Mobile machine for measuring track parameters

A method for automatically and continuously comparing an existing track ordinate with a desired track ordinate and for measuring a track level by operating a mobile machine for measuring the position of a track and arranged for mobility on the track in an operating direction, comprising a machine frame having a front end in the operating direction, track reference measuring systems on the machine frame for determining different track parameters including the vertical and lateral position of the track, the systems for determining the vertical and lateral track position including a laser beam receiver means on the machine frame front end, and a self-propelled satellite bogie preceding the machine frame front end in the operating direction for mobility on an uncorrected section of the track in said direction, the bogie being equipped with a drive for propelling the bogie in said direction, a laser beam emitter means emitting a laser beam extending in at least one plane and projecting the laser beam on the receiver means for continuously determining any deviations in an extended uncorrected track section from a desired one of said positions, and a laser beam emitter and receiver for touchlessly measuring the distance of the uncorrected track section from fixed points positioned alongside the uncorrected track section whereby the deviations are determined, the laser beam receiver and emitter having coincident optical axes extending in a plane extending perpendicularly and transversely to the track, the front end of the machine frame being arranged for receiving the satellite bogie and having a storage station whereinto, and wherefrom, the satellite bogie may be propelled, and the satellite bogie being constructed for being automatically propelled into, and from, the storage station and the front end of the machine frame, which method comprises the steps of

• (a) propelling the satellite bogie out of the front end of the machine frame onto the uncorrected track section until it has reached an extended distance from the machine frame front end,
• (b) operating the distance measuring laser beam emitter and receiver together with the laser beam emitter means by remote control until the laser beam emitter and receiver has been focussed on a respective one of the fixed points alongside the uncorrected track section,
• (c) receiving the laser beams emitted by the laser beam emitter means on the bogie while the bogie is stopped and thereby focussing the laser beam receiver means on the machine frame, and continuously advancing the machine frame towards the stopped bogie to obtain measuring data indicating the ordinate and the level,
• (d) comparing the continuously obtained measuring data with comparative data indicating the desired data and storing the ascertained differential values,
• (e) propelling the stopped bogie forwardly after the machine frame has approached the bogie and repeating steps (b), (c) and (d), and
• (f) propelling the bogie by remote control back into the front end of the machine frame after the measurement of the extended uncorrected track section has been completed.