in the area of the railway tracks, thus forming an essentially continuous sound absorption layer. This known sound reduction element is used in particular in a fixed track with sleepers laid on a fixed support plate.

However, by binding the granular material with cement or adhesive, the open porosity of the sound-absorbing material is largely eliminated. This means that the sound-absorbing properties of an artificial stone body produced in this way are also greatly reduced, since the cavities present in an absorption body in particular make a significant contribution to dampening the sound penetrating this body. Furthermore, these known rigid artificial stone bodies have the problem that, although they can easily be arranged on a flat subsurface layer in a suitable orientation and mutual arrangement, they

tend to tip over on an uneven surface, thus creating gaps between the individual artificial stone bodies, through which sound can pass unhindered.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a sound absorption element, in particular for track systems, in particular ballast track systems, which has improved sound absorption characteristics and which can be used on a variety of different types of substrate. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a sound absorption element, in particular for track systems, in particular ballast track systems, wherein the sound absorption element comprises a sound absorption body made of sound-absorbing material. The sound-absorbing material comprises unbound, granular granulate material.

In the sound-absorbing material of the sound absorption element of the present invention, the cavity between the individual granulate material grains is not filled with cement, adhesive or the like, as is the case in the prior art, so that cavities are still present, which result in a significantly improved sound-damping property of the sound absorption element according to the invention. In addition, the sound absorption element consisting of an unbound, granular granulate material is not a rigid body and thus adapts to any desired subsurface shape. It is therefore particularly suitable for use in ballast track systems, as well as for use in track systems with a fixed track.

Preferably, the sound absorption element body comprises a flexible, bag-like covering element into which the sound-absorbing unbound, granular granulate material can be filled. This creates a container made of covering material and unbound, granular granulate material which can be easily transported and which

ches can be easily deposited at the place of application without spilling granulate material.

Since the sound absorption element according to the invention is intended to be suitable for long-term use, it is proposed that the enveloping element consists of rot-proof, UV-resistant, grid-like material.

The covering element preferably consists of polyamide fiber fabric or knitted fabric, glass silk fabric or knitted fabric, wire mesh material or perforated plastic film material. In particular, when using glass silk fabric, it is possible on the one hand to produce the covering element from recycled used glass material and on the other hand to return the covering element to the processing cycle after the end of its service life.

If the sound-absorbing unbound, granular granulate material comprises expanded glass granulate, then used glass material can be used to produce the granulate material and the granulate material can be returned to the recycling cycle after the end of its service life. The sound absorption element according to the invention can therefore be produced at low cost.

An excellent sound absorption property of the sound absorption element according to the invention can be achieved if the sound-absorbing unbound, granular granulate material has a grain size in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

To ensure that during transport or unloading of the sound absorption elements the granulate material in the enveloping

, element does not slip and accumulates in the bottom area, it is proposed that the enveloping element has a plurality of granulate material chambers that are essentially separate from one another. Each of the granulate material chambers contains a certain proportion of the granulate material contained in the enveloping element.

Granulate material, so that a substantially uniform distribution of granulate material can be provided over the surface of the sound absorption element according to the invention.

In a particularly simple manner, the granulate material chambers can be formed by quilting seams or the like, which are provided on the enveloping element.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the enveloping element comprises a collar section with first coupling means, which extends at least partially along a width edge and/or a longitudinal edge of the enveloping element.

A fastening clamp element can be provided for fastening the sound absorption element according to the invention, for example to a track system.

In order to always keep the sound absorption element according to the invention in a pre-stressed tensile position, it is proposed that the at least one fastening clamp element is a self-tightening spring clamp.

The fastening clamp element can be designed in a first end region for coupling to a rail foot of a track and in a second end region for coupling to the sound absorption element.

The fastening clamp element can comprise two clamp legs which are connected to one another in the second end region by a connecting section and which are designed to diverge substantially in a V-shape from the second end region to the first end region.

For a particularly simple and secure coupling of the fastening clamp element, for example with a rail foot, it is proposed that each of the clamp legs in the first end

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has a substantially U-shaped coupling end.

