Machine and method for laying of a second concrete slab of a sleeperless rail-bed

Abstract

A slip-form machine ( 220 ) for laying of a second concrete slab ( 120 ) of a sleeperless rail-bed including a locomotion mechanism ( 222, 232 ) adapted to provide axial translation of the machine along a first slab ( 110 ); a slip-form ( 370 ) adapted to receive concrete exiting a discharge port ( 336 ) via a rearward exit ( 340 ) and form an uncured second concrete slab ( 120 ) during the axial translation; and a height adjustment mechanism ( 360 ) operable to adjust a height of a cover ( 350 ) of a forward exit ( 338 ) with respect to the first concrete slab ( 110 ).

1 . A slip-form machine for laying of a second concrete slab of a sleeperless rail-bed, the machine comprising:
 a locomotion mechanism adapted to provide axial translation of the machine along a first slab;   a concrete feeder having an intake port and a discharge port, said discharge port comprising a forward exit facing in a direction of said axial translation and a rearward exit;   a slip-form adapted to receive concrete exiting said discharge port via said rearward exit and form an uncured second concrete slab during said axial translation; and   a height adjustment mechanism operable to adjust a height of a cover of said forward exit with respect to said first concrete slab.   
     
     
         2 . A machine according to  claim 1 , comprising a feeder regulator adapted to maintain a height of concrete in said concrete feeder within predetermined limits. 
     
     
         3 . A machine according to  claim 1 , comprising a pressure regulator adapted to maintain a hydrostatic pressure of concrete in said rearward exit within predetermined limits. 
     
     
         4 . A machine according to  claim 1 , comprising a mounting bracket adapted to drag a flexible sheet over an upper surface of said uncured second concrete slab. 
     
     
         5 . A machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said mounting bracket is provided as a horizontal bar. 
     
     
         6 . A machine according to  claim 1 , wherein an aspect ratio (width to height) of said slip form is at least 10. 
     
     
         7 . A method of paving a second concrete slab of a sleeperless rail-bed, the method comprising:
 causing a slip-form machine to axially translate along a first slab;   feeding concrete into a concrete feeder having an intake port and a discharge port, said discharge port comprising a forward exit facing in a direction of said axial translation and a rearward exit; and   adjusting a height of a cover at least partially covering said forward exit with respect to said first concrete slab so that concrete exits said discharge port via said rearward exit and fills a slip-form positioned behind said rearward exit.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , comprising regulating a height of concrete in said concrete feeder. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7 , comprising regulating a hydrostatic pressure of concrete in said rearward exit. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7  comprising attaching a flexible sheet to said slip-form machine and dragging said flexible sheet over an upper surface of an uncured second concrete slab formed by said slip form machine. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said attaching comprises attaching to a mounting bracket. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said mounting bracket is provided as a horizontal bar. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein an aspect ratio (width to height) of said slip form is at least 10.