Method and apparatus for determining the diameter of rail vehicle wheels
First Claim
1. A method for determining the diameter of a rail vehicle wheel having a circumferential tread surface and a rotational axis, comprising the following steps:
- (a) positioning said rail vehicle wheel upon a defined running surface,(b) simultaneously sensing at least first and second random points interconnected by a chord and circumferentially spaced from each other on said tread surface for determining the position of said first and second random points,(c) ascertaining the height of each of said first and second random points above said defined running surface,(d) and calculating from said positions including the respective heights of said two points, said diameter of said rail vehicle wheel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The diameter of railroad wheels is calculated from data obtained by simultaneously producing two marker points on the tread surface of the wheel and simultaneously sensing these marker points and from data representing the known fixed location of the marker point generators and of the sensors. These data define a chord line and a chord height subtending the chord line. The length of the chord line and chord height in turn define the wheel diameter. A computer performs the calculations and provides a respective output that may be used for display or for controlling a tool such as a wheel truing machine.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for determining the diameter of a rail vehicle wheel having a circumferential tread surface and a rotational axis, comprising the following steps:
- (a) positioning said rail vehicle wheel upon a defined running surface,
(b) simultaneously sensing at least first and second random points interconnected by a chord and circumferentially spaced from each other on said tread surface for determining the position of said first and second random points, (c) ascertaining the height of each of said first and second random points above said defined running surface, (d) and calculating from said positions including the respective heights of said two points, said diameter of said rail vehicle wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- (a) positioning said rail vehicle wheel upon a defined running surface,
- 13. An apparatus for determining the diameter of a rail vehicle wheel having a circumferential tread surface and a rotational axis, comprising rail means positioned for defining a running surface (14) for said wheel (11), said running surface defining a measuring range of given length, means for generating at least two sensible point type markers (1, 1'"'"', 2) on said tread surface, at least two markers to produce marker signals, central processing computer means connected to said generating means and to said sensor means for calculating diameter values from data received as said marker signals from said sensing means and from height values of said first and second random points calculated by said computer means, said generating means having tow generators located at a defined spacing from each other and from said running surface in said measuring range so that said sensible point type markers can be set and also sensed within said measuring range.
Specification