METHODS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESSING CAPACITY OF THE VIBRATING SCREENING DEVICE FOR BALLAST CLEANING VEHICLE

Abstract

With the global development of high-speed and heavy-haul railways, the demand for operational efficiency of large-scale railway maintenance machinery is increasing. As a core equipment, the processing capacity of the screening device in a ballast cleaning vehicle directly limits the overall efficiency. To address the limitations of traditional linear vibrating screens in processing railway ballast, such as screen clogging, thick material bed, and a limited effective screening area, this paper proposes an innovative solution integrating tri-axial elliptical vibration, double-layer ballast feeding, and multi-section variable-inclination screen surfaces. By innovatively utilizing the underutilized triangular space within the vehicle frame, the solution achieves simultaneous double-layer feeding and an increased screen area without enlarging the overall layout, applying the thin-layer screening theory. Additionally, the multi-section variable-inclination screen optimizes material conveyance and screening. Experimental results from a physical prototype show a processing capacity of 800 m³/h, which is over 23% higher than the traditional solution (650 m³/h), with significantly improved screening efficiency. This study provides a technically valuable pathway for overcoming the performance bottlenecks of ballast cleaning vehicles under axle load and clearance constraints.