Indexing trip
Indexing trip describes a process in which the interaction of the mechanical components of the drive and the chassis is examined and adjusted in motion on steam locomotives . This inspection is carried out in the company after main inspections ( heavy maintenance ) or, less frequently, during general inspections of individual machines. In the context of development work, indexing drives serve to control and optimize parameters after mechanical changes.
The main concern of the indexing of steam engines is the steam distribution in double-acting composite cylinders and thus an energetic optimization and optimal use of the technically specified efficiency . This is achieved by adjusting the slides that control the inflow and outflow times of the steam in the piston chamber. In the case of steam locomotives, measurements of the indexing run are also used to adjust the cylinders or the connecting rods to one another in order to compensate for tolerances in production and assembly.
After an indexing run, the slide rods of each cylinder are adjusted based on the measurement results . The effect of this setting can be checked on a case-by-case basis during a further indexing run. For a long time until the end of the scheduled use, mechanical indexing devices attached to the valve boxes were used. It was only with the development of modern electronic measuring and computing technology that indexing devices were developed that enable exact numerical recording of the vapor pressure ratios at several measuring points at the same time as well as simultaneous control of the operating behavior during the indexing run. The electronic indexing devices are a great help in maintaining the remaining museum vehicle fleet.
The goal of an indexing run has been achieved if, after correcting the slide settings, the next load test run results in a smooth run. You can also perceive this acoustically by means of even blows from the exhaust. If the coordination is poor, with a little experience you can hear the number of cylinders.
The parameters of the effective performance and the tractive force of the machine influenced by the indexing are not determined during normal operational indexing trips.
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Albert Kutschelis: indexing of steam engines. Albert Kutschelis, D-59425 Unna, Hochstr. 8, 2004, accessed October 8, 2018 .