B61L15/0054

Device for monitoring operation parameters of a vehicle axle
11072351 · 2021-07-27 · ·

A device for monitoring operation parameters of a vehicle axle including a measuring instrument (1) comprising at least a position sensor, a device (2) for communication of measured quantities to an external device, a mechanism (5) for conversion of mechanical energy of the axle to electrical energy and a memory (3) with a stored identification code. A device has the shape of a ring (4) that is applied on the vehicle axle in such a way that it encircles it. The ring (4) consists of at least two parts (4a, 4b) that are adapted for permanent connection around the vehicle axle. The mechanism (5) consists of a circumferential cavity (5a) in the inner part of the ring where a permanent magnet (5b) is freely positioned, at least one coil (5c), preferably four coils (5c) being positioned along its perimeter. The device (2) for communication of measured quantities is a wireless transmitter with a GSM interface or radio-frequency interface configured for communication of measured values together with the identification code (3) of the axle to an external processing unit.

Train Control Device
20210221414 · 2021-07-22 ·

This train control device is provided with a leading carriage position measuring means for measuring the position of a leading carriage during travel, a final carriage position measuring means for measuring the position of a final carriage during travel, a train length calculating means for calculating a train length from measurement results obtained by the leading carriage position measuring means and the final carriage position measuring means, a leading carriage passing time measuring means for measuring the time at which the leading carriage passed a specific location, a final carriage passing time measuring means for measuring the time at which the final carriage passed the specific location, a speed measuring means for measuring the speed of the train, a traveled distance calculating means for calculating a traveled distance through which the train traveled from the leading carriage passing time until the final carriage passing time, on the basis of the measurement results obtained by the speed measuring means, the leading carriage passing time measuring means, and the final carriage passing time measuring means, a train completeness determining means for determining whether a difference between the train length and the traveled distance is equal to or less than a prescribed difference value, and a taillight means for indicating the final carriage, wherein the taillight means is a portable train taillight, and the final carriage position measuring means and the final carriage passing time measuring means are arranged integrally.

Determining loss of communication between rail vehicles

A system for determining a location of a rail vehicle based on an radio frequency (RF) signal that includes at least one processor programmed or configured to determine that a first RF communication signal transmitted by a head of train (HOT) unit of a plurality of rail vehicles is received by an end of train (EOT) unit of the plurality of rail vehicles, determine whether a second RF communication signal transmitted by the HOT unit is received by the EOT unit during a time interval after a time at which the first RF communication signal was determined to be received by the EOT unit, and determine one or more locations of the plurality of rail vehicles based on determining that the second RF communication signal transmitted by the HOT unit is not received by the EOT unit during the time interval. A method and computer program product are also disclosed.

Method for safe supervision of train integrity and use of on-board units of an automatic train protection system for supervision train integrity

A method for safe supervising train integrity includes: (a) acquiring first position data of the first carriage via a first tracking unit which is installed on-board of a first carriage and acquiring second position data of a second carriage via a second tracking unit which is installed on-board of the second carriage, wherein the position data is related to a rail route coordinate system; (b) determining a deviation between a reference value which depends on the length of the train and a position value which depends on position data of at least one of the tracking units; (c) detecting whether train integrity is given by analyzing the deviation; (d) repeating steps a) through c); wherein the tracking units are part of on-board units of an automatic train protection system. Thus a cost-efficient method for supervising train integrity which complies with safety level SIL4 can be realized.

IMAGE-BASED MONITORING AND DETECTION OF TRACK/RAIL FAULTS

A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more distance measuring imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged distance measurements are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

Active control system for rolling behaviors of high-speed trains

An active control system for rolling behaviors of high-speed trains includes a sensor, a controller and an output device. The output device includes a power unit, an output unit and a casing. The power unit and the output unit are arranged inside the casing. The active control system applies active control torque to the shaking, rolling and nodding of the train body so as to control the train.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AND INTERPRETING POINT CLOUDS OF A RAIL CORRIDOR ALONG A SURVEY PATH
20210072393 · 2021-03-11 · ·

An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.

Non-stop train with attaching and detaching train cars
10919548 · 2021-02-16 ·

A non-stop train system including a plurality of train cars in communication with one another and in communication with an electronic control module. The train system further includes a track having a plurality of drop off and pick up locations. A prepositioned train car is stopped on the track at one of the drop off and pick up locations. A non-stop express train approaches the drop off and pick up location on the track initiating the prepositioned train car to begin departure. The electronic control module is used to adjust the speed of the non-stop express train and the prepositioned train car based on a detected distance such that a front coupler of the non-stop express train couples to the rear coupler of the prepositioned train car while moving along the track.

Image-based monitoring and detection of track/rail faults

A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

SYSTEM FOR VERIFYING THE INTEGRITY OF A CONVOY, PARTICULARLY A RAILWAY CONVOY
20230415798 · 2023-12-28 ·

A system for verifying the integrity of a convoy, particularly a railway convoy, comprising at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle, is described, in which the system for verifying the integrity of a convoy includes a first controller arranged to be coupled to the first vehicle, a second controller arranged to be coupled to the second vehicle, and at least one communication means arranged to allow communication between the first controller and the second controller. The first controller and/or the second controller is/are arranged to determine that the integrity of the convoy is compromised, when the first controller and the second controller are no longer able to communicate with each other via the at least one communication means.