Method and apparatus for detecting defective track wheels

• US 6,416,020 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2001
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leif Gronskov
• Original Assignee: Leif Gronskov
• Inventors: Gronskov, Leif
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Mark T.
• Application Number:
  US09/743,228
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 246/169.R, 246/169.A, 246/169.D, 246/169.S, 246/249, 246/121, 246/122.R, 33/1.Q, 356/602, 356/606, 356/607, 356/608, 250/224
• US Class Current: 246/169.00D
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/12 Measuring or surveying wheel-rims measuring techniques G01
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 1/003 of rotating machines G01H1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 9/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/10 Suspensions, axles or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/366 by using diffraction of light for measuring speed of fluids G01P5/26

Abstract

Method and apparatus for the detection of defective track wheels on rail vehicles such as carriages and/or locomotives, whereby an electromagnetic beam such as a laser beam (9) is directed towards the wheel (5) in a direction substantially at right-angles to the plane of the wheel while the carriage and/or the locomotive is running. A series of signals are recorded corresponding to electromagnetic beams reflected from the wheel (5) substantially at right-angles to the plane of the wheel, and a measurement is carried out of the Doppler frequency change between the transmitted beam (9) and the reflected beam. On the basis hereof, a signal processing is effected for the determination of the vibration pattern of the relevant wheel, and a determination of the condition of the relevant wheel is carried out on the basis of the vibration pattern.

Claims

1. A method for detecting defective track wheels on rail vehicles comprising:

transmitting an electromagnetic beam towards a wheel in a direction which is substantially at right angle to a plane of the wheel;

registering a series of signals corresponding to at least on electromagnetic beam reflected from the wheel at a substantially right angle to the plane;

carrying out a series of measurements of a Doppler frequency change between the transmitted beam and the reflected beam;

determining a vibration pattern of the wheel based on a signal process; and

determining a condition of the wheel based on the vibration pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of identifying the vehicle and/or the wheel by carrying out a measurement.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying an influence to the wheel for provoking and/or reinforcing vibrations in the wheel.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing the vibration pattern of the wheel with a predetermined normal vibration pattern for a purpose of determining a condition of the wheel.

5. A The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting an alarm signal to a central surveillance unit in the event a wheel abnormality is determined.

6. An apparatus for detecting defective wheels on rail vehicles, comprising:

a laser sensor for measuring the speed of lateral vibrations of a wheel, the laser sensor being positioned to transmit a laser beam towards a wheel in a direction that is substantially at a right angle to a plane of the wheel, to receive a beam reflected from the wheel and to calculate the speed of lateral vibrations of the wheel based on a series of measurements of a Doppler frequency change;

elements that determine a vibration pattern for the wheel based on the calculated speed of lateral vibrations of a number of points on the wheel; and

memory units for storage of data.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising elements identifying the rail vehicles and/or wheels.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising elements to determine a condition of the wheel by comparing the vibration pattern with patterns previously measured and/or with normal values.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising devices for exitacion and/or reinforcement of vibrations in the wheel when the wheel passes the apparatus.