In the second end region, the clamp legs can run essentially parallel to one another and form an essentially U-shaped coupling end with a first U-web and a second U-web and a connecting web connecting the first and second U-web. Thus, in the second end region, the fastening clamp element is also designed for particularly simple coupling, for example with the sound absorption element.

In order to prevent an unintentional release of the coupling state between the fastening clamp element and the sound absorption element, for example when lifting a sound absorption element from a substrate, it is proposed that a securing section extending to the first U-web is provided in an end of the second U-web remote from the connecting web.

To increase safety, it can be provided that the securing section extends between the first U-shaped web-forming sections of the clamp legs. A very stable and yet easy-to-produce coupling between the fastening clamp element and the sound absorption element can be provided if the first coupling means comprise eyelets, preferably corrosion-resistant eyelets, for coupling to the at least one fastening clamp element.

In order to enable manual transport of the sound absorption element according to the invention from a truck or the like to an installation site, it is proposed that the sound absorption element has a length in the range of 2 m and/or a width in the range of 1.3 m and/or a thickness in the range of 0.15 m and/or a weight in the range of 40 kg to 50 kg. The sound absorption element according to the invention is thus dimensioned such that a construction worker can easily transport it from a truck, for example to

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an installation location in the area of a railway track if this installation location is difficult to access for construction machines or the like.

To secure the sound absorption element at the installation site against accidental or unauthorized lifting, it is suggested that subsurface fastening means are provided, preferably ground nails, to fix the sound absorption element to a subsurface.

The present invention further relates to a sound absorption system, in particular for track systems, comprising a plurality of sound absorption elements according to the invention.

It can be provided that sound absorption elements lying directly next to one another are preferably connected to one another by means of second coupling means that interact with the first coupling means. This creates an essentially continuous sound absorption layer in which individual sound absorption elements are secured against accidental slipping. The sound absorption layer thus formed can also be subsequently driven over by light construction equipment or the like without being damaged.

If the second coupling means comprise cable ties, then a secure connection can be formed in a simple and cost-effective manner between sound absorption elements located directly next to one another.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments. It shows:

Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-section through a track system with sound absorption elements placed on it;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a sound absorption element according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fastening clip element ;

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a sound absorption element attached to a rail foot of a track by the fastening clamp element of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a sound absorption system according to the invention installed on a track system.

Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-section through a ballasted track system 10. The ballasted track system 10 comprises a ballasted bed 12 (the ballast is indicated on the left-hand side) in which sleepers 14 are embedded in a manner known per se. The sleepers 14 carry rails 16, 18. Lateral sound absorption elements 22, 24 are placed on a surface 20 of the ballasted bed 14. The sound absorption elements 22, 24 are placed or dimensioned in such a way that they reach so close to the rails 18 or 16 that it is possible to drive on the rails 16, 18 with a train and that they reach to the foot of the ballasted bed 12 so that the ballasted bed 12 is essentially completely covered.

Sound absorption elements 26 are also placed between the rails 16, 18, which are again dimensioned such that they essentially completely cover the exposed surface section 28 of the track system 10 formed between the rails 16, 18.

dig, but it is still possible for a train to travel safely on tracks 16 and 18.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26 are made of flexible material so that they can adapt to the surface shape of the substrate on which they are placed. The sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26 comprise a covering element 30, which can also be seen in Figure 2 and which contains a filling of unbound, granular granulate material 32. The sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26 according to the invention are thus essentially sack-like containers consisting of the covering element 30 and the unbound, granular granulate material 32.

is The covering element 3 0 can, for example, consist of a polyamide fiber fabric, a glass silk fabric or wire mesh material. If a glass silk fabric is used, this can have six threads per centimeter; if a polyamide fabric is used, this preferably has a mesh size of 0.8 mm. A perforated plastic film can also be used. This allows rainwater or the like to pass unhindered through the sound absorption elements. However, it is important that the covering element is UV-resistant and rot-proof, that it is environmentally neutral and that it is resistant to external influences such as lost cargo from trains, pesticides and the like.

