AUTOMATED IN MOTION RAILWAY SEISMIC WHEEL FAILURE DETECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A System for monitoring and tracking in motion seismic waves created by noisy railcar wheels comprising:
- At least two seismic sensors placed parallel to a rail track;
with the seismic sensors measuring seismic wave signals generated by a noisy railcar wheel carriage axle, on a rail track;
the wheel carriage defined as the signal source; and
with the sensors spaced from each other such that seismic phase time propagation delays between sensors, in relation to the signal source, can be measured; and
a controller having associated software and in communication with the seismic sensors, the controller adapted to use signals from the seismic sensors to detect a peak amplitude threshold and to measure the phase time of the signal source due to approaching seismic wave propagation, using this phase information to track the location and identify a noisy railcar wheel carriage axle while in motion; and
with the controller also adapted to use the phase time information to provide a programmable phase timed strobe output for external synchronizations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting in motion railcar seismic data generated by defective railcar axles of a train traveling on a track. The method uses two or more seismic sensors on the side of the track to capture seismic noise generated by railcar wheels. A wheel that exceeds a preset seismic noise threshold in amplitude, will trigger a wheel tracking algorithm that calculates seismic phase shift data related to the actively tracked wheel noise level, to determine the precise location, in real time, of the faulty wheel carriage while moving. Knowing the precise location of the tracked wheel allows the system to isolate the railcar and capture the railcar and wheel carriage identification information.
Subsequently, a railcar log is made on a computer database with the railcar identification information and made available to control centers via ground or satellite links.
7 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A System for monitoring and tracking in motion seismic waves created by noisy railcar wheels comprising:
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At least two seismic sensors placed parallel to a rail track; with the seismic sensors measuring seismic wave signals generated by a noisy railcar wheel carriage axle, on a rail track;
the wheel carriage defined as the signal source; andwith the sensors spaced from each other such that seismic phase time propagation delays between sensors, in relation to the signal source, can be measured; and a controller having associated software and in communication with the seismic sensors, the controller adapted to use signals from the seismic sensors to detect a peak amplitude threshold and to measure the phase time of the signal source due to approaching seismic wave propagation, using this phase information to track the location and identify a noisy railcar wheel carriage axle while in motion; and with the controller also adapted to use the phase time information to provide a programmable phase timed strobe output for external synchronizations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for detecting and analyzing coupled-in-motion railcar seismic noise waves comprising:
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At least two seismic sensors placed parallel to a rail track; with the seismic sensors measuring seismic wave signals generated by a noisy railcar wheel carriage axle, on a rail track;
the wheel carriage defined as the signal source; andwith the sensors spaced from each other such that seismic phase time propagation delays between sensors, in relation to the signal source, can be measured; and a controller having associated software and in communication with the seismic sensors, the controller adapted to use signals from the seismic sensors to detect a peak amplitude threshold and to measure the phase time of the signal source due to approaching seismic wave propagation, using this phase information to track the location and identify a noisy railcar wheel carriage axle while in motion; and with the controller also adapted to use the phase time information to provide a programmable phase timed strobe output for external synchronizations. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for detecting, tracking and identifying coupled-in-motion railcar seismic noise waves created by railcar wheels comprising:
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Positioning at least two seismic sensors on the side of a rail track; measuring seismic wave signals generated by a noisy railcar wheel carriage on a track;
the wheel carriage defined as the signal source; andspacing these sensors from each other such that seismic phase time propagation delays between sensors, in relation to the signal source, can be measured; and measuring seismic waves from the signal source, to determine if the wheel of a railcar exceeds a peak amplitude threshold in order to trigger an event;
then calculating using the phase difference of the sensors'"'"' seismic propagation time, the exact wheel carriage position relative to the seismic sensors, as well as the direction and speed of movement of the railcar; andusing a controller having associated software and in communication with the seismic sensors;
using signals from the seismic sensors to detect a peak amplitude threshold;
measuring the phase time of the wheel signal source due to approaching seismic wave propagation;
using this phase information to track the location of the faulty wheel in real time, identifying a noisy wheel carriage axle while in motion; andusing the phase time information to provide a programmable phase timed strobe output for external synchronizations. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification