Method for detecting sensor errors, wherein measurements are taken, discharge time data with a first discharge time constant is read out from a data storage unit of the sensor and corresponding measurement signals as well as the discharge time data are transmitted to a computing unit, where a signal processing, a signal evaluation and a data evaluation occur in the computing unit and filtered signals are formed by filtering the measurement signals, where parameter values of a discharge function are determined via a logarithmic function of the filtered signals, a second discharge time constant is determined from the discharge function and where the first discharge time constant and the second discharge time constant are compared to detect errors, faults or damage of the sensor such that the influences of sensor errors on the measurements can be reduced.

Method for detecting sensor errors, wherein measurements are taken, discharge time data with a first discharge time constant is read out from a data storage unit of the sensor and corresponding measurement signals as well as the discharge time data are transmitted to a computing unit, where a signal processing, a signal evaluation and a data evaluation occur in the computing unit and filtered signals are formed by filtering the measurement signals, where parameter values of a discharge function are determined via a logarithmic function of the filtered signals, a second discharge time constant is determined from the discharge function and where the first discharge time constant and the second discharge time constant are compared to detect errors, faults or damage of the sensor such that the influences of sensor errors on the measurements can be reduced.

A rail testing system comprises a proximal mobile track system and a distal mobile track system. Each of the proximal mobile track system and the distal mobile track system are movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. A carriage is movably coupled to the proximal mobile track system and the distal mobile track system. The system has a sensor pod comprising a roller search unit. The sensor pod is configured to lock to the carriage for testing of a rail. The system includes a sensor array comprising time of flight sensors. The sensor array is usable to maintain an alignment of the roller search unit with the rail.

A rail testing system comprises a proximal mobile track system and a distal mobile track system. Each of the proximal mobile track system and the distal mobile track system are movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. A carriage is movably coupled to the proximal mobile track system and the distal mobile track system. The system has a sensor pod comprising a roller search unit. The sensor pod is configured to lock to the carriage for testing of a rail. The system includes a sensor array comprising time of flight sensors. The sensor array is usable to maintain an alignment of the roller search unit with the rail.

An object of the invention is to measure an outside size of the vehicle accurately while running the vehicle. A plurality of the 1st sensors 25, 26 irradiate inspection lights to a plurality of places (4a) of the vehicle 4 of a railroad and output measurement signals which show positions and distances by receiving lights from a plurality of the places of the vehicle 4. The 2nd sensor 27, 28 or 29 irradiates an inspection light to an outside surface of the vehicle 4 and outputs a measurement signal which shows a position and a distance by receiving a light from the outside surface of the vehicle 4. The control equipment 30 or the processing equipment 41 processes the measurement signals outputted from a plurality of the 1st sensors 25, 26, detects positions and heights of a plurality of the places of the vehicle 4, processes the measurement signal outputted from the 2nd sensor 27, 28 or 29, and detects the outside size of the vehicle 4. And the control equipment 30 or the processing equipment 41 calculates amounts of a deviation of the outside surface of the vehicle 4 due to a swing of the vehicle 4 based on amounts of fluctuations of the detected positions and heights of a plurality of the places of the vehicle 4, and corrects the detected outside size of the vehicle 4 according to the calculated amounts of the deviation.

An object of the invention is to measure an outside size of the vehicle accurately while running the vehicle. A plurality of the 1st sensors 25, 26 irradiate inspection lights to a plurality of places (4a) of the vehicle 4 of a railroad and output measurement signals which show positions and distances by receiving lights from a plurality of the places of the vehicle 4. The 2nd sensor 27, 28 or 29 irradiates an inspection light to an outside surface of the vehicle 4 and outputs a measurement signal which shows a position and a distance by receiving a light from the outside surface of the vehicle 4. The control equipment 30 or the processing equipment 41 processes the measurement signals outputted from a plurality of the 1st sensors 25, 26, detects positions and heights of a plurality of the places of the vehicle 4, processes the measurement signal outputted from the 2nd sensor 27, 28 or 29, and detects the outside size of the vehicle 4. And the control equipment 30 or the processing equipment 41 calculates amounts of a deviation of the outside surface of the vehicle 4 due to a swing of the vehicle 4 based on amounts of fluctuations of the detected positions and heights of a plurality of the places of the vehicle 4, and corrects the detected outside size of the vehicle 4 according to the calculated amounts of the deviation.

According to some embodiments, a load cell for determining a weight of a large object comprises a base plate comprising at least one recessed opening, a bulk metallic glass plug disposed in the at least one recessed opening of the base plate, and a top plate positioned above the base plate. A portion of the top plate is supported by the bulk metallic glass plug. The load cell further comprises a micro strain sensor coupled to the bulk metallic glass plug. The micro strain sensor is operable to determine a change in micro strain on the bulk metallic glass plug. The bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.

According to some embodiments, a load cell for determining a weight of a large object comprises a base plate comprising at least one recessed opening, a bulk metallic glass plug disposed in the at least one recessed opening of the base plate, and a top plate positioned above the base plate. A portion of the top plate is supported by the bulk metallic glass plug. The load cell further comprises a micro strain sensor coupled to the bulk metallic glass plug. The micro strain sensor is operable to determine a change in micro strain on the bulk metallic glass plug. The bulk metallic glass plug extends to a height where the top plate does not contact the base plate.

The present disclosure generally relates to a bearing hub assembly of a rail guide wheel apparatus for a rail vehicle. The bearing hub assembly may couple rail wheels to the rail guide wheel apparatus. The rail guide wheel apparatus may be included on a Hi-Rail vehicle or any other vehicle configured to travel along railroad tracks. The bearing hub assembly includes a sensor that is integrally mounted within the bearing hub assembly. The sensor collects information associated with rotation of the rail wheels. Information collected by the sensor may be used to determine a speed, direction, location, and/or distance traveled of the rail vehicle.

The present disclosure generally relates to a bearing hub assembly of a rail guide wheel apparatus for a rail vehicle. The bearing hub assembly may couple rail wheels to the rail guide wheel apparatus. The rail guide wheel apparatus may be included on a Hi-Rail vehicle or any other vehicle configured to travel along railroad tracks. The bearing hub assembly includes a sensor that is integrally mounted within the bearing hub assembly. The sensor collects information associated with rotation of the rail wheels. Information collected by the sensor may be used to determine a speed, direction, location, and/or distance traveled of the rail vehicle.