The granulate material can be, for example, expanded glass granulate with a grain size in the range of 2 to 4 mm. The mesh size of the enveloping element 30 is matched to the grain size in such a way that it is not possible for the grains to pass through the mesh. In particular, when using the glass silk fabric for the enveloping element and when using the expanded glass granulate as a filling material, it is possible to manufacture the entire sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26 from a material that is, on the one hand, produced by recycling

can be obtained from already used glass material and which, on the other hand, can be returned to the recycling cycle after its useful life has ended. This ensures that the sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26 according to the invention can be manufactured and disposed of in a particularly environmentally friendly manner.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the covering element 3 0 has stitchings 34, 36. The stitchings 34, 36 divide the

‘ Enveloping element 30 is divided into a plurality of granulate material chambers 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d. The granulate material chambers 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d are essentially completely separated from one another, so that no exchange of granulate material occurs between these chambers. This prevents the granulate material 32 from slipping completely to one side within the envelope element 30 when deposited on an inclined plane. The sound absorption element 22 thus has a uniform granulate material distribution and thus a uniform sound absorption characteristic essentially over its entire surface. In addition to or instead of the quilting seams 34, 36 shown in Figure 2, further or differently running quilting seams can be provided.

The wrapping element 30 is essentially constructed like a sack with a filling opening section for the granulate material 32. After filling the wrapping element 30 with the granulate material 32, the filling opening area is closed, for example by sewing or the like, so that a loss of granulate material from the wrapping element 30 can be avoided.

In Figure 2 it can also be seen that a protruding collar 44 is provided along a width edge 40 and a length edge 42 of the sound absorption element 20. The collar 44 preferably extends along the entire circumference for coupling the sound absorption elements to one another or to the track system, as described in more detail below.

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of the sound absorption element 20. Eyelets 46, preferably made of corrosion-resistant material, are provided in the collar 44.

The coupling of the sound absorption element 22 according to the invention to the track system 10 is described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In particular, Figure 3 shows a fastening clamp element 50 with which the sound absorption element 22 can be coupled to a rail foot 48 of the rail 18 in the manner shown in Figure 4. The

The fastening clamp element 50 has a first end region 52' in which it is designed for coupling to the rail foot 48, and a second end region 54 in which it is designed for coupling to the sound absorption element 22. The fastening clamp element 50 comprises two clamp legs 56, 58 which diverge in a substantially V-shape from the second end region 54 to the first end region 52 and which each have U-shaped coupling ends 60, 62 in the first end region 52. In the second end region 54, the clamp legs 56, 58 run essentially parallel and form a first U-web 64, a second U-web 66 and a connecting web 68. On the second U-web 66, in the region remote from the connecting web 68, a securing section 70 is formed, which extends towards the first U-web 64 and extends between the sections 72, 74 of the clamp legs 58, 60 forming the first U-web 64. A substantially closed loop is thus formed by the first U-web 64, the connecting web 68, the second U-web 66 and the securing section 70. In the region of the securing section 70, the clamp legs 56, 58 are connected to one another by a connecting section 76.

The fastening clamp element 56 can be formed, for example, from spring steel wire or the like, so that it forms an elastically deformable, self-tensioning spring element.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the fastening clamp element 50 with its securing section 70, its second

, U-web 66 and its connecting web 68 have been pushed through the eyelet 46, for example by elastically bending the clamp legs 56, 58 apart and then pushing the eyelet 46 over the securing section 70. The clamp legs 56, 58 extend under the rail foot 48 of the rail 18 and overlap the rail foot 48 in their end sections 60, 62. The sound absorption element 22 is thus firmly anchored to the rail 18 by the fastening clamp element 50. Since directly under the

&iacgr;&ogr; rail foot 48 of the rail 18 the ballast material is already arranged, it is not possible, for example, to move the sound absorption element 22 together with the fastening clamp 50 towards the rail 18, to release the engagement of the end sections 60, 62 from the rail foot 48 and then

The fastening element 50 is to be pulled under the rail foot 48. This creates a secure fastening of the sound absorption elements 22 to the rail 18. Due to the V-shaped diverging clamp legs 56, 58, a spring-like restoring force is generated when the fastening clamp element is subjected to tensile stress, which always pre-tensions the sound absorption element 22 firmly against the rail 18.

