Train Integrity Network System

• US 20080195265A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: STI-Global Ltd.
• Original Assignee: STI Rail Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Searle, Donald Stephen, Wilkins, Charles Richard Wallace
• Application Number:
  US11/579,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20080195265A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/04 Detectors for indicating the overheating of axle bearings and the like, e.g. associated with the brake system for applying the brakes in case of a fault
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/08 Measuring installations for surveying permanent way applications of measuring apparatus or devices for track building purposes E01B35/00; measuring techniques G01
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0027 Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0054 Train integrity supervision, e.g. end-of-train [EOT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0072 On-board train data handling
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0081 On-board diagnosis or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/021 Measuring and recording of train speed
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/40 Handling position reports or trackside vehicle data

Abstract

A train integrity network system comprises bogie units which monitor critical parameters relating to the condition of bogie components and the rail track they are travelling on, an onboard server which controls the bogie units and a wireless network which enables communication between the server and the bogie units. Each bogie unit is powered by an electrical generator which utilises the rotation of the bogie wheels and has a processor which compares the critical parameters against defined standards in order to issue alerts to the train driver. The wireless network utilises master/slave base band role switching, has store-and-forward nodes which convey quasi real time data to the server and utilises frequency hopping modes.

Claims

1. A train integrity network system comprising two or more bogie units which monitor critical parameters relating to the condition of bogie components and the rail track they are travelling on, an onboard server which controls the bogie units and a wireless network which enables communication between the server and the bogie units.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have sensors to monitor the temperature of the hub of a bogie wheel.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have sensors to monitor the temperature of the periphery of a bogie wheel.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have motion detectors to monitor movement of the bogie axle in vertical and horizontal directions.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have accelerometers to monitor acceleration of the bogie axle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have means to measure the speed of rotation of a bogie wheel.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units are powered by an electrical generator which utilises the rotation of the bogie wheels.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have a processor which compares the critical parameters against defined standards.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have a wireless transceiver which enables communication with other bogie units and the server.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the bogie units have a source of illumination.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless network utilises master/slave base band role switching.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless network has store-and-forward nodes which convey quasi real time data to the server.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless network utilises frequency hopping modes.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the server can download data to a wayside database.

15. The system of claim 1 which also has a GPS unit to record the location of the train at any time.

16. The system of claim 1 which has an end-of-train monitoring function.

17. The system of claim 1 which has a collision avoidance function.

18. The system of claim 1 which has a level crossing warning function.

19. The system of claim 1 which transmits a warning signal to vehicles approaching a level crossing which are equipped to receive said signal.

20. The system of claim 1 which monitors tension and compression in the train wagon couplings.