Due to changing conditions, railways are facing new challenges. In order to meet them in regard to locking systems for turnouts ouir mothercompany VAE has developed a new, completely enclosed locking system.

SPHEROLOCK® (for standard gauge starting from 1435 mm) and SPHEROLOCK® NG (for gauges up to 1067 mm). They can be used for both switch devices and for crossings with movable point. The know-how we have acquired in our long-standing good partnerships with our customers was a valuable source which we considered when developing the product.

Design and Function

SPHEROLOCK® is a fully sealed, pre-lubricated locking system with an absolutely new locking principle, however with the same functions of a, for instance, conventional clamp lock. SPHEROLOCK® was designed such that it fully meets the requirements for reliability, low-maintenance, environmental friendliness and long service life - and all this at reduced life-cycle costs.

Use of SPHEROLOCK®

The SPHEROLOCK® works in such a way that the inside locking jaws and suitably designed cylindrical surfaces are actuated in such a manner that the closed switch is reliably and form fittingly locked. As in a standard clamp lock, contact is attained via the piston rod which is linked to the operating rod and the switch machine. The design of the SPHEROLOCK® guarantees that no lock-releasing forces arise because of uncontrolled movements of the switch or the point of the crossing. The operating modes "setting" and "trailing" are identical to the ones of the clamp lock.

The SPHEROLOCK® system is independent of rail sections and can be used for different fastenings as per the demand of the customer. It can be installed even if the available space is extremely limited.

Highlights

• Completely encapsulated turnout lock
• No contamination or impairment by dust or weather conditions
• Low maintenance
• Lifetime lubrication
• If used under extreme conditions (e.g. high temperatures), additional lubrication can be applied
• Easy to install due to completely pre-assembled lock
• Easy to adjust, no machining at site
• Modular structure allows replacement of lock in short time
• The closed switch and the point of the crossing are held elastically to the stock rail
• Dynamic de-coupling between switch and lock.
• No influence on operation of the lock by longitudinal relative displacements of the switches and the point of the crossing caused by temperature changes
• One lock design for a variety of rail sections and/or turnout geometries
• Trailable