By means of the fastening clamp elements 50 shown in Figure 3, it is also possible to fasten the sound absorption element 26 located between the rails 16 and 18 in Figure 1 to the rails 16 and 18 on both sides.

Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of a sound absorption system formed by a plurality of sound absorption elements according to the invention. Figure 5 shows the sound absorption system using a track system with two tracks Gl and G2. In the case of the track Gl, sound absorption elements 22 and 24 are again placed on both sides of the track Gl, and sound absorption elements 26 are again placed between the rails 16, 18 of the track Gl. The sound absorption elements can be arranged in their longitudinal and

Width dimensions should be such that their width dimension is smaller than a lateral distance between the rails 16, 18, so that they can be laid with their width edges directly one after the other between the rails 16, 18, like the sound absorption elements 26 in Figure 5. The length of the sound absorption elements can be somewhat longer, so that they can extend essentially over the entire sections of the ballast bed lying next to the rails 16, 18. These sound absorption elements 22 and 24 then lie with their longitudinal edges directly adjacent to one another on the subsurface. A corresponding arrangement of sound absorption elements 22, 26, 24 is also provided for track G2.

is In order to form a stable, continuous sound absorption layer, the individual sound absorption elements 22, 26, 24 can be connected to one another in their immediately adjacent edge sections. The eyelets 46 provided in the collar 44 (Figure 2) can be used for this purpose. Cable ties, for example, can be passed through the eyelets of immediately adjacent sound absorption elements and then tightened. The individual sound absorption elements can thus be secured to one another. This prevents individual sound absorption elements from slipping or being deliberately removed. When the sound absorption elements are connected to one another in this way, it is also possible to subsequently drive over the sound absorption layer thus formed with light construction equipment.

Furthermore, in addition to being fastened to one another and to the rails 16, 18, the sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26 can be fastened directly to the subsurface by means of ground nails, ballast material or the like, in order to provide further protection against unauthorized or unintentional movement or removal of the sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26.

If maintenance work is to be carried out on the track system, the sound absorption elements 22, 24, 26 can be decoupled from one another in a local area by loosening the cable connectors and then removed from the desired area. After the work has been completed, the sound absorption elements can be put back in the desired location and secured again to the adjacent sound absorption element or the rails using cable connectors or the fastening elements 50.

The size of the sound absorption elements can be selected depending on the type and size of the ballast bed and the requirements. For example, the length of the sound absorption elements can be in the range of two meters, the width can be in the range of 1.3 m, the thickness can be in the range of 0.15 m and the weight can be in the range of 40 kg to 50 kg. Sound absorption elements constructed in this way can be easily placed in the desired location by construction workers without a crane or the like. As can be seen in Figure 5, the sound absorption elements 22 can completely cover the area between the tracks Gl and G2. Instead, separate sound absorption elements can also be provided for each track Gl and G2.

It is also conceivable to use the sound-absorbing granulate material of the sound absorption elements according to the invention without using the enveloping elements. For example, a sound absorption layer made of the granulate material can be poured onto the finished track structure, the thickness of which is then adapted to the respective absorption requirements. A covering layer made of humus or the like for growing grass can then be provided on the sound absorption layer made of granulate material created in this way, for example, in order to prevent subsequent damage to the sound absorption layer.

Furthermore, the use of the sound absorption elements according to the invention is also conceivable for other noise-generating devices, such as compressors or the like. In these cases, the shape and size of the sound absorption elements made from the covering element and granulate material can be adapted to the size and shape of the device to be absorbed.

The present invention provides a sound absorption element or a sound absorption system which, due to the use of a granular, unbound granulate material, has excellent sound absorption properties compared to the prior art. Due to the flexible shape of the sound absorption elements, which consist of granulate material wrapped in enveloping elements, they can be used on any type of substrate. Due to their flexibility, the sound absorption elements always adapt to the substrate, so that tilting of the sound absorption elements and the resulting gaps in the boundary area between sound absorption elements can be avoided.

Claims (23)

Protection claims 1. Sound absorption element (22, 24, 26), in particular for track systems (10), in particular ballasted track systems, wherein the sound absorption element (22, 24, 26) comprises a sound absorption element body (30, 32) made of sound-absorbing material (32),
characterized, “that the sound-absorbing material (32) comprises unbound, granular granular material (32). 2. Sound absorption element according to claim 1, characterized in that the sound absorption element body (30, 32) a flexible, bag-like covering element (30) is included, into which the sound-absorbing unbound, granular material (32) can be filled. 3. Sound absorption element according to claim 2, characterized in that the covering element (3 0) consists of rot-proof, UV-resistant, grid-like material. 4. Sound absorption element according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the covering element (3 0) consists of polyamide fiber fabric or knitted fabric, glass silk fabric or knitted fabric, wire mesh material or perforated plastic film material 5. Sound absorption element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sound-absorbing unbound, granular granulate material (32) comprises expanded glass granulate (32). 6. Sound absorption element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sound-absorbing unbound, granular granulate material (32) has a grain size in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm. 7. Sound absorption element according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the enveloping element (30) has a plurality of granulate material chambers (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) which are essentially separate from one another. 8. Sound absorption element according to claim 7, characterized in that the granulate material chambers (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) are formed by quilting seams (34, 36) or the like, which are provided on the enveloping element (30). &iacgr;&ogr; are. 9. Sound absorption element according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the enveloping element (30) comprises a collar section (44) with first coupling means (46) extending at least partially along a width edge (40) and/or a longitudinal edge (42) of the enveloping element (30). 10. Sound absorption element according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising at least one fastening clamp element (50), in particular for fastening the sound absorption element (22, 24, 26) to a track system (10). 11. Sound absorption element according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one fastening clamp element (50) is a self-tightening spring clamp (50). 12. Sound absorption element according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the at least one fastening clamp element (50) is designed in a first end region (52) for coupling to a rail foot (48) of a rail (18) and is designed in a second end region (54) for coupling to the sound absorption element body . 13. Sound absorption element according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the at least one fastening clamp element (50) comprises two clamp legs (56, 58) which are connected to one another in the second end region (54) by a connecting section (76) and which are designed to diverge in a substantially V-shape from the second end region (54) to the first end region (52). 14. Sound absorption element according to claim 13, characterized in that each of the clamp legs (56, 58) has a substantially U-shaped coupling end (60, 62) in the first end region (52). is 15. Sound absorption element according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the clamp legs (56, 58) in the second end region (54) run essentially parallel to one another and form an essentially U-shaped coupling end with a first U-web (64) and a second U-web (66) and a connecting web (68) connecting the first (64) and the second (66) U-web (64, 66). 16. Sound absorption element according to claim 15, characterized in that a securing section (70) extending to the first U-web (64) is provided in an end of the second U-web (66) remote from the connecting web (68). 17. Sound absorption element according to claim 16, characterized in that the securing section (70) extends between the sections (72, 74) of the clamp legs (58, 56) forming the first U-web (64). 18. Sound absorption element according to claim 9 and one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the first coupling means are eyelets (46), preferably corro- - 18 - sion-resistant eyelets for coupling with the at least one fastening clamp element (50). 19. Sound absorption element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound absorption element (22, 24, 26) has a length in the range of 2 m and/or a width in the range of 1.3 m and/or a thickness in the range of 0.15 m and/or a weight in the range of 40 kg to 50 kg. 20. Sound absorption element according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising ground fastening means, preferably ground nails, for fixing the sound absorption element (22, 24, 26) to a ground. 21. Sound absorption system, in particular for track systems, comprising a plurality of sound absorption elements (22, 24, 26) according to one of the preceding claims. 22. Sound absorption system according to claim 21, characterized in that sound absorption elements (22, 24, 26) located directly next to one another are preferably connected to one another by means of second coupling means interacting with the first coupling means (46). 23. Sound absorption system according to claim 22, characterized in that the second coupling means comprise cable connectors. /users/ju/anmeldungen/br-13125G-bes+ans 22.01